Camera Guilt

I have been on constant search for a perfect camera over these past few weeks. I've been reading more camera reviews than I ever been my whole life.

Yesterday, I was reflecting my fate with camera, then I remember my dark past about it. Something that I put aside on my memory.

Years ago, when I was still in my uni, I worked part-time as a waitress at a small Malaysian restaurant. That restaurant somehow cater as a black market too. Maybe because most of its customers are Asians, we are somehow fond of something illegal. Apart from super delicious foods, my boss provided whatever you need for.

So, they provides non-taxed cigarettes, perfumes and liquors (usually bought from Airport Duty Free Shops & carried by students or stewards/ess)

Then, they also sell stolen goods. U can get any kinds of second hand phones, laptops, even projectors. All are stolen goods. Some are password-locked, but you can easily unlock it somewhere in Chinatown. I once saw the "thief" delivered a plastic bag of stolen goods. It was sold per bag! (which easily contained 20 or more phones). The prices were crazy! 

One day at work, I saw a SLR camera. At that time, there were no such things as digital camera yet. I was really fond of that camera. So, I bought it from my boss, I can't remember how much it exactly costs me, maybe around AUD200 (maybe more). It was a big money for me. I can't remember the brand or the lens too. I did a lot of thinking when I wanna get it. It was beautiful, came with a seasoned leather case. 

I brought it home and opened it up. Don't ask me why I didn't check it at the restaurant, I don't know why I didn't. So, I opened it up, and what I saw is... someone put a name & a phone number on the camera. Also on inner side of the case, it was written "If misplaced or stolen, please contact xxx on xxxx"  (well, not the exact words, but something like that). I felt very very guilty holding that camera.

I wanted to call the lady (yes, it was a lady's name), and give it back. But I also worry about my hard-earned AUD200. 

If I returned the camera to her, Would she give back my AUD200? 

Would she ask me where I got it? 

Would she think I was the thief? 

Would my boss get into trouble?

I was in limbo! I brought the camera back to the restaurant, a friend saw it, and said "I wanted the camera, but you bought it first. Do you even know how to use it?"

I told him about the name & phone number inside. I told him I wanted to return it. He said I was an idiot, cos I would go to jail, cos I bought stolen goods. I was scared. So he gave me AUD200 and took the camera away. 

Now that I own a proper camera, I can totally feel the pain of losing such precious device. 

I should have returned the camera to her, right? The guilt is still lingering after years.