I’ve been driving a cab these last few months, as I’m still between professional gigs and money is still a necessary part of life.
Since June I’ve seen more drunks, tweakers, loons, bangers and whores than I think anyone should be allowed to encounter in 5 years, much less 4 months. In fact, during my first week I picked up 2 tweaker girls at their townhouse. They asked how much the fare would be from their place to about 20 blocks away and back, with me waiting for about 5 min in between. I told them probably around $15 and that I’d need the money up front. They said, and I quote, “How about we blow you for the fare?” Not that I’d take that offer anyway (I’m out there to make MONEY), but these women were TORE UP. Anybody willing to turn a blowjob for $7.50 each is not anybody whose mouth the little general is getting anywhere near, thanks but no.
Anyway, last night, I decided to bag my shift almost an hour early. Things were really slow; I was already pretty well ahead for the night, and I didn’t figure on any more calls coming in that I could take and still get the cab turned in on time.
When I pulled into the gas station/car wash all the drivers in my company use (they give us a discount on the car wash) and parked in front of the vacuums, this absolutely gorgeous blonde in a short black skirt, nice high heels, white cropped blouse and black leather jacket walked over to the pay phones. I noted the outstanding cut of her legs and swept out my cab. She looked a little like a blonde version of Dawn from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but pretty, if that makes any sense.”
I wheeled over to the gas station window, paid for my wash and stepped back to my car. She walked up and asked, “Are you working?”
I told her I was on for another 45 minutes or so and asked where she needed to go. She told me, and it was juuuuust within the time I had left to get the car washed, get her there and get back. I told her I’d be glad to take her, as long as she didn’t mind riding through the car wash with me to save me some time.
She got in the front seat. Unless the back is full, I never let anyone sit in the front, but she was really cute, obviously tired and certainly not carrying any serious weapons, since I’d noticed the jacket didn’t have pockets, and her purse was a simple clutch.
We got to talking, and I asked her what had her out and about on 27th and Indian School (a less than stellar neighborhood dividing the central city ghetto from the west side barrio) at 4 in the morning. She smiled, nodded and said, “Work.”
“Work as in you’re a pro?”
“Um hum.”
So, started talking about things like shifts, rates, weird customers (Whores, strippers and cabbies have a lot in common professionally, I’ve noticed), etc. It was a fun ride back to her apartment.
Here’s what tripped me. First, she wasn’t dressed like a hooker. She was dressed like she was going, or had been, to a club. Second, she wasn’t strung out or otherwise chemically messed up at all as far as I could tell, and I’m a pretty good judge as to degree of impairment. Third, she still smelled nice, not sweated and skanked out or covered in perfume, just clean with a little bit of natural human scent coming through. Fourth, she was really young (18), but also pretty damn bright. It was an absolute joy to chat with her and give her a lift. Also, she tipped well, which helps like anyone better.
I know, I know. She’s an 18 year old street hooker who will be dead of AIDS, drugs or miscellaneous disease in two years and the only reason she appeared fairly well pulled together is that she is 18 and hasn’t been doing this for very long. Still, it was the most enjoyable ride of the night, by far.
And for those of you who are curious, no: I didn’t “negotiate” the fare; I didn’t try to find out her schedule, and I didn’t hit her up for any professional services. 