Returning – Thursday,
4.42p.m., 8 December 2011
There are sharks in there. Bull sharks. They’re particularly
aggressive them bulls. We’re travelling over the Harbour Bridge and the gently
rippled water is gazing at me with its watery, blue eyes. We’re floating over
this salty expanse and it wraps me up like a comforting blanket, memories of
good times at the water, any water – the beach. I bet there are some sharks on this bus as well nice
people. There are always sharks around – they can be difficult to spot, other
times you clearly see their big, white, sharp teeth, their trademark fins and menacing
intentions.
Has the bus become my second office? Although only three
days so far, it seems like I’ve been writing for a lot more. So enjoyable and
sure beats being a cardboard-like traveller.
I hope the guy to my left is extremely important or very
well paid because he’s working on this bus like he’s in his office. Laptop’s
open and on. Already three mobile phone calls. The first one was, “Thanks,
Alex, can you shore up a time for that meeting?” Shore up. There’s an
expression new to me for this context. Sounds like bullshit office talk.
The next call he thanked someone for their “great efforts”,
and the last one included, “Okay, can you keep me up to date and let’s see if
we can finish it by Friday?” I guess he’s saying all the right things.
He’s been very busy typing and just now checked his mobile
phone for messages. Has God left a message for me?
Christ. Now it’s Dave. “Hi Dave” he answers – and without me
even noticing, somehow he disappeared the laptop and the iPad is now nestled
between his pin-stripe-trouser-covered legs. Modern technology is so wonderful
and portable.
It’s also a fucking pain in the arse. Put all your toys away
and be quiet.
Is hypocrisy sneaking in here? I did say the bus seems to have
become my second office. I’m only putting my jottings to journal – can’t see
how that would annoy anyone. Would it?
“Psst. Look at that guy over there scratching away in his
lame, little journal. Why doesn’t he join the 21st century and get himself an iPad
or something”
We’ve stopped at Warringah Mall. People file into the bus
like a stream of dedicated ants on a mission. It does’t seem to end. Standing
room only now.
Mickey Mouse just leaped out at me from an Asian lady’s white
T-shirt. Mickey’s got a huge smile and is looking confident, he has a politely
purposive appearance. I’d love even 50 cents for every time I’ve seen Mickey
Mouse somewhere.
