Afternoon was Mrs. Conroy's favorite time of day. After a hard day at work, she enjoyed a long nap on the bus. Her friend, the driver Mr. Angstrom, always woke her before her stop. She would get off feeling fresh as a daisy.
But today was different. A new, unfriendly driver was at the wheel. Mrs. Conroy decided not to sleep, but the bus's gentle rocking had a lulling effect. Despite her resolve, she fell fast asleep.
She was shaken awake. "We've come to the end of the line," the driver said. Confused and panicked, Mrs. Conroy peered outside. It wasn't her stop. "Where am I? How do I get home?" she asked in a shrill voice.
"Cool off, lady. We all make it here sooner or later," he replied, refusing to let her ride back. The bus drove away, leaving her alone in a strange, empty landscape with an awfully bright sun. She squinted, seeing no signs, trees, or people.
"Are you ready, Madam?" a voice asked from behind. A tall man in a blue pin-striped suit stepped forward. He knew her name. "It's time to go now."
Mrs. Conroy was terrified and refused. "There must be some mistake!" she insisted, threatening to report the driver.
The man smiled kindly and patiently explained, "He was just doing his job... following orders. You see, Mrs. Conroy, this is the end of the line. Our passengers only go one way."