“Please keep in mind, engaging in unruly behavior is prohibited on the bus.” The voice coming from Route 38’s P.A. system is robotic, with a slight lisp.

The shiny blue seats on the Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus gleam. A young guy in camo and piercings aims his rear at what he thinks is a seat, only to meet air.

The girl in hoop earrings near the front lets loose a guffaw.

“You think that’s funny, huh?”

“Hell yeah, funny as all outdoors.”

“Well hey, you wanna give me your seat? You can sit in my lap if you want.”

She shakes her head and continues grooving to her iPod.

“Silver Sundays are fun days on FAX,” the robot voice booms over the activity. “If you’re 62 or older, it’s the day you don’t pay.”

It’s another day on the FAX, as the No. 38 barrels down Cedar, stopping occasionally with a screech of its brakes. As the rest of the world sleeps in or goes to school or work, the driver thinks of nothing but making good time.

An elderly woman in purple leggings hauls a PowerForce Bagless vacuum cleaner on behind her.
“Everybody believe in Jesus Christ?” she asks. “God bless, if you don’t.”

The passengers ignore her. The driver chuckles.

A boy in a red shirt, about 10, boards with his older sister and grandmother. “That’s Fresno Steak.”

“No.” His sister shakes her head. “That’s Fresno State.”

“That’s what I said. Fresno Steak.”

“Grandma, he’s mocking me.”

The boy laughs. “Look, I’ve got an extra finger!” he crows, giving her his middle finger.

His grandmother clucks disapprovingly, swatting at his hand.

There is a lull in conversation among No. 38’s passengers. A young guy wearing a John’s Incredible Pizza uniform dozes against a window.

The soft rock station playing on the radio is barely audible as the woman with the vacuum cleaner exits. “You know the driver they call Santa Claus?” she asks the driver.

He nods.

“Tell him Mama Boots sends her regards.” And then she was off, lugging her vacuum cleaner behind her as the bus pulls away from the curb, on the way to its next stop.