Sheep City

I have to pee, my body was telling me repeatedly. It was midway through the film titled One Nation under Lee in the Tulip Room of the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel yesterday afternoon and boy, my bladder ached. Meanwhile the cops and the MDA friendly folks were at the door, arguing with activists why the show must not go on.

These gatecrashers had barged into the private event like members of the Gestapo and tried to strut their stuff but got ejected as quickly as two shakes of a duck’s backside because they could not make a proper introduction or answer the organizers’ demands. That effectively killed my joy- damn I was beginning to enjoy the film!

I glanced at the US embassy officials- the bewildered look on their faces was priceless. The film’s message of repression by means of the control of the media, ISA and political suits, came strikingly iron-hot close. We witnessed the entire drama unfolded firsthand. For the uninitiated it was the baptism of fire. Several guests actually left during the disturbances. It gave a sorry impression of fear. Fear that led the sheep back into the herd once the dogs come barking.

I had to go relieve myself or I risked a very likelihood of wetting myself by the table. I was clear as hell did not want to look like a sheep and abandon ship when the chips are down. I made known my intentions to an acquaintance and his son added that he also needed to visit the john.

We went. We saw the gatecrashers exchanging heated words with the organizers. The Film act requires all Singaporeans to submit their homemade videos made by their cellphones, video-cameras, camcorders to the MDA for approval. The censors present at the scene confirmed the ludicrousness of this law. It is an amazing law that makes every member of Sheep City violators of this act. 

Once the show was over, the gatecrashers were allowed entry into the room. I was back then at my seat, having my coffee which I made from the buffet table. We clapped and cheered for them and even invited these gatecrashers for food and refreshments which were abundant at the buffet table. They took the copy of the film and quickly left to spare themselves the sarcasm and embarrassment. 

A while later when Martyn See and Seelan Palay were giving their views on the Film Act, another gatecrasher came stumbling in and demanded that he wanted the film projector as well. We told him that he may not. I added quite clearly that we gave you an inch and now you want a yard. Some asked the MDA officer- you want our eyes as well as our brains? All of us have seen the film you know. Verbally attacked at all sides, the confused official left with nothing but his tail tucked between his legs.

The one thing I learnt from that room thanks to the gatecrashers is the people in there were not sheep. They were Singaporeans. And now my coffee tasted better.