The Smaller The Town, The More Concentrated The Crazy

I drive for a popular rideshare app in a town of 55,000 people. Tonight, I get one ride that leads me to a golf course to pick someone up. Once I get near, I receive an automated phishing text with the usual florid language and bad grammar asking for my credentials to send a huge payment. Not being an idiot, I instead send the local police department number and cancel the ride. I figure at least it’s the weirdest thing that will happen to me tonight.

My next pickup seems normal enough until she texts asking if I can pick her up in the alley. That’s not too unusual for this city and housing layouts. When I arrive to pick her up, she is hiding behind a large trash bin… pantsless.

I am thinking surely this can’t be my rider… but no… it is. Unfortunately for me, I have a sense of chivalry and don’t want to leave her there cowering in the dark half-naked. I drive her home. I’m fairly certain she is on meth. She keeps complaining about her lazy husband not wanting to come to pick her up.

I’m so glad I carry disinfectant with me.