The Bus Game

I came up with this one when I had to take the bus to school everyday in high school. It's proved useful for any long transit ride or long wait in a line when you've finished your book and the music just isn't doing it for you. The point of it is to kill your boredom and pass time simultaneously.

1. Target acquired: Instead of looking out the window, look at the people around you. Pick someone interesting. Maybe he's only wearing one red shoe. Maybe she's got an eye patch. More likely you're find someone with interesting hair colour or a look of disdain while their texting.

2. Name: Now that you've selected your person, it's time to give them a name. I don't recommend anything too out there like Moon-Unit 12. I also don't recommend something as painfully generic as Jim Smith. For the sake of example, I've named my target Roger Steinway.
Note: The name has to fit the person's appearance and personality. The name is going to give you a lot of insight into step 3.

3. Background: So now you're look at Roger Steinway or whoever and it's time to make a life for them. Pull the little details into it. For example, Roger Smith has an incredibly high tech cell phone, a ring indent on his left ring finger and poor dress sense (Socks with sandals... no one can pull it off). From all this I have determined that Roger Steinway is:
a) A man recently divorced. He currently lives in a motel a the end of the bus line while he waits to the rest of his stuff moved out of his wife's house. He's colour blind and his ex-wife made all the money. Last time they were meeting the lawyers he stole her phone out of spite and has been calling up all her hot friends on speed dial for dates. So for only one has agreed.
b) Roger is a secret agent trying to look like a civilian. He takes his ring off on missions, hence the indent on the ring finger. His phone is the one give away. I mean a man that poorly dressed can't afford a piece of technology that swank. Even now as I see him talk on the cell he isn't saying anything. He's just nodding as though the person on the other end can see him. Clearly he is receiving information or directions or something spy related.

There you have it. Before you know it, you're nervous that you've blown a man's secret service cover and you've arrived at your destination cheerful and ready to go.