...Have You Taken The Test?

I am going to admit to the whole world that on 28th July 2005, I sneaked out from my existing company to conduct a Pre-Employment Medical Check-up (PMC). I dread doing a PMC, which is unfortunately a requirement for any given employment. I arrived at the panel clinic only to find it sparsely populated by middle-aged women and a couple looking weary and forlorn. Slipping my ID Card across the counter, the nurse promptly registered my details into a white card. She handed me some forms and instructed me to proceed with an X-ray examination. I am no smoker but the occasional Salem and Marlboros over bourbon and coke are norms during happy hours and weekends. Unfortunately, these “happy-hours and weekends” indulgence are becoming more frequent than I could care to admit.

Looking dreary and bleak, fluorescent lamps barely illuminating the room, I was asked to strip from the waist up. Pressing my chest against a cold plate of steel, the slow humming of a machine whirled to a stop as my X-ray was taken. About 15 minutes later, I was given a copy of the X-ray. Curiosity got the better of me, as usual, and I peeked into it only find to my relief the words “All Clear” amidst scribbling of medical jargons.

As I handed the X-ray report over to the nurse, I was told again that a blood test is in order. My heart skipped a beat given my colorful sexual lifestyle. I still remembered vividly an email attachment from my friend, purportedly showing two guys in a passionate embrace with some Chinese character emblazoned on top. The word “Test” stood out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, the results were favourable.

Have you taken your Test?