So, the other day I’m on the bus and we’re pulling into Broadway Skytrain station when a bang is heard — possibly a tire blowing, or a car backfiring… or, a gunshot. For the non-Vancouverites, we had a gang war last year that involved a rather high number of drive-by or otherwise “public” shootings, in mall parking lots, on busy streets, etc. One woman was even shot and killed in her car in Surrey, with her 4 yr old son in the back seat. So, it’s not totally inconceivable that such a thing could happen at Broadway & Commercial.
Everybody looks around, and there’s a little conjecture about what it could be, with the three possible options being listed as above. Then there’s a series of similar bangs. Well, that probably rules out tire blowing, unless there were some extremely unlucky motorists popping tires left right & centre. Still, can’t see any older cars around, but also can’t see anyone speeding away into the night. Most people on the bus are looking out the windows, but since there’s nothing to see, we all shrug and prepare to get off the bus, as we’re just getting up to the stop.
Except for the young man in the back row, who jumps up and starts moving through the standing load toward the front of the bus and yells “EVERYBODY BE CALM!”
The rest of the (non-panicked, just curious) bus simply stares at him. Aside from him, I’m not sure we could be any calmer. Most people just ignore him and wait for the doors to open. Aforementioned young man continues trying to “take control”. I (nicely) let him know that I think we’re fine, he’s the only one who’s panicking. He shoots back, “I’m just trying to keep these nice people safe, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that!”
At that point, the door has opened, and we all started filing out — half of us grinning or chuckling at the rather amusing young man, trying to “keep us safe”. I’m actually glad there WAS nothing wrong (never did find out what the bangs were — I’m still guessing “backfiring car”), because shutting him up in the case of an actual emergency probably would have been difficult, and I’m sorry sweetheart, but… leadership fail. Howzabout you leave the nice people be and let someone who’s a better judge of “when it’s time to worry” take over, hmm?
Sometimes the general public makes me giggle.