COLUMBIA, Mo.—The door opens to a yellow minivan, dim lights overhead and a man looking out in the distance. Gray hair and blue eyes that shine in the darkness can be seen in his profile—but nothing more. His name is unknown, his whole face is unseen and his thoughts are unheard. All of this yields an average ride to some place. Maybe he says a story here and there, but it adds nothing more than a semi-unusual flare to a quick drive.

 

Clyde James has been driving taxis for 40 years in Columbia, Mo., and with that has come a plethora of untold stories. Taxi drivers sit in a vehicle that opens and closes story after story, each one stacking next to and on top of each other. And some have stuck with James during his time as a veteran driver.

 

“Most people are nice—don’t have any problems with them,” James said. “But every now and then, you do.”

 

A common problem is people, often drunk and belligerent, who run off and don’t pay their fee.

 

James recalled a time when a man claimed that his mother died and said he was going to get money when he was dropped off at his friends. The man left without paying and was never tracked down.

 

“I don’t even think his mom passed away,” he said. “People will tell you anything.”

 

Through his experience, James has gained an intuition about who is not going to pay, and he now takes action on his suspicions.

 

“I’m not fooling with them,” he said. “Give me the money, or I’m bye, bye. I’m gone.”

 

Some customers have even tried to barter with him instead of paying, such as with soda or marijuana.

 

James has even had to go to the degree of refusing service, such as when he picked up someone from where he said is a sketchy part of town.

 

“I said, ‘If I don’t get $45 upfront, then get out of my cab.’”

 

But James has dealt with more than runaways—he has also encountered dangerous situations, ranging from drug dealers to violent customers.

 

A pugnacious customer once kicked James in the back of the head, but he has encountered even worse. James says that he was transporting a man whom he later found out was a murderer. James was to be a witness at the murderer’s trial to verify his whereabouts, but the man pleaded guilty, and no witness was necessary.

 

And customers have even made attacks on James’ character.

 

“I’ve had people call me trash, white trash and a low-life for driving a cab,” he said. “Well, I don’t think I’m trash.”

 

James recalled a particular group of people who humiliated him.

 

“They treated me like dirt,” he said. “Just because they got a lot of money doesn’t mean they’re any better than I am.”

 

But James’ time on the job is mostly positive, and during his years at Taxi Terry’s, he has become a well-known and appreciated driver. Customers have even been known to request him and have him do funny things for them.

 

“People like dirty songs,” he said, “especially when they’re drunk.”

 

Most people like James’ songs, either explicit or clean. Customers have even requested that James swear for a $100 tip.

 

“I couldn’t stop with the cuss words,” James said with a laugh.

 

But for James, what it comes down to is one thing: tips.

 

“Getting tips is always fun,” James says. “Tips make the night because we all thrive on tips.”

 

So the customer leaves a tip, opens the door and steps out into the night. Silence falls back upon the taxi, a story may or may not stick with James, and then he drives away, awaiting the next call.