Gay Marriages

Home cooked dinner. Cosy setting. Just bring dessert, was the brief. 

That afternoon, my partner J and I were invited to our friends Ryan and Bing Wen's place in the east. 

Ryan is a partner and later, friend to J at their law firm. The two had been good friends for the last 5 years since Ryan came on board.

For dessert, J decided to get Bangladeshi dessert just because nobody in our circle goes for dinner parties  and brings Bangladeshi desserts. 

I brought along a nice bottle of Amarone knowing that Ryan and Bing Wen would enjoy it.

Their place was nestled amid calming greenery and surrounded by condo developments no higher than 10 storeys. Entering the Lorong K area of Singapore felt like I had invaded Tiny Town. 

"Welcome!" Bing Wen said, reaching out to give J and me a hug each. 

"Ry's still cooking but come on in -- let's get started on a white," said Bing who is always looking for an excuse to drink.

Ryan, all of 1.82m tall, was hovering over a huge pot of rendang. "I'll go with air kisses please -- I'm too sweaty to have formal body contact," he said in a crisp English accent. 

Years of returning to Singapore from his law studies in UK hadn't watered down his accent. 

Ryan's home is a cosy semi-loft. Big enough for two people on a daily basis and comfortable enough to host two other people.

Bing hurriedly brought out his stemware and opened a bottle of Carneros Chardonnay. 

"I heard J say you're cutting down," Bing said. "Drink your fill here and leave the rest of your quota empty."

While J went to make himself useful, offering Ryan help, Bing and I plonked ourselves onto their couch and clinked glasses. 

"Tell me the primary notes," Bing asked like an adventurous explorer eager to share his treasures, and I swirled my glass, sniffed my wine and took a first sip.

Bing, who is by day an energy trader and by night (and sometimes day) a wine connoisseur, loves his fermented grapes.  

"Wow," I said. "It's very creamy!" and proceeded to take sip number two to express my appreciation. 

"I love it. Very buttery. I don't always get to drink such finishes!"

Bing was pleased with himself and looked at me seriously in the eye. "Then drink to your heart's content!"

I love Bing. He's the exact opposite of Ryan (which, in away, is also a reflection of J and me). 

Ryan is very similar to J. Serious, quiet, extremely diligent and very low profile. 

Bing is the arty-fart element in their couple-hood. He loves his wine, his music, his art, and most importantly, food. 

Both Ryan and Bing are great cooks so invitations to their place -- whether it's a simple home cooked meal or a busy barbeque or even game night with snacks -- you can be assured of quality food. 

They don't believe in ordering in. They believe in making things from scratch. It's their love language. 

And Ryan and Bing's love started four years ago. Shortly after Ryan started working with J. 

They connected via Tinder. One date led to two, then three, and then bam! They both bought a place to live happily ever after.

Well, not yet.

The happily ever after is on its way.

As we all gathered at Ryan and Bing's dinning table, I looked around and saw happy faces of bliss, relief, gratitude and love.

Glasses were raised and auspicious toasts were made and lunch began.

As Ryan served me a scoop of piping hot beef rendang over my pilaf rice, Bing placed a generous helping of Thai vermicelli salad on J's plate.

One of the best ways to spend Saturday afternoons was with loved ones who make time to pamper their friends.

It was a joy watching Ryan and Bing finish each other's sentence and sharing with us their hopes and dreams. 

And then, Bing broke the news.

"We're planning to formalise our relationship. We haven't decided if it would be a same-sex marriage, or just a symbolic union, but we want to hold a ceremony to mark that," Bing said.

J set his fork and spoon on his plate and listened intently.

I reached for my glass, standing by for another congratulatory toast.

I may have said Ryan and J are similar in character but the one thing that Ryan's different is that he's very overtly romantic too.

He held Bing's hand and said "we're always looking for reasons to host friends and one night, I asked if Bing would want to hold something grand. Like a wedding reception or something and he said yes."

"That's the worst proposal ever, but I said yes," echoed Bing. 

"We haven't worked out the details yet -- but you both will be there," Bing said sternly.

J smiled, nodded and said "of course".

The format of their union was still in the air -- as was love. 

Bing whipped out his phone and showed J and me a beautiful -- and unposed -- photo of him and Ryan.

We were both on a hiking trip in Indonesia, and our guide captured this moment.

It was a perfect shot. Ryan was standing up slope, his body arching over to Bing to help him climb a high rock. Both of them were looking at each other and the photo was made all the more surreal with the morning sun cast on them, creating a mysterious back-lit silhouette on them both.

"This is going to be our centrepiece at our reception."

It was beautiful. 

Later, I shared that moment with the boys in our group chat.

Stanley the sex bunny and Carl the dense one have only heard of but never met this couple.

"Oh, so romantic," Stanley said.

Carl was in his element.

"What's happening? Who are they? Are they BL actors?"

If Carl were in the army, he would be the proverbial blur recruit. 

If Stanley were in the army, he would no doubt be a drill sergeant, given his penchant for drilling. 

"I also want to get married," Stanley typed in our group chat Just The Boys. 

"I have always wanted a big rock on my finger. And also sometimes, in a specific part of my body."

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

GE Watch Party (Part 2)

"Driiiiink!" shrieked Lina whose voice and face do not match.

Lina -- my sex bunny friend Stanley's yoga buddy -- is clearly high. Both in terms of intoxication level and her decibel. 

For someone who can be described as a China doll (her skin is porcelain smooth and those sharp features of hers look like they were artistically sculptured by a skillful craftsman), I cannot reconcile with what's coming out of her mouth this very moment.

"Adam! Driiiink!" she commanded again. Her shrill voice sounded like it belonged to a night safari rather than any urban setting -- and it really sounded like it came from something feral which has very sharp teeth. 

I promptly picked up my glass for fear of being shouted at again.

That night, the group of us were having a GE watch party at Stanley's. 

The deal was, every time we hear the words "mandate", we would have to drink.

Between replays of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong and the political analysts on the live programme who kept saying the word mandate, it's safe to say we had one drink too many. 

It was barely one hour into the 8pm live polling show and nearly everyone in Stanley's Queens Close home was high.

We gathered at Stanley's for an early dinner but our drinking started as soon as we streamed into his place by around 4pm.

By dinner time, we had polished off six bottles of whites. There were just six of us. Stanley the sex bunny, Carl the dense one, Lina the China doll with a non-human voice, Michael the unkempt gay, my partner J and I. 

Mathematically, we each drank a bottle of wine before 8pm.

But who's counting.

Right now, the group is very focused on another type of counting. The votes.

We were placing bets to see if Singapore's main opposition force -- the Workers' Party -- would win more seats this time round.

And one of the most keenly-watched seats were those in Punggol. 

"Punggol," Stanley began, "is such a basic place." 

"It's a straight-people start-up town," said Stanley, chief urban analyst. 

