There'll be another on the way

Submitted into Contest #5 in response to: Write a story about someone who is tired of their day-to-day routines.... view prompt

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General

It was the middle of September on one of the busy city streets, the pace was fast and overcrowding, pushing and shoving of almost everyone. The cars could only go one way, the buses had their freedom to go in all directions, the crowds were getting larger as the day moved on. It was the same for most days, except Sunday, where the worshippers were busy cascading within the narrow streets and lanes. 

On this particular day, it was a Wednesday late morning, the city controller took his time with each person as he gave details to them of each schedule of the bus times. Mike the controller worked his shift everyday, he loved it, on cold days, wet days, sunny and impossible days, he loved his job. He could converse in many languages which gave him a higher chance for promotion, but he didn't want that. Always, they all queued to find out when, where or how come with the services, and he would look and respond to them, individually, with a smile,

"It should be on its way pretty soon now"

Or he may say,

"If you wait with me, I'll see what this bus is doing right now"

Or there may be an occasion when he would escort them directly to the correct place. All in all, his day was practically the same. He lived alone in a small flat away from the city, and how he looked forward to coming to work. 

On this particular wet Wednesday morning, Mike was in the middle of escorting an elderly woman and her pet dog on one of the low riser bus, when he felt a tap on his shoulder, continually,

"Excuse me! I need to know how to get to Charmers Road, I'm in a hurry,"

It was the voice of a well-mannered young woman and before Mike could give his reply, she continued,

"Did you hear me, I'm in hurry?"

Mike, finished escorting the old woman and her dog and looked round at the person,

"I heard you, but you need to wait your turn, I'm only one person, now, what do you need to know?"

"I have no time to argue, I have to get to Charmers Road"

"Well, that is not a problem, you can take the number 606 bus, it would drop right outside the beginning of Charmers Road, do you know the name of the place that you need to go because this is a very long road."

"I just need to get to Charmers Road," was all she replied.

"Alright then, take the 606 bus, it would take you there"

Mike didn't wait for a reply as he was already to giving directions to the next person and completely forgot about her.

The traffic was becoming more horrendous as the day wore on, Mike became so busy, talking into his radio at other drivers and trying to gain an even space. His small office was close by, so he went in for a break only to find the same women in the office,

"Oh hello again, did you find your route?" he asked her.

"What route was that?"

"You were asking about Charmers Road and I told you the 606 would take you straight there"

"Yes, I know"

"Then what are you doing in my office?"

"No reason"

"There must be a reason because, this office is of limits to the public "

"That's what I thought"

"Well, you can't stay in here, the 606 bus should be on its way any minute now, the bus stop is just outside here"

"So you want to get rid of me so quickly?"

"I'm not saying that, what I am saying is, no one is allowed in here"

"I heard you"

"I will call security to have you removed if you do not leave"

"Ah so you think I'm a nuisance?"

"No, but as I explained earlier, no one is allowed in here, so you best be on your way"

Poor Mike, try as he might he could not get rid of the woman, each time he tried to explain to her, she kept on looking at him. He began to wonder who she really was, he didn't recognise her from any past engagement, he hadn't recalled contacting any one from head office, so what he did was to ring the back office. Meanwhile, the woman looked on at him without saying a word.

 


August 30, 2019 15:43

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