Got on the bus, purposely wore a dress because I knew it was going to be a hot day, the traffic was terrible and the bus wasn’t moving much. Guy in the seat across from the aisle said, “Is that an mp3 player your using?” It took me a second, (is it an mp3 player? I think so…) “Yes, it is…” “Wow,” He admired. “It’s really small, that must be nice.” “Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s great, I used to lug my cd player around but it got so heavy. This holds a lot of memory…” “Really? Like 3000 megs or something?” “I don’t know,” I said, lamely. “I requested something like this for my birthday, for my commute.” “You’re really beautiful, by the way,” The guy threw in there. I’m startled, really startled, for a second: “Oh…ok, well thank you.” He didn’t say it like a Big Sleaze, or disrespectfully, it just surprised me because here we were talking electronics and than bam, he busts out the Bus Compliment.
Ah, the Bus Compliment. Sometimes, I think people say things on buses, or while waiting for buses, that they probably would never reveal in real life. Back when I was in college, I got everything from marriage proposals to full on propositions that were really pretty genuine in their context. I had assumed I was now too old for such fanciful (and flattering) admirations…too old, and oh, yeah, should I tell him I’m married? I realized it didn’t matter, because after a quick, weird, pause he launched into being a fisherman in Alaska, catching crab for commercial distribution. It’s his winter job, good money, gotta pay child support and all. “Crab fishing…isn’t that dangerous?” I asked. “Yeah, it’s number one on the most dangerous jobs list.” “Oh, yeah, I think I watched a PBS special on that,” I mused. “I love it,” He declared, “I can’t wait to go back…so what classes are you taking at the college?” This guy was killing me. “I’m actually not a student, I’m a teacher…I’ll be teaching at an independent elementary school this year…4-6 year olds.” “Man, I wish I was 6 again,” The stranger said. “They have a good time, “I agreed. “Well, it sure warmed up nicely today,” He mused. “Sure,” I said, not sure if I should end this conversation soon but really, what else could I be doing on a bus but sitting around feeling bored? “Man, this heat is making me totally break out,” The guy showed me two zits on his forhead. “Heh heh,” I said. “Hey, does this bus go to Capitol Hill?” He asked. “No, you want the 44,” I advised. Just than the bus driver announced the Montlake Bridge was up, we would be sitting for a while, and oh-by-the-way this bus has no air conditioning. My new Bus Buddy got up and said, “I wonder if I can catch the 44, if he could let me off.” The back doors opened and suddenly he was gone…just like that.