The wind was vicious, and as the lights of the arriving bus cut through the drifting snow, the huddled observers perked up. They strained to see through the frosted windows as the bus coasted up to them, gently coming to a halt.
Each was doing their own calculation, but all reached the same conclusion. Standing room only.
Poverty
A moral weight descended, the dilemma of too many, too little. Scarcity. Who would go without? Subconcious urges and justifications surfaced, outside and inside – “I was the first one waiting at this stop”, “She doesn’t look *that* elderly”, “I would, but she’s too far down the bus”, “I really should give up my seat, will it be awkward?”
Compassion
“Here ma’am, please sit.”
“Oh no, really, I don’t need…”
“I insist, please.”
(a humble smile) “Thank you very much.”
Carelessness
As the warm bodies flooded in, a man in the aisle stopped, blocking the flow. “Move back please,” sang the driver. “All the way to the back.” The man, deaf, oblivious or apathetic, didn’t move.
Conflict
The tension was palpable, the pressure building behind the block. People trying to board looked ahead in confusion and frustration: “Keep it moving.”
The meek girl murmured inaudibly, “Excuse me, please.” She cast a hopeful glance behind her, looking for the driver. Would he speak more forcibly?
The man behind her wasn’t shy. With a rough, “Excuse me, thank you.” he shouldered his way through to the back of the bus. Following his lead, the crowd began to flow once more. The tension eased, with a few reproachful glances thrown at the blocking man.
Selfishness
The youth was adamant. His bag was staying put on the seat beside him. They could stand.
Romance
Was he looking at her? Or was it just that he was facing that way? He was always on the bus on the way to work, but not on the afternoon one from work. Maybe she could take a longer lunch, stay after work, see if he was on a later bus…
She’s so beautiful. Don’t stare… Don’t stare. Boy, that window sure looks interesting. Is she still there? Of course she is… you know we haven’t reached her stop yet. Is she looking at you? Oh no, eye contact! Will she be take it the wrong way if I smile at her?
Crime and Punishment
The driver was willing to tolerate the foul language for a few stops, but when the open liquor came out, he pulled the bus over, between stops. “Your ride ends here.” Sighs of relief were audible as the two stepped off the bus.
God
It was the half an hour in his day when, free from expectation, he could stop the world and be still. He closed his eyes and let the hum and bustle flow past him. “Lord, I want to be your servant today…”
Everything I need to know about in life, I learned on the bus, because the bus is full of people.