This game was created and tested by me in Reading during the spring of 1998. For some reason, my friends think I am a total head case.

The game starts at the bus stop where you would normally start your journey (though it can be played by anyone, even if they don't want to catch a bus). Assuming the bus isn't there, you start to walk to the next stop. This is called the 'Twist'. If you are lucky or skilful, you reach the next stop before the bus roars past you. You make your decision again. 'Twist', and you walk on to the next stop. 'Stick', and you wait there for the bus. If the bus flies past you while you're between stops, you 'Bust'. The game then starts again. Play the game until you actually catch a bus, or you find you've walked to your destination, saved some money, and given your body some healthy exercise.

As with all good games, there are several levels of play.

Novice

- look at your watch and the bus timetable when ever you want

Intermediate

- you can only check your watch and the timetable while at a bus stop

Expert

- you can only look at your watch and the timetable at the first bus stop

There are also several variations to the rules.

The Spike Milligan Variation

- you are only allowed to walk backwards (for Christmas, of course)

The Double Blind Variation

- this is played with two blindfolds on - no one has ever won this as you either walk into something, get run over, or don't see the bus coming

The Victoria Wood Variation

- you have to wear a bright yellow coat, and ask every tenth person if they've seen Kimberly (who's really, really tall and really, really wide)

The Oliver Reed Variation

- you must have drunk a bottle of spirits before starting, and all the other rule changes then come naturally

The London Underground Variation

- you have to run VERY fast between stops