Jonah
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Everyday, probably thousands of people pass through the gantries of the various MRT stations littered throughout the island state of Singapore. It is incredible to see people so obediently scanning away at the gantries' censors to gain access to the country's public transport. No questions asked, not like they can anyway. Just tap in and then tap out. Easy. Fast.
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Observe The Gantry on a crowded occasion. Everybody joustling to see who can enter first. Trying to cut into each other's queue. Sometimes, in these occassions, you get slapped in the face men carrying bulky and boxy Samsonite laptop backpacks and other times, for me, getting violated right between the nuts from a lady and her heavily loaded-out handbag. It is a sight and feeling you will get used to during the morning and evening rush hours.
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Where the line piles up with people, and one by one these people tap their cards. One after another, the green light appears. And in the odd occasion a red light flashes. And you see the whole queue suddenly come to an abrupt halt. Brief "Tsks" can be heard as the queue is held up. The poor chap at the head of the gantry struggles as he tries to remedy the situation by tapping his card again. Red lights still come on. Now the chap tries to back up, but the queue is preventing him from doing so. The people behind him start to get impatient. Surprised expressions turn to annoyance. Eventually, the chap manages to untangle himself. Sometimes in an embarrassed or annoyed manner, he manuvers himself round the queues to the control station to get his card fixed. It is during these moments, you let out a sarcastic "Haaa-ha" in your head. Just for the fun and for your entertainment as well.
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As you smile to yourself and begin snaking towards the gantry. You whip out your trusty old "Not just an MRT card" EZ link card and proceed to tap in. Amidst the distraction, the barriers of the gantry do not open and you walk into the barriers with your nuts wide open. The next thing you know, You frantically try to tap in again and realise that all too familiar red light with the dreaded message "Please top up your card". The people behind you "Tsk". Now the joke is on you pal. And you live the nightmare you just witnessed a while ago.
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*2 finger salute*