Beginning of Story with numerous endings

"What is your name?" the young boy asked.

Bruce Johns wasn't having a good day, and didn't feel like answering.

"My name is Ethan," said the young boy, having a conversation with Bruce whether he wanted to or not.

"Bruce," he finally said.

"Bruce! That is a pretty tough name, you look like a Charles to me!"

Bruce laughed.

"Why's that? You don't think I'm tough?"

"Not tough enough to be a Bruce!" the kid responded.

Bruce couldn't help but think what a little punk this kid was. If he had known what Bruce had gone through in the last 24 hours, he wouldn't think twice about his proper-fitting name.

"You look like a Samantha to me." Bruce said to the boy.

"Oh ha ha, Mr.!" the boy said, trying to think up a comeback.

Just then, the bus rounded the corner and pulled to a stop before Bruce and the boy.

"Ladies first," Bruce said with a smile as he waved the boy forwards.

The kid shot Bruce a sideways glance as he climbed up the bus stairs. Bruce got on behind him.

The bus was fairly empty for a Saturday afternoon, about half of the seats were vacant. The kid plopped down on the first available seat, while Bruce walked to the back of the bus. As Bruce turned around to sit down, he could hardly believe his eyes.

The boy was being held at knife-point by a scruffy-looking forty-year-old man in tattered clothes.