Reacher sat on the bus after all of the passengers got off.
The bus driver looked around at him and said "Hey Mac. This is the end of the line. You getting off or what?"
Reacher looked at him, holding his eye and said "You're driving a Dreamliner MCI D4505 made by Motor Coach Industries at their plant in Pembina, North Dakota. The MCI series was developed from a 1988 Canadian government request to develop a wheelchair-accessible intercity bus. The prototype was apparently developed from the MCI 102C3 with a 102B3 nose and extended to 45 feet 5 inches. A large wheelchair-accessible lavatory was installed in the rear. The prototype was completed in 1990, but couldn't enter service in the US because it was too long, until the 45-foot length was approved in 1991. Changes were made for the production model. The engine was upgraded to the large new Detroit Diesel Series 60 and received a bigger rear end with powerful radiator and intercooler. This coach has a curb weight of 35,100 pounds. Wi-Fi is free and all of the buses have personal power outlets, reclining leather seats, extra legroom, no middle seats, overhead storage, on-board restroom and are eco-friendly. They also have a kneeling setting to make it easier for elderly people to get off so DROP THE DAMN BUS!"
The driver pressed a button and the coach 'kneeled' to allow Reacher to step off easily on to the curb.
Reacher stood and looked about. He needed a toilet. He hadn't wanted to use the one on the coach. That was public and it was just something he didn't damn well do. He saw a coffee shop on the corner and thought "Coffee shops have toilets. They call them Rest Rooms. I won't be using that. That's for damn sure".
Reacher saw a cheap motel on the other corner and hobbled off to check in. He flashed his Gold Card and got the senior rate - $35 cash. He grabbed the key and shuffled as quickly as he could into the unit and into the bathroom. He just made it with only a bit of leakage. "That'll wash out" he thought to himself "and a walk down to that coffee shop should dry the damned pants".
Reacher had no luggage. He never did preferring to travel light. He emptied the contents of his pants pockets into the bedside drawers.
He only had his passport, a foldaway toothbrush, $75 in notes and some change.
He also had his Gold Card and a medical ID card. He put those in the drawer.
In another pocket he pulled out a packet of travelling wet wipes, a tube of pile cream and a small flask of Metamucil. "Just as well I bought those cargo pants with all the pockets" he thought.
From another pocket Reacher pulled out a bottle of beta blocker heart medication. He put that on the bedside cabinet alongside another bottle of blood thinner tablets. Alongside these went his statin tablets for managing high cholesterol and his diabetes pills. The top of the bedside cabinet was covered so the reading glasses from another pocket had to go in the top drawer along with the elastic knee brace that he carried. He tossed out the bible that was in there to make room.
Reacher stopped for a moment and then stretched and yawned. And scratched. "Damn" he thought as he gave his arse a good scratch "I'll have to get some more of that topical steroid ointment that the doctor gave me".
"Getting old sucks" he thought as he made for the door to go to the coffee shop before ducking back into the bathroom for another pee.
2 comments:
But he's only 58, going on 59 - born 1960.
I didn't say when book number 24 will be written.
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