Date: 6/13/09
From: Wicker Park
To: South Loop
The Cab: Has one of those credit card Verifone systems. Like a little TV screen. Hey, there’s an idea! Put quarters in the slot . . . watch a little TV. Or cab porn. Tax that, Daley!
But does it really only take MasterCard? I mean, I don’t expect it to take Discover, but . . .
The Driver: Late in the ride when I learned this was his first day on the job, I became embarrassingly excited. I was his second customer ever.
“How did the first one go?”
“It was trouble.”

Posted on July 3, 2009

At Your Service: Behind the Bar

By Patty Hunter

Another week in pizza hell.
Maybe it’s not that bad, most of the time, but every time I hear “Let’s rock and roll on that pizza” or “Let’s pull the trigger on it,” a little piece of me dies.
Unfortunately, it is part of my job description to grin at you instead of cringe and walk away shaking my head. But inside, oh inside, it is a different story. I am probably cursing the people who gave you life.
*
I discovered this weekend why I don’t normally drink at work. As wonderful as it is that my bartender training has (stealthily) included tasting the drinks I’m making, it is harder to keep my potty mouth under control. I think it’s a give-and-take situation, though; my smiles and laughing are suddenly genuine. I am happy to see you and blabber about soccer or probability theory. I really do hope you are enjoying your pizza, because it sure as hell smells divine. I am also less likely to take offense at your terrible sense of humor. Just please don’t laugh when I spill water on myself. Being contained by a space that is approximately two-by-twelve feet does not allow for many places to hide.

Posted on July 2, 2009

Cab #713

At Your Service: Behind the Bar

Meeting Up Now