The Infamous Bus Story™

If you know me at all outside of class, you'll know that I have this story. I call it The Bus Story™. It is one of the greatest tales I have ever been a part of in my life. Let me explain.

So I ride the bus like it's my job. Religiously, even. I tend to take Green East a lot, and if any of you ride the ASU bus system, you'll know that this bus stops by Hospitality House. Two men get on the bus, talking about something or other, I couldn't really tell. One of these guys has their back to me, (from here we'll call him Chuck) and the other guy who was younger sat across from me to where I could see his face. For privacy's sake, we'll call him Shane. Here is a diagram for clarity:




So Chuck is talking about how Shane was caught stealing a pack of cigarettes from a member of the House. He is straight-up monologuing at this guy, and through this monologue I learn that Shane has done this before, and not only that but has gone to jail for stealing before. Also that he got beat up for not giving them back when the owner confronted him.


Chuck was on a roll. This man was dropping some serious knowledge bombs, some great pieces of life advice such as:


"Dude, we're all homeless. I've been doing this sh*t up here for years now. We're all in the same boat, and you can't steal from your own people, man. It's just not right."


"You went to jail to learn from your mistakes, make you a better person, right? Then why are you doing this sh*t again, Shane? Why are you doing the sh*t that'll put you back where you started?"


"You've gotta look at the big picture, Shane. Look at all the outcomes of the choice before you make it. It's called 'cause and effect."

He goes on to talk about how nobody is perfect, and then Chuck mentioned a particularly titilating piece of information, but that requires a little bit of...


BACKSTORY:


A couple months ago, I was outside of the library near where the bus circle is. A man comes out of the library mumbling to himself, and I assume he's on the phone. He goes into this nook relatively close to where I'm standing that's full of reflective windows...and the dude just starts yelling. At his reflection. And that's not even the weirdest part, he's yelling about some personal stuff...about ex girlfriends...and if he wasn't good enough for her.

But how is this relevant to the initial bus story, you ask?


After the Chuck had finished talking about how everyone at the shelter was a team, he mentions that they're all different, too. Specifically: "I mean, we've all got our differences. Like me, man. You might have seen me talking by myself or something, but I'm actually talking to God."


(you see where this is headed, right?)


"We have a very special relationship. He tells me things that nobody else can hear, and it's super wise and helps me get my life together again."


IT'S THE SAME GUY FROM THE LIBRARY. The one talking to himself outside about his ex girlfriend was the one seriously educating Shane about the dangers of turning against your friends. It was crazy. My brain had leaked out of my ears and onto the bus seat beside me at this point. I didn't know this story was gonna have layers it was 9 am.


That is the Bus Story™.