Michael, Stanley's yoga buddy whose farts helped forge friendships, nodded.  

Stanley's point is, Punggol -- Singapore's youngest town -- is really made for straight people.

Government housing there is made widely available for all who want to buy their first flats. Even the condos there are cheaply priced.

As a result, over time, Punggol became the first choice for most married couples to start their homes. 

"And five years later, these basic straight people will sell off their flats which they all bought with government subsidies and make a profit from it," Stanley said.

Carl the dense one, who has heard this story before, chose this moment to pee. 

"And these basic Punggol straight people get on my nerves," Stanley said. "There's something un-classy about them."

Carl, who had finished peeing, walked back to the living room and when he realised Stanley was still on his Punggol story, decided he hadn't peed enough and returned to hide in the toilet for a while more.

"Typically, when you go to Punggol, you'll see the typical straight couple families. All these basic Punggol wives would be skinny, have long, rebonded hair, wears a spaghetti strap blouse and calls herself Linda when her real name is Tan Siew Moi or something."

"The husband will almost always be wearing some washed out army tee or singlet with hair that's never combed. They're usually good looking but overweight," said Stanley, Punggol Population Specialist. 

"If they have no kids, they'll most likely have a trendy dog like Shiba Inu. And if they have a child, their son would have a pretentious name like Kayden, Jayden or Ayden."

"And their home will always be in some form of Japandi style or something," Stanley continued. 

"That's extremely detailed," I pointed out.

"But what really gets me so angry is that these basic Punggol straight people get all the government help. They get subsidies to buy their cheap Punggol flats then when they sell it after their Minimum Occupation Period five years later, they make a profit!"

"We gay people don't get such benefits! We depend on ourselves!"

"The government doesn't take care of gays! VOTE THE WORKERS' PARTY!" Stanley yelled, giving Lina, who had fallen asleep, a jolt. 

"Workers' Party, Workers' Party!" chanted Lina on cue.

"Driiiiiink!" she continued, and then fell back asleep.

 "These analysts are talking and talking non stop," Michael complained, and reached for more cheese.

"Exactly!" shrieked Lina again.

Is this woman asleep or not, I wanted to know.

"Stop all the talking. I need action. Where is the action! I want ACTION!" said Stanley, who stood up and thrusted his hips at his 65-inch TV.

Carl drank to drown his sorrows because he was getting bored.

He could not understand what was going on right now. Politics is too complex for his brain that's wired to function at life's most basic levels. 

And right now, all this analysis, talk about geopolitics and racial policies is giving Carl's brain overtime. Any more of this and he will hit 40-degree fever and break down further.

Just then, the TV cut to a tall newscaster in a nice suit.

"Shut up!!!!" said Stanley who seems offended by anything that's in his periphery. 

"This newscaster is making me fall asleep!" he said, and took a handful of nuts and threw at his 65-inch TV.

J stood up and proceeded to boil some water in the hope of sobering some of our very drunk friends.

"Yada, yada, yada," Michael said as the boring newscaster -- who looks and sounds sleepy -- carried on reading. 

Carl, who's bored to no end, stood up and did something constructive. Power squats. He needs to burn off his calorie intake so far.

"Actually, Singapore elections are all so boring," Michael said. "Look at the US. There's an assassination attempt on Trump. And in Malaysia, I hear people being bribed to vote for a certain party."

"Singapore politics is indeed very boring," Stanley agreed. "Which is why I focus on the good looks of this bunch of new faces."

According to Stanley and his database, this is the GE which has some of the most goodlooking candidates.

There's this former civil servant and yummy father of four who still looks like he's serving national service. 

"I will vote for him so that he can serve me like a humble servant," said Stanley who sounds like a humble serpent. 

And then, there's this geeky and brainy Workers' Party candidate who has a winsome, toothy grin. 

"I love geeks. And I think of all candidates, this one, pants down, is the best."

By 11pm, the news programme switched from the droning of the political analysts to the news readers interrupting them to listen to more sample vote counts, to more droning of the analysts.

"You know what would make GE more interesting," Stanley asked his guests who, by now, are in varying stages of drowsiness. My partner J (who's an early sleeper) was dozing off on my shoulder. Michael had a half-chewed piece of cheese as he stared glassily in front of him. Lina looked like an oriental sleeping beauty (until she shrieks) while Carl was by now, doing jumping jacks to stay awake.

"If only the candidates were made to go through a swim suit round. Only the cute ones. That would make voting more exciting," said Stanley who seems more interested in the member in Member of Parliament.

"I mean, I would want to see that criminal fighter lawyer and his muscles," Stanley said wiping drool off the corner of his lips.

"I certainly want to vote him into the chambers. My chambers." 

By 4am, it was clear that Singaporeans had overwhelmingly voted for the ruling PAP. 

Is it flight to safety? Are voter sentiments no-longer readable such that all analysis leading to this landslide results were slightly off? Or are we in such echo chambers that we don't even realise what's real and what's exemplified.

There was a lot to discuss post-election results but right now, we were in no state to engage further.

"PM Wong and I both want the same thing," Stanley said in his closing speech as he saw all of us off at his door.

"He wants a strong mandate."

"I want a strong man date. Goodnight, Singapore," he said, and closed his bold green door.

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

 

GE Watch Party (Part 1)

"Are you ready for change!" was the first greeting I got as Stanley opened the door to his lovely Queens Close apartment.

Carl the dense one had no idea what was happening and stood there dumbfounded. Then again, this was his usual self. 

"Should I leave now?" I ask Stanley cautiously. Our friend didn't look 100 per cent sober.

"Do you want to give them a blank cheque? Do they deserve a free pass?" Stanley barked and continued in a monologue everyone understood. Everyone except Carl who has no idea what all those terms meant.

"Erm, I would like a free pass," he said, crossing his legs, his bladder as weak as his voice. "Please, Stan, let me in."

Stanley the sex bunny couldn't help it, and instinctively replied that's what he said and opened his door -- painted a bold green (his favourite colour) --  to welcome Carl who has urgent needs, my partner J and me to his home.

Indoors, Stanley had his own urgent needs to tend to. He lifted a bottle of Pinot Grigio from the ice bucket and hurriedly refilled a glass. Then he looked at me and said, "help yourself to the wine Adam!"

"How much have you been drinking," my partner J asked, and glanced at the clock which said 3:12pm.

That Saturday, the few of us were invited to Stanley's home for a GE Watch Party. 

It is an event that takes place once every five years when friends would host food and drinks in front of the TV to watch the results of Singapore's General Election.

"It's my day off today, and I did my part as a patriotic citizen by casting my vote, so don't mind me if I celebrated my national duty early," Stanley said.

As J laid the table for our early dinner, the doorbell rang.

It was Lina, one of Stanley's yoga friends. 

"Adam!" she shrieked in a shrill voice that wouldn't have passed the auditions of any Peking Opera singing. 

