Taxi driver

I got off the train at Penn Station. Going to the phone booth was the first thing I did. I really felt like phoning somebody. I decided to leave my luggage outside the phone booth so that I could have kept an eye on it. That day I felt very lonely and had a feeling that giving somebody a buzz would make me feel better. The only problem was that I couldn’t think of anybody to call up. My elder brother D.B. was in Hollywood and my younger sister Phoebe was already asleep as it was pretty late. Of course I could have called her but I was afraid that my parents would pick up the phone and find out that I wasn’t in Pencey Prep anymore. To avoid that situation I started thinking about my friends Jane, Sally Hayes or that guy from Whooton School where I used to go. After thinking about giving a buzz to them I decided not to call anyone. I spent about twenty minutes in that booth and then took my bags and went to look for a cab. When I was already in the vehicle by mistake I gave the driver my parents' address. I completely forgot that I planned to stay in hotel. I was really absent- minded that day. I figured out that I gave the taxi driver the wrong address when we were halfway through the park. I asked if he minded turning around back downtown. The man was pretty wise and answered that he can’t do it because there was a one- way. I just nodded and then asked him whether he knew where those ducks  in lagoon near Central Park South go when it freezes. He turned around to look at me and asked if was kidding him. After a few minutes of silence I invited  the driver for a cocktail on me. I was loaded and alone so the taxi driver seemed to be a good company. Unfortunately he turned down saying that he can’t. What a terrific personality! Finally we reached the Edmont Hotel.   

'Taxi' author: Alicja Cwalina