The Bad Behavior Speaks For Itself
I’m waiting for the bus to work, leaning under the awning with a few other people. Another woman walks over, holding her phone in front of her. It becomes clear she’s on a phone call but using speakerphone. She’s trying to keep her own voice quiet, but her cell phone is very loud.
Everyone at the bus stop stares at her and starts trading glances with each other, but she is, of course, completely oblivious. We suffer in silence for a few minutes of trivial conversation, but then things turn more personal.
For ease of telling the story, I’ll refer to the woman at the bus stop as Janet, and the woman on the other end of the phone call is Lauren.
Janet: “Oh, has your rash gotten any better?”
Lauren: “No, it’s still spreading, and it’s starting to itch worse. The calamine lotion is still helping, but if it doesn’t clear up soon, I’m going to make an appointment to get it looked at.”
Janet: “That’s unfortunate. Do you have any idea what it might be?”
Lauren: “[Man’s name, presumably her significant other] thinks it’s just poison ivy from our camping trip, but I don’t know. I’ve never had poison ivy all over my body, especially on my thighs and my butt like this.”
All of us at the bus stop are now exchanging glances that are part amused, part horrified at what we’re hearing. One man suddenly calls out loudly.
Man: “Hi Lauren, if you need a dermatologist, I can recommend Dr. [Name] at [nearby clinic]!”
Janet jumps, as if she’s just now realizing that there are other people around who can hear her conversation. It also becomes clear that Lauren has realized what is going on, too.
Lauren: *Screaming.* “JANET, I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE SPEAKERPHONE, YOU STUPID B****! I CAN’T F****** BELIEVE YOU DID THIS AGAIN!”
Lauren hangs up immediately after that. Janet tries to glare at the man who called out, but the man speaks before she can say anything.
Man: “Again? You must really be stupid, huh?”
That comment took the wind out of Janet’s sails, and she turned on her heel and walked away.
All of us at the bus stop trade glances one more time, before going back to our own things until our respective buses arrive.
