Adventures in Riding Da Bus

So, last week I was riding the bus. I was reading an e-book. (Have a reader, will eventually remember to talk about that). A gentleman sat down next to me with and sipping from his 24 ounce can of beer. (Side note: How is it that I can't get on with my Starbucks but beer is apparently fine?) So, while this is totally from my memory it works best if we recap in conversational form.
"Hey, what's that?" indicating reader.
"It's an electronic book reader. It lets you read electronic books."
"So, it reads the book for you?"
"No, it just shows you the book."
"Oh. You read a lot don't you? I can just tell."
I nod.
"Yep. You a teacher?"
"No."
"Really? Huh. Have you read that book? That book, oh I can't remember the name of it but it's that one? The one about the guy? It was written by the guy from England."
"Possibly."
"Yeah, possibly. But you know the one I mean, that one, I can't think of the name right now, but it's that one about that guy...You know...The guy who learned magic."
At this point, there are two teens on the other side of me who have been leaning in close because clearly this conversation has potential. One of them suggests, "Harry Potter?"
"Yeah, that's the one. Did you read that?"
"No, I haven't."
"Why not?"
"Just haven't gotten around to it."*
"Really? You know what? You have kids?"
"No."
"Oh. Well, when you have kids, you'll end up reading it to them."
"Maybe."
"Trust me you will."
I give a Hmmm-I-will-keep-further-thoughts-silent nod.
"So, where you from?" He asks, after another sip.
"DC."
"Really? You lived here your whole life?"
"Yep."**
"You never been to New York?"
"I've visited."
"Couldn't hack it?"
"I just didn't want to live there."
"Never been to California?"
"I've visited."
"Couldn't make it out there?"
"I just didn't want to live there."
"Huh. I been all over. I was in the Army. I got my card if you don't believe me."
And this was about the point that the gentleman arrived at his stop. Much to the disappointment of some of my fellow passengers, I am sure.

*For the record, I have nothing against Harry Potter. I has been given to me, I just never got around to reading it. That may or may not change at some point.
**So, I left out college. And suburban Maryland. I wasn't really trying to get into a big discussion. Bigger.