Usually when I ride the bus I think it is just fine. No fuss, no muss...but last night I just learned so much. I think you will learn almost as much by me typing in the conversation I overheard (as verbatim as my memory):
As I got on the bus, White Guy with Awful Dreadlocks (WGAD) had just offered his cellphone to Regular Looking Black Woman (RLBW). I had a little think to myself about how trusting he was and how I might not ever do such a thing and therefore began to feel guilty about causing problems during emergencies.
RLBW: Oh, do people talk too long sometimes?
WGAD: Yeah, I've had that happen before.
RLBW: Well, I won't take too long. I really appreciate it.
She dials, then begins talking. Loudly.
RLBW: Hi! I'm on someone else's cellphone so I have to be fast. How do I sound?...So, did you see your cousin today?...Was it your first cousin or your second cousin?...There's a difference. Your first cousin, see, is like your regular cousin. But your second cousin--if your Dad had a cousin and then that cousin had a kid then that would be your second cousin. Did you see your first or your second cousin?...Sorry, I didn't mean to be so personal. So, how was your day?...Well, tomorrow's Tuesday so you don't work...Oh, sorry. At least it's money in the bank...I saw my mother today. She made chicken, mashed potatoes--
WGWD gestures for her to give him back his phone.
--oh, I gotta go. He wants his phone back. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Hangs up and hands WGWD his phone
RLBW: Sorry, was that too long?
WGWD: Yeah.
A few moments pass.
RLBW: So, where do you live?
WGWD: Oh, just up north off of 15th.
RLBW: In Crown Hill?
WGWD: Yeah.
RLBW: I live there, too! On 85th just off of 15th! Is that where you live?
WGWD: Just behind there.
RLBW: How come I've never seen you on this bus before?
WGWD makes a noncomittal noise.
RLBW: Do you want a tic tac?
WGWD: No, thanks.
RLBW: Oh, you don't like tic tacs?
WGWD: Something like that.
...
And then I got off the bus. I've been saying "Oh, you don't like tic tacs?" ever since. And I will never stop. And if someone needs to use my cellphone, I'll probably dial for them. Or pray for them.
Posted by Ida at August 7, 2007 05:31 PMI loaned my cell phone to this guy in a coffee house once. I was knitting there. He seemed desperate but then the call was really random, pretty much like that one. I let him talk for much longer. I also used a disinfectant wipe on my phone afterwards 'cause, you know, I carry those around.
Posted by: ian at August 8, 2007 09:19 AMDid you know that I now have to put in an email address to comment on your blog? 'Sup with that?
Posted by: ian at August 8, 2007 09:21 AMI generally don't flinch about loaning out my cell phone, because I never use up all my monthly minutes, and they just roll over forever, so I've got probably a years worth of time available at this point. On the other hand, I've never given it to anyone and had them make that sort of non-emergency-that-could-easily-have-waited-until-they-got-home call either.
Posted by: COMTE at August 8, 2007 10:51 AMMy greatest regret with this post is that you cannot actually hear the woman say "Do you want a tic tac?" and "Oh, you don't like tic tacs?" because, oh man, her voice was so loud and it seemed like the most incongruous thing she could have possibly offered. Plus, it was coupled with her dumping them grubbily into her hand.
Posted by: ida at August 8, 2007 02:01 PM