Midnight Taxi

But you know why everyone hates cabs, right?

They don't.

Yeah, cabbies that drone on and on about their politics.

And what's wrong with immigrants and how they

An old dying breed.

Yeah, and fares that are twice as costly as a ride share.

That are wholly unregulated.

You could be getting into Jack the Ripper's hybrid hatchback and be none the wiser.

Perhaps regulations could be created if the taxi lobby wasn't

Who protect drivers like me, who study and train for three years to pass the Knowledge.

Drivers who are registered and screened, whose vehicles are up to stringent codes.

Yeah, who are trying to resist the progression of technology.

I have nothing against technology.

You keep a handwritten log book like it's 1985!

So I'm being vilified for record keeping now!

I swear Eddie, these rides are far more engaging than all my colleagues combined.

Perhaps I should interview you for my next article.

The slow but inevitable death of the taxi industry. Yeah.

Better hurry up on that one before your paper folds eh.

Touché.

So why are we off south tonight?

Birthday drinks for my niece.

Can only wriggle out of so many of these things.

Where to?

I want to go to the National Theatre please.

I'm sorry, can you put your seat belts on?

Yes, sorry.

They're quiet these new cabs, aren't they?

White Hart Lane, N17, please.

Yeah, sure, no worries.

Cuppa?

Those neighbours of yours still doing renovations, eh?

They are, it's hell.

You could always drive some days and get some rest, you know, mate?

Too many people in too much of a hurry.

Right, yeah, I forgot you're a hermit.

So how's this old wagon doing?

Do we have to do this every time.

Do what?

Excuse me for trying to help out an old friend.

But I just got a garage next to mine for a bloody steal.

And there's space for a second car and I'm offering you more money for less work.

Tempting offer, I admit.

I'm my own boss.

I can drive a car that I like.

I like driving a cab.

I can choose the kind of customers I want to pick up and the riff raff I don't

I don't mind who I drive as long as they pay.

I can listen to music if I like

Never had a musical ear.

No fleet manager looking over my shoulder

I don't rent the cab.

Not all of us were lucky enough to own ours.

Shit, I didn't mean.

If it wasn't for Steve, I wouldn't even have a job.

Steve's cab, this lifestyle, it's enough for me.

Let's just leave it at that, all right?

Alright. I'll drop it for now.

But the offer's always there.

So how's Steve's little girl getting on.

Yeah, Rachel's doing well. Still on her course.

She's got a job bar tending at JJ's three nights a week.

JJ's?

Steve would be rolling his grave if he'd been buried.

I know.

Pick her up after her shifts.

That's real good of you, mate, looking out for them.

Yeah, well.

Alright, well, I better get up to the old junkyard for the night.

Surely with all the money you're rolling in, you can afford to park in a nicer place.

Didn't you hear? I've got two garages up there now, mate.

Practically a mogul!

Yeah of the only real estate in London even the foxes avoid!

Listen, you take care, mate, and get some sleep.

See you around.

All right, be lucky.

Hello?

Miss?

You all right?

Hello… I'm with a woman-there's blood all over her stomach she's not moving.

I think she might be… I don't know if she's… what?

Yeah, okay…

No, no, no, no, she's not.

W- What do I do?

And she's cold… she's cold.

Lets take a look at prostitutes in the area, see if anyone is missing

I don't think we need to keep the cabbie any longer?

Yeah, he can go.

Right, Mr. Carter, call us if you manage to remember anything else.

Try to get some sleep.

Need some company?

Quite the opposite, actually.

Rough night?

Yeah, me too.

Had to sit through the most boring three hour dinner with a client.

Only just ended.

Sounds fun.

Chin up Eddie, there is always tomorrow.

Not interrupting something, am I?

I mean, I'm all for you having a real life friend.

But I'd prefer not to know about any of your antics.

Trust me, no antics here.

Still more than I wanna know.

You think you might be taking on too much?

No.

You alright?

Just bloody knackered is all.

Between lectures, coursework, and this night job, I just worry

Don't.

Got any plans for the weekend?

Not really.

None of your course mates having a night out or anything?

No idea.

What about any of your old school friends?

You haven't mentioned them in a while.

They're all away for uni.

- What about- - Can we just not do this, please?

Do what?

This game where you pretend to be my dad or whatever.

Look, if you're struggling for money or something

You're probably the last person who should be trying to give financial advice, don't you think?

I'm sorry, it's been a long night, I didn't mean

It's alright.

I hope they have the drinks lined up.

I hope they have the drinks ready.

Slutty bitch.

Yes mate.

Northumberland Park.

Tottenham, yeah?

Isn't another.

But seriously though mate, you do know where you're going, right?

I am a cab driver, so…

I'm just saying, I mean, there's back doubles and there's taking a long way around, you know?

Can drop you off here if you like.

No, no, no, you're all right, mate, you're all right.

Oi!

Get back here, thieving bastard, I'm calling the police and

Yeah?

You're calling the police, yeah?

You wanna go over a 40 quid fare?

I'm calling the police.

The police don't give a shit about you and your fucking fares.

I could cut you open right here.

Ain't no one gonna care about some piece of shit cabbie.

Fuck off.

So I pulled over to follow him, and when I confronted the passenger, he pulled a knife on me.

Great advice for the future, but I'm trying to report something that actually happened.

I don't give report a damn about to your bloody online portal!

I'm out a hefty fare and lost half a night's work because someone pulled a bloody knife on me.

Fuck's sake.

Rough Night.

- You're calling the police, yeah?

Need some company?

The slow but inevitable death.

I could cut you open.

Slutty bitch.

No no no no no no

Hello, Detective Coleman, please.

One moment, please hold.

Blomfield, got a minute?

I was in the neighbourhood and wanted to ask you something about your work.

I just need a few minutes.

We can walk to my cab, I'll give you a lift on me.

Is about my last article?

No, no, more of a broad question about how you write a piece.

Thinking of a career change after our last ride?

I don't think leaving your dying industry for mine would be an improvement.

No, just, if you thought there was a story, but you weren't sure, how do you start?

The first step is always to do research, talk to friends, Google, collect information, what's this about anyway?

You overhear something in your cab?

No, I just… I came across a crime scene the other night and I just... I don't know.

Are you all right, Eddie?

I was taking a break a week ago in the cab and when I woke up, there was

this woman, this body.

I didn't see anyone but the police.

What, you found a body and you called the police?

Then you did everything you could.

But you're still thinking about it.

There's been nothing in the paper.

She was a sex worker and so odds police are solving the case…

Well, speaking as a journalist, the only advice I would give you is try and get some rest.

But as a friend, maybe I can make a phone call

and see what progress the police have made.

No promises, of course.

Call me or email me instead of stalking my offices.

The only condition is if we find something worthwhile, I want your exclusive rights.

I could do with another book under my belt.

Now where's this cab of yours?

Good evening.

Can I help you with something?

I was hoping I could ask you a few questions.

Yeah, no. I don't do questions from cabbies or anyone for laughs.

I was just wondering if you knew a girl, a woman like yourself,

that went missing a week or so ago.

Piss off.

There was a body and- - Seriously, you need to get the fuck away from me.

I, I was just

Am I late?