It was about 2am. Sid and his colleague Cole were working the night shift at a convenience store near the MRT station. Sid was manning the cashier counter while Cole was arranging the shelves. As it was the wee hours of the morning, the store was empty. Suddenly, a masked man entered the store. Walking towards the cashier counter, he gestured at Sid to follow him. Sid followed the man to a dark alley outside the convenience store, where the latter brandished a video of Sid testifying in court. As a matter of fact, a month ago, Sid had been a witness to a case of drug trafficking gone wrong, and had testified against the perpetrator, a powerful crime boss named Trent, who had somehow managed to track him down.
"You're in deep trouble now," the man said in a low but threatening voice. "You have no idea who you've crossed."
"What...what do you want?" Sid stammered.
"Change your testimony in court, or else...," the man continued.
"Or else what?" Sid asked, his voice quivering.
"I'll make sure your 2 sons pay the price. You know what my boss is capable of. If you don't change your testimony, you'll be very sorry," the man continued in a threatening tone before walking away. The man's threat left Sid scared as he thought of what might happen to his 2 young sons, Ralph and Warren, whom he had raised single-handedly after the death of his wife. He started to wonder if he had made a mistake of testifying against a powerful crime boss, which may put his sons' lives in danger. However, he remembered having taught his sons to stand up for what is right. This left Sid in a dilemma.
On the day of the court hearing, Sid was summoned as a witness to give his testimony. While at the witness stand, he could spot Trent's henchman at the gallery. The henchman looked at Sid menacingly, making a throat slashing gesture.
"Witness," the Judge began. "Can you please identify the perpetrator?" Sid took a deep breath, and his voice broke the silence in the courtroom.
"Yes, your Honour, it was him," Sid said firmly, as he pointed at Trent in the defendant docks. "He is the murderer."
"You piece of work," Trent shouted at Sid from the docks.
"Silence," the Judge's voice rang out in the courtroom as he banged the gavel. Just then, Cole entered the courtroom.
"Your Honour," he said as he handed the Judge a USB. "I would also like to show you a video. Please allow me to play it in court."
"Approved," replied the Judge. He then loaded the USB onto the hard drive. It was a video of Trent's henchman threatening Sid.
"Your Honour, there he is, sitting at the public gallery," Sid added, pointing at the henchman.
It turned out that Cole had noticed the suspicious behaviour of Trent's henchman when the latter entered the convenience store. Afraid that something untoward might happen to Sid, Cole secretly tailed him, and recorded what had happened using his mobile phone. When the henchman left, Cole approached Sid, and told him not to give in to coercion, and to testify truthfully in court. He then offered to house Ralph and Warren for the time being. Ralph and Warren, despite their young age, could tell that Sid was being threatened, and also urged him to do what is right.
With Sid's testimony, Trent was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for the many crimes he committed. His henchman was similarly arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. After the case was concluded, Ralph and Warren returned home. A week later, Sid and Cole were commended for their part in bringing Trent and his henchmen to justice.
