When singing and dancing is a normal way of life for some, these activities turn into a career. For partygoers and fans, this is just another hobby of theirs.

Party Fennec

“Hahahaha!! Whoo, that was fun! Classic rock concerts are one of the best things ever!!” Kiko the fennec fox departs from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois after attending a classic rock concert hosting various acts such as AC/DC, Metallica, Yes, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Heart. The vixen is one of several fans leaving the convention center on Madison Street after the gig was finally over. As of now, the only thing on Kiko’s mind is going home, which happens to be in the suburbs.

While crossing the street, Kiko immediately complains, “Urgh, I’ve been checking my phone and bus times are still slow!!” The vixen’s complaints are completely shattered when she notices not one, not two, but three CTA New Flyer DE60LF buses idling directly in front of the United Center - each one has the number 19 on the side with the main running head display:

19 UNITED CENTER EXPRESS
19 TO MICHIGAN / RANDOLPH
19 VIA LOOP LINK

After boarding the first articulated bus, Kiko wanders to the rear to sit next to the window where she muses to herself, “When I get home, I'm gonna party and then settle down. This is one of the best days ever!”

~~~~~

Through creaking and groaning noises coming from the articulation setup, Kiko gazes out the window observing the buildings that pass by - the 8.9L Cummins ISL is ringing in her ears during the bus ride back to Downtown Chicago.

Along the way, Kiko is listening to some rock music coming from her headphones installed in her ears. By the time they reach downtown, her stop should be coming up soon. The LED stop display keeps the destinations up, blinking interchangeably with the time and, on occasion, several announcements at random…

“Attention: All CTA buses, stations, and railcars are equipped with security cameras that monitor all activity for your protection. Any action against a rider or employee will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, which can lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years.”

CAMERAS ON BUS

Once the announcement ends, the next stop is announced with the LED display showing the same thing.

*DING!*

“Washington and Jefferson”

WASHINGTON + JEFFERSON

Upon watching the LED display, Kiko shuts off her music player and removes her headphones while announcing to herself, “My stop’s coming up soon. Once I get off, I can take the Metra train back to Joliet… hope I don't miss my stop!”

*DING!*

“Washington and Canal - Exit here for: Union Station - Metra and Amtrak - Walk one block south.”

WASHINGTON + CANAL[/i]
[b]UNION STATION[/i]

Kiko hums to herself, “No, that's not it. Gotta watch out for LaSalle, but I am loving the view here! I should have taken a Pace bus to the United Center!”

After a bit of waiting in the Downtown part, Kiko quickly yanks one of the cords down to signal her stop upon seeing her destination flash up.

[b]WASHINGTON + LASALLE

*DING!*

STOP REQUESTED

“There's my stop! Gotta go!” When the fennec fox jumps up to hurry to the door, she keeps a close eye on the southbound side of LaSalle Street, watching for any CTA buses that may appear. Fortunately, no buses are in sight for the time being.

~~~~~

As far as Kiko was concerned, walking wasn't an issue for her - it was the wait times. But instead of walking to the train station, Kiko jogs her way to the terminal. From Washington to Van Buren, it is a considerable distance that could have been cut short had Kiko waited for the 156 LaSalle Street bus. But with the reports of ‘ghost buses’ stored in her memory bank, the fennec vixen decided against catching the bus.

If Kiko had gone full sprint, she would have exhausted herself much quicker. But at a jogging pace, she is winded but not completely out of breath. Having finally reached the Rock Island Metra terminal on LaSalle and Van Buren, the fennec fox enters the train station to pay for her one-way ticket back home to Joliet.

~~~~~

On the train ride back home to Joliet, Kiko sits in a thinking pose while staring out the window, reflecting once more on the concert she's recently attended. Her mind flashes back to the numerous posters plastered in her room. Then she inwardly muses to herself, ‘If I could sing, I’d start my very own music career. But on what? I don't have that great of a singing voice. Maybe karaoke? Song covers?’

With the train horn humming in her ears, Kiko suddenly snaps out of her state and straightens up, sensing that something is suddenly wrong. But when a thumping noise registers in her ears, the vixen can only brace herself. Upon looking outside, Kiko discovers debris by the tracks following a grade crossing and groans, “Not again! This is the second time this has happened!”

~~~~~

Following the grade crossing collision, no one on the train is seriously injured, though the car, a white Chevrolet Suburban (GMT800) has heavy damage throughout the driver side. The damage shows the SUV completely smashed and tossed aside. Fortunately, no casualties are reported but the SUV is just a toothpick to the monstrous train. But in Kiko’s case, this is just one headache that's all too similar.

Shaken but not hurt, Kiko groans, “Great! Just great! Another idiot who decided to try and beat a train. How stupid are these people?! Looks like I’ll just have to bus it from now on…”

~~~~~

After a two-part bus ride on Pace routes 364 (159th Street) and 832 (Joliet - Orland Park), Kiko walked the rest of the way to her address which was her home - a cozy little apartment in the suburbs. The moment Kiko enters her apartment, she makes a beeline for her room where she can inspect herself in a full-body mirror. Then she changes into a more comfortable outfit consisting of a harness and exits her room… only to come back with a video camera. After setting up her device, Kiko puts on a rock tune and begins dancing, live-streaming herself to announce her return home.

~~~~~

Kiko belongs to peachy_pups from ToyHouse in this short-length writing commission!