Giving Directions To The Bus Driver
Monday, March 24th, 2008I get on the bus to go home and see the bus driver flipping through maps. Interesting, I think, this is new. Usually the drivers, while they wait, read one of those free newspapers cluttering up the vehicle.
I wander to the back of the bus to sleep.
There are only 3 “normal” people, a mailman, and myself on the bus. The bus driver taps the mic a couple times to ensure it is on and we’re awake. He makes an announcement. No, a confession. He didn’t expect to drive this bus today, he has never done the route before, he doesn’t know where he’s going.
Yes, our bus driver doesn’t know where he’s going.
The mailman hops to his feet, eyes flashing, and swaggers to the front. He knows his routes, mail or bus, and starts giving the bus driver instructions. The bus driver is doing well except…
He isn’t making any stops.
I’m still at the back of the bus. I watch as we pass bus stop after bus stop full of waiting people. I see the hope on their faces, then the puzzlement, and as we leave them in our dust, the anger.
I am now on an express bus with a driver who doesn’t know where he’s going.
One commuter rings the bell. The driver overshoots the stop. She gets off a block away. No one gets on because it isn’t a real stop. Down to 4 passengers. Another commuter gets off. Again, not anywhere near his stop. This happens again leaving me, the mailman, and the driver. That’s what happens when you don’t pick up passengers.
The mailman gets off.
The driver stops and sits there. I can see him looking at me through the mirror. I wander to the front. He grins and I start giving him directions. I also point out the bus stops and waiting passengers before he can pass them. I leave him with a semi-full bus, a replacement mapgirl…
And I make it home.