What Celebrity Would You Want to Drive?
by Marian Lorraine
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We would love to have dead Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham in our cab so that we could crank up "Whole Lotta' Love" and watch him air-drum it to perfection. And then we would retire.
ABYGAV
Where I hailed him: LES
Where he hails from: Russia
Years as a cabbie: 8
Previous profession: Bike messenger
Can you speak Russian? I don't understand English. Oh well. I will try to answer your question. I don't like any celebrities, although once I drove the son of Kennedy somewhere. Also, Monica Lewinsky. But my dream would be to drive Philip Kirkorov. I would have so many questions for him. You have the internet? Type his name there. He is a famous Russian musician.
MEHER
Where I hailed him: Union Square
Where he hails from: Bangladesh
Years as a cabbie: 7
Previous profession: Jeweler
I'm not interested in famous people. Maybe even there have been famous people in here and I didn't know them. If I had to pick someone to meet, then I pick President Obama. I know he doesn't take taxis, but I would like to meet him. I think he has done a lot of good things and that he is an inspiration.
KEVIN
Where I hailed him: Port Authority
Where he hails from: Queens
Years as a cabbie: 5
Previous profession: "What, are you from the government or something?"
Angelina Jolie, for obvious reasons. Actually, no. That's too obvious. Make it Bill Gates. Why? Because he's rich! He's the richest guy in the world. Just imagine the tips he could pull out. If I had $1 trillion like him, I'd tip everyone at least $1,000. For anything. Yeah, and then when he gets out I'd be like, 'Hey, Gates! Check out my iPod!'
ACHMED
Where I hailed him: Union Square
Where he hails from: Egypt
Years as a cabbie: 3
Previous profession: Lawyer
I want to drive you! You look like a celebrity. No, I never got anyone famous. Oh, you know who I want to drive? George Bush. Yes, I would take him to the Brooklyn Bridge and push him out. Haha.
BRAHMIN
Where I hailed him: Upper West Side
Where he hails from: Japan
Years as a cabbie: 2
Previous profession: Soccer referee
I drove one lady, a famous soprano named Cheryl Marshal. She is a beautiful lady. [He takes her newspaper clipping from his glove compartment and shows me] See? She is lovely. I would drive her anywhere, all day. Also, I drove Bill Clinton. I would like to see him again.
