Bubba Gump and Me

 

Day 7

I drove two days in a row.  This was The Day.  The Day that Chicago received 20+ inches of snow.  It came with some serious wind.  My trip out in my own car at 2PM made me feel like Will Smith’s character in the movie “I Am Legend.”  Funny, that movie was on the previous day.  For several blocks I was the only thing moving in downtown Chicago.  I eventually came across several clumps of people walking in the street carrying paper Whole Foods bags.  The lack of traffic and light snow made them look like refugees fleeing an atomic bombing. 

Considering the snow, I was surprised to get a call to drive the cab.  By late afternoon, with many of the main streets cleared, the company discovered that they were one of the only services open.  A profitable evening was ahead since the “smart” cab and livery companies closed due to the snow.  It reminded me of that Bubba Gump chump and his shrimpin’ boat.  He took his boat out despite a hurricane warning, and ended up the only boat to survive the storm.  Don’t be surprised if I take a turn at opening a chain of restaurants with a Taxi theme.  Don’t be surprised if the venture fails and I die penniless.

It was still pretty desolate in the Western Suburbs.  The best evidence of the snow storm was the fact that I passed no less than 9 different McDonald’s throughout the evening…. All CLOSED.  Now there is a McNugget of information for you. (sorry)

My first fare was actually a disgruntled employee.  He was quite upset that he was taken off the road.  “I have been up and driving for twelve hours,” he yelled in the backseat.  “Who are they to take their best driver off the road?”  Then he napped.

I picked up Number 5,6, and 7 together at the diner attached to the bowling alley.  They each live in a semi-supervised assisted living building.  I think each had several parts missing, but together made a fully functional human.  “Nothing like bowling alley food.  Can’t beat it,” Number 6 informed me. 

I expect to write soon about cabs in the movies.  I mentioned this in the Day 6 post.  “Taxi Driver”,  “Plaines Trains and Automobiles”, “Midnight Run”, and “Scrooged” will all get mentions.  I am aware that a taxi may not appear in each film.  If you have a film that might need a mention, please COMMENT below.

Thanks for reading.