Bo-Bo And The Bus

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Around the TV set they sat with their eyes peeled on the big match

Wrapped up in all the action were all the locals .
The match was beamed in on the satellite to the clubhouse that was
alive with football fanatics . There were mothers and older girls with
coloured scarfs and shirts and there was men folk with woollen hats and
young lads with their boots and shorts . Some had rattlers in their
hand and others banged on drums . I was a huge night and the match was
tight .
It was the semi-final of the Chatham Cup and the local team were locked
up at nil all with last years cup holders . With only ten minutes to go
, it looked like extra time might be needed to settle the game .
The noise inside the clubhouse was deafening .
Charlie who had heard all the shouting from outside walked in the door
of the Clubhouse and took a seat with Bo-Bo near the TV .

"Hello Bo-Bo . Hows it standing ? "
Charlie said .

"Yes hello Charlie . Things are standing well so far . No dramas .
"
Said Bo-Bo .

Charlie said ,
" How's the game Bo-Bo ?"

"Sorry I can't talk too much Charlie . I'm watching the match ."
Said Bo-Bo .

Charlie looked straight into Bo-Bo's face .
Bo-Bo was transfixed on the TV set .
Charlie sort of coughed a few times and said .

"The pitch looks in good order there doesn't it ."

Bo-Bo replied ,
"Nice effort ."

Charlie said .
"Who's winning ."

"That was off side referee . What's the matter with you ."
Bo-Bo screamed .

"Which team are you going for ? "
Charlie asked .

Bo-Bo jumped to his feet and screamed .
"At last .. We get a free kick . About time referee ."

There was a lull for a moment .
"What's the score Bo-Bo ."
Charlie asked .

"Nil all . "
Came the reply .

"How long is there to go ."
Said Charlie .

"Bo-Bo never answered .
Charlie asked the question in another way .

"Has the match been going very long then Bo-Bo ?"
"There is five minutes to go and if you interrupt me one more time I'll
send you off Charlie . Sit down and watch the match Charlie ."

Charlie sat down and fidgeted . Then tried to attract Bo-Bo's attention
again .
He continued to throw questions and said .
"What was the score at half time Bo-Bo ."

Bo-Bo turned and looked at Charlie and said .
"I don't know .

"Didn't you say it was nil all Bo-Bo ?"
Charlie said .

"Charlie give my head peace will you . I had to go and move the bus at
half time . "

Charlie was getting some feedback and continued .
"What bus Bo-Bo ? "

"The community bus that I've got for the weekend Charlie ."
Said Bo-Bo .
Just then somebody scored a goal and Bo-Bo had missed it because he was
in the middle of a conversation with Charlie .

The clubhouse went wild with cheering and shouting .
Everyone in the Club was jumping for joy except for Bo-Bo who sat there
staring at Charlie with a red face filled with anger and then he
screamed .
"I hope you're happy now Charlie . I missed the goal because of you
"

Suddenly Charlie got up and slowly began to walk away towards the exit
door of the clubhouse . Bo-Bo went after him . When he caught up with
him Bo-Bo felt bad for losing his cool and shouting at Charlie and
tried to apoligise .
"I'm sorry Charlie ."
He said .

Charlie wasn't in a good mood and turned away . As he walked out the
door Bo-Bo put his hand on Charlies shoulder and said ,
"Where are you doing Charlie ?"

Charlie looked back at Bo-Bo and said ,
"What do you care . All you're worried about is the game on the TV

A little tear trickled from Charlies right eye .

Bo-Bo felt bad and said with a kind tone in his voice .
"Charlie come and sit with me and watch the rest of the game ."

"No."
Said Charlie .

Bo-Bo said
"Why won't you Charlie ."

Charlie answered ,
My Mum says that you can get square eyes from watching the TV set
"

Bo-Bo replied,
"Oh don't be silly Charlie. You've always had square eyes, so it
doesn't matter anyway .

"Charlie laughed .

Bo-Bo laughed as well and continued .
"Come back to the seat ."

Charlie said
"I'm not interested in football . You watch it . I see you later on
"

Bo-Bo persisted and said ,
"I'll tell you what Charlie after the match is finished I'll take you
for a mystery ride in the clubhouse bus . So come back to the seat
where we were ."

