A woman took up two passenger seats on the bus, and when a young guy tried to sit in the free seat, she caused a real scandal 

Suburb. Morning. District center.

The bus was packed to the brim. The air was like in a steam room, there was absolutely no space.

I got on at the stop by the old store and noticed one free seat by the window. On the neighboring seat sat a woman about fifty years old, stout, with painted lips, a large plastic bag on her lap. Next to her — empty.

I leaned over and politely asked:

— Excuse me, is this seat free?

The woman grimaced as if I had asked her to sell her soul:

— Taken!

— And who sits here?

She waved her hand as if shooing a fly:

— None of your business. I want to put my bag here!

People started exchanging looks, and I stood there shocked. What right does she have?

I sat down. Quietly. Carefully. Didn’t push or touch her. Just took the empty seat.

And then it started.

— What are you doing, rude jerk?! I told you — this is taken!

— No one is sitting here, and there are no things either. Don’t you see there’s not even space to stand on the bus? I speak calmly.

— I don’t want you sitting next to me! I paid for my ticket, I have the RIGHT!

— Are you sure? Did you pay for two tickets?

She hesitated. For a second. Then shouted at the top of her lungs, throughout the bus:

— It’s none of your business! Go away, idiot!

A voice from the back:

— Ma’am, have some decency…

— Don’t interfere! — she yelled. — I want to sit alone.

But then something very unexpected happened, after which the woman just stood up and got off not at her stop. Continued in the first comment 

The conductor approached. Confident, like someone who’s dealt with troublemakers before.

— What’s going on?

The woman started yelling:

— He sat down! I asked him not to! It’s hard for me! I’m alone the whole way!

The conductor said strictly:

— Show your ticket.

— Why?

— Because if you have only one, you have only one seat. People are standing in the aisle.

The woman started digging in her bag, pulled out a ticket. One. A standard one.

— No complaints, — said the conductor. — The man may sit. If you want to ride alone, pay for the second ticket or get off. Taxi is your right.

— I will complain! — the woman screeched.

— Go ahead. But meanwhile — follow the rules.

The bus brightened up:

— That’s right!

— Enough of this!

— Respect must be mutual!

An old man from the back seat muttered:

— She doesn’t have high blood pressure, she’s putting pressure on our nerves.

The woman jumped up, holding the bag to her chest like a bulletproof vest, and demonstratively stood in the aisle. She looked out the window, breathing heavily. The seat was free.

I didn’t move. Just kept riding. Trees and poles flashed by outside. People relaxed. Some dozed off, others whispered.

And I thought: strange — so much space around, but so little respect.