We would know -- we met Lina late last year when Stanley hosted a year-end party and we had a taste of it.

We love Lina and right now, I'm loving her new look.

"Do you like it?" she asked flipping her hair left and right, letting her curly locks bounce in full glory.  

Lina, a first generation Singaporean who's ancestral home is the motherland of all Chinese, went around exchanging air kisses with us gays. 

The theme for that day's watch party was "go local".

So on Stanley's wooden table laid a messy plate of rojak, a big oval dish that's filled with hokkien mee, a big bundle of satay, black and sweetened char tou kuay, and six limp popiah.

"We're missing a few more dishes," Stanley said doing a mental count.

Minutes later, our missing dishes arrived.

It was Michael whom we've also grown to love. Michael, who, despite being gay, is the least gay person on earth. His fart had helped forge friendship with Stanley and Lina during a yoga class and the three of them had since been in a tight friendship.

"Sorry I'm late!" he said, huffing and puffing, large beads of sweat forming like a pearl tiara across his forehead.

"Did you take the stairs?" Lina asked.

"No, why would I?" Michael replied, puzzled.

Lina -- and Carl, of course -- remain puzzled, but an early dinner was calling out to us so we all tucked into our meal fervently.

"I really hope Workers' Party gains more seats this time round," Michael said. "I'm rooting for the underdogs."

"WP is hardly an underdog," Stanley pointed out. "But I love a good opposition," he said. "It's so sexy when people oppose and resist."

J looked at Stanley. "Should we be worried?"

Stanley said "if I ever get arrested for inappropriate behaviour, you will be my defence lawyer right, J?"

"Let's just hope your activities are contained in the bedroom and never spill out to the courtroom," I said, saving my poor partner from Stanley. 

"This is so exciting," Lina said. 

"Please be specific," I added, worried that she's empowering Stanley unnecessarily. 

"I love Singapore," Lina said. "You guys have no idea how lucky you are with your democratic system."

We had no comeback because what Lina said was true. She of all people would know the value of democracy.

Except Carl the dense one who still didn't know who the exact candidates were in his constituency. 

Heck, he didn't even know which constituency he was in (it's Queenstown SMC, rather than Tanjong Pagar GRC for the record. Carl was in rude shock when he stepped into the voting booth expecting to see a group of candidates as opposed to single candidates). 

If Carl were allowed to procreate, our future generation would be doomed.

At the strike of 8pm local time, everyone gathered excitedly around Stanley's couch. 

Lina took a corner seat of the couch and curled up like she was ready for a colonoscope. Stanley sat upright, as if he were watching a tense football match where he put half his money on one of the teams.

Michael chose to sit on Stanley's carpeted floor and proceeded to surround himself with fluffy Ikea pillows. Then he began digging his ear and smiled with satisfaction.

Carl the dense one looked at Michael, shocked. 

Then he also proceeded to dig his ear and gleamed at Michael, happy to have found a true friend.

"It's starting!" Stanley yelled in case we weren't paying attention to the telly.

"Let's go!!!!!"

"Yesssss!" Lina shrieked in a voice that belongs to a Peking Opera theatre -- a haunted one to be exact.

I looked at J and smiled.

Oh boy, this is going to be a long night.  

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

2-Week Break

Dear readers,

This post should have been put up earlier to say that I would be occupied for two weeks and that I wouldn’t have time to blog.

Next week, I’ll be back. 

See you guys again on my weekly updates with the boys!

Wet Blanket

It’s the time of the year when gay men all over the world would descend on Bangkok to get naked and wet (not necessarily in that order).  

And I, quite frankly, loathe it.

The entirety of it. 

And it's not because the poor country had just gone through earth-shattering tragedy (God bless all the crushed souls from the recent Myanmar quake).

Gone are the days when Songkran of Thailand are viewed as traditional festivities where people smeared powder on each others’s forehead or poured (not splash) water on the hands of loved ones to symbolise blessing and washing away of sins.

No.

Thanks to an out-of-control Thai Tourism Board narrative that painted Songkran as some G-circuit party to be at, the sanctity of that festival has been, well, severely watered down.

I don’t mean to pour cold water on Songkran for the gays but it irks me that all that pops up in my social media feeds from friends during this time are images of half-naked (and I can’t even say for sure it’s top half) beef cakes in shorts tinier and tighter than Tinkerbell’s wardrobe.  

“Adam. You’re growing old to be a mean, grumpy grand dad. What’s wrong with a little bit of fun?”said Stanley my sex bunny friend who has secured a ticket to exactly one of those circuit parties in Bangkok next week.

I rolled my eyes and helped myself to more Chardonnay.

Carl the dense one, who usually has no idea what’s going on around him or the world, pushed his empty wine glass to me for a refill, then announced “I’m also going to Bangkok for Songkran.”

Credit must be given when it’s due — I’m proud of Carl for knowing that it’s Songkran in Thailand. For someone who is unsure when Singapore marks national day, Carl deserves a medal.

Both of my closest gay friends have been long time fans of Bangkok — from the city’s cheap street food and weekend market buys to the best of what seedy silom can offer: Gogo boy shows, saucy massages and the yearly gay circuit party during Songkran.

The two of them are travelling separately: Stanley with his Out in Sg running friends (comprising mainly angmoh expats with both too much leave days and money to spare and a mission to use Singapore as a springboard to other regional holiday destinations) and Carl with his gym buddies (all of whom beefcakes with too much muscles to spare and therefore has to strip and splash).

“It’s gonna be wild and wet,” Stanley said, unwittingly writing the slogan for every pride event worldwide. “Come with us!” he added, unwittingly writing the script of every porn film worldwide.  

I chose to be a wet blanket, refusing to go with the flow, sprinkle or splash.

“What’s so wrong with it, Adam. What made you so bitter,” asked Stanley who’s in the mood for a deep dive into my thoughts.

I took my wine glass, swirled my Chardonnay around, watching the wine spin in one swift motion like it was in a top-load washing machine.

And then Stanley asked daringly.

“Are you still homophobic?”

Carl looked up from picking a morsel of cheese from his tooth, shocked by the latest development at Stanley’s dining table in his Queens Close home.

I took a sip of my wine, set the glass thoughtfully on the table and weighed carefully what I should say next.

Stanley looked at me accusingly demanding an answer.

Carl also looked at me desperately, demanding an answer - which is in keeping with his character.

Okay. I will admit this. I am homophobic.

Carl gasped audibly.

“The cheese just won’t come off!”

Stanley waited.

You see, Stanley knows me inside out and years ago, we had a deep discussion on this topic.

He made me realise that I’m homophobic.

It’s funny because, you know, because I’m as gay as can be.

I’m not in denial. I’m not one of those repressed, suppressed types who lash out at other gays just because I’m stuck and trapped by my own fears and insecurity.

