Ecuador's Buses 2002

---

The Buses of Ecuador (or any Third-World Country)
A Quiz


Great! Only 20% of the seats are occupied as the bus exits the terminal.
CHORUS: 10 vendors of sweets, papers, water, etc. Pass through along with 5 “disabled”solicitors.

Oops! Beyond the police checkpoint, 10 passengers, 200 chickens and 10 feed sacks are absorbed.
CHORUS: Snake-oil salesman #1 boards and blasts with a portable PA
“Miracle Cure Only $2

“Stops 3-4-5-6-10: A further 100 passengers, 1000 chickens and 100 feed sacks are accommodated on the 50-passenger bus.
CHORUS:Snake oil salesman #2 boards and bores for an eternity without PA system. Repetition, repetition, repetition sales school.

Stops 10-20: 10 passengers disembark, 20 bard.
CHORUS: “Ëxtra strong Amazonias Miracle Cure” La Senora's pitch wins hands down for speed. Passengers can't get their $1 bill out fast enough to cure cancer, impotence, measles, catarrh, hair loss, obesity...

2.5 hours into mountains: Gradual disgorgement of passengers.
CHORUS: Loud, obnoxious U.S. video.

3.5 hours at the ridge: all passengers have a seat. After 3 passengers bark, the attendant distributes barf bags.

4.0 hours: Police checkpoint

4.5 hours: Disgorge 50% of passengers.

5.0 hours: Only 20% of the seats are occupied.

THE QUIZ: 80/20 profit split: How much money did the bus company receive?



1 November 2002 Loja Ecuador

---