25. You’re a cab driver in New York City
Describe an encounter you had with a particularly interesting passenger yesterday (this means you’re going to have to create an interesting character). Make sure you use dialogue to recreate the conversation you had. (Only those in Creative Writing 2 may do this assignment).
It’s Tuesday morning and Willy Johnson is hard at work driving his taxi. He spots a young man on the street trying to wave down taxis, so he pulls over.
“Where to,” Willy asked as the young man slide into the back seat of the taxi.
Before answering, the man looks at Willy’s name tag, “Central Park please, Willy.”
“Sure thing sir,” Willy said in his usual happy tone.
“Call me Kevin,” the young man said. “How are you today?”
Willy surprised by his friendliness responded with, “Well, I’m quite fine actually.”
“You sound surprised I asked,” Kevin said as he buckled his seat belt and sat back. “You don’t normally get friendly people?”
“Funny you should ask, I had the strangest occurrence yesterday with someone a little too friendly…” Willy said as he drifted off thinking about it.
Kevin, now very interested in what could have happened asked, “Care to share?”
Willy looks down at his GPS, “Sure, we’ve got some time. So last night I see a man in along trench coat just standing on the corner, waiting for a taxi, so I pulled over and asked if he wanted a lift.”
“Sounds normal so far,” Kevin said as he listened intently.
“Trust me,” Willy said, “It gets better.” Willy makes a turn then continues the story, “Before saying anything he tosses the large black bag into the back seat and gets in behind it. All he said was ‘42nd Street’.”
“I’m sorry Willy, but I fail to see what is so odd…” Kevin said, getting a little disappointed by the story.
“Let me finish lad!” said Willy, now getting tired of Kevin cutting in. “I wasn’t sure what to expect with the big black bag and all, but I thought what the hey, he needed a ride. As I’m driving I feel his hand on my shoulder and he was breathing down my neck!”
For once, Kevin sat silent, so Willy continued, “Then I hear him right in my ear say ‘I’m gonna be a star!’ and with that, he opened his trench coat and sat there in this woman’s one piece bathing suit-looking outfit. It was gold and covered in glitter!”
Kevin then started choking on the coffee he bought before boarding the taxi. He finally started breathing again and said, “Um… what exactly did you do?”
“I didn’t know what to do, all I said was the ride was free of charge so long as he got out right there,” Willy said as he had a chill run down his back just thinking of the man. “Luckily he did get out of the car, but heaven forbid he gets out like a normal person, he got out and attempted to tap dance down the street and sang songs from the musical 42nd Street!”
“Just like that,” Kevin asked, amazed at the characters New York City is full of.
“Just like that,” Willy said. “I then noticed he left without his bag and curiosity got the best of me…”
“What was in it,” asked Kevin, now deep into the story.
“I opened it,” Willy said, then paused. “There was a pair of woman’s size 13 tap shoes, a sparkling dress, and a blonde wig. I guess the poor guy really thought he was in 42nd Street.”
“You really did have some day yesterday,” Kevin said as Willy pulled the car up to Central Park.
“Yeah, but you’ve just gotta expect those things when you’re a cab driver in New York City,” Willy said as he smiled. Although he has had some crazy people, he still loves his job and the people he meets.
“Well thanks for the story Willy,” Kevin said. “You really do meet some crazy people here,” Kevin said with a laugh and at that Kevin got out of the car with a dog leash, but no dog and ran around in Central Park.
Willy just shook his head, “Gotta love the people of NYC!”
