Again, I was happy to be available when I got the call from Barry asking me if I was available to drive. I was almost given the keys to one of the two min-vans, but my look of disappointment was well read, and I was back in car #134. (Not that there is anything wrong with mini-vans).
I figured it would be a slower day with no Holiday surrounding the weekend. I was correct. It does continue to amaze me that each fare introduces me to one character after another. #1 today needed a ride from the pancake joint to the local coin collectors show. Who knew that there was a large coin show once a month? His first words as I met him outside of the car matched the look on his face. “That’s it? I have to get in that?” My immediate thought was that he had issue with the Audi. Maybe he disliked Germans. It ends up the issue was the size of the sedan. “I can’t bend,” he offered. Once comfortable in the front seat, he shared that a train had hit him years ago while working for the railroad. If it were not for the extreme cold conditions, he would have died. I learn all of this in about forty-five seconds. By the way, now is a good time to sell coins due to the value of silver at the moment. Not quite the stock tip I am waiting for, but good information.
#2 was an older gentleman and his son of about 45 years. They needed a simple ride from Burger King back into town. I am not sure what a complex ride would have entailed. As soon as the son tried to say a word, the father interrupted him with a loud, “shut it Kenny, and speak when spoken to!” During the quick stop for the horse racing tip sheet from 7-11, Kenny shared with me how he had a lot to tell the preacher. He mentioned that he should not be telling me this. Confession is private he taught me. I was about to say, “Kenny, speak only when spoken to!” My cab smelled like Burger King. The father and I shared war stories about the red light cameras. I have been hit with two right-turn-on-red tickets. I paid them. I also read an article stating that the cameras and the towns that use them will alter the way they issue right-on-red tickets. Thanks a lot!
Unfortunately, only one airport run today. Midway Airport: named in honor of the Battle of Midway. Surviving that battle must have been a bit like surviving my first experience in the bathrooms at Midway’s can lot. Housed in a government building, which also houses the TAX STAMP window and a few vending machines, the bathrooms are unique. I was met by a gentleman using the janitor’s spigot (reserved for filling buckets) as a shower. He was quite skilled at throwing water on himself and cleaning his feet in the floor level drain tub. Maybe I will learn. In my stall of choice, I found an empty gallon bottle of windshield-wiper fluid. How and why this bottle was next to a toilet was the day’s mystery. Hmmmmm.
Back in the lobby were several prayer mats and several drivers about to use them. I thought this was cool … not sure why.
#5 for they day came out of his house wearing a red shirt and khaki pants. Where was he going? Target.
#6 and I were able to reminisce about the South Side Irish Parade, a parade that was cancelled in 2009. That ended at least 25 years of several hundred thousand people invading a great Chicago neighborhood and its taverns once a year. I don’t remember much about those pre-parties, parade floats, and post-parties, but they all looked fun on the news and in the police blotter.
Correction: While useful, mini-vans have not one ounce of aesthetic value.
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