Mr. Conductor has changed

Over this weekend I happened to travel by our very own state transport bus. And let me be upfront that it was not out of choice. As I entered the Bus station I could see the same settings that have been present at least ever since I was born. I could even identify couple of beggars or possibly they haven't changed their designer. Same spit marks, the undergarment billboards signs and our lovely charming bus station staff - they were all there. I was waiting in the queue for my number to come to buy my ticket. While holding the support bars I was slowly but steadily being pushed to the ticket window. While getting pushed I was wondering how physically close we Indians can get. But it still bewilders me to understand the logic behind pushing, as it does little in improving the efficiency of the guy giving the tickets. The uncle behind me in queue looked educated and did very well to understand my glare and stopped pushing for a while. The only thing he assorted to, was a short-lived but effective spank on my butt with the help of his bag.

Ok so when I finally was THERE… Mr. Ticket window guy pointing towards the bus told me to buy the tickets inside the bus… the guy was in grave pain while giving this piece of information, as if I had cut his leg and was asking for the other one to complete my new found hobbies of leg collection. I rushed towards the bus as one never knows when they might take off… to add to my displeasure the bus was empty but had a lone passenger… our eyes locked he said "10 more mins"… he sounded pretty confident… I wonder if he was the head for routes and timing division at the Bus state transport… I knew what I was doing for the next 10 mins… I rushed to my favorite place on the bus-stand …people call it the book stall… My eyes didn't work hard to find MY SECTION… the sleazy sexy vernacular book section… I grabbed couple of the books… so that I could very fast read the preview to the book without buying any of those … and feel happy about the vernacular language's capability to aptly define the THING… was going overboard but managed to get into the bus by now which was considerably occupied.

Taking the window seat… I wrestled with the window to open… Mr. Stranger behind me offered help and was quick to open it… he kind of had developed that expertise… sheepishly I said thanks… The bus took off… and I tried hard to sleep… resting my hands on the handrest, leaning on the window… but gave up soon… I could smell something and this very familiar smell was coming from my hands… and I am sure everyone who has traveled in public transport vehicle gets that smell… the fragrance is of sweat and dust mixed with fillings of iron bars (it has a salty taste if u happen to lick it)… And then arrived Mr. Conductor to give me the shock of my life in the bus … he was carrying a gizmo… electronic ticket generator … I wanted to kiss Mr. Conductor… the state transport had changed… they no longer give piles of tickets … which with my kind of mathematical capabilities would take 10 mins to add… And if I were the conductor I would increase it to 20mins so that I can strike the right balance between center of gravity and mathematics… the electronic ticket generator has opened new set of possibilities… In my heydays I had the fear of being a conductor as I was never a good at academics ... but now I don't think it's a bad profession :)

things are not as bad … it's only the incremental change that we don't appreciate…

Disclaimer

1. The elections are nearing… none of the political parties have sponsored the posting

2. And I am sorry for writing about a public place and not describing the loo