PSLE: Stealing from a vending machine

“Urgh!! The intensive training is so tiring! I really hate that Mrs Chan!” I muttered under my breath grudgingly. It was such a searing hot day. The sweltering heat was prickling my brone-tanned skin and I was literally melting away like a candle. Perspiration dotted my forehead as I trudged my way down the stairs with eager anticipation towards the canteen to get a drink.

What?! The stalls were all closed. “Life's never fair!” I grumbled. Just as I started stomping off, a brainwave hit me like a lightning bolt. I could get a drink from the school's vending machine. Without hesitation, I walked briskly towards it.

Saliva pooled in my mouth as I gazed at my desired drink 'Zapple'. Immediately, I slotted a one-dollar coin into the machine and waited. To my horror, no drinks came out. My coin was swallowed up by the greedy machine. I wanted a drink badly and inserted another coin. This time, the stupid machine devoured my coin again! My last coin! My last hope! I placed it into the coin slit and prayed, “Please don't let me down this time!” Once again, nothing emerged from the stubborn machine.

“I hate you, you stupid machine! Three dollars is not enough to satisfy you!” I fumed. Smoke was now literally coming out of my ears and nose. I had just wasted three days' worth of allowance. Frustration swelled up in me. Out of revenge, I started kicking the machine viciously and rammed my fist repeatedly at the machine.

Just at that defining moment, I heard a soft rumble coming from within the machine. I stopped, my breath hitched in my throat. Then, magically, an avalanche of canned drinks cascaded out! Ah! My precious Zapple!

One, two, three...eleven! I was on cloud nine, getting eleven cans instead of three. Thanks, Mr Machine! Just as I was about to leave, the vending machine rattled and belched out coins after coins. “One dollar, two dollars, three dollars... forty-five dollars!” I exclaimed. I stood rooted to the ground, my mouth agape in bewilderment. It was more than my whole year of savings. I could not believe my good fortune! My lucky stars were shining on me!

“Take the coins, Curtis! You deserve them,” a voice whispered in my head. Darting my eyes from side to side, I knew that the coast was clear.  I took the money and shoved them into my gargantuan tennis bag. Just as I was about to discreetly put the last can in, a thunderous voice boomed across the entire canteen, “Boy, what are you doing?”

A silhouette approached me and soon loomed over my lanky frame. It was the vending machine technician. His company's name, Yeo, was embossed on his shirt. He glowered at me like a laser machine with his beady eyes glaring through his tousled fringe. It dawned on me that he had witnessed the entire scene.

“I am going to complain to your principal!” he hollered as his lips curled in distaste. He then dragged me to the 'death chamber'.

“What have you done this time, Curtis Johnson Tan?” Mr Pan roared at me, his face contorted in an angry scowl. Chills ran down my spine. It was obvious that Lady Luck was never on my side after all. I was doomed for! Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as my face blanched in trepidation at a loss of what to do. Nothing I could say or do would make any difference now.

“The technician has told me everything! You have attempted to steal! This is a serious offence!” Mr Pan shook his head fervently in disgust as he unleashed his tirade at me. Seconds stretched into minutes. Finally, his lecture ended. As if that was not enough, he called my parents who turned into into a zebra when I got home. “Curtis Tan, you deserve it!” I told myself. The cane marks really taught me a lesson. I was very sure there would never be a next time.