A narrow escape

After a few years of study abroad, one will think that back to home has always been a bliss. yet i had a bad experience the other day. at the same time feeling rather ashamed for m'sia.

The story goes like this:

I was at the kl central lrt station heading to Times Square. When I was on my way to the monorail station, a 18 yrs old guy (Guy A) approached me and handed me a card-like envelope. So I thought it was some sort of promotional materials or flyer. I grabbed. When I was about to go, that guy asked me to peel open the envelope. so that if the words written in there is a "thank you", i should return to him. Without further ado, I asked him to open it up in front of me. mana tahu, the word "thank you" didnt appear. the word "special gift" appeared.

Then this Guy A faster congratulate me for winning this 'amazing prize'. soon after, he showed me a newspaper ads saying that this prize giveaway is a real thing. When he asked me " Did you come across such newspaper ads before?" i was like " hmm.. i just came back home (obviously where got time flip newspaper rite), so i didnt read newspaper " (its a very stupid idea of being honest here).

obviously he was thinking I'm a good target to cheat. Then came another two of his frens (a guy and a gal) to congratulate me. At that point, i was so blurred and freaked out. I told that gal i dont want the gift and I can give her the gift. She insisted no. Her reply was "miss, look at the rules, friends or families cannot claim on your behalf.." plus the gift has to be collected in 15 mins time. I tried to run away, but failed even how many times i claimed that i m in a rush.

Guy A make a phone call to his boss, saying that i won this 'amazing prize', then the boss asked me to come personally to Taman Desa to collect that prize. in fact, he told me that I could get there in 7 mins. I have no idea where taman desa is. (even though I live in KL for so long). I thought 7 mins should not be too far away from here. so I could run away easily.

Things get complicated. shit happen. the gal waved a taxi for me, asked that guy A to accompany me to Taman Desa. u wont believe that i actually followed that guy into the taxi. so i went. to taman desa. on the way, that guy was telling me all sort of procedures i need to do if i get a car or a tv blah blah blah. I didnt pay attention. was still figuring out how I could get away.

When we get there, the Guy A asked me to pay for the taxi. okay paid 11.50. When I think of it now, I should have run away once i get down the taxi. but still somehow I still can be so obedient and followed that guy up to an office. thankfully not a dodgy area. then came in the boss. He told me that i have to scan that envelope later on in order to reveal the gift that I will receive. It's going to be a car or plasma tv or air ticket for two..He even showed me a few pictures of those who had won the prize to gain my trust. soon after he told me " but...miss, on top of that, you have to pay 5% government tax. just like u go to KFC and u have to pay 5% tax." That guy must think that i'm an idiot or math dummy. a KFC meal the most only cost you less than 100, so the tax will only be few ringgit. I was thinking the prize now at least costs a few 10 thousands, so the tax must be a few thousands? so I asked the boss how much i have to pay when he said 5%. He showed me a table, the total tax that i have to pay is RM7000!

Straight after, i raised my voice. I told the boss i have no money to pay him 7000 and I dont want the gift anymore. at first, he still came out with a polite-tone-reply " miss, you dont have to be so angry, we give you an option to choose.." so then I insisted again I dont want to pay. Then the boss was annoyed. he raised his voice and scolded me of being lan si and walked off. I get even more pissed off. I raised my voice on that guy A "how can your boss talk to me in such a manner? it was so rude! is that how you do your business?". I walked out and slamped the door real hard. damn syiok. I ran out. to me its a victory :)

So i went back to the nearest bus stop. was trying to ask a lady who was waiting at the bus stop for directions. but you know malaysians, we are trained to beware of strangers. so she doesn't really want to bother me. First time in my life, I felt so lost. apparently lost in the jungle of kl. luckily i managed to get hold a taxi 2 mins later. I told the taxi driver " I am willing to pay you for any price as long as you bring me back to times square". So there goes another 12 bucks for the day.

Thankfully i am back in 1 piece. so moral of the story, whenever you are alone, beware of these idiots. what have happened to me might happen to someone else.