Rush Hour Report: 9 Nov AD 2012

A fine Friday evening in the streets of midtown for the skilled practitioner this evening. Glorious cool, crisp, clear November weather – just a bit breezy – along with plenty of demand for intra-neighborhood passenger transport.

Unfortunately, RR improperly repaired a flat tire for one of its practitioner customers and was forced to tow him back to the shoppe in the middle of a busy fall rush hour…

– After dropping three young local ladies at 37th & 10th, RR got the message about the flat at 52nd & 6th and relayed a message to meet RR on 9th Ave. RR headed up 10th Ave hoping for a ride… and scored. A thirysomething Chinese dude with baggage at 42nd & 10th needed a ride to 55th & 10th. He jumps in and starts chattering about how we’re really moving. Keen to help, he proceeds to thrust himself forward rhythmically to help with momentum. Though awkward, it sort of helps – we arrive at 55th & 10th in maybe 5 min. He instructs RR to drop him behind the Porsche, which apparently contained his father. He asks the price. RR says “$10-$15”. He says, “what”?” RR repeats “$10-$15”. Again, “what?” Again, “$10-$15”. He extends $5. RR instructs him to keep it, and he rides off with his pop in this Porsche.

If you see two Chinese men in this Porsche 911, tell them to respect the workin’ man.

– Whisk Aussie gal who works at the IMF from a giant Penn Station 8th Ave toxic taxi line to the W Hotel on Lexington Ave at 49th St. She’s quite grateful and delivers a solid tip on a $26 quote ($40 total). On the way, she tells of her recruiting efforts at Harvard and Yale – “such amazingly smart people” she gushes – for the IMF. Tempted to start in on her, but RR thinks better…

– At the W around 7:35p, another long line for toxic taxis is encountered. Barking at the line about a 10 minute guarantee in midtown, RR jumps off Citycab and offers services. A becaned couple from Hong Kong asks whether the cab is heated. Of course! Turns out they’re heading to the Joyce Theater – in Chelsea. Ugh. After we get going a few minutes, they ask about a price. Told $40-$45, they get cold feet… but stick with it, and the gentleman tells RR they never would have made it to the theater (19th & 8th) otherwise while handing over a $50; in the interim, the lady tells me that she just had back surgery – after getting out at the Joyce! Maddening when folks tell RR of back issues AFTER the ride…

– Heading back to RR, a hunchbacked woman tells RR, “some day you’ll be discovered and watched on TV”…