We need to get to Interstate Grill

[September 7th, 2005] "We need to get to Interstate Grill, but we only have $15. Can you do that?"

I hate this. I'm way out in St. Johns, and I'll undoubtedly cave rather than deadhead back empty. But just for entertainment, I listen to these girls' justifications about why they can't pay. I gently propose that when you don't have the money to go out, either don't go out or find some cheaper fun. I mean, do you bargain at the grocery checkout to get the price of brie down to that of Velveeta? Do you bargain with Blockbuster to rent five videos for the price of three?

They start whining. Their explicitly stated desire to get laid wins me over. And the way these girls are dressed, they won't need money left over for drinks. Because some people will do that, bargain you down to $10 for a $16 ride, pleading a total lack of funds, and then calmly hand you a $20, expecting $10 back. I'm not mercenary-I even give free rides sometimes-but that's just...words fail me.

Alas, I am considerably less sanguine about my decision to take them after one sprays herself with a fog of perfume. Ye gads. I open all the windows and tell them no one had better complain about the wind messing their hair up. Then one tries to light a cigarette, despite my many iterations regarding the new city law banning smoking in cabs. Although I do wonder if the cigarette could ignite the alcohol fumes in the perfumed miasma surrounding her. Wishful thinking.