HAPPY HOLIDAYS, INDEED

By Andy Christie

My cabdriver was wearing a natty chauffeur’s uniform, hat and all. He smiled at me in the rearview mirror and said, “I guess you’re wondering why I’m all dressed up,” then launched into a well-rehearsed spiel.

“When I lost my driver’s job last year, I traded in a black car for a yellow one but didn’t see any reason to stop providing professional, courteous, positive service to my clients. Think of me as an icon on your computer desktop. A positivity icon. If you’re feeling down, just double-click on me.”

Then he passed a homemade greeting card through the bulletproof divider. It said “Thank You…” on the front. And inside, “… for being a valued client! I have appreciated serving you. Paul J.-- Your POSITIVE Cabby.” And despite my usual cynicism, the guy actually brightened my morning.

He tipped his hat and was quiet for a few blocks, apparently out of script. At the next red light he said, “Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this traffic’s going to be a fucking nightmare.”

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