Home...? Just home from a night shift taxi driving. It was a bit of a roller-coaster. Three fares stood out. The first was a young couple who had met on an online dating service. This was their first date.
I picked them up and drove them to the restaurant. She was very chatty; he was very shy and nervous. I picked them up afterwards and it was obvious that the date had been a complete success. He was a lot more animated. They even had a little kiss and cuddle in the back seat of the cab. So sweet - ah l'amour l'amour.
The second was a bit sad. I picked up a middle-aged woman who was rather inebriated. She had been kicked out of the pub for being abusive. Her justification? She was on a poker machine most of the night, feeding the one-armed bandit. She went to the loo but failed to put a reserve on the machine. When she came back another woman had taken her place and had a winning. A fight ensued with this lady being evicted from the pub. She was a bit teary, feeling hard-done by etc - plus she had spent over $400 on the poker machine. I tried to comfort her as best I could. At least got a small smile out of her when she left, or rather stumbled out of the cab.
The third fare was the most upsetting - a homeless woman. I picked her up from a 'friends' place about 12:30am. The 'friend' knew her name and paid the estimated fare in advance - but when I asked where we were going this 'friend' didn't know. Don't think he really knew her. She was small, thin, with scraggly hair, and held tightly a light blue blanket. I told the 'friend' that I would work it out re where she was going and we took off. The woman then asked if we could quickly stop at a nearby house. We did. The house was dark - she knocked at the door. No answer.
She got back into the cab. 'It's so warm in here', she said. It was by this time about 9 degrees outside. She told me to take her to 'The Bluff' and we started to drive there. She then asked if we could go back and go to a hotel so she could pick up some keys. We went to the hotel. Again - the person who had her keys was not there. She then asked if we could go back to her 'friends'. I took her back. She didn't want to get out. 'It's so warm in here', she said again. She stayed in the taxi for a few more minutes, clutching her blanket; then quickly got out and disappeared.
I took off - and then noticed a rather pungent smell and a small wet patch on the passenger seat where she had been sitting. Yes - it was urine; she had wet herself. I contacted base who immediately sent back the message that this was a 'befouling' fee. I called the base and told them the story and said I would clean the cab. So - there I was at the base cleaning a urine stain at 1am - and feeling guilty.
I know - I know - stupid - but still - I felt guilty. I should have driven her to a shelter; although I didn't know where one was; I should have given her some money - but I didn't. I felt awful. But so what? My feelings are irrelevant. This poor woman was now wandering the streets and it was 9 degrees and freezing out there.
I know - it's great reading about all the happy goings-on on FB; especially all the theatre news. However, this incident tonight makes what we do seem so vain. Yes - I will get over it. I tried to walk away from the theatre once before and failed because I am a theatre creature and always will be. However, the level and situation of the homeless is growing, even in rural SA, and it is heartbreaking, as is the sense of helplessness. So sad. Boy, is this job a lesson in humility and being grateful for what I've got. Had to get this off my chest. Sorry FB peps. 'Oh, the humanity'.
