The Back Seat Divers or Mashed Landing (Multi-Open?)

[Matthew Rowland]

Matthew had hopped on the bus to head out into Vermont. There was an LGBT center he wanted to visit, but of course, since he didn't drive, he was going to have to use public transportation. Being from New York, he had no problem with taking public transit; honestly, if he had stayed, getting a driver's license would have been one of the furthest things in his mind. But, New York had subways and busses, running all the time everywhere. It was the norm, and things weren't so far away.

Here in Vermont where he was dragged to? If he wanted to try to take some courses at the university, he'd have to drive thirty minutes.. Oh wait, no car. So bike! ... For 30 or so miles. Public transit! While not taking as long as the biking, it was nothing compared to the speed he was expecting. Hammel was going to have to look in to getting Driver's Ed. It was essentially a boarding school, so didn't most of the students live in Vermont, despite not being originally from there?

And to top it all off, it was freezing in Vermont. Matt had on one of his favorite hoodies, but was still cold, despite the bus having some heat on. The bus he was on seemed a bit old, but just updated enough to still work for the state's needs. It had about five or six seats with their backs towards the windows, the side behind the driver being able to convert into wheelchair seating. The rest of the bus contained rows of four, two seats on either side of the walk away, with the right side missing a few to account for the back exit.

Matt had sat in one of the rows, his own back against the window with his feet in his neighboring seat, hands shoved into his hoodie's pockets to help keep warm. He'd been on the bus for fifteen minutes now; it was almost 5pm. And unknown to him and the others, he was possibly going to be stuck on there even longer. 

Why?
Black ice.
The bus slid and hit a car parked on the side of the road.
Wonderful.

[Robert Cook]

Bobby was out in his cab a little further out than usual that day. He'd dropped someone off at the college and was heading back to the main part of Pilot Ridge hoping to find another customer. The roads weren't that great out today, but Bobby trusted his driving ability. It was the other drivers he worried about.

Still it was Vermont, so most of the drivers were adapt to winter weather driving. So he usually didn't have to worry too much.

Except when a huge bus suddenly started swerving after hitting black ice.

He pulled his cab unbehind the accident, check the park car to see if anyone was inside before running up to the bus driver.

"Everybody okay in there?" he called out. It didn't look like much more than a fender bender. But better safe than sorry, right?

[Matthew Rowland]

Today was not the day for this. It was entirely too cold and he had things to do. He was only glad it was minor, as a huge accident would have been disastrous, especially since he wouldn’t be able to speak. Though, he wouldn’t have let that stop him in any way; feeling helpless in that situation would have forced him to make it through.

The people on the bus, startled yet alive, began moving about, checking each other and those who looked elderly. It seemed as if the car was the hardest thing hit; everyone inside seemed to be okay, though. Matthew took a look out the windows on the driver side, seeing that multiple people had stopped to check on them, including police.

A few people got off, but most of the passengers stayed put. It was far too cold outside to have to deal with being stuck. It was at this time that Matthew heard someone ask if they were okay. He got up from his seat, walking to the large window in front of the bus, pulling out his phone and snapping a picture of the incident, checking the time as well.

He did not have time for all this.

[Robert Cook]

Bobby was relieved. Everyone is both vehicles seemed to be doing okay. With the road conditions and the size of the bus versus the size of the car, this whole thing really could have been a lot worse. Still the car was going to need a visit to an autoshop and the passengers in the bus were in for a bit of a delay. Bobby overheard the driver saying he would have to wait for the station to send in another bus to come out and pick up the passengers.

With that in mind, Bobby walked onto the bus. "Hey does anybody need a ride? I've got room in my cab for a few if anyone really needed to get somewhere." He gestured out the window to Charlene, his taxi. "I can probably call in some of the other guys too." Of course rides to victims of a accident would be on the house, depending on how far they needed to go.