Coming back from the train station is never boring.
Obviously I took the ride from the crazy homeless man in a white conversion van on Christmas night. What else would you do waiting at the bus stop by the Amtrak station in St. Paul, MN. He pulled up, struggled to roll down his window for a minute, then asked me if I needed a ride (And if I had heard the good word). I told him 33rd and Chicago, and he said ok. Claimed to be a veteran, marine no less. Named Otis, nicknamed Ozone, and low on gas. He thought that maybe I could help him out if he did a good deed for me. Loud, talkative person. Stick shift was missing, changing gears by pulling the levers from the floorboard. Cabinets in the back. He had the bad habit of looking at me while he talked. Scared the shit out of me while on the freeway. Helped me hear him since his window was busted out and covered with plastic. Sounded like a thunderstorm mixed with the type of crowd I would have found at the downtown bus stop at 11:30p. Gave him $22. Cab ride is about $25 for that trip plus tip. Bus was only going to be $1.75. Well, not even that. I have a monthly pass. He asked if I had $2 more. I had a $100 bill in my pocket, but that was staying with me. He wasn't out of gas. His gauge was broken. I told him that after he used my phone to call a few different numbers. He just avoided the question.