tan ah yam, i'm sorry* 

Familiar with the phrase 'what goes around comes around'?

While having lunch with my clients yesterday, I joked about how the paid lunch was more of a full feeding before the slaughter - they had conned me to be the co-emcee for a short product talk session.

I had also told them how, when I was about 8 years old, enjoyed making prank calls when no one's home. Not just any prank calls, mind you. I focussed on only one victim - one poor soul, whom I had selected from the phone directory listing.

I found his name amusing - Tan Ah Yam. Gosh, how could any parents name their child like that? Are they ignorant of what it sounds like?

I'd dial the number and upon hearing a 'Hello' on the other end, will scream 'Tan Ah Yam, Tan Ah Yam, Tan Ah Yam, Tan Ah Yam, Tan Ah Yam, Tan Ah Yam...' until he hangs up. And that will continue for a good three to four times until he refuses to pick up the call.

Yes, I know. I am one sick child. And I'm afraid this sick child has grown to be one mad woman. A mad, mad woman, indeed.

Well, God is just. I've paid my dues.

I had to tolerate my share of prank calls when I was working as a Pizza Hut telephone operator during my college years. The calls came from both children and adults alike.

Examples of sick calls:

1. '755-25-25 jingle' sung loudly, followed by amused laughters.
2. Heavy breathing (I sighed back)
3. 'Do you have big tits?' (Err, not as big as your mama's)
4. 'Hallo, why my pizza so late, ah?' (Donno. You ask me, I ask who?)
5. 'What other extra toppings can you put on my pizza?' (How about I punch your face, and put all your teeth on top?)

I was given a warning once because the caller complained I was being very rude. How can I be nice to a moron who threatened to call the Prime Minister to shut down all Pizza Hut outlets, just by the mere fact that his pizza was late by an hour? Me, being rude? Can't be. I just replied nicely and sweetly, 'Sir, you think the Prime Minister is very free, is it?'.

Anyway, one fine morning, after 4 looooong tormented years, I woke up and decided I had enough. So I called my supervisor and told him I wish to resign. And that was that.

So yes, what goes around comes around. And it was quite a painful experience.

So, Mr. Tan Ah Yam...I am really sorry for my insensitive pranks. Please accept my apologies.

March 14, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 2:38 pm
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