The Man From Mars - Episode Fourteen

   I am not sure how long I was asleep. It couldn't have been that long because I estimated we were only half way to Pittsburgh when the Greyhound Bus started slowing down. Maybe eight hours?
   The bus driver announced over the internal P.A. system that a police roadblock was up ahead and that he was in touch with other drivers. He was told that the police were looking for a fugitive from the New York State area.
   Immediately, a bead of sweat ran from top of my forehead, down past my right eye, along my cheek. I wipe it away and start doing breathing exercises.
   The worst thing I could have done in that situation was to look nervous or scared. I needed to play it calm and cool. The driver said the roadblock was for a fugitive. I haven't committed any crime. At best, I would be considered a person of interest to law enforcement.
   Now, if it is the FBI, Secret Service, or the CIA, that would be a different story. With the new President's policy, on the fight against terrorism, it's arrest first, deport, then get a warrant.
   I don't have to worry about being deported, but, I do have to worry about being in a holding cell for forty-eight hours and all my personal belongings being confiscated and searched.
   Thinking that our carry-on bags might be looked at, I put the amulet around my neck and tuck it in my shirt. If they are looking for a particular person, they still might look into our luggage, but I doubt if they will take the time to search everyone on board. The harassment lawsuits alone would tie up the Pennsylvania courts for months.
   No, I'm probably overthinking this.
   The bus stops and the driver opens the front door to let the police on. It must be a serious situation, looking for this fugitive, because the lead officer was led by a police dog.
   The dog was all business too. Waving his head back and forth, sniffing each person as he went by.
   Half way down the aisle, the dog picks his head up and barks three times in my direction. Stretching its leash taut, pulling along his handler, the German Shepherd heads straight for me.
   He stops right in front, with his tail and his head down in a attack position. Barks once, then growls.
   Under my breath, all I could think of saying was, "Nice doggie."
   The demeanor of the police dog changed immediately. His tail started wagging, and he moved his head close to my hand.
   So I started petting him.
   The police officer looked confused by the action of his dog. They are trained not to seek any affection from strangers, only their handlers.
   But the officer's composure quickly came back to him and he asked me for my identification.
   I handed him the driver's license which stated that I was from California. He questioned me to see if I knew the address on the license, which I did, then asked me how I did it.
   "Did what?" I asked.
   "How did you get Alice here to like you?"
   So it was a female dog.
   "I don't know," I said. "I'm the friendly sort I guess?"
   Another officer steps up behind the dog handler and asks, "What's going on here?"
   The first officer replies, "At first, Alice acted like this was our man, then all of a sudden she starts wagging her tail and this guy starts petting her."
   "That can't happen." The second police officer says.
   "I know," says the first.
   Under my breath I say this time, "I am not the guy."
   The second officer, acting like he was in charge says, "This is not the guy. Have Alice check the rest of the bus so we can get out of here and let these people go on their way."
   With that, I was left alone.
   The police dog handler did check the rest of the bus, with the dog acting its mean old self again. Until, on the way back up to the front, it tried to lick my hand in a friendly jester.
   "Come on Alice. We need to take you back to training." Said the handler. "There something ain't right with you dog."

   After the police evacuated the bus, things settle down again inside with all the passengers and off we went. Headed down Interstate 70. Next stop, Columbus, Ohio.

To Be Continued...

Next Thursday.

This is,

Already Anticipating What Is Going To Happen Next Week,

Jim Hauenstein,

And,

“In the morning I awoke early and experienced that sinking sensation that overcomes you when you first open your eyes and realize that instead of a normal day ahead of you, with its scatterings of simple gratifications, you are going to have a day without even the tiniest of pleasures; you are going to drive across Ohio.”
- Bill Bryson, -

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

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