Things Go Better (April24)

Delivery truck in the usual livery, retro this case. No bubbles or busty beauties on the beach, this was stripped back earliest form—over the blood red a classic bottle in snow-white, cursive insignia, —Coca Cola. Out jumps the jockey kitted in the uniform polo, coming round to the side. (A check revealed it was indeed the jockey; the driver sat at the wheel enjoying the aircon.) Thus far perfectly order. We are, however, Ladies and Gentlemen, in Asia. Singapore, but Asia nonetheless. As in a theatre, variety hour, a carnival or burlesque, jockey comes around to the side. Up with the shutters, first one, then the second. Da-DA. Voila! Support act—curled up among the product, chins on knees. Away we go! Chop-chop! Show-time... One young fellow had nodded off, never mind the bumpy ride. Needed a boot to raise. Strict road laws in Singapore were inapplicable for the foreign labour in the rear of lorries, carts and trucks; on the construction sites. Seat-belt?… How would they have built this place in record time following every last finicky law?

NB. Mr. Lee Kwan Yew’s sharp-clawed Tiger ranked best of the best. Always looking to improve. Story re-told in the paper recently of the great man’s visit to early 60’s HK, where the morning’s order of a suit of clothes was delivered by afternoon. Six hours flat. Couldn’t rest on your laurels.