A Day in the life of a Cabbie

Daniel Mills : Naperville Taxi Vehicle #23

Most of the time driving a cab for a living is uneventful; don’t get me wrong you meet interesting people. But sometimes things can go very differently; Today was going to prove that true. I was sitting at the downtown train when a scruffy looking man asked how much to the Mall. I responded about fifteen dollars so he climbed in the car and we pulled away. He was about five ten graying hair and dirty hands, also he had a bag with him that clanked like the sound of tools.

I never try to judge anyone otherwise I would never have let him in my cab at all. As we started out he changed his destination, so I contacted the dispatcher and let him know we were on the way and where I would clear. On the way the dispatcher contacted me on the radio and asked if I had an address where we would clear. Trying to get more info from him was difficult as he was mumbling and acting strange.

Then the text came in “Amtrak employee said that man has a gun be careful” My whole day just changed. As the adrenaline in your body starts to flow your hands start shaking, it’s a natural reaction. But I couldn’t let him know that so breathing deeply and gripping the wheel I called the dispatcher and asked him if he had a ride for me at the intersection I had mentioned. He said yes he did but he was on the phone he would get back to me. I could only assume he was talking to the police. He responded back yes that the police had a ride for me at the intersection as soon as I cleared this load. I told him that I would be there soon so to let them know.

As I approached the intersection in question I saw several police cars pull in behind. The closest one to me lit up her lights and I pulled to stop. I looked at the customer and said “ looks like I am getting a ticket “ as I stepped out I saw at least 5 police cars guns drawn pointed at me what I was looking down the wrong end of more weapons than I was comfortable with. The lead officer said to me tell your passenger to get out of the car, I leaned in and said “I think they want to talk to you” then I walked away from the car. The subject then exited the car with his tool bag as I sought shelter with another officer. Who after a quick frisk down had me crouch behind him using his body as coverage from the possible line of fire? We both tried to get skinny behind a tree with a 2 and half inch trunk, Quite a sight.

Then things became a blur both fast and slow at the same time. Police yelling at the subject get down get down, the man replying what for, what did I do. Arguing with the police didn’t seem like a bright idea to me. More yelling and shouts the man reaches for the bag, big mistake a police officer flying out of the side of my vision doing an impersonation of Brian Urlacher. Though I don’t think Brian has to worry about return fire.

Then just like that it’s over pulse slows down everything seems to return to normal, if you can call a felony stop normal. I think everyone should experience that at least once in their lives.