***
The few people he would talk to always asked Luke how he could maintain his work hours, waking up at three in the afternoon, spending ten hours driving around the city and then going to bed at eight in the morning. How does he sleep? Does it affect his health, like his weight or his blood pressure? What about a social life?
Luke would always reply that he just does, and it's been like that since he started working as an Uber driver for the last couple of years. He still weighed the same since college, his doctor hasn't said anything at his previous physical, and his social life remains unaffected. Anyway, he liked working nights, people were more relaxed, there was less traffic and better tips.
He woke up five minutes before his alarm, as usual. Getting out of bed, he poured himself a glass of water and took his pill. After showering, Luke ate his breakfast in silence, just plain oatmeal, toast and coffee. Another ten hours of driving awaited him. Maybe he would have enough savings by the end of the year. His eyes darted to the corners of his apartment; he was tired of it and wished for a change of surroundings. But that would be next year.
Filling a travel mug with black coffee, Luke found himself looking out of the window, catching the silhouette of Central Park Tower against the receding light. It was Wednesday and deep into October; it should be a relatively quiet night. He liked formulating plans like he would work tonight, take tomorrow off and then work the nights up to Halloween. Maybe catch up on some movies; it was the spooky season, after all. He needed something involving monsters, knife-wielding maniacs, perhaps something with possession, or go old-school with a Dracula movie.
Getting into his black Audi A6, Luke took a deep breath to steady himself. He pulled down the visor and stared. A postcard of a beach with a hand coming out from the sand. He had planned to go to Uruguay after college, but that was before Nicole and like everything else, Luke just put it off for later.
He switched the engine on and pulled out, driving towards the Lincoln Tunnel.
***
The first few fares were simple, mostly from offices to Penn Station. They were mainly professionals, lawyers, accountants, and stockbrokers, and they kept to themselves, which favored Luke. The last couple were tourists, and they would always ask questions, mainly about the best places to eat. But then they would ask about him, how long he been driving for Uber, how he finds it, and what's the worst thing someone has done in his car. Luke got that they were just making small talk, but he wished it wasn't so repetitive.
It was getting dark, and Luke parked, taking a break. He went through his fares, having had twelve rides so far. He guessed that he would make around five dollars per ride. Still not getting near his goal of leaving this job behind. His phone buzzed just as Luke finished his coffee. Another ride. Talia, 4.7 rating, pick up from 48th and 10th, dropping off somewhere in the Lower East Side. It shouldn't take too long, and he was nearby. He accepted the ride and began pulling out.
Luke found Talia standing near an empty lot, facing his car as he approached her. She wore a deep dark red blazer and skirt; black tights covered her legs and what looked like six-inch open-toe shoes. It had dropped below 50, but Talia didn't seem to mind. In one hand, she gripped a black, expensive briefcase and the other a carry-on. Probably a lawyer.
He lowered his window and said, "Talia?"
"Yes."
He waited for her to climb in before asking, "Ridge Street, right?"
"Yes."
He nodded back at her and set off.
They drove for about ten minutes, and it didn't take Luke long to check her out via the rear-view mirror. It wasn't her looks that got him curious, but her behavior. But, he could admit that she was attractive, in her late twenties, with a slim body, fair pink skin, and a surprisingly busty chest that she kept hidden. Her hair was black and tied in a bun, looking like every other female lawyer Luke had picked up. If Hayley and her words about his emotional availability weren't still on his mind, he could imagine himself asking her out in another setting. Women and sex were something else Luke had been putting off for another time.
But what really caught Luke's attention as he drove was how Talia acted. Her phone wasn't glued to her hand, and she wasn't furiously typing. Instead, she just stared out of the window, looking like she was amazed by everything. Her eyes widened, and she would slip an awe-sounding moan at every other block. Her look made him think she was a tourist, but not just to New York. Luke wanted to ask where she was going, something he rarely did with any passenger.
They hit some traffic on the FDR, and Luke leaned back.
"I like this vehicle," Talia said.
He looked over his shoulder and caught her now inspecting every inch of his car. She had a half-smile on her face, giving Luke the impression that she was easily excited. Maybe she was new to the city or even to the States.
Luke then asked, "First time in New York?" and knew it was such a cliché question, and it sounded so stupid.
"No. It has been some time since I was last here."
"You here for work?"
"Correct," Talia said.
Luke waited for her to elaborate, but he just shrugged it off when she didn't. It was not his place to ask what she was doing; that's like driving 101.
"I do enjoy this automobile," she said again.
He replayed her words in his head. It sounded so old-fashioned. Her accent was also hard to place, possibly European. But it also reminded Luke of English actors doing a generic American accent. He could see himself thinking about her later tonight, trying to figure her out.
"German engineering," Luke replied, his eyes back on the road as the traffic began to let up.
"German automobiles... in America?"
He nodded and kept on driving.
"Does the vehicle belong to you?"
"It's mine. Technically it's a lease."
