The ATM
My prespiration-soaked No.4 stuck to my body and as I lugged my heavy bag around ,I spotted my only ray of hope at the top of the escalator. Approaching the white-haired, seemingly nonchalant Auntie I asked, in broken Chinese no less:
"Auntie, Ni zi dao zhui jing de ATM zhai na li ma?" Auntie do you know where the nearest ATM is?
Shaking her head slowly, she smiled genially.
This was bad. It was already 7.15 and still I did not have enough money for the ticket in. As the minutes ticked by, I made for the nearest Shopping Centre, a dark and brooding affair, hoping that an ATM might be located within its premises.(which may very well be underground dungeons)
My school band was having their first concert at SCH ( that's Singapore Conference Hall, not School) today. Previous years concerts were held in the School Hall- something we always thought would be the case- until now.
My quest came to naught.
"The nearest one is down at the MRT station," the Indian security guard said in his booming voice.
"Where?" I asked , positively appalled that the Auntie had led me to this dark, oppressive place.
"Up the escalators, you can see it when you come out the other side."
I needed no further encouragement. I fled as he turned his back to retrieve what looked like metal shackles.
The Toilet
Apparently, the ATM was near the other entrance. As I rushed down the escalator and got out the other side, I made for the toilet to change , which was just beside the ATM. If you thought coffee-shop toilets were bad, this was far worse.
Even before you go in, a smell that reminded you faintly of goats hits you in the face like a well placed uppercut. But it is when you go in that you realise that the smell is ten times worse inside. Ugly, dark stains stained the floor and slow drip of leaking taps makes you wonder why they didn't film a horror flick right there and then. The actors won't even have to act horrified.
Nevertheless, I fought against my urge to gag, forced myself inside a cubicle and promptly got a severe bout of claustrophobia. I thought I was going to black out until I realise that my deteriorating vision was due to the fogging up of my glasses. Wiping the mist off, I took a long deep breath and proceeded to embark on the task at hand. After what seemed like a performance David Cooperfield might be proud of, I emerged from the cubicle, barely alive but otherwise, unharmed.
When I finally got into the queue for the ATM, I was sweating profusely and would forgive anyone who asked me if I had been wrestling with goats.
The queue was not long. In fact, it came to a grand total of two. Just one other lady in front and myself. Time seems have sped up. Sneaking a glance at the small clock at the bottom left hand corner ( which was now part of an advertisement) of the new MRT plsama screen, I realise it was already 7.30pm.
As I stood arms akimbo for my turn, the seconds ticking away , I felt ever closer to missing the concert. For once, I felt like I was Peter Parker on his way to the play Mary Jane was in.
" There was a disturbance, " I would say sounding all mysterious.
My stomach gave an almightly lurch when I thought of what the bouncer would say to me as he ran his hands like Veena White across the sign that read " The doors will be locked after the concert has started".
Finishing my business at the ATM, my Spider sense told me that the group of youths running ahead of me were rushing to the concert as well. Picking up my Bag and Boots, I gave chase. All of a sudden, two girls in front of me stopped. I would have bumped into them if not for my instinctive spider senses which prompted me of impending danger ahead.
Taking off their high-heels, they ran barefooted across the underpass, onto the pavement and across the road to the Singapore Conference Hall lobby which by now was mainly vacant save for a few stranglers like us.
Whipping out my wallet, I bought a ticket. The ushers looked like they were all ready to stop me but only took my ticket as they bade me to enjoy the concert.
The Music of the Night
I trudged into the red-carpeted hall and was hit in the face by a gust of over-zealous air-conditioning. Erina, one of the seniors of the band waved at me as I took my seat. As if on cue ( which I suspect is the case, with Cedric being in-chrage of lighting) , the lights dimmed.
Taking my camera, I focused my shot, aiming it squarely on the large banner the band had put up. I framed my shot and as my finger floated over the click button something unexpected happened.
"Sir, no photography in the hall," the usher who looked like a mis-happened spy with the microphone dangling below his mouth said.
" no photography," the usher said.
If the audiences' response to the concert was anything to judge the concert by, it was blast. Beside me, an elderly old man tapped his feet to the familiar strains of "Geylang Sepaku Geylang", his jowls aquiver. It was part of the set piece Hai Sing played to clich the third consecutive Gold Award, Singapore Rhapsody.
The Phantom of the Opera took everyone by surprise when the lights suddenly died. " Bloody Cedric," I cursed. Behind me some girls screamed. Cedric came out during the intermission assuring everyone that the black-out was rehearsed.
I suspected that when he did the black-out, the entire lighting room was in darkness too as it took a little more than a second to turn the lights back on.
" Can't find the on switch la," I explained to quizzical faces.
Children positively squealed with delight when they saw their favorite character Sponge Bob prancing on stage to the opening theme of the same title. I became young at heart once more .
The concert over, the entire band gathered for a picture.
The Band at SCH ( not School)
This time no ushers came forward to stop me. We then took to the lobby for more pictures.
Rose to the ocassion, we did. Yes, just this morning.
Lighting man Cedric with fellow blogger and Jay enthusiast, Jing Yi.
Erina's best efforts to look shorter than me paid off.
It seems the band has come full circle.
As I sat in the bus chartered to take the band performers back to Hai Sing I cannot help but find myself reliving the moments when I was still in the Band. A part of Hai Sing. A member of Hai Sing Catholic Concert Band.
Light and Shadow.
