I am a good student. A smart student. A diligent student.
I am the top of my class. The class president. The leader.
My classmates respect me. The teachers adore me. My friends look up to me.
The teacher comes in and tells us to write an essay about corruption---how we should stop or prevent it.
I know exactly what to write. I'm sure to get another A.
My pen scribbles away. I watch the scene in my head...
I get into a public vehicle. There are already other people inside. I excuse myself as I take my seat. I immediately pay the driver, stating my destination and mentioning I am a student. I handed him a fifty peso bill. I know the fare is P25 but the driver hands me the wrong amount of change.
I tell the driver he has given me an incorrect amount of change. I needed P5 more. But the driver ignores me.
"Please give me my money back," I try to put as much authority in voice as I can. "I refuse to ride in your vehicle if you're just going to jiff me. People like you should be ashamed! You shouldn't do this to your passengers especially students. You're a poor example for a good citizen and with greed like yours, you're no better than a thief!"
I get my money back and get off the vehicle. I look back and see that the rest of the people have followed my lead and fought corruption...
I finish my essay and pass it to the teacher. He says I can go.
Outside, I make my way to the terminal with my imaginary speech still ringing in my ears.
I feel good about myself.
I hail a public vehicle.
I sit next to someone.
I pay exactly twenty five pesos.
The driver asks for five pesos more. He claims the fee is thirty.
No, I think. It's twenty five!
I feel the other passengers' eyes on me.
I search my bag.
I pay five pesos more.
Posted at 08:09 pm by Chelsea_ann
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