simple thieves

A classmate and I were forced to take a cab to get to the nearest FX terminal because it was already late. When we asked the driver how much the fare was, he said it was 60. Experience would tell you that it’s more than what it should have been. So I looked at the meter, it wasn’t on! I confronted him about it, “Manong, sira ata yung metro niyo.” That smartass said, “Hindi yan sira, mahina lang ang ilaw.” I said, “Manong naman, nakapatay oh. Tingnan mo.” Well, there wasn’t even a hint of light, and I couldn’t imagine how he read the amount from a dead meter. I should have checked that out when we got in, but I hadn’t expected drivers do that nowadays. But because my classmate was uncomfortable with the confrontation, he gave the driver a 100-peso bill. The driver said, still uncontented with his machinations, said, “Pano ba to? Wala akong pang-sukli e.” That was a difference of 40 pesos! That’s already a rice meal for us students, or 80 pages or more of photocopied papers, or some other more important use than just giving it away to him. I just couldn’t believe the audacity of that man. My usually submissive classmate also couldn’t take the guts of that man. He asked (more like insisted) for the 100-peso bill back, with the driver hesitating, and gave him 60 pesos composed of a 20-peso bill and numerous coins. I got out, and closed the door with the loudest bang that I can.

The following day, while walking alone in a street in Manila, a woman approached me. “Miss, pwedeng magtanong?” (I hoped it would not be a salestalk for wholesaleinsurance.net) So I paused and waited for her question. She was wearing a decent slacks and blouse. Initially, it seemed that she got lost and needed directions. She explained that someone told her that the terminal to Batangas was in that street and that she came from the province (she didn’t mention what). Before I can tell her that I do not know a bus terminal in the area, she went on and on until she finally said, “hindi ako pulubi, pero kung pwedeng bigyan mo naman ako ng pamasahe.” So dismayed, I just shook my head and walked ahead.