State Of Discovery - would become 'Flagpole'

Greyhound

This would be the first time I had ever travelled on a greyhound. I've been on an American bus before but never taken part in the glory that is the branded luxury of a treasured and often replicated service.

I thought when embarking I would be treated to some romantic movie worthy welcome. I would take the first step up into the expanse of the bus and all the people aboard would smile blissfully. So happy to see me. So elated I would be a part of their journey just as they would mine. Instead I received a solomn and monosyllabic salutation pursed from the lips of a overweight and underpaid bus driver who was not interested in me, in my story or my life. I envisaged we would converse about all things New York and how I longed to discover myself in Dupont Circle. The dreams we shared about studying in the halls of Georgetown University. Our mutual interest in the setting of 'The Exorcist'. This was reality. Reality was disappointing.

Why is in movies, in songs, in stories in other peoples life. They seem to have these experiences. Meet this life affirming characters with personalities like Zooey Descahnel's. Full of vibrancy, full of soul. I never get that. No matter where  I go. I think I'm more than convivial. I walk with a smile. I'm open to conversation. I did have head phones on. They weren't on. I mean there was no music blarring or anything. I guess that though may put some people off. IN fact, perhapy the smile is off putting. Probably think me a lunatic or something.

As I walked past the seats at the front. I could see much of the bus was

"Well the paint was all cracked, it was peeled off of the wood" The sound of the house where nobody lives resonated with me now more than ever. I was on route to Washington DC. Ania would be expecting me. It was getting closer to the time we agreed upon to meet at M& M world. Instead I was beneath the Hudson River in the Lincoln tunnel enjoying the gravel of Mr waits voice. I should have brought more CDs. I was thinking I could start talking to the guy to my right. I had an aisle seat two rows from the back. I could smell the toilet.