The document is a writing prompt that describes a traveler taking a trip alone on public transportation to get away and think. However, their solitude is interrupted when a stranger takes the empty seat next to them and tries to start a conversation. The traveler hopes to avoid talking by looking out the window at the passing scenery and reading a book, but continues to be bothered by the stranger staring at their feet for some reason.

1. 1. Imagine yourself at a depot. You
are going away for a while, and you
think traveling on this type of mass
transportation will be an exciting
new experience, as well as a time
to think. Describe your
transportation.

2. 2. You don’t much feel like company
however, so as you board your
transportation you search for an
empty space. You pass through
several occupied spaces before
finally finding one you can have all to
yourself. Gratefully, you plop down in
a seat and start to relax. Describe
your space.

3. 3. Much to your dismay,
however, less than a minute later
a stranger enters your space,
shattering your solitude. Describe
this stranger.

4. 4. The stranger is holding
something that catches your
eye. What is the stranger
holding?

5. 5. You are annoyed by this
stranger intruding on you. You
hope you can at least avoid
conversation. To discourage any
talk, you look out the window.
Describe what you see out the
window.

6. 6. As you’re looking out the
window, you’re thinking about why
you’re on this trip. Why are you
here, and where are you going?

7. 7. The stranger interrupts your thoughts
to ask a question. What does the
stranger ask?
8. You give a brief reply, and then
pointedly turn your attention back to the
window. How do you answer the
stranger and what are you thinking
about after this brief exchange?

8. 9. Bored with the scenery, you
get out a book you’ve been
wanting to read or reread. You
begin to peruse the pages. What
are you reading, and why are you
reading it?

9. 10. As you try to read you
become uncomfortably aware that
the stranger is staring at your
feet. You look down and realize
that something that embarrasses
you is lying next to your feet.
What is it?

10. 11. You want to distract the stranger
from examining your feet any longer,
so you turn the tables and ask him or
her a question. What do you ask?

11. 12. Write a short dialogue that
proceeds from your question.

12. 13. After the conversation, you turn
inward again. What are you
thinking about now?

13. 14. The stranger suddenly gets your
attention by doing something
shocking or startling. What does the
stranger do?

14. 15. Somehow, conclude this story.