The Country of Lesia

Peak hour

Everyone is probably familiar with rush hours and everyone hate them. Not only people, but also vehicles are uncomfortable during rush hours, including cars, buses, trolleybuses, trams and even some trains.

It was morning. One of the buses (who's name is Derek) set out on the route as usual. His route that day was route 90.
Before this, Derek could not sleep well due to an engineache that he had that night. He had not yet managed to pick up the first passengers of the morning when he felt so sleepy that he decided to stop on the side of the road near a tree and sleep.
Molly, another bus was also working on route 90 that day. As she drove to the first bus stop, she saw Derek standing there.
"Why is he sleeping? He couldn't sleep that night? But why?" she thought.
Molly didn't bother waking Derek. After waiting until all the people entered it, she left.
"Eh, I don't like rush hours so much!"
In a traffic jam she met Tony.
"Good morning, Tony!"
"Morning! Even though I don't work alone on my route, there are so many people ride me in the mornings! I feel overloaded, I fear for my mechanisms. What if transporting so many people will ever break something in me?
"Maybe you shouldn't stop at all bus stops?"
"That's what I do. But when I stop at a bus stop, sometimes more people get on than get off. Eh, it's much more convenient for you, because you're bigger than me..."
"Not always. Sometimes it happens that a lot of passengers board me"
At this time, Denis pulled out from another road.
"Hello, Denis!" Tony said
"Hi, Tony!"
"Are you at work right now?"
"Yes, people a few blocks away are waiting for me. I hope I don't make them wait too long because of these traffic jams..." (Denis works as a taxi, although he sometimes works in other jobs).
"I wish you to arrive on time!"
"Thank you! I wish you the same!"
"Thank you"

It was a windy autumn day. Around lunchtime it started to rain.
When Molly finished her work, she came to check on Derek and found him still sleeping. But now he slept restlessly, unlike in the morning.
After some time he woke up.

"Are you okay?" Molly asked.
"No. My engine hurts again. It was hurt at night, which is why I didn't get enough sleep, in the morning it wasn't hurt, but now it's hurting again..."
"You should see a mechanic! I really don't understand why you didn't do it this morning."
"I don't know myself..."
"Engine pain is not very good symptom, especially if it is so severe. This could mean serious breakdown"
"Can you tow me?"
"Can't start the engine? Or does it work very poorly?"
"It works worse than usual, but I can drive, but it hurts me to do it"
Molly towed Derek to the car repair shop.
"I hope you feel better soon!"
"Thank you, Molly!"
"So, what symptoms are you feeling other than pain?"
"Reduced power and louder engine operation. I also feel so tired and weak even though I slept for eight hours"

Evening came. Some buses have finished their work for the day. They stood in the bus depot and talked about different things.
"The day was so windy, cold and rainy!" Axel said
"But it's colder in winter, so it's strange to complain about cold days in autumn" Felix answered him
"I mean, I'm already out of the habit of such cold weather"

"How's Derek? Is he feeling better?" Tasha asked Molly.
"I haven't called him yet. I didn't want to bother him"
"Ah, okay "

Meanwhile, Derek was sleeping in the car repair shop. Several people continued to repair him. Derek slept peacefully, he barely moved except for the fact that he rose slightly when he inhaled and fell when he exhaled (When the vehicle is asleep, the movements during breathing are quite noticeable). It was clear from his restful sleep that he no longer had engineache and he was quite relaxed.
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Note from the author: To some extent, inspired by the incident when I was walking to a bus stop and saw a bus on which I could go where I needed to go. I hurried to it, afraid of being late for it. However, when I got to it, there was no one in it, not even the driver. It was standing under a tree on the side of the road. (It was probably broken down). I felt a little embarrassed, thinking I looked strange.
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Date of writing: October 2023