Charlie changed his tune and quickly ran back in through the door of
the club but in the haste to get into his seat he tripped over the TV
chord and unplugged the TV at a very crucial point in the game .
Everybody voiced their opinion about that . As Charlie tried to find
the plug again he told everyone to be cool . Suddenly he found it

Lifting the cable and plug high up in the air Charlie shouted proudly
,

"Don't panic everybody , Look I've found it "

As he lifted the plug and cable higher Charlie pulled the TV from its
shelf and it came crashing down from the shelf on the floor . Flashes
and smoke poured from the set as somebody jumped on Charlie almost
ready to pull his head off Bo-Bo ran to help and as he did somebody
turned on a radio in the clubhouse that was broadcasting the game

It was just in time to hear the final whistle blow . It was still one
nil to the local team who were now on their way to play at Park Street
for the Chatham Trophy . Suddenly it was party time .
Everyone forgot about the grief Charlie had brought and danced around
the floor . Bo-Bo and Charlie joined in the fun and when it was done
Bo-Bo said to Charlie .

"You're lucky the team won because they would have stretched you out .
".

"You promised a mystery trip on the bus . Lets go ."
Said Charlie .

Bo-Bo and Charlie left the clubhouse for the bus . After a short walk
they came to the bus that stood outside the community centre .
Although the bus was in need of a new paint job the motor was good .
Bo-Bo put the key into the ignition and turned it over .
The bus sparked to life immediately . As old as the bus was it was a
little gem.
The bus rolled along past the shops and when the traffic lights went
red Charlie said ,

"Bo-Bo ."

"What is it Charlie ?"
Came the answer .

Charlie said ,
"Can we stop at my place I have to let Mum know where I'm going .

In a short while they arrived at Charlies house and Charlie got out and
went inside . He returned shortly and said ,

"Bo-Bo . Mum says I can go on one condition ."

"What.s that Charlie ".
Bo-Bo replied .

"That she can come too ."
Said Charlie .

Bo-Bo immediately replied ,
"Ok Charlie tell her to come ."

Charlie ran back inside the house . He returned and said ,
"Mum will be here soon Bo-Bo ,she's just cooking us some dinner to
bring on the bus ."

"Oh she didn't have to make a meal of it Charlie ."
Said Bo-Bo .

The neighbours all were very interested in what was going on and a few
of them gathered at their gates . As Charlies Mum walked down the path
with a picnic basket in her hand she was met by the busy bodies .
They stood and talked for a half an hour before Charlies Mum got on the
bus .
She took her seat and said ,

"Before you go Bo-Bo is there any room for a few more . See those poor
people out there on the footpath well they never get anywhere . It
would do them all the power of good to have an escape for a while even
if it were just a bus ride into town and back ."

"Ok tell them they can get on "
Bo_Bo replied .

Charlie and his Mum told all the neighbours they were allowed to go and
off they went in all directions . A short time later they returned .
Some carried accordions and guitars others brought cameras and
refreshments . One by one they all packed their things in the bus and
slowly took their seats .

"Bo-Bo started the engine and off the bus went down the road
zig-zagging towards the city centre . On the way a sing song was
started . Then a few people made up limerick poems about animals

Suddenly a large pig ran out in front of the bus .
Completely ignorant of the danger the pig refused to move . Bo-Bo
brought the bus to a stop . Lucky for the pig Bo-Bo was good driver of
the pig would have been a dead duck .

A farmer wearing rubber boots raced up the road towards the bus .
He roped the pig and then waved at the people on the bus with his free
hand .

"Hello there"
He shouted .
"I'm the man from McGuigans farm and I want to thank you very much for
not running over my little Paddywack the pig ."

Bo-Bo took got out and shook the farmers hand and said ,

"Hello I'm Bo-Bo the bus driver . That pig of yours is a stubborn one .
Does it run away often ."

"Only when I try to sell her at the markets in town ."
Said McGuigan .

Bo-Bo smiled and said ,
" Is that your farm a mile down past the bridge in Chestnut Lane"

"That's the one Bo-Bo ."

Said the farmer .
That's a fair hike from here Mr McGuigan '.

The farmer lifted off his cap and said ,
"Ah sure what about it . I'll be home before the sun rises "

B-Bo looked at the pig and the farmer and said ,
"Listen would you like to come with us on the bus . I'm heading past
you farm .We're on a mystery tour Mr McGuigan ".

You mean me and the Paddywack Bo-Bo ."

