It's a school bus you've made yours now. Complete with your own uniform and the screaming schoolchildren in the back.
You keep checking the mirrors and telling the kids to settle down. They listen to you, as long as their little hearts can until they burst with energy again.
When you picked the first one up, they commented on your neck tattoo: "what does that say?"
"In a hammock, on a day like this!" You start explaining how that's one of those lines you can take just about anywhere, then show him what's on your forearm: "heard melodies are sweet, but the sweetest go unheard."
"No I mean on the poster taped to your window." You look up and see a picture of yourself, grainy, on the freeway, hand up shielding your eyes.
"It says WANTED." The boy shrugs and shuffles to his seat.
You're fuming the whole ride. They could have picked a better angle for the photo. These posters must be everywhere now.
What does it matter? Where you're headed, no one is going to recognize you or the 24 schoolchildren you're bringing. You'll blend right in.
One of the kids comes up to your chair. She's got pig tails and yellow butterfly clips. "I know a shortcut. My mom takes this way when she wants to spy on my dad and his secretary." Lead the way kid.
"Faster, faster," she yells. Now they're all chanting. Okay let's see what this thing can do. Ahhhh, nervous rear end. Now you know she's fast. The sun is setting in front of you. That mean's your headed west right? Head west when things go south. Your grandmother taught you that.
Kids love the Evil Knievel routine so it's up the ramp you go, through the flaming rings and over the pool of alligators. Hey, only two peed themselves—good job!
"I wanna call my mom." You tell him to bring you his lunchbox. You rip it open and stuff the PB&J in your mouth. Not diagonally cut but it'll do. Hand the banana to the crying kid and tell him to dial.
You see the familiar castle ahead. The kids all squeal. Pull up, lead them out and into the park. Go straight for the twin dragon ride with the minimum height requirement. Sorry boys and girls.
You don't need a permission slip to feel good about yourself. You just need a mask.