Moving 3

.
My ex-landlord is feeling really edgy. He had asked me to make certain repairs to the apartment, which I did (with the help of a contractor). But as he walked through the apartment, he was checking those items which we had already ticked off previously. He is paranoid, checking everything over again. Then when he came to the shower rose, he was not happy that I replaced it myself. Man! It was a simple five minute job and he was not happy because I didn't get a plumber to do it.
.
Anyway, eventually he accepted the repairs were in good order, and went back home to write me a cheque which is my deposit for the apartment.
.
Then a few minutes, he called to say that he will pay the contractor first, then return me the remainder of the deposit money. Naturally, I disagreed as the contractor was hired by me and therefore had to be paid by me. After all, if I default on the payment, the contractor will come after me, not the landlord! I asked if he is accusing me of being deceitful and he replied that he finds it difficult to trust people these days! How sad!

.

Why is he so paranoid? Is it because he is going through a bad patch? Or is it because he knows deep down that he had manipulated the situation such that he need not extend my lease and then can rent it out on a new lease at twice the price (there is no rent protection in Singapore)? ... and that now (in his mind) I will get back at him by not paying the contractor???!!! In other words, he is now afraid of the consequences of his own deeds even to irrational proportions! But then, these fears are all his, not mine. I am free, as I have a four year track record of paying him rent without default. After some negotiations, he agreed to give me the cheque.
.
Then as I walked home, it suddenly dawn on me if I could trust that his cheque doesn't bounce! After all, this is the first time I am getting a cheque from him. I normally do not have such doubts, but since he was so paranoid, he had affected me. In short, fear is contagious. As he pre-occupied himself with fear that I may cheat him, I now fear his cheque may bounce!
.
Hmmm.... I will check that on Monday with my bank! :)