dotinthesky: (Default)
Dot in the Sky ([personal profile] dotinthesky) wrote2004-09-16 12:16 pm

No. 18 - Endless Source of Amusement

There were a few people waiting for the No. 18 when I got to the bus stop. A middle-aged woman turned to me and said "Good Morning!" The sun was shining in my face so I couldn't see her properly. I replied a good morning. She then turned to look at me better. She was middle-aged, with fine white hair growing on her chin, a sloppy mouth, scraggly red hair and plump. She had a walkman in her ears, battered sneakers and a cloth purse hanging from her shoulders.

"I'm going to College!" she slurred.

"oh! That's nice," I replied, taking a step back.

I heard a voice from behind me say "you can't get in the buses." It was an old black man, with thick glasses, sitting on the bench.

"It's always like that in the mornings," I explained.

"They drive by without stopping."

By this time, Walkman Woman was talking to a concerned-looking youth. I knowingly smiled at him from behind her back and he tried to hide his smile. She then sat down on the bench by the black man.

A No.18 drove by and didn't even stop.

"They should put more buses to run this route," I said to the old man.

"They won't let you get in the bus," Walkman Woman butted in.

Soon afterwards, another bus appeared. I squeezed my way inside the last door (the No. 18 bus is one of those long, worm-like buses, with three doors.) The old man came up to the door, tentatively put a foot inside, then stepped out.

"Maybe the next bus will be empty," he said, looking at the incoming traffic.

"Come in. There's space here," I said, pointing at a place beside me. He looked so frail and doubtful. The bus doors closed and, as we moved away, I saw Walkman Woman looking at me with a mysterious smile on her face.

[identity profile] sbeth76.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
creepy and odd.
Time differences are neat. I went to sleep and then when I woke up you had posted this delight, because you were awake.

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
Very awake! My office is freezing, and I've got a herb tea and ham sandwich in front of me right now. What are you doing?

[identity profile] sbeth76.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
I was just on my way to school for an exam when I posted. Now I'm thinking of a 10 minute nap before my lab hours.

[identity profile] thisnamestaken.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
That'll be London for you. Misfits galore.

Do you know a place called Virginia water? I was walking down a road there with a friend once and turned a corner, and this woman was standing there and as soon as she saw us she shouted:

"What are you looking at you nosey cunt".

Nice.

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
She must be a regular in the No.18 bus. Delicacy is definetly absent from the passengers.

[identity profile] thisnamestaken.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
Can you AIM it whilst at work sonny jim?

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2004-09-17 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
nope... can only do internet on my lunch breaks, between 1 and 2. Are you at work?

[identity profile] chrissymo.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
That's very Twin Peaks or Twilight Zone sounding!

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2004-09-16 09:36 am (UTC)(link)
It was quite amusing. Usually, my bus rides in the morning are so boring.
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2004-09-17 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
Bus rage. I know the feeling.

[identity profile] phyrephly.livejournal.com 2004-09-17 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
i must imagine that riding cars is so lonely.

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2004-09-18 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
Cars distance us from these marvellous encounters. Imagine a city where people were only allowed to travel on public transport: how many intersting things you'd see!