Junkies ... on boarding the bus! (Note: this post has been corrected.)
{Scruffy man clomps up the stairs and stands vacantly before the driver.}Correction: (Note: This correction has errata.) A previous version of this entry accurately reported that only one Scruffy Man was involved in this incident. Shortly after posting, however, I received what could only be described as a flurry of emails from drama majors, Latin scholars, and grammar nerds, all of whom informed me that "exeunt" is, in fact, a plural, and should only be used when two or more people are exiting. I have therefore taken the liberty of inserting a second, gratuitous Scruffy Man into the piece, which I believe solves the problem quite nicely.Bus Driver: Fare is $1.50.
Scruffy Man: I ain't got no money.
Bus Driver: Well, the fare is $1.50.
{Pause while Scruffy Man grapples with cognitive dissonance.}
Scruffy Man: I'm gonna get on the bus.
{Pause while bus driver waits for Scruffy Man to make good on his threat. Scruffy Man stands inertly until he's obviously forgotten what's going on.}
Scruffy Man: Can I get on the bus?
Bus Driver: Well, I ain't gonna kick you off, let's put it that way.
{Long pause while Scruffy Man noodles out the ramifications of this statement.}
Scruffy Man: Where does this bus go?
Bus Driver: Where are you trying to go?
Scruffy Man: Home.
Bus Driver: Where's "home"?
{Scruffy man becomes abruptly alarmed.}
Scruffy Man: Are you asking me where I live?!
Bus Driver: Yeah.
Scruffy Man: Fuck you, asshole!!
[Second, Completely Fictitious Scruffy Man: I shall exit the bus as well.]
{Exeunt Scruffy Man[s]. Doors close, bus leaves the curb, passengers are silent for a few seconds.}
Elderly lady, to no one in particular: That was kind of weird.
Errata: Upon reflection, it occurs to me that the quantity of email I received could also be describes as a "bevy," a "passel," or a "slew".
Update: Someone just wrote and informed me that "errata" is also plural. SHUT UP INTERNET!!
Posted on January 24, 2005 to Junkies On The Bus