Another day, another bus ride home from work. It's miserable and wet and the bus driver is going way too fast, so much so that my neck snaps as we pull up sharply to the first stop. My mind wanders and I think about my day, my absolute boredom with my work and my longing for something more meaningful in my life. I think about my options, what the future may hold. There's Melbourne for a start, the new contract has opened up some possibilities but there are no real details and who knows what it would pay and what sort of positions are on offer. Then again, there's always Japan. That carrot on a stick lurking at the back of my mind whenever I get fed up with where ever I am at the time. I could save a bit more money, get hooked up with one of those programs that get you set up with a place to stay and a job teaching conversational English. Learn Japanese, take photos, meet new people.
I'm caught up in my thoughts when I notice the flashing lights up ahead as an ambulance leaves the scene of an accident. The bus speeds past but I catch sight of a car on the pavement with a woman sitting in the back seat with the door open sobbing uncontrollably into her hands. A kid's bicycle lies nearby on the asphalt. The image leaves me feeling deeply disturbed.
Although I press the button the BUS STOPPING sign is already lit up and the bus driver goes right past my stop. I call out for him to stop the bus but he doesn't hear. I get off around the corner and walk home, gazing at the dark clouds overhead as the rain begins to fall. There will be storms tonight.