The first "Crazy Taxi Story" call came in my first few days of taxi driving. At 10 a.m., I received a dispatch to one of the seedier motels on the Island. I arrived to find a very sweet motel employee assisting the man who would be my customer into the taxi. She loaded him in the taxi, and handed him a fresh, unopened bottle of cheap tequila. This guy was a skid row alcoholic, and was both hungover and drunk at the same time. Imagine that!
Thankfully, his destination wasn't too far. He said he didn't feel very well, and he rode in the front passenger seat, with the window down, and his head leaning out. He was moaning and groaning such that I nearly pulled over to call an ambulance for him. Poor guy was not in good shape at all. On the way to his destination, he tells me, "I'll probably get shot when I get home. I haven't been home in a week." To this, I responded, "Just be sure you pay me first." We arrived at his destination, and he paid without incident. I sure hope he didn't get shot.
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| Baby Johnny's Teddy Bear riding in the Pink Taxi |
So, I receive a dispatch call to the La Quinta hotel. On the way, I'm thinking my customers will probably be cruise passengers. No, Baby Johnny was not a cruise passenger. Out of the lobby comes a Caucasian 60 year old man with purple hair, carrying a baby bottle and a black baby doll, wearing a Burger King crown and fuzzy pajamas. I thought, "He must be with the Oni-Con convention." No, Baby Johnny was not participating in Oni-Con. Baby Johnny is just a 60 year old local resident who likes to act like a baby.
Apparently, he goes to breakfast at a local diner, and wanders into the La Quinta to ask the desk to call a taxi for him. I give kudos to the La Quinta staff for being exceptionally kind to Baby Johnny as this seems to be a regular routine. Baby Johnny has become an occasionally regular customer since our first meeting, and, now that I have recovered from the initial shock of him, he is quite a pleasant customer. While, he is definitely a different individual, he does have all of his wits about him and has never been a problem passenger.
When I tell people about Baby Johnny, they frequently ask, "Did he ask you to change his diaper?" Definitely a "NO" on that. Diaper changing is not, and never will be a part of the Pink Taxi service.
