Last Friday, I got a call from traffic police headquarters around midnight, telling me that my father was arrested again for drink driving. I have to go the HQ at UBI AVE 3 to bail him out. The is second time I have to bail him in 6 weeks. The first time, he is lucky to have got away with a warning. But this round, he wasn’t so lucky. He failed the breather test with a reading of 102 (pass is 80 or 85, I can’t remember). On that night, my father was being served with a court charge, so he will have to attend court21 at 22 Nov, and that is last week.
Although my father told me that he can go by himself, but I still made the decision of following him instead. This is one of the toughest parts of his life, and I sincerely believe that he needs support and I will have to be with him at such times. Never mind how many leaves I had remained, as long as I take them with purpose, things going to be fine.
On the Thursday, I went over to my dad house at 0710. We took some breakfast at coffee shop before taking a taxi there. We reached the subordinate court at 0835 which is fairly early for a 9 o’clock appointment. There were a lot of people also facing similar traffics charges waiting there as well. The court started at 0900 hours, which my father went in with several others. I wasn’t allowed to sit in, so I have to stay outside. The wait, surprisely turn out to be very long. I wait more than 3 hours for my father's charge to be deal with.
I had seen those people that had their lawyers with them. They had the privileges of jumping queue and able to have the case heard within minutes. I felt rather unfair, is those people than can't employ lawyers less important that those who did? Or simply money counts? I overheard a guy saying that to employ a lawyer needs 2K+++, and the lawyer could help us postponed the punishment (revoke of license), but can they really help us reduce the sentence? For a while, I regret not trying to engage a lawyer for my father's case (so he has to wait so long in the court). On the other hand, I still managed to convinced myself that, my father case is a sure lose case, I might as well save the money , and hope if I have the spare cash, I will pass to him to use.
At 1130 hours, my father case was finally settled; he got a 4000 dollar fine and a 3yr ban on all driving. At that time, he had only 1400 in his pocket and me 2K in my bank. The police officer didn’t want to use help us by asking the judge to allow installments, and I don’t see the point to beg for it either. My father passed me his house key, so I could fetch the cash from his house. Its was a very anxious period, as before I know it, my father was being kept in the lockup during the time when I went to collect the money.
Since 12pm - 2pm is lunch time, so I have to wait until 2pm to bail my dad out. I was so anxious that I can t eat well, so I skip my lunch. Only until 2 pm I got back to the court, pay the fines (with a fat stack of 50 dollar notes). This is the first time I carry such money. I waited another 45 minutes before seeing my father. It had been rather slow, but then I heard from my dad that they do serve lunch during his time inside the lockup, I guess thing are not so bad after all
Looking backwards, we spent almost a day at the court, and the lump sum of fine. During the wait outside, I also overheard a family talk. Its about 3K fine and 3 weeks of default jail term. Which is more "Wu Hua [Hokkien]" (better)? After all, as the daughter mentioned, 3 weeks replacing 3000 bucks is good. After all, we can’t earn 3000 in 3 weeks .On the other hand, the mum says that freedom is more important. Maybe if this question will to be post on rich people, answer is pretty obvious. But to some poor families who have to borrow here and there to pay the sum, then this would be a tough choice. Paying fine means freedom but in debts. What’s your take?
I guess my father didn’t choose the default jail term over the fine. Although he is poorer, at least he's still a free man. The sad part is that he got a 3 year ban on his license. He can no longer drive. He looked rather depressed that he can't drive anymore. He used to say that he can work as a driver only, but now he loses his driving license, I wonder if he can still accept other jobs, must pray that he does.
For me, I finally got back the use of the van. For now, imp still pondering how long should I keep on the driving the van, or should I scrap for a new one. On the other hand, I must see if I have the ability to buy new one. I will have to think and decide by the end of this week. Tough choice.
For my maple, due to increased Fo tang activities ( which is a nice thing) , I didn’t managed to do a level 85 this month , so I should just slow down. I m now at level 81... So I should just play slowly. 85 at end of the year should be just fine
I guess I should just stop here again
God bless everything I have
So I should not worry things I don’t have
Be Happy
Cheers
Toii
