Red sits at the window. Phil takes the seat beside her: he is out of breath.
Red: Are you okay?
Phil: Yeah. I almost missed the damned bus. (does a double take) … I mean, the darned bus.
Red: I wish I had. I’m really starting to hate taking the bus. I used to have a car to go to my grandma’s house. But since it broke down, I’m having to deliver the goodies (holds up basket) by bus and by foot. Yesterday I almost got eaten!
Phil:(stares) You hate the bus too … Wait, did you say eaten?
Red: Yeah. A guy came out of the bushes and tried to bite my neck. He was wearing all this glittery stuff. Kept calling me Bell-something. I might not even be here if some crazy brunette hadn’t shown up and chased him away with a pointy stick.
Phil: That doesn’t sound very safe. What do you say to getting off the bus with me? I’m just going to get my car from the shop. I can drive you to your grandma’s house.
Red:(sighs in relief and grins widely) Oh, could you?
Phil: I’d drive you there every night …
Red takes his hand. They get off the bus together.
Monday, April 16th, 5:00pm
Farmer Brown (and Phil)
Farmer Brown sits at the window. Phil takes the seat beside him.
Phil:(sighs) Oh what a relief.
Farmer Brown: What would that be, son?
Phil: (smiles) I get my car back tomorrow.
Farmer Brown: (smiles back) Nothing quite like having your own vehicle, is there?
Phil: No sir, there’s not. It’s finally out of the shop after my accident, and I’m on the mend too.
Farmer Brown: And the open road is ahead of you.
Phil: Right you are. You know, it’s refreshing to find someone on the bus who really “gets it.” Someone sane for a change.
Farmer Brown: (nods, then takes phone out of his pocket) Excuse me, I have to get this.
Phil: You go ahead.
Farmer Brown: (into his phone) Hello? No. You’re kidding. Again? (frowns) Okay, put her on.
Farmer Brown glances at Phil and rolls his eyes.
Farmer Brown:(into his phone) Moo. Moo moo moo moo. Moomoomoo. Okay. (waits) Yeah, I told her. She promised not to do it again. Okay, see you soon. (hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket. To Phil:) Damned sheep got out of the barn again.
Phil sits at the window. Fiona takes the seat beside him.
Fiona: Man is it a chilly one out there.
Phil:(glances at her briefly) It is.
Fiona: You could catch the flu on this bus faster ‘n you can say Jack Frost.
Phil: That’s true.
Fiona: Better ‘n drivin’ a car though.
Phil: (turns to her) Why do you say that?
Fiona: I had a car once. Had a bad accident ‘n tore up my leg somethin’ fierce. Even my hip ain’t never bin the same since.
Phil: Hmph.
Fiona: Can barely walk now.
Phil: Huh.
Fiona: Yep, we’re lucky we don’t drive no cars.
Phil: The flu can be pretty bad too.
Fiona:(thinks for a moment) At least you’s got ’bout a week to say goodbye to y’ur loved ones though. Car accident (snaps fingers) jes like that. Over. Done for.
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