The Unreal World: (1) Ali and Ah Seng

The war has ended six months ago and the British have returned to rule over the country. A country road leading to the sea. Ah Seng is riding on his old bicycle on a country road leading to the sea and, as he nears the mangrove clumps by the beach, he sees Ali coming toward him. He jumps down from the bicycle and calls to him.

Ali: Oh hai, Ah Seng, where are you off to?

Ah Seng: Hai Ali, good to see you? Going fishing for ikan gelama in my boat.

Ali: Oh, I hear you're quite a fisherman. I hope you have a good catch.

Ah Seng: Thanks. Oh, by the way, I meant to come and see you for
some coconuts. My wife wants to cook up some oil for our use. Are you at home tomorrow morning?

Ali: Sure, I'll be home. Come at any time. How many nuts will
you be wanting?

Ah Seng: Oh, not many, about ten will do.

Ali: Well, It'll be twelve cents each now.

Ah Seng: Hey, that's up two more cents each. But, that's all right with me, I badly need oil for our lamps.

(He climbs on his bicycle and paddles off toward the sea.)