DWARF STEWARD AND THE DRIVER

Within the short space of time, she had shared alot details about herself and still continue talking. Leon could tell that she is a talkative. He is not one that likes too much of talking, and this strange lady here would not make him to start either, he will find a way to avoid her throughout the trip to Muskvile, but will have to be diplomatic about it, as not to offend her, he concluded.

Her talking didn't stop her and Leon from getting the things they needed from the grocery store, all he could do is just listen to her as she kept on talking. They walked back to the station together and at exactly 10:45 am, the station attendant announced for passengers travelling to Muskvile should proceed for boarding. Leon felt relief upon hearing the announcement from the attendant, at least he will have some quiet time for himself through out the trip, since she will be seated not to close to him at seat number #11, after she told him at the grocery store that her seat number is #6.

But Leon excitement was cut short when he noticed that they were not many, but only jut a few passengers travelling to Muskvile today. They were not even more than ten if he did count correctly, and this is not good, he said to himself. That means seat numbers will not be effective anymore, anyone can choose to switch to an empty seat if he or she desires. Not withstanding, Leon headed for the last back seat with window at the left side of the bus and made himself comfortable, the rest of the passengers also switched to seats they felt were comfortable for them. Luckily the lady passenger didn't come near Leon, but rather sat close to left window, two rows before Leon. At exactly 11:45 am, the journey began.

Leon brought out his ear pods case from his breast pocket and starts to listen to music. He adjusted the air conditioner vent to his direction, making himself comfortable for the trip. He took his time to look at everyone in the bus, he is familiar with the two elderly, his lady friend that talks to much and the man that was about his Dad's age, but for the rest of the remaining six passengers, he is just seeing them for rhe first time in the bus.

The one that caught Leon attention the most, was a young man about his late forty, dressed in an english traditional long coat with a hat. He reminded Leon of those characters he watched in magical fantasy movies. Leon wonders what is taking him down to Muskvile and what kind of job he does for a living, seeing the kind of confidence he portrays.

Leon took turn to carefully look at the rest of the remaining passengers, there is this thick balded woman with her cat, not even bothered about wearing a wig, who had spent all her time gently stroking the back of her cat continually.

And another woman seated just before the door, dressed in black and wearing to many make-up on her face for what ever occasion she is preparing to attend. She never stops to look at the mirrow time to time to refresh her make-up. Leon finds it an annoyingly crazy addiction for a woman of her age.

A row behind the make-up woman, were two dress alike beautiful identical twins sisters about their early twenties.On their part, they were fully focused on the separate books they were reading, they even flip the page the same time and respond to people the same time. This is very weird, Leon thought.

Then the last of the remaining six passengers he is seeing for the first time inside the bus was seated in a row behind the drivers seat. He must be a very short person because his head couldn't reach the seat headrest. Is he a dwarf ? Leon askec himself, not really sure whether he was a dwarf or not.

Gazing at the driver from behind, Leon saw that the driver had very tiny ears that doesn't fit the size of his body. Leon concluded that almost everybody in the bus has something weirdly about them. Must one look unusual before taking a trip to Muskvile, or is he just the one imagining things.

The vibration coming from Leon's phone snaps him out from his deep thinking. It was Jane calling, but before he could pick up the call, it went off due to bad signals. Leon decides to send a message to Jane, asking her how she was and how the network signals are really bad because he is on transit, and will call her as soon as they arrived at Muskvile. Then the announcements tone came in from the rare speakers. The driver makes an announcement using a microphone attached to dashboard.

Please you are advised to fasten your seat belt for your safety! In twenty minutes we would be approaching a dusty and rocky terrain! Please fasten your seat belt! And turn on your cooling vent!

I repeat! Please you are advised to fasten your seat belt for your safety! In twenty minutes we would be approaching a dusty and rocky terrain! Please fasten your seat belt! And turn on your cooling vent!!

Leon didn't take the announcement seriously. He felt the driver made it sound as if they were about to fly, he said to himself trying hard to suppress his laughter.

For crying out loud, the driver will have to step on the breaks and drive on a very low speed, that is what every sensible driver should do. Or does he intend to run through the rocky terrain at this speed, he queried inside him.

Everyone in bus had already complied immediately since after the announcement except for Leon who didn't notice that a red alarm was beeping right over the headrest of his seat and on the armrest paneI.

He realised that most of the passengers attentions were directed towards him, but didn't get to perceive someone standing next to him. It was the man behind the driver.

Mr Leon, please do fasten your seat belt and turn on your cooling vent, he said in a polite and demanding tone.

Leon quietly fastened his safety belt and adjusted the cooling vent. Instantly the alarm and the beeping sound stops. The bus steward thanked Leon and left.

Leon was taken aback, he guessed right that the man behind the driver's seat could be a dwarf, but what he didn't know was that he was the bus steward.

The driver opened a secret lid on the front dashboard of the bus and pressed a button, releasing Odorless and colourless gas through the cooling vents. Making every passengers in the bus to fall asleep instantly.

The dwarf brought out a large golden key from his pocket and gave it to the driver, who slots the key in its define hole and turns it toward the east, teleporting the bus through the light of time as it vanishes into thin air.