Sarah has said she loves my bus updates…so I am taking that as encouragement:
The story begins downtown, at a busy stop. A sweet faced two year old girl boards alone, and makes herself comfortable. She is followed by several adults who have no apparent interest in her or attachment to her. And finally, Mom boards, struggling with a stroller. The stroller proves to contain an infant, who fusses a bit beneath her many blankets, but is easily soothed, and the toddler nestles in next to her Mom, and closes her eyes.
Next stop: a man boards, holding a cell phone up to his ear, his head tucked down in his coat. I can’t see his face. He is tall and thin. I form no opinion of him at first glance; nothing in particular stands out about him. He is followed by a woman who flashes a Metro Mobility pass and sits down next to him. Driver asks for ID. She shows hers, but driver says, “What about his ID?”
“He doesn’t have one, says the woman. “He’s my client.”
“If he doesn’t have ID he has to pay,” says the driver.
“He applied, but it hasn’t come yet, says the woman, henceforth known as the PCA. The driver drives off, but repeats his insistence that the passenger must pay.
He’s right, I know; this is stated clearly on the website.
The PCA repeats that he applied and it hasn’t come yet. “He’s retarded. Slow.” she says. “It isn’t his fault.”
“Yikes!” I think, but client is laughing now. Still has the phone to his ear, and his back to the PCA and driver. I wonder if the phone call is making him laugh, or if he’s laughing at what the PCA said?
Driver repeats his insistence on an ID, but is losing credibility as we are now about four blocks from where they boarded. PCA begins to berate driver and ask for his name. He ignores the question, and she berates him further. She pauses, and when met by another silence, begins a foul mouthed tirade.
Client laughs uproriously.
Another pause.
“Please stop talking,” says the driver. “I’ve stopped talking, and you should too.”
I love him now.
“You’re right,” she says. “I’m sorry,” she says.
“What!?” I say (but only to myself). Is it an Epiphany Miracle? A peaceful resolution! Rejoice! She takes her seat again, and all is quiet on the bus.
Whew.
Now back to our previously mentioned small family: Mom requests a stop. She rouses the dozing two year old, telling her it’s time to get off the bus. When the driver opens the door, the little girl runs off the bus, and disappears into the night. “No!” cries the mom, as she struggles with the stroller. “Wait!!”
Now the Client leaps to his feet, and jams his cell phone into his pocket. “Go,” he shouts, and grabs the stroller. She runs after her daughter, and he carries the stroller gently down the steps, and waits, one foot on the bus, one hand on the stroller, for her return.
Passengers move towards the door and windows, watching, but it is clear that Client has things under control. Mom returns with toddler by the hand, and retrieves the stroller. Client waves, and returns to his seat. They ride a few more blocks, then PCA requests a stop. As she departs she thanks the driver and assures him she will have Client’s ID next time.
“Client?” I wonder. Am I the only one wondering?
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