People Watch

Person 1: Madam Siew,  73,  Blk 472 Choa Chu Kang Loop [ The Old Lady ]

I have always been fascinated by this old lady who lives in my neighbourhood. Each and every time I come across her, she will be clothed in her usual sleeveless Chinese silk blouse with a pair of black slacks. The top, although embellished with floral embroidery, is usually dull-looking with grey I presume, being her preferred choice of colour. She sports a neat hair-make by always having her jet black hair combed tightly towards the back and fastened into a bun. My observation tells me otherwise about the authenticity of her crowning glory – never did she once change her hairstyle and it gives off a synthetic gloss every time it comes under the scrutinization of bright lights. Her facial features are wrinkled and age has clearly taken a toll on her once smooth radient complexion, now rough and rugged, showing evidence of perhaps the hardships she has gone through. It was not her features that commanded my attention but instead, this everyday-habit of hers.

I never fail to see her every morning at the train station, religiously queueing up for free morning papers like “TODAY” and other local free sheets. She is always there by 7am; her presence being stark in contrast to the rapid morning traffic. She has never exchanged eye-contact with me as most of the time, she stares blankly against the backdrop of the human flow. For all the previous times I’ve seen her, I never had once see her smile.  This time it is no different. She stands in the queue, practically stoning into mid-air. Madam Siew always wears a furrowed look which makes her look lonely and perturbed. She also appears to have nonchalance for the world around her with the expressionless face and unconcerned body language. She rarely speaks; but on the few occasions she does, it is only showing common courtesy to the newspaper vendor. I managed to go closer to her a couple of times when she spoke. She speaks fluent english which is occasionally peppered with cantonese. From this, I reckon she is Peranakan. She converses in hushed tones which, by the way, sounds husky and at times, nearly inaudible. I also notice that she walks quickly in a succession of small and fragile steps, hunching slightly.

Although she appears to be frail and weak, I see an indomitable will in her which is truly remarkable.

Person 2: Tan Kee Loong,  56,  Limbang [ Man in his mid 50s (perhaps) who is short (probably unfortunately "equipped" with a physical illness that prevents height increment) ]

Looks
- Clothed in a sloppy white t-shirt with small holes and its collar area loosened and worn out, and a pair of dirty jeans
- Vertically challenged and roughly 1.4m
- Considerably plump
- Has a pouch attached around his waist
- Messy hair with mild curls (such that he looks like he hardly takes a bath)
- Carries a plastic bag of tissues with him

Work
- Sells tissue for a living, probably working two jobs; his other job being something that does not require the candidate to have gone through much education

Area
- Loiters around the coffee shops in the nearby vicinity
- Stationed outside the MRT station exit
- Visits video arcade at the shopping centre opposite the train station but only stands and watches as the teenagers “do their thing”. Occasionally scratches his butt and head.

Actions
- sells tissue in a rude manner
- displays impatience while selling tissues
- Seldom talks or makes small-talk; similar to how other old people do
- Gives an approving nod when people donate
- No sincerity doing so