No. I’m one of those who’ve acknowledged my being gay but dislike certain aspects of it.

It’s like how I can be, on the one hand, proud of my nationality but on the other, ashamed or loathe the ugly Singaporean aspect of it.

Such as when we’re overseas and at the airport counter, you get one of those Singaporean Karens who rudely makes demands in their Singlish at the poor airport worker, thinking they’re so damn superior because they hold the red passport of a first world country.

Carl was getting more confused and frustrated by the minute.

“Why is this cheese so sticky?!”

So, in that same spirit, I can embrace my being gay, and yet be homophobic about it.

Okay, maybe homophobia is too strong a word.

I loathe certain aspects of homosexuality but in general, I’m ok with it.

Stanley looked at me as if I were now one of those Singlish Karens.

Carl also looked at me with frustration.

“Stan, can I brush my teeth here?”

Stanley waved Carl off to the drawer where he keeps stolen hotel toothbrushes and continued his focus on me.

I just hate that these images — splashing beefcakes and sprinkling fairies at circuit parties— are going to define us. People are going to take one look and go “ah, these gays,” I said to Stanley.

Not wanting to let go, Stanley pressed on. “What is so wrong with that? It’s part of gay life.”

Also not wanting to get go was Carl’s stubborn cheese.“What is wrong with this cheese?!” he screamed from Stanley’s bathroom.

I find it frustrating that gay people are not doing themselves a favour, making it easy for the straight community to use these imperfections against us.

“Imperfections,” Stanley repeated after me. “Interesting. Do gays need to be perfect?” he asked sounding very much like an established shrink.

“YES!” FINALLY!” came Carl’s victorious cries from the bathroom, sounding like an accomplished dentist.

I’m not sure what to make of Stanley’s observations.

I didn’t want to be dismissive. So I thought deeper.

Do I hate gays? No.

Do I disagree with the things we sometimes do which gives the rest of us a bad name? Yes.

News headlines of child molesters, intentional HIV spreaders, and shallow party animals who get caught photographed in their white underwear in a drug and sex party raid. These frustrate me to no end.

And so when we have these Songkran party types around, it’s gonna add onto the list of things people can hate gays for.

Stanley leaned forward, thoughtful and serious.

“I hear you,” he said, as if reciting shrink textbook lines when talking to psychopaths.

“But how about focusing on the positive of the gays?” he suggested.

“There are so many successful gays around — just look at who’s in my place right now: You, me. Your lovely partner J too. And the famous ones like Boo Junfeng who’s not ashamed of gays and is a successful film maker.

“Adam, you must not be so harsh on your own kind.

“If you focus on the bad, it’s just going to eat you up,” Stanley said lovingly.

“You have to let go.”

Carl the dense one entered the living room right this moment and chimed in.

“Yes. Letting go can be the most satisfying thing ever.”

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

Attachment Issues

In keeping with Stanley's recent push for the three of us meet and do things other than eating and drinking, Carl the dense one and I found ourselves with sweating alongside Stanley the sex bunny and various men in all shapes and sizes.

Carl was in his element, feeling confident and right at home at Fitness First. With his python sized biceps and a puffed up chest that looks like an amour made out of flesh, Carl struts around the gym with an easy air of superiority.

Stanley's air wasn't so superior. It was very breathy. Our sex bunny friend was huffing and puffing, struggling to steady his hands with a 12kg dumb bell.

I have never been one to enjoy gymming. 

Even in my NS days when I was at my fitness peak, I've never been able to bulk up.

Yet, the three of us, in our mid-40s, are still in great shape.

"I had an epiphany the other day," said Stanley, the king of epiphanies. 

"What now," I said. 

"Adam, you lift like a girl," Carl said without judgement. "5kg is too light for you."

"I like lifting like a girl," I said. "Anything heavier than 5kg and I'll end up having swollen muscles like yours."

Carl gasped and covered his biceps protectively from my harsh comments. 

"As I was saying," Stanley said after his last set on the bench, "I think I want to dedicate my time to finding a man."

A plump girl who was stretching on a yoga mat a few metres away looked in our direction and secretly turned down her AirPod volume. 

"Do you mean a man for sex?" Carl asked.

The plump girl stretched towards us for better listening. 

"Well, yes and no. I am on a prowl and I want to find a proper boyfriend but I won't turn down any delicious side dishes along the way," Stanley said.

The plump girl, whose core could no longer defy her own weight nor gravity, could hold it no longer and lost her balance. 

Stanley didn't bat an eyelid even as Carl went over to help her. Carl really feels at home in a gym. He knows exactly where the dumbells are, what each machine is for, has friends around the gym and doesn't look out of place with his bulky frame.

"And haven't you already been doing that, Stan? Looking for men?" I asked.

 "Well, yes, but I think I need to widen my search. I'm not looking hard enough," Stanley said.

"This looks hard enough or not," Carl asked, flexing his arms as he returned to the conversation after his heroic duty.

"Wow you are witty in the gym, Carl," Stanley noted. 

Carl took a self-invented bow, curtsying while flexing his biceps. 

Stanley and I moved away from Carl and took our conversation to the water cooler. 

According to Stanley, his time is now or never. 

 

At 45, he's no longer at his prime but he's lucky enough to still look good. 

 

His body is still passable for a swipe-right because he does maintain his figure well. 

 

"But I can't guarantee I'll look like this forever," Stanley said.

 

"It's not easy for gay people to get attached the older they get. Sometimes, I'd rather be a straight man cos they have it so easy. Women don't judge men the way gay men judge men."

 

"But Stan, finding a partner isn't as easy as going to the fish market to select whatever you want you know."

 

"True, but there's an art and a science to it all," Stanley said, sounding slightly crazy. 

 

Our conversation was interrupted by Carl who was grunting away with a particularly heavy set.

 

"First, there must commitment. For me, it's a case of the spirit is willing and the flesh is not weak. Oh no. The flesh is not at all weak. It's very hungry," Stanley said. 

From the corner of my eye, the plump girl crept up towards us and listened in. 

"Once I have that mindset that I'm ready for a man, my physical body and mindset will adjust themselves and get ready for a manhunt," Stanley reasoned, sounding crazier by the minute. 

Also adjusting her physical body was the plump girl who found these two chatty gay men more interesting than her yoga stretching. She continued standing near us but launched into some yoga pose just to prove she was there to workout, not eavesdrop. 

"So what are your action plans, Stan?"

 

"Trust me, my action plans involve a lot of hip thrusts."

 

Plump girl lost her balance momentarily. 

 

"First, it's the mindset. If you open up your mind to receive the men in your life, the men will come," said Stanley who has reached levels of craziness that's beyond help.

 

Plump girl instinctively switched to a happy baby pose as if she too wants to open up and receive men. 

 

"What did I miss," said Carl whose veins on his temples, neck and biceps were about to burst but hadn't broken a sweat.

