Thursday, May 13, 2004

Lars & Carolyn

Lars & Carolyn

Freeman and I ventured over to Mike's Chili Parlor and Tavern last night for some chili. Mike's serves up some really good chili. Mike's also serves up a really interesting view of the local community. Mike's is a smaller local tavern that has been around forever. You know the place... Where there is a table of young guys just starting out in life right next to a table full of graying hair and bifocals. You also get a good smattering of local characters. Two of these characters happened to be Lars and Carolyn.

As new comers to this particular tavern, Freeman and I entered and checked out the place, the menu and drink selection before deciding to sit down. I glanced around a bit, but concentrated mainly on the menu as I wanted food and a beer. Not necessarily in that order. We placed our order and sat down.

There was a couple sitting in the booth directly behind us, but I didn't really pay any attention to them when we sat down. I was kind of watching the baseball game on TV and Freeman and I were jabbering a bit about something... I think it was work related. Regardless, we were served our pitcher of beer and sat back to drink and wait for our food to some out.

That was when the fun started. The couple behind me were sharing one side of the booth. Sitting directly behind me. They weren't quiet about the conversation they were having so I was able to eavesdrop without issue. I quickly realized that this was no ordinary couple. No - indeed - these were BUS DRIVERS IN LOVE!

During the two or so hours that we spent there, I heard all kinds of stories from these two bus drivers. The stories themselves were interesting such as:

Lars: and then I pulled the bus over and called the district to come out...
Carolyn: Really?
L: yes, but the kids in the back had a cell phone. One of them called 911 and told them that they had been kidnapped by the bus driver and the bus driver had gone nuts. They also put signs up in the windows saying they needed help...
C: Then what happened?
L: Well, the police showed up. I didn't know they were comin', but I just opened my door and asked them what was up. They explained the situation and then I explained what was happening. They didn't have to stick around, but they waited there till the District guy got there. Then they packed up and left.
C: Wow
L: Yeah. They suspended the kid...
C: Good thing!

More interesting than the stories though, were Lars & Carolyn themselves. Lars happened to be a middle aged balding white guy with a fairly large paunch and missing teeth. He looked kind of pasty and greasy. Let's just say that life was not kind to Lars. Carolyn was a youngish black woman who was actually very pretty. She had her hair braided very nicely (not nappy at all.) She looked fit and pretty healthy. Lars seemed to be playing the "older and wiser" role, where as Carolyn seemed to be very interested in his knowledge and played the "student" type role.

They hadn't noticed that anyone was sitting in the booth next to them, so I enjoyed the entertainment all through dinner. Freeman was unaware of what was going on, he just noticed me laughing to myself every now and then and that I seemed to be very intent on listening to what was happening behind me. After we had finished out chili burgers, I sat back in the booth. I sat back, I should say, right into Carolyn's elbow, thus jolting her out of her focused attention on Lars and forcing her to realize there were other people around.

At this point Lars and Carolyn struck up a conversation with us. I don't remember everything that was said, but as they were leaving they stepped over to our table to introduce themselves:

Lars (heading towards Freeman's side of the table): My name is Lars
Freeman (looking a little frightened): I'm Freeman
Elizabeth (as Lars is looking expectantly towards her): I'm Elizabeth
Carolyn (Looking at Freeman and I): I'm Carolyn.
There was a general "nice to meet you"
C (as Lars headed for the bar to pay up): We're school bus drivers so you might hear us talk about kids a lot...
E: wow...
C (Lars was back now): And we're in love...
L: We're just crazy about each other...
C: I was crazy about him first, he just didn't realize it...
L: I sure didn't, but I do now...

There was a slightly awkward pause then a round of goodbyes as Lars and Carolyn exited the bar.

I then turned to Freeman and said - They were bus drivers! And he said - They were bus drivers in LOVE!

Man I love living in Ballard...


Posted by Autumn Goddess on 05/13 at 07:36 AM
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