Adventures on the Bus

I try very hard to ignore the conversations going on around me on the bus, but being a multi tasker often has its drawbacks. This morning, I was listening to my mp3 player and reading, as usual, and heard some interesting conversation. However, before I get into that, I must introduce you to two new characters...

1. TN Girl - She was seated near the back of the bus... I couldn't block her out if I tried. She had a very distinct southern accent and she spoke with everyone she came across.

2. Bearded Man - he was sitting near the front of the bus. He had a very loud voice that was difficult to ignore.

I settle into my seat and pull out my book. Over the bus radio, you hear dispatch ask our driver if a tall man named Cody was on our bus. The bus driver called out and said no. We start our trek toward ShopKo south when I hear TN Girl for the first time.

She is near the rear of the bus speaking with someone - though I didn't really notice who. She was telling him about some person that smelled like onions - qualifying it as "They smelled like rotten onions. You know, b.o. really bad b.o." I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of someone smelling like rotten onions. She continues into a conversation about getting her paperwork together and filing for a restraining order against someone.

I can't help it, my mind wanders to a trailer park.

We get to ShopKo and the person she'd been speaking with got off the bus. The bus driver asks if the person's name is Cody. He answers "No," and the bus driver closes the door. This exchange sparked the Bearded Man in the woman's jogging coat to start up.

"Is your name Cody?" (To another guy in the back of the bus who shakes his head no.)
"He's a black guy, too. I don't even know what nationality Cody is... I'm going to have to look that up in the dictionary when I get home...." This is where I had to tune him out.

A little later, TN Girl moves to the front of the bus. She asks where the post office is and a woman sitting near the front of the bus answers her. This is the first time I notice she is wearing a winter coat - overkill on a beautiful day like today.

TN Girl sits and starts to talk to the woman near the front of the bus. Marilyn - The Hooded One - boards at Wal Mart South and begins talking to The Bearded Man. They chat and I hear TN Girl's southern drawl talking somewhat under her breath about the conversation being highly inappropriate.

I didn't let it phase me. I kept reading and trying to concentrate on my music. Then I heard TN Girl say "Excuse me, sir. Your conversation topic is highly inappropriate and it is offending people."

Now I feel like I missed a juicy conversation. At this rate, I'm not getting much reading in... so I put my book away and resign to listen to the mp3 player for the remainder of the ride instead.