 

"Stanley wants to strategise and find a man," I summed it up.

 

"Good for you bro!" Carl said, and gave Stanley a friendly Mike-Tyson punch.

 

"Who even is he," Stanley asked me in disbelief, seeing how a gym-Carl is so different from the outside-of-gym Carl.

 

"I'm just afraid that I'll no longer be physically attractive and no men will want me," Stanley said.

 

"But if men want you only for your physical looks, they don't deserve you at all, Stan."

 

Plump girl nods in agreement. 

But Stanley is clear. 

He wants to -- needs to -- find a man ASAP. One who could potentially be his lifetime partner because he wants to be attached. 

Knowing Stanley, he's the type who would go all out to achieve his goal. 

"I'm rooting for you, if that's what you want," I said.

 

Plump girl wiped a tear from her eyes.

 

"Yes. I want a man. But for now, I think I need a woman. A supportive woman who has been in my life and not left me since."

 

And then Stanley went over to plump girl, introduced himself and shook her hand. 

 

 

 

---------------------------

Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

First Time Exerpeiences

The other day, Stanley wanted to shake things up and meet to do things other than putting food and alcohol into our mouths.

 

And so, we stripped, got naked and sat around with a bunch of sweaty men of all shapes and sizes.

 

Stanley the sex bunny, Carl the dense one and I have been very close friends for nearly 30 years and during those three decades, we'd seen one another naked.

 

"We should do this more often," Stanley said as he sat himself on a stool getting ready to scrub his body for our onsen session. "Oh, 3 o'clock," Stanley leaned in and whispered. Carl the dense one instinctively craned his neck to look at the clock.

 

"That uncle's penis looks like a cigarette and trust me, nobody a'int wanna suck that," said Stanley who ought to wash his mouth with soap. 

"Have you been working out Adam?" Carl the dense one asked, puffing up his chest and flexing his python sized biceps to punctuate his question.

 

"Oh, thank you for noticing," I said, pleased with myself. "I've been cutting down on alcohol and apparently, just several weeks of doing so has borne fruit. I can fit into my skinny tailored pants!"

 

"Speaking of fruit," Stanley leaned in and whispered again. "That one," he nudged his head towards the entrance of the onsen. Carl and I turned and were greeted by an appendage that in Stanley's words, looks like a plump, curvy banana. 

 

"We can do this all day, watching penises -- but too bad, we won't engage them," Stanley said like a diabetic child in a candy store.

Carl was first to finish showering. "Let's go soak!" he said, sounding exactly like an excited kid in a candy store. 

 

Perhaps candy store isn't an appropriate analogy. 

"There are no eye candies around," Stanley stated the obvious. "Then again, I'm here with you boys, and we are all in normal bro-mode," he said without any of us entertaining him. 

 

"Oh this feels good," said Carl who has been loving onsens since the three of us discovered the joys of soaking in very hot water 20 years ago, during our trip to Taiwan. 

 

"We should be doing this more often," Stanley agreed, stretching his arms and legs, feeling every ounce of stress seep away from his exhausted body, feeling the 40-degree mineral-fortified water engulf his tired, physical form.

"What's everyone's update," I asked.

 

Carl, who has his white towel covering his face, lifted his arm to give me a weak thumbs up.

 

Stanley grunted.

40 minutes into alternating between one hot tub and another, and then to the steam room and sauna and an extremely cold tub, we decided to dry up, take our first break and have some beer.

"This kimono feels comfortable," Carl the dense one said.

"Darling, I believe that's called a yukata," Stanley replied.

"Tomayto Tomahto," said Carl who was too happy to bother with Stanley.

"I want to have an ice cold beer, something oily and crispy, and then take a snooze in the resting room," Carl went on, producing echoes with his applause as he planned his own future along theYumonori Onsen corridor that led us to its cafe. "It's like going to Disneyland in Japan!" he said excitedly, skipping and leading the way.

 

If Carl were a tour guide, he'd be cheerful but also the one fumbling with his map, not comprehending his GPS directions and not being to answer a single question from his clients.

 

If Stanley were a tour guide, he'd be the type who would exclusively work on sex tours -- from Hatyaii and massage packages targeted at Uncles to the seedy Silom Sois for hungry bois.

 

As we ordered our yuzu beers and crunchy tempuras, we finally got around to talking.

 

"I think at this age, we should do this more often," Stanley said.

 

"There is so much joy to be had, getting naked with other men," Stanley said, "and when it's with your closest boys where we can all be nude and be ourselves, it's refreshing."

 

Carl nodded at his half-chewed tempura approvingly. 

"We need to do more things that are a first," Stanley said. "At this age, we can't afford to be boring."

 

Stanley's recent revelation came because a few nights ago, he experienced a first. 

 

It was the sex bunny's first time riding pillion on a motorbike.

 

"It felt fun and liberating!" Stanley said.

 

"What were you doing behind the motorbike rider's bike that is so fun and liberating," I wanted to know. 

Stanley gave me an evil side eye. 

"How is it that you have, in your 45 years of life, not ridden pillion on a motorbike until recently?" I asked. 

But that ride led to a slippery slope for Stanley. 

I braced myself for an after-ride sex story but I was wrong.

"That first experience got me thinking. Life is too short. There are too many things I haven't tried," Stanley said taking a sip of his Yuzu beer. 

"And trust me. I have tried many things in my life."

True -- Stanley has been very adventurous but most of his activities are confined to the bedroom.

Threesomes, yes. Orgies, yes. Parties with questionable substances -- well, yes. Single penetration, yes. Double penetration, hell yes. Ok, you get the idea.

But beyond those intimate chambers, Stanley has been rather virginal.

"I want to sky dive. I want to go diving. I want to try bungee jumping. I want to do white-water rafting! And I want to see the Northern Lights before I have to move around in a wheelchair," Stanley went on, reciting his wish list that can most likely be met if he had joined Chan Brothers Tour. 

 

Finally, Stanley's source of his desires was revealed.

"That night on the motorbike, I felt so much joy -- and trust me, I have ridden behind men so many times but I've never felt such joy."

 

I waited for Stanley to finish, suddenly unsure what genre of a movie plot was unfolding in front of me.  

"It took me this long to get over my fear of riding pillion 'cos I've never learnt to ride a bike. But when I finally did, I felt such thrill and regret at the same time. It's like, I've finally come to feel things that I would never have felt if I didn't allow myself to!"

 

I was still unsure what genre Stanley was in, given that whatever he said could be a correct script for an actual movie or an action movie of a seedier sort. 

 

"And with such a decent amount of money that we are all earning, cash isn't an issue when it comes to exploring new adventures," Stanley said suddenly roping Carl and me into his monologue and mono-adventurous plans. 

 

Carl looked up from his phone and asked, "what's happening?"

 

"What's happening is," Stanley said raising his beer glass, "that the three of us will from now on, do more than just the usual, tried-and-tested experiences.

