Penance
Monday night I completely lost it on this drunk woman in my cab. She was a mess, but I suppose I should have at least tried to be nice to her right off the bat, she did seem to be trying to start a conversation, but it sounded more like Tourette's syndrome. When we got to the destination dispatch gave me I told her the fare was 6.45. She started saying we weren't at her house, I asked her where she wanted to go, she said another block North, took her there. No money. She gets on the cell fone with somebody, says "this asshole cabbie needs 6 bucks" she tells me another address a block away. We get there, she gets agrumentative, still trying to find out on the fone where to get money to pay me, and I shout at her "GET THE FUCK OUTTA THE CAB". I had no idea I was capable of expressing myself with such anger or hate. I tell her just go, the cab ride is free, she starts sobbing, saying she was about to get me the money, and "I'm really a nice person". she stumbles out of the cab and slams the door, and crosses Foster without looking. I went back to the bar (scary alkie-lesbo? sort of place) that called the cab and collected from the bartender in a not very friendly manner.
I soon felt like shit about the whole episode. Maybe she was a really a nice person. Anyway, Tuesday, late a message comes in from dispatch, fare waiting, Zone 31. I accept, Thorek Hospital on Irving Park. No big deal. Destination... Pulaski and Chicago...shithole `hood.
Get to Thorek. Woman is ready to go, says she called for the cab. I confirm this by asking her the destination. Its her. She's not in good shape. Sobbing. Leaving the ER. I decide against demanding payment up front as I had planned. This woman was obviously hurting. Why add insult to injury. We get there without problem, she is quietly sobbing the whole way. 18.05 on the meter. She hand me a 20 and say thank you. She then says thank you so much for taking me. If she didnt have the fare, I would have told her the office is at Belmont and Western, pay me when you can.
I soon felt like shit about the whole episode. Maybe she was a really a nice person. Anyway, Tuesday, late a message comes in from dispatch, fare waiting, Zone 31. I accept, Thorek Hospital on Irving Park. No big deal. Destination... Pulaski and Chicago...shithole `hood.
Get to Thorek. Woman is ready to go, says she called for the cab. I confirm this by asking her the destination. Its her. She's not in good shape. Sobbing. Leaving the ER. I decide against demanding payment up front as I had planned. This woman was obviously hurting. Why add insult to injury. We get there without problem, she is quietly sobbing the whole way. 18.05 on the meter. She hand me a 20 and say thank you. She then says thank you so much for taking me. If she didnt have the fare, I would have told her the office is at Belmont and Western, pay me when you can.