The traveller rode in a sleek tour bus, comfortable and safe. He slept for a few hours, and woke only when the bus slowed and pulled into the depot.
He looked out his window. Roiling, boiling clouds dark with rain made it hard to know if it was noon or midnight.
There were a few lights here and there. Mostly empty windows, and even where there were lights they were cold, forbidding.
He snuggled back down into his seat, wrapped his long coat over his legs, and went back to sleep.
There would be a better place up the road somewhere.
Just Writing! 
A really interesting take on the prompt! Hope they find a sunnier destination.
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He seems like a patient man 🙂
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I’ve been to a few places that were cold and foreboding. Always best to move along.
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Yes. Especially when you can sleep until the next stop 🙂
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Sounds like he can call “any place to throw his hat” a home. If you don’t want this on place, just move on.
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Apparently he has no one to hold him to one spot. Maybe he’ll find that someday.
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He does sound awfully cozy where he is! 🙂
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Yes he does.No reason to change that 🙂
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I hope he’s made the right decision
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For him? Yes, I think he has. He’s a ramblin’ man 🙂
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He sounds comfortable in his own skin.
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Yes. And it seems he has no obligations to tie him down.
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ah, the lonely traveller looking for a better place will journey forever without end.
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True, James. And this one seems to have no ties to keep him in one place.
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Very philosophical. In a way it’s a good way to go through life. Endure the dark times, move on to better times.
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Yes, I agree.
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Being a single traveller I’ve had a few long trips on busses and trains overseas like that! The destination usually makes it worthwhile.
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Love the last sentence: The destination. . makes it worthwhile. Brought to mind our trips, when I was a child, between Minneapolis and Grand Junction, CO, where we had relatives. Portions of that drive were SOOOooooooo long, nothing but prairie, and hothothot. But seeing the blue line of the mountains off in the distance made it all worthwhile, indeed!
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Sounds like he’s cozy while the storm blows around hm. He doesn’t seem too fussed. Nice way to travel, someone else at the wheel. Well described, Linda.
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Thanks, Brenda. You’re right, this is a very relaxed kind of man 🙂
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i commend him for his positive attitude. 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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This line is a good support for the disorientation being felt by the rider: “Roiling, boiling clouds dark with rain made it hard to know if it was noon or midnight.” I hope he is right. Your story works well as a metaphor.
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Thanks so much!
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You’re welcome, Linda.
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The freedom the protagonist has. Don’t like this place, next!
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Moving on can become a habit, perhaps the traveller needs to stop awhile and improve things. Yet I would move on such a stormy evening.
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Perhaps, Michael, but I don’t think he’s really interested in staying anywhere very long 🙂
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Your story makes an effective contrast between the agitation of the storm and the calm and comfort of the tour bus. The conflict between the two draws us to consider the traveller’s state of mind. What is he running from? What is he chasing? He may be calm, but he isn’t tranquil. Your story is subtle and well-told.
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Good distinction, Penny. Outward calm doesn’t always truly reflect the inward state.
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I made a few long distance bus trips in the past, and I used to quite enjoy the feeling of time suspended while I travelled, encapsulated in a little mobile world set apart. It’s an escape from responsibilities. You can’t do anything while you’re on the bus so just switch off and relax.I think your traveller is on the same wave-length. I hope he arrives somewhere refreshed and ready to take on the world.
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Thanks for your wise comment, Margaret.
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I hope his ticket is good for the onward journey.
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You’re the first to mention that. I wondered if anyone would. Good question 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I enjoyed the journey you took us on for this prompt. It put me in mind of long bus trips I’ve taken in the past. Atmospherically well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It seems he has anywhere to go and all the time to get there. Sounds pretty free!
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Maybe he’s the guy that the song is about—“I’m a Rambler”
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Yes! Why not?
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