 

"It's time to live a little and have more fun!"

 

"I'll toast to that," Carl said without exactly knowing why he's toasting or what Stanley is suggesting.

 

 

---------------------------

Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

Wake Up Call

Gone are the days when, in our twenties and early thirties, we part ways with our money, stuff them into red packets just to celebrate straight people’s lifestyles choices.

At our age — dear god, 45! — we are done with our share of angpaos for weddings and baby showers.

These days, people around us readily drop dead like limp penises.

We’ve officially entered an era of wakes and right this moment, Stanley the sex bunny, Carl the dense one and I entered officially entered a wake venue at the Singapore Casket.

Carl looked nervous. He never liked going to wakes. Coffins filled with embalmed dead bodies give him the creeps.

Stanley reminded Carl that coffins that are supposed to have embalmed dead bodies but are empty gives him the creeps.

Carl’s eyes widened, betrayed by Stanley who not only did nothing to comfort his wake phobia but added on to it.

That evening, the three of us collectively came to give comfort to Chris Tan, one of our partying friends whom we met in our very early twenties.

Chris’ dad had passed due to nose cancer. The two of them had an early testy relationship with Chris as a closeted (and therefore) rebellious son who acted out at home. As Chris grew older and had wisdom and maturity, he bravely came out to his dad who, to his surprise, didn’t say anything offensive and hugged him.

For a traditional Chinese dad, Chris told us it meant the world to him.

Years later, both father and son’s relationship strengthened even more when cancer came into the older Tan’s life.

I remember seeing emotional posts on IG where Chris would chronicle his life as a son who cared for his dying dad.

That end came for the old Mr Tan two days ago.

Chris broke the news on IG and moments later, Stanley shared it with Carl and me in our group chat.

“Must we see the body” Carl asked us meekly as we rode the lift up to level three of the funeral parlor building.

“In another context, my answer would be yes to seeing bodies but in this case, I’ll say it’s ok not to view it,” Stanley said to Carl, who blew out deep breaths and nodded.

We soon found the room — no bigger than any typical secondary school classroom — and entered it solemnly.

Eight heads belonging to gay boys of various built, from bears to hunks, turned in our direction.

“Good thing I’m in my tailored black shirt,” Stanley whispered, and then puffed out his chest knowing every wake and crisis can be turned into an opportunity.

Carl on the other hand, shrank further from fear of wakes, his python size biceps lying low.

Chris saw us, stood up and walked towards us, his arms reaching for a hug.

I was unsure if we should air kiss him the way we would greet one another when Stanley answered my question with two audible kisses with Chris.

I hugged Chris tightly and said I was sorry for his loss.

Carl reached out for Chris’ hand and gave him a formal politician’s pump.

“What do you think you’re doing? You’re not an a UN convention,” Stanley scolded Carl. “Show that man some love!”

As Chris led us to the alter, Stanley walked the talk and showed the men some love. He made discreet eye contact with all 8 gay men, mentally assessing each of their eligibility and ranking them from partner and one night stand opportunities, to long-term friends with benefits and strictly friends only. Stanley decided that the skinny and balding gay friend of Chris — the one with slightly bulging front teeth — would fit into the category of strictly friends only.

Carl began feeling faint and held on to me for support as we stood in front of old Mr Tan’s portrait.

Stanley nudged me for support, his eyes signaling me to glance at a partner opportunity who’s seated two tables from the coffin.

We took joss sticks, bowed our heads respectfully and set them onto a classy urn.

Carl quietly faded away into the background in case he had to take part in the next step of the process: Viewing Mr Tan’s body.

Stanley, Chris and I made our way to the head of the coffin to complete the ritual.

Mr Tan looked skinnier than his wake portrait. He was sunken, his the suit he wore looked two sizes too big for him.

“Dad these are my very good gay friends from my clubbing days,” Chris said lovingly.

Stanley curtsied by the coffin and said “hello uncle”.

Carl, who watched the entire proceeding from a few tables away, turned pale.

We were soon introduced to Chris’ friends — the highlight of Stanley’s evening, no doubt.

The 8 friends of Chris came from three groups.

His childhood gay gang (not unlike the support group of me, Stanley and Carl), made up of two skinny men who looked like they needed more nutrition in life.

Stanley mentally shelved the two for future use. Not great but not ugly either. They’re my emergency stash, Stanley told me later.

Then there’s Chris’ NS gay friends: Ronson, Jay and Danish.

Stanley was particularly interested in Danish. A half Chinese, half Malay banker who, though slightly shorter than Stanley, has this pair of almond eyes which he absolutely loves.

“This one can,” Stanley said as if he were on a purchasing trip.

The remaining three were Chris’ work friends. One of them looked so pale and skinny that Stanley said he really looked like he belonged at Singapore Casket.

The other two were jolly old men. Both sporting beer bellies with varying degrees of hair loss.

After a round of pleasantries, Stanley held Chris’ hand and asked how he was.

“Like that lah. What to do,” was Chris’ answer. “He’s no longer in pain. And when he was alive, we both spent quality time and lived without regrets.”

Stanley then turned to Danish and held his hand. “And you’re ok?”

Danish smiled politely and looked around for help.

Time at a wake can pass either very quickly or painfully depending on who’s with you.

For Danish, I’m certain he felt every painful moment talking to Stanley who couldn’t keep it in his pants.

Meanwhile, the rest of us did what we came here to do: Comfort Chris.

It’s so sobering that at age 45, we’re closer to death more than ever before. And we’ll be even closer as we age.

Chris, who is famous for binge drinking and dancing on bars in his younger days, looked like he’s aged rapidly since his dad died.

“Partying, work, chasing all the material needs no longer matter,” he said with a sigh. “At our age, we all need good health.”

The two oldest gay men nodded enthusiastically.

I agreed with them.

I’ve never once imagined that death would be so close to me.

But as we grow older, it’s a fact we can’t escape.

Just like every wedding inspires some to find love quickly, wakes remind me that our longevity is limited and our time on this earth is not forever.

“So, Danish,” I heard Stanley say quietly. “I hope you’re ok? Do you need some company after this depressing wake?” asked Stanley, who is currently chasing all his material needs with zest.

 

 

---------------------------

Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

Mother Of All Moves

 I was having a chat with a mother of a 3-year-old kid recently.

“They grow up so fast,” said Pamella and 600 billion other mothers around the world.

“Yeah they do, and we grow old so fast,” said my sex bunny friend Stanley Ong who always manages to steer any conversation either toward sex or himself.

And I hope to dear God, that, in this instance — when the subject revolves around 3-year-old Ethan — it revolves around Stanley rather than sex.

Pamella Chia is a friend of Stanley’s whom I got to know during one of those parties (I actually can’t remember — Stanley has many of those parties).

I like Pam.

Pam has been a career woman all her life even after marriage. A successful banker who loves her job.

