Walking the Walk

I was walking down Orchard Road today in my cheap G2000 office wear. That's a $23 shirt, $29 pants and my shoes from Bata were "free". I was carrying that awkward, red Crumpler which looked decent but hardly sophisticated. I had my earphones on, hands in my pocket and an air of after-work glee. Gone were the tension accumulated from getting squashed on public transport and completing reports by deadlines.

A man, not much older than myself, waved his hand in front of my face. Out of politeness and my inexplicable good mood, I stopped, took out one of my earphones and waited for him to speak. He told me that he was a representative from a modelling agency and that I looked good and was well-dressed. His exact words were lost on me because I didn't really take what he said seriously. He asked if I was camera shy and answered the question himself, saying that I probably wasn't. He handed me his name card and said I had a nice smile. That was when I gave a small smile. He must not have noticed my teeth. He asked for my name, age and number, which I gave.



I'm not going to lie - I was happy. I have always complained to my friends that the only talent that I have as a CS student is that I look decent and even then, I don't "spoil market". If I were good looking, I'd probably be on the sides of buses, on television screens or in the pages of fashion magazines. And I probably would've gotten that Long John Silvers' ad!

But of course, I am not.

And I've heard of scams where people get approached, called to the agency, fork out hundreds to shoot a portfolio and never land a job. I won't fall for that! I certainly will not let vanity cloud my better judgement.

Whatever it turns out to be, it was a rather amusing encounter. I must say, it made my day!