TheBisch

After reading about GFF running out of gas in the ghetto, it reminded me of a great road warrior story to share with all of you.

A little over a year ago, the company sent me to work in the field on back to back client sites, one site was in Philadelphia, and the other two were on Long Island. So they opted to fly me into Baltimore-Washington International (because, you know Philly was like $20 more round trip - I spent more in gas then they saved in airfare), so I can drive to Philly, work there, and then I would drive my rental car up to New York, work out on Long Island for a couple of weeks and then fly home from LaGuardia Airport (New York City for those of you not familiar with LGA).

So, I got my client’s addresses together and made a map. My client in Philly was just north of downtown Philly and being unfamiliar with Philadelphia, that didn’t mean much to me). The two clients on Long Island were both in a fairly nice area, where there’s quite a bit of wealth nearby.

So, I fly into Baltimore, grab my luggage and head for the Avis Rental Counter. I’m slightly annoyed, as I notice my name isn’t up on the Preferred Select board again, so I actually have to check in with a human instead of grabbing my car and going. I walk up to the counter and grumble my name to the agent, who in turn says “Oh yeah… you’re the guy doing a one-way to LaGuardia! Today’s your lucky day sir…” and he hands me keys which have the “Lincoln” symbol on them.

I go out to my car and find a black Lincoln Town Car, leather seats, sunroof, the works. I think to myself: nice car. I certainly won’t mind cruising in this between Philly and New York… and having a classy car to ride around in on the Island…

Then I make my way into Philly… stay downtown at a fairly nice hotel (a Holiday Inn Select, I believe). The next day, I’m heading to the customer’s site… I’m blissfully unaware of where I’m about to go. I’m just following the directions that Mapquest gave me. As I turn off the highway, I notice I’m in a very crowded urban area… so I’m worried about parking… as in trying to find some. Then I make the next turn off the main street I’m on. I go one block past the stores and come to a stop sign. Ahead of me is nothing but row houses… old, decrepit, slummy row houses (think: the place Rocky lived). I wonder if I’m following the directions right. I continue onward. By the time I get to the next block, I notice that I’m the whitest white boy on the block, driving a big ol’ pimpin’ black Lincoln. And the guys on the street, sitting on the steps of their slum houses at 10 in the morning, obviously aren’t dressed for work… unless you consider selling drugs work. I can feel their eyes begin to size up the car as I roll down the street.

When I finally get to the client’s site, I’m greeted with a large open parking lot behind the building. There is one small window that looks out over the parking lot. I thinking “This car is gonna get stolen”. There were a few crackheads hanging around the parking lot and surrounding area. I just got out of the car, went about my business and headed directly into the building. (If you’re a reader in Philly, or know Philly well - this place is near a bus/rail transfer station just north of downtown, I don’t remember street names, but I do remember the buses making that turn by the building all day long)

Fortunately, when all was said and done, the car was fine. I can’t say the same for the business owners car. His was broken into. I guess a Cadillac is a little more attractive than a Lincoln? I mean, the two cars were almost parked side by side. Although, I know I didn’t leave anything on the seats. I took my shit laptop case inside with me. I’m not sure if the owner had left anything visible in his car or not.

So, that’s my car-driving ghetto story… anyone else have a good one?

Trackback URL