Me: What time did you start driving this morning?
Cab Driver: 4:10. I take a fast shower and go (makes a hair washing motion – no hands on the wheel). I like to start early and finish early so I can see my daughter.
Me: How old is she?
Cab Driver: She’s only 5. I get home a little after four, but then I’m dead by five so I don’t get to talk to her much.
Me: You take any days off?
Cab Driver: Yeah, Sunday.
Me: You ever call her from the cab?
Cab Driver: No sir. That’s big trouble if I get caught.
Me: You must be the only driver in New York who doesn’t sit talking on your phone the entire day anyway.
Cab Driver: I don’t like trouble, and it’s a bad example for my daughter if she knows I break the law all the time.
Me: How about this. I’ll sit here and be quiet for the rest of the ride. And I won’t tell anybody if you call her right now.
Cab Driver: Seriously?
Me: Seriously.
Cab Driver: [dials the phone and talks the rest of the ride]
Me: [End of the ride, hand him cash quietly and get out. Making a hang-up motion and zipping my lip]