The Wayward Bus

Bernice Pritchard thinks mostly about material goods, not concepts or ideas. This often puts her at odds with her politically aware daughter Mildred, who wants to experience the world and have adventures.

As Pimples and Juan prepare breakfast for everyone, both men admire Mildred’s body. Elliott buys the fake bloodied foot socks from Ernest so that he can play a trick on Bernice. Ernest pitches an idea for a business: He wants to design a tuxedo suit outfit that can change lapels so that men who travel only have to pack one suit. Elliott is impressed by the idea. Juan gets the bus ready but is warned by Van Brunt, another passenger, that the San Ysidro River will be too high to cross safely. Juan admits to Elliott that he is often tired of his life and fantasizes about escaping it.

Mildred is attracted to Juan, and Juan fantasizes about seducing her. Juan tells Mildred a story from his childhood in Mexico, laughing to himself as he toys with Mildred’s perception of him.