But when childbirth came, Pam’s priorities switched 180 degrees.

Suddenly, it’s all about Ethan.

Oh, I can’t bear to travel because of Ethan. I can’t stay late because of Ethan. I don’t think I can come to your party because of Ethan.

Stanley never understood this.

While his life mainly revolves around men (who are neither his son nor family), there isn’t someone (son or partner) to tie him down to such commitments that Pam has.

“May he never grow up so fast and get married and move out,” Pam quipped, already gazing into her crystal ball and launching a future curse on Ethan’s wife whom she’s likely to pick on.

“I’m glad your Ethan wants you around. It’s always good to have a kid who wants mummy rather than pushes her away,” I said with no moral authority of a dad nor son.

My partner J would always say I’m an unfilial child who doesn’t spend enough time with his own mum.

Truth be told, that’s a good thing.

And here’s where I do a Stanley and turn this topic towards me.

The disclaimer should be put out right this moment before I go on.

I do love my mum. Very much.

But sometimes, my lovely mum is also very much.

Mrs Lee is a strong willed career woman who manages everything well: Finances, upbringing of her kids, social life and family life.

But her character is, how should I put it, very overbearing.

People other than her blood relatives and family find Mrs Lee extremely entertaining. She’s funny. And always sociable and ready for gossips of all sorts. And she always has something witty to say about everything.

And I mean everything.

And when there’s nothing witty to say, she will still make comments — and when it’s comments sans humour, it gets a bit much.

Sometimes, Mrs Lee’s innocent interactions with me can get annoying.

Just a very simple example.

Mrs Lee claims she doesn’t compare her kids to anyone.

Not to me.

She dotes on Barry the most and understandably so. And I’m perfectly fine with it.

The bright legal mind of the family is dependable and always around for her.

So sometimes, when I’m home and Mrs Lee needs help — for something as simple as opening a tight jar — she would lose patience with me.

The moment she hands me the jar — and not even 20 seconds into my trying — Mrs Lee would say “cannot ah? If cannot we wait for Barry to come back then let him open lah”.

Very often, I would intentionally say, yeah, cannot. Then walk out to the garden and watch IG reels in the hot sun.

Which is why from a very young age, I found value in moving out and distancing myself from Mrs Lee.

To date, Barry is the only Lee who hasn’t flown the coop.

Our oldest sis left the country after marrying an Aussie. That was in the mid 2000s.

Second sis moved out in her 30s, spending a fortune on a beautiful apartment in River Valley.

I on the other hand, first found freedom during National Service.

Staying away from home, even though I was stuck in an isolated camp, was such a joy.

Stanley at this point reminded me that being stuck in a camp filled with lean, fit, conscripts who’re the fittest of the fits — and who are mostly half naked (top half) when in the bunk — is pure joy for any gay man.

But let me take back control of the narrative here.

I realise time away from Mrs Lee was great.

My precious weekends in my NS days were spent with appreciation. Mrs Lee would come pick me up and go somewhere for a meal with me.

During those meals, conversations were always focused. We haven’t seen each other long enough for her to wanna ask (not comment) about my life and me, hers.

This trend extended itself when I was in uni — I was many miles away from home having studied overseas.

Again, the blissful three years away from home were wonderful. I would email home once a week and would make phone calls back home twice a month (reminder: I was in uni during a time when iPhones weren’t a thing and Skype nor Zoom weren’t the norm yet).

I went home once a year (where I’d spend two months or more) and those moments were again appreciated.

When I started work in my mid-20s, I moved in to one of Mrs Lee’s empty condo units because the rental market wasn’t fantastic and she was waiting to sell it.

During the 8 months of living there alone again did lots for my sanity.

Didn’t last long though, because Mrs Lee eventually sold off the unit and I had no choice but to move back to the family home.

It was a very testing time for me.

After having had my freedom for a long period of time, everything Mrs Lee did at home, under her roof, irked me.

From her constant questions and comments about society in general to her motherly ways of wanting to cook for me regardless how late I worked till. And on days when I’m exhausted from work, she would want to chat about all things in life.

Bear in mind that Mrs Lee retired in my mid-twenties, the time I moved back home with her. So she had all the time and questions and motherly missions in the world.

I know. I’m lucky. But still…

And so, I was determined to plot my way out: Start saving hungrily such that when I was 30, I was able to buy a place of my own and move out.

It was the best decision ever, in maintaining love between my mum and me.

The keys to my then-unit wasn’t just a roof over my head. It was a sanctuary for my peace of mind. And also a party venue for all my family gatherings. Everyone in the family — including my extended family — loved coming to my place for parties.

So having my own place was a great move.

I found that much needed away-time from Mrs Lee and appreciated the much appreciated together-time with her.

I loved that momentum.

Of me going back to my childhood home on weekends for dinner, packing extra food from Mrs Lee to take home to, and having patient conversations with her because I had the entire week of me time and time back home with Mrs Lee — all of 3 to 4 hours — were all hers.

As I reflect on my journey to independence, I am glad for a few things.

That I was fortunate enough to have alone time in my youth, well enough to own my place, and the honesty and maturity to admit that being away from my mum — a move which many may frown upon — is the best thing for our relationship.

Pam went pale listening to my story and I’m sure she made a mental note to hug Ethan once she got home from this heartless friend of hers.

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

Rent Boys

Three months ago, my sex bunny friend Stanley Ong made a few decisions.

They're rather adult decisions. 

I know, I know. 

I need to be very specific here because given Stanley's track record, adult decisions can offer a whole spectrum of scenarios that can play out from the bedroom and lead to consequences in the courtroom. 

"Oh, this is nice, long and hard," Stanley said, running his hands through the object. "I love the grainy details of this."

Stanley was referring to a dining table -- just being specific here.

The two of us had taken an unofficial day off from work to shop at Tan Boon Liat. 

Unofficial meaning, we're on leave but only we know it. Our bosses and HR don't know. 

Back to Stanley's decisions.

He had finally decided to do something to manage his mid-life crisis and decided to put his extra bedroom on the rental market.

"There goes my free bedroom whenever I stay over," was my first response. 

"Be happy I'm not charging you rent whenever you stay over," came the retort. 

Stanley had been toying with the idea of slowing down at work for the longest time.

Money is important to him, which is why he can't bear to take a huge pay cut and do something more relaxing.

So, being the strategic overthinker and planner he is, Stanley decided to increase sideline money first so that he can kickstart his safety net funds.

The easiest way is to forgo privacy and allow a man into his life for the long term. And getting paid for it. 

"Think about this as a reverse money-boy situation where my hot, hunky tenant is paying me to live in my home," Stanley said.

"And if we have sex, it's a bonus," he added.

I shook my head vigorously. 

"Don't shit where you eat," I said.

Stanley considered this piece of advice carefully. 

