Re: Jerome Jerome
WILL HOCHMAN (hochman@uscolo.edu)
Tue, 11 Aug 1998 08:09:47 -0600 (MDT)
Taxi driving is hard work--I didn't make much money but it kept me alive,
bouncing around NY city like a pinball, but I'm not sure it trained me to
give wise answers to anything but directions and food suggestions.However,
I did meet some wonderful folks. Intellectually, the high point of my cab
driving career was picking up Susan Sontag. I asked her if anyone asked
her if she looked like Susan Sontag and her companion snickered and Ms.
Sontag said nothing until I didn't turn onto the FDR drive to get them
downtown. Ms. Sontag requested I take the highway and I told her it was a
bad interpretation of the traffic...and in my best "newyawkeese," I told
her to use better information! She was shocked and asked if I was a phd
cab driver...not yet I said. Take the highway she commanded. When we hit
a road block on 14th st and I had to take lower east side streets
downtown, she warmed to me and asked me about my studies. At the end of
the ride I received a gracious tip and apology...I may not win many
arguments with Ms. Sontag, but for one night I not only "corrected" her
interpretation of traffic, but won her appreciation...now, if I can do
that on salinger streets...will