"No better company ."
Said Bo-Bo .

"Ok then you're on . Lets get on our way "
Said the Farmer who lifted the pig unto the bus .

Bo-Bo stood up and told everyone to sit back into their seats .
Then the farmer ushered the pig up the centre of the bus to the back
seat where they both sat down .

Bo-Bo started the engine again and tore off down towards the city
centre .
Suddenly in front of the bus a large crowd of football fans were
leaving the ground after the match . Some of unruly crowd blocked the
road and made their way over to the bus . Bo-Bo opened up the door and
put up his hands in the air and said ,

"For God sake boys its so good to see you wanting to join our
pilgrimage .
We're about ready to begin a prayer . You are most welcome ."

Slowly the crowd that had surrounded the bus departed .
Charlie threw caution to the wind and jumped from the bus .
He lifted his hands in the air and shouted ,
"Listen boys . God can help you in times of trouble . We are here to
bring you the good news "

Bo-Bo said ,
"Charlie get back in the bus now ".

But Charlie continued ,
"We are on the one road together people . Our bus is Gods wheels and
God heals so if any of you people need to be healed . This is the place
. Here and now brothers . Come on and be part of the healing .

A number of the football fanatics started to walk over to the bus
.

"Charlie shut up ."
Said Bo-Bo .

As the number of crowd increased so did Bo-Bo's heart palpitations
.
There they all were now . Somehow a small group of people heard Charlie
and stood in line waiting for prayers and expecting to be healed
.

Bo-Bo opened the door and got out of the bus . He walked between the
crowd like a lamb running a gauntlet with lions .

After exchanging a few words Bo-Bo placed his hands on the heads of the
football fans . Many of the fans handed money over to Bo-Bo and shook
his hand . Then he got back on to the bus without so much as a scratch
.

Charlie who was in such a state of shock said .
"What did you do to them "?

"I told them that I had a message for them . I told them all the
passengers
on the bus had found God and we were on a mission to tell the world
."
Said Bo-Bo who jumped back into the drivers seat . He started up the
engine and like the red sea parting the huge crowd allowed the bus to
pass through them . Worried that some of the unruly mob might begin to
throw things at the bus Bo-Bo hit the panic button a bit and threw the
bus around every corner of the town . Like a bus with no brakes he
drove at full speed down roads and along streets with no name until
darkness had fallen .
Having no idea where he was Bo-Bo decided to rest on the side of the
road until the morning light .
The rain started to fall it pelted down for hours driven by a wild wind
.

"Where are we Bo-Bo?"
said Mr McGuigan .

"God only knows but we're still alive . Lets have some that great food
you all brought along ."
Said Bo-Bo .

"After something to eat they shared stories and a few jokes . Being
lost at night on a bus was strange but they all shared that experience
.
Bo-Bo interrupted the chatter and said ,
"Lets all get some sleep and see how things look in the morning "

Just as everyone was just about off to sleep Charlie said ,
"Bo-Bo ."

"What is it Charlie ."
Came the reply .

Thanks for the great mystery trip. "
He said .

"Good night Charlie ."
Said Bo-Bo .
Bo-Bo was up early found the sound of cows and crows shattered the
silence of the dawn . The bus was surrounded by farm animals .
The farmer pointed towards a distant hill and said ,

"There's McDonalds farm house over there . His cows always run away .
"
I always get them on my land looking for a feed so just follow the road
to the hill there and I'll make you a good breakfast when we get to my
place ."

Suddenly Bo-Bo got out of the bus and ran off up the road .
A few of the passengers chased after him .
Bo-Bo jumped over a small granite stone wall on the side of the road
and soon popped his head over the wall . With a relieved look on his
face some of the worried passengers said .

"Bo-Bo is everything all right "

Bo-Bo smiled and said .
"Its just the call of nature people ."

Everyone laughed .
They were back on the bus and found their way to Mr McGuigans farm
.
Grateful for the company and the ride Mr McGuigan cooked up a fine
breakfast He invited them to spend the night on the farm and they all
accepted his kind offer . During the day they all helped around the
farm and learned a lot about sore backs , haystacks ,cows , sows and
blisters .

The mystery tour soon came to an end and Bo-Bo brought back the
community bus to the centre . A proposition was put forward for regular
mystery trips for the entire community .
And so it came to be .

By Paul McCann

THE END