Iowa City Authors

The first time I quit cab driving, I figured it was my last — but I ended up quitting three (technically four) times after that. I might again. My first last shift was on a hot night in May. School was done and traffic was thin; everybody was moving out. It was time for me […]

Some nights are made lucky. For instance, the dayshift driver left a blues CD in the pleasure radio. Blues ain’t really my thing, but for whatever reason this set grabbed me. I even pulled the disc out to look at the name markered on it, then slid the disc back in. Just one dude playing […]

Lyle stayed at the far end of 9th Street, out at 23rd Ave. He had a tic. He would gasp and catch a hand on his face like he might sneeze. The frequency and depth of his gasping would become pronounced as he got excited, which was often. He was peculiarly particular, an older gentleman, […]

Sheraton circle, 0245 hours and two young lasses, one of whom began to dribble vomit as she plunked down. “Take it outside the cab.” Her friend asked, “Will you wait for us?” “I said take it outside the cab.” I was getting better at knowing who was going to puke, and when. I was also […]

#23. Maintain your lane. Dominate it. Most drivers aren’t paying attention. Take advantage of this and look the fuck out. #24. Drive off-center of the driver in front of you so as to see a direct angle of the traffic lanes ahead. If you can’t get an angle, look through their windshield. Try to get […]