At the end of my very first trip last night, I had a 'sleeper' on the bus in the extreme back of the bus...and I did my usual announcement...'Last stop'...he was not budging...and my spider senses went on alert when I took a closer look at the dude....so I did what is required....call for the cops to come do their thing...and hope it is in this century.
It was not!

A passenger waiting on the outside to get on for the outbound trip...was angst about missing the last bus to his neck of the woods...so he went and got the Transit Security Guard (by policy I could not step off the bus) to come get the guy off the bus...and I expressed to them both, that something is not right about this guy...and that the cops were called...leave it to them.
But the guard did his thing...and miracle of miracles...the sight of a blue uniform revived the dude right quick...amazing how that happens....and just in that moment...to add more drama...4 people got on the bus pissed at the sleeper....it seems he robbed them...their claim....me thinks something more fishy afoot....'birds of a feather' and all that hocus-pocus stuff!

But the good news is...they were all off the bus...and standing outside by the side of the bus acting out their drama......
Two things came to mind then...They were off the bus...and I was late...so I signaled the guy who wanted to get to his last bus...get on NOW... .... it was time to step.
And wouldn't you know it....he looked out the bus window the moment he got on and said....'The kids got a gun!....see...he is changing it from one pocket to the other!!!'...I got to tell the transit cop...he is not armed....'
All I said to him was....make it quick...
The throng of 4 that was claiming this guy was a thief...had now expanded to several more...and they were in a tug of war with this guy and his nap sack...NO!...not good.
I had my gut suspicion...that this guy was THEIR bag person...for all the loot they got at the various stores and mall that day...and they saw a way to cut him out of the deal...if he ends up in jail...
Either way..stuff was about to hit the fan.......

Just about the moment I got the people on who was willing and not more interested in being 'lookie-loos'...the guy who went to tell the transit cop that the guy had a gun...was getting on...and the transit cop was bookin' for the other side of the transit center and distance from what was about to happen...away from the 'thugging mop' talking on his radio like it was the second coming!

I rolled out of there like my ass was on fire...and people were suddenly running to catch the bus....too late...they had their chance.
Just as I turned the corner onto the next street...'gunshot' someone said!!
It was on!...and I was gone.

When I did my turn around (2 minutes max), which would take me back in the direction I had come from...their were cops coming form every which direction...a day late and a dollar short.........but they were now in charge!
By the time I got to the outside of the transit center again...it was completely blocked off with cop cars...and numerous more whizzing by me as I sigh in relief and put the pedal to the floor...it was now a cacophony of sirens and a sea of blue....

I felt about me...I was still in one piece and no blood anywhere....God is Good!