Life's Tough, Sometimes Not By Choice

Just the other day, I witnessed a fight right in front of my eyes. From how it started to its abrupt end, the whole episode was played out while I was in the comfort of my chair slurping up delicious prawn mee at a coffeeshop.

What was interesting about the fight is that on 1 side of the fight, the participants were senior citizens, no less than 60 years of age, 1 of them a woman. On the other side, it was a solo warrior at least 4 decades old. Oh yes, the woman initiated the fight.

It all started because of 5 empty drink cans, with a street value of no more than 20cents. The lone warrior-cum-vagabond had taken 5 empty cans from the tables, 2 from mine, but not before seeking our permissions. The woman, from the coffeeshop, did not take it lightly, as if she had been robbed.

She started shouting expletives at him, while he tried explaining that the cans were the coffeeshop's patrons' to give away. As she got hot, she walked over to whack him with her umbrella. One thing I must say, the vagabond was quite gentlemanly, choosing to just fend off her "swordplay". It was only when her male colleague joined in that the vagabond landed a square punch on the guy's throat.

At this point, a 2nd colleague, a white-haired man who looked 70years, limped to a chair and struggled to pick it up over his head, further limped to approximately 2metres from the lone warrior and flung the chair at him, missing him by at least a metre short. The woman then picked another chair and swung it at the vagabond.

As quickly as it started, the fight paused, while all the participants were panting heavily. Just then, another elderly man who I think is the owner came out and told the vagabond to scram. The lone warrior walked away, but not before complaining aloud about the whole episode.

It was a tad comical. But seriously, the fight started over 5 empty drink cans. I wonder if they are "Singaporeans who did the hard and dirty work to build the nation", for if they are, I'm glad cos an old man promised to look after them. Well, if they aren't, then tough luck eh?

Now, now, not everyone chooses to be poor ok?!


redcocoon