Stanley had literally shat where he ate -- or nearish. He once went for a toilet break during dinner only to successfully cruise someone there -- story for another time.

"But you're right. It would complicate matters," Stanley said. "I wouldn't know how much to charge him for, on top of the rent, if that hunk tenant sleeps with me."

Firstly, I like that Stanley has already built his perfect tenant profile right from the start.

According to my sex bunny friend, his tenant will be a hot hunk who finds all sorts of excuses to get naked, blaming Singapore's weather, and would walk around trying to seduce Stanley. 

"Are you listing that as a criterion on Property Guru?" 

"Who said anything about property guru?" Stanley said. "I'm listing my room on Grindr."

This is Stanley hitting two birds with one stone though if you force me to be specific, the bird won't be a bird per se, and the stone that hits the bird won't be a stone per se either.

"It's called widening your net," Stanley said. If you force Stanley to be specific, it's not just the net he wants to widen.

As we strolled into a Bohemian furniture shop selling all things rattan, Stanley thought out loud.

"I like the idea that I'll have rental income. But I am not so sure I'm ready to have a stranger in my home."

Agreed. It's not easy.

I would know 'cos even though I had been a landlord once and am currently a tenant, neither of those situations were live-in. 

I've heard of horrible rental stories involving crazy landlords or crazy tenants living under one roof.

"I've heard of rental stories involving crazy landlords and crazy tenants but darling, they weren't horrible. Saucy, yes," Stanley had to be specific. 

So here's the thing. Stanley needs to know whether he's desperate enough to commit to a year's rent.

Surely, he'll have to get used to a stranger in his home. The types that don't go back to their own homes the morning after. 

But, Stanley reasoned, that this isn't a marriage. It's at most a one-year contract. And I can back out after that. 

"That's the worst that can happen -- that things don't work out, but I'll still have a year's worth of rental income and peace of mind thereafter," he said.

"The best case scenario is, we all get along, I get used to having a tenant and, you know, there are bonuses along the way," he added without needing to be specific. 

And so, there and then at the Bohemian store, Stanley decided he'd do it.

"I'll put up a listing on Grindr and screen people from there and we'll see if they are worth staying in my place for one year, or one night," he said with a very specific action plan in mind. 

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people

Sex And The Scam City

Our wholesome dim sum brunch last Sunday was dominated by a hot topic.

"The food here had better be good," Stanley said, his eyes doing rapid surveillance around Yan Palace, Chinatown. "Since there are no hot waiters around."

Carl the dense one, his partner Adrian, my partner J and I took our seats.

Stanley the sex bunny continued standing and scanning the restaurant and then he looked at me and smiled.

"At least there's one eye candy at the next table," he said, signalling at a fair, bespectacled boy who looked no older than 20, who was serving tea to his grandma. 

"I hope that's not his grandma," Stanley said. "If she isn't, it means he's a sugar boy. And sugar boys can be bought with money, and I can buy him to my side," Stanley reasoned.

If we cracked open Stanley's skull, we might see a network of complicated threads in his head space that links all nodes of various locations to one central spot that spells Sex.

"What's going on there?" Carl the dense one asked, looking up from his menu.

If we cracked open Carl's skull, we might not find anything there. Crystallised protein powder, perhaps. But nothing else.

The important task of ordering was soon under way. 

I made sure I had my pan fried carrot cake (my dim sum staple) and char siew pao requests secured, before agreeing to all other proposals. 

When finally the order chit was submitted to an elderly waitress who looked like a grumpy grandma, Carl kicked started that morning's discussion.

"My credit card is blocked because there are suspicious activities," he said.

"Oh, that's bad. Suspicious activities with a banker is good. With banking, that's bad," Stanley said, his eyes still studying the grandson-who-could-be-a-sugar-boy a few tables away.

"There were three transactions made in the UK. Some Uber trip," Carl said in horror. 

Long story short, Carl called up the bank to resolve it. 

Credit has to be given to Carl who is generally useless and clueless in life but I also suspect his intellectual partner Adrian had a part to play in helping him settle the issue.  

"This is so frustrating," Stanley said. "Scammers are thriving -- good thing they're all being shipped out of their crime hubs in Myanmar," he said.

"Oh? What's happening there?" asked Carl who has no idea what's happening around the world since he's always in his own world.

"You know, I used to be very bitchy to these scam callers," Stanley said.

"Used to be?" I asked.

Stanley rolled his eyes, ignored my backhanded comment, and continued. 

"In the past, I would spend time either scolding them, gaslighting them, or simply waste their time by being annoying. Then I realise some of them may be victims too."

Carl looked very confused. "So are they scammers or victims?" 

News of the authorities in the region getting rid of scam centres had made headlines of late, and this topic found its way to our table which is by now, laid with stacks of bamboo containers of steaming dim sum snacks. 

"These days, when I get scam calls, I simply hang up," Stanley said. 

My partner J added that in recent months, he's been getting less of such calls.

Everyone -- except Carl -- agreed. 

From the corner of my eye, I saw -- and heard -- Carl whisper to Adrian "what's going on?"

While Carl is ignorant about worldly affairs, Stanley is very plugged in -- especially where affairs are concerned. 

"You know, if I were scammed to work in Myanmar, I will thrive.

"I'll be one of their top performers," he paused and looked at us to see if we responded to his sexual connotation and when all of us continued chewing our food, Stanley continued.

"I'll be the one who would march up to the boss to demand to set up a new scam branch and I'll head the unit personally. It'll be a sexual branch where I focus on scamming people by making random calls and indulging in phone sex straight away."

Carl, who loves stories, put his chopsticks down and listened intently. 

"I think I'll thrive there also because I'm living with so many other cute China men.

"Think about it -- we are all herded in communities, we live together, work together, eat together, shower together and sleep together. There's so much bonding that can happen," Stanley said. 

Again, all of us continued chewing except Carl.

"I'm pretty sure I can be top scammer by day and top scammer by night too."

Carl, who realised the direction of the story, joined us in partaking food and stopped paying attention to Stanley.

"All I'm saying is, I'm someone who takes crises and turns them into opportunities," Stanley said.

“The way I see it, scam centres need to evolve. Think out of the box, come out of their crime rings,” said Stanley, assuming the role of chief consultant, head of organised crime  

“At a time when brick and mortar shops are no longer the norm and that everything has gone online, it’s time to buck the trend. Be the first to venture back into the offline. Focus on the physical touch,” said Stanley, giving the phrase physical touch unnecessary emphasis. 

“Like him,” Stanley said, pointing to sugar baby as if everyone else in the restaurant were blind and deaf. “Recruit such types and make them do the old fashioned door to door sale instead of online marketing. There’s a growing market for it,” he said, this time giving the word growing unnecessary emphasis. 

Stanley, pleased with his pitch of a lifetime, picked up his tea cup, sipped, and sighed blissfully at his future door-to-door scam salesman.  

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people