Feb 6, 2014 - NEGLIGENCE OF DUTIES AND ITS PERILS.
The trial had all began with Service One who brought me a lost and found case which involved an exorbitant watch - a member of Bvlgari series.
BACKGROUND STORY: A japanese guest left his watch in the hotel room upon checking out. Service One, the guest service agency, had been contacted pertaining to the issue and the valuable had then been handed over to my custody.
On that day, I was extremely tired and my mind could not concentrate well. As such, my work performance was immensely affected and that I became less vigilant to the surrounding.
Feb 8, 2014 - PRECURSOR OF DANGER
As it was my off day, I did not care two hoots about phone messages and calls. It was already eleven by the time when I knew about the incident.
Feb 9, 2014 - MY NIGHTMARE HAS BEGAN
I was warned about the seriousness of the lost and found case by my colleague who spammed me whatapps messages early in the morning. The case had been brought to the attention of the security guards and that I needed to contact the duty Operational Manager (OM) immediately to assist them in the search. Reluctantly, I made a call to one of the OMs and figured out that the watch owner would be returning back to retrieve the item! It was claimed (by the guest) that the watch actually worth SDG6000 and that it was very critical to locate the item as soon as possible.
The security guard came over to my department and assisted me to search for the watch. In the end, we had negative finding and I was summoned over to the security post to record a seven-hour statement! For the first few hours, I was flustered because it seemed like eternity for me to remember the whole situation that happened three days ago. However, I managed to draft out some details on a piece of paper...
The interrogation was taxing and tiring. During my dinner break,
the Front Office OM spoke to me and advised me to be consistent in my story and that it is a big no-no in any situation to answer them a 'I don't know'. When I clarified with her regarding the most possible consequences of the case, she assured me that it would not be serious since it was only the first time I had committed such an offense.
Upon finishing my dinner, I was hauled back to the security post to continue another three hours of torturous interrogation. Thank god, I could actually feel the goodness and sincerity of the security guard when he told me that he was also trying his best to clear my name. At the end of the recording, the security guard reminded me that I had to return back to record another statement on the next day! *faint* At the end of the recording, I was strongly advised to shut my phone as I might experience incessant calls from the office tomorrow! *I know right*
It was already eleven when I returned back to the office. Unfortunately, I had to brush up my work before go home!! There were many lost and found items strewn all over on my table and they scared me to death because I was traumatized by the incident!!
While I was packing my stuff, one of the malay security guards, flashed me a consoling smile and passed me a pack of biscuit. His action assured me that he could understand that I had a long and tough night and that I needed to take a break!
On Feb 10, 2014 - WORST DAY OF MY LIFE
As soon as I reached the office, I was summoned by a different security guard to record another statement. I was already a bag of nerves but I had managed to keep my cool and did my best to assist them in the case.
I was told that the investigation
had shown some discrepancies in my previous statement. Yesterday, I asserted that there was this female supervisor who replaced me for lunch. However, it had turned out that the supervisor I mentioned did not take over me during my lunch!!
The head of security interrupted and began to lash out an interrogation of a lifetime. During the half an hour, it felt like I was in a hellhole, awaiting for persecution. I was buried under a bombardment of question during the whole time.
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Security head: This is a very serious case. If I were to disclose the value of the watch, you might get the shock out of your life. Tell me how would you value a watch?
Me (confidently): It depends on the appearance of the watch such as the material used for the strap. If the strap turns out to be a non-metallic, the watch will not be considered as a valuable. Honestly, I don't usually deem a watch as a valuable.
Security head (continued):You mentioned in your previous statement that the watch had been placed in the plastic container. I am curious if there were any other ways that anyone could have known about it? Why did you not hand over to the security?
Me: I did not surrender the watch to the security as it came across as a cheap non-valuable. Hence, I thought it was not necessary to hand over to the security.
Security head: According to the previous records, there were a few watches which were handed over to the security during the point of your employment. What would make this Bvlgari watch be an exception??
Security head (continued, pushed his chest out like a Tarzan): Now it brings us back to the main question. Do you have ANY evidence to prove your innocence?
Me (felt extremely upset and indignant and began to raise my voice): I did not steal the watch!!
Security head (bellowed): Did I say that you stole the watch?! You are wasting everyone's bloody time just because of your mistake! You'd better find ways to prove your innocence.
Security (turned to the security who sat beside me): what is the maximum charge for this case? I think at least five years, right? And, he turned back to me and yelled: If the guest has decided to file a charge against you, I'm afraid you have to serve a maximum five years behind the bar.
Me (thinking): Are you insulting my intelligence? Stealing the watch when I knew the guest would be returning for it? Are you telling me that I am stupid enough to dig my own grave? Mind you, why would I want to steal the item? For thrills and excitement? Nah. There are no right reasons why would I want to put myself into such a risk when all I wanted to do was to earn a little pennies back? Luckily, you never say I stole the watch right at my face or I could actually sue you for slandering.
On hindsight, I should never have raised my voice during the whole time. In this situation, I could have stayed calm and the last thing I should never have done was to further aggravate him! In actuality, who would have thought about the steep price when the watch actually appeared to be kind of.. cheap?
Come to think of it, this case is quite invalid. There were no CCTVs in the office and I really wonder how they can ever ensure the security of important stuff within the office. Apparently, the case is BEYOND the security level and the matter will be escalated to the higher level of authority.
When I was near my office, I broke down instantly when my supervisor questioned me about the progress. Well, this 67 years old lady stood by me, showed a little concern and she was like, 'Why are you so unlucky? You should have paid heed to your surrounding!'
My new OM came along and assured me that there was nothing to be afraid of if the watch was not stolen by me. He said, 'Now I am advising you as a friend, not from the point of view as a manager, that you should not be absent from work during these few days. If you are truly guilt-free, all the more you should not be afraid. Stay calm and focus on your work and I can assure you that everything will be fine'
Thank god for such an understanding superior.
On the way home, on my mind were varying versions of what my life in the future would lie ahead of me. Would my name be cleared? Would I be jailed if I did not have sufficient evidence to prove my innocence? If I had been sentenced to prison, what would I be expecting then? The more I think, The more upset I became. When I returned home, my dad showed a little concern and asked me how the situation was. As I was feeling vexed, I shrugged him off and refused to say anything. Seeing how stubborn I was, my dad was deeply offended and stormed off. (Sorry dad. I just hate to make my problem your problem. I have done enough things which have disappointed you)
This incident had deeply scarred my life. In all honesty, I had never involved in such a complicated case in my whole life and apparently I was living on pins and needles every single day!
FEB 11, 2014 - FELT A LITTLE BETTER
On the next day, my mom came over and spoke to me about the incident. She felt that I did not pray to God in the temple during chinese new year. It was said that the purpose of praying to God during the new year is important because we need to seek protection from God to prevent the onslaught of the unscrupulous people around us.
Having felt insecure, I picked up the bible (a birthday gift last year) and brought it along wherever I go.
If the case has blown out of proportion, I might consider seeking legal advices to clear my name off the accusation. Well, I am especially grateful and thankful to my best friend, Gideon, who decided to stay a little while with me after his work. Thank God for good friends!
