Season 2 Episode 11 | 53m 58s | Video has closed captioning.
Taking the viewer into the taxi seat to experience accidents, blizzards, and the late night streets of New York City, DRIVERS WANTED reveals the impossibly eclectic community inhabiting a taxi garage in Queens, New York. Each day, a million New Yorkers depend on the anonymous faces behind the wheels, the men who tirelessly drive the city that doesn't sleep.
Aired: 02/25/14
Expired: 01/28/23
DEL TORO: The Big Apple has more than 13,000 taxicabs.
The New York cabby has become a cultural icon, but who are these drivers shuttling thousands of people across the nation's biggest city daily?
Been driving a cab since 1945.
They let me drive two days a week, and that's all I want.
DEL TORO: A diverse and colorful community is revealed.
"Drivers Wanted," on America ReFramed ♪ CROWD: Four, three, two, one!
Come on!
(crowd cheers) ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO BE HERE BETWEEN 4:30 AND 6:00, AND THE CAR HAS TO BE BROUGHT BACK BY 5:00 OR WE KICK THE (bleep) OUT OF YOU, GIVE YOU A GHETTO BEATING IN THE CORNER HERE.
YOU EVER SEEN "THE WIZARD OF OZ?"
I'M THE WIZARD BEHIND THE CURTAIN YELLING AND SCREAMING.
DON'T OPEN THE CURTAIN.
THEY'LL FIND A LITTLE OLD JEWISH GUY THERE.
(laughs) I TRY TO FIGHT THEM INTO WORKING, BUT IT'S A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY, AND YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THEM WILL NOT WORK.
NOW, BEFORE I TALK TO YOU, I WANT A $20 DEPOSIT.
FROM ME?
RIGHT NOW?
YEAH.
I WANT A $20 DEPOSIT BECAUSE I'M GONNA PUT YOU TO WORK TOMORROW.
20 BUCKS.
OKAY, I'LL BRING YOU THE RECEIPT.
OKAY, YOUR FIRST FOUR HOURS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
BY THE FIRST FOUR OR FIVE HOURS, YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR LEASE AND YOUR GAS MONEY, SO YOU CAN BE WORKING ON YOUR MONEY.
AND IF YOU'RE TIRED, AT THE END, YOU CAN SLOW UP.
IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE GONNA GO CRAZY.
(laughs) BUT YOU GOTTA BE NICE.
THE GUY THAT GIVES YOU NO TIP, DON'T GO, "AH, DROP DEAD!"
(laughs) THAT DOESN'T-- BECAUSE TIP OR NO TIP, IT'S THE END OF THE DAY THAT COUNTS.
WHEN YOU COUNT ALL OF YOUR MONEY, THAT'S WHAT COUNTS.
ONE GUY COULD GIVE YOU 10 CENTS, ANOTHER GUY GIVE YOU $10.
SO JUST RELAX.
THEY GIVE YOU 10 CENTS?
A DIME?
THEY COULD GIVE YOU ANYTHING, YOU KNOW THAT.
(laughs) A DIME?
YEAH.
I FILE BANKRUPTCY.
(laughs) I WAS OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS, ACTUALLY, MY TRUCKING BUSINESS, AND I'M BROKE NOW.
SO I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO FEED MY FAMILY, TO PAY MY BILLS AND SOMETHING.
IT'S A CRISIS.
IT'S AN ECONOMY CRISIS.
THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.
(bleep) YOU I'M BEATING YOUR BROTHER!
I'M BEATING HIS ASS!
(indistinct chatter) LISTEN, IT'S NOT WORKING.
I'VE DONE TRIED AND TRIED.
THIS THING IS STUCK.
I COME TO MY GARAGE FOUR DAYS A WEEK.
I WORK TWO.
SO HOW DO YOU EVEN GET INTO DRIVING CABS?
BY WASHING CABS.
IN 1939 RIGHT UP TO 1945.
THEN I GOT TIRED OF WASHING THE CAB, I WENT AND GOT A HACK LICENSE.
(engine starts) AND I START DRIVING A CAB.
SPIDER IS 90, SO HE DOESN'T GO OUT WHEN IT'S DARK.
AND HE DOESN'T SPEED.
HE DOESN'T GO FAST.
HE HAS ONE SPECIAL CAB THAT HE DRIVES.
THAT'S HIS NUMBER.
HE LIKES THAT ONE.
YOU GOTTA RESPECT SPIDER (laughs) (speaking foreign language) IT'S UPTOWN.
OH, DOWNTOWN.
LET'S RUN!
(laughs) RUN!
Spider: I GUESS A LOT GUYS MAY BE IN SCHOOL TODAY.
NO, I DON'T THINK SO.
WHY IS THAT?
BECAUSE THE RUMOR IS THERE'S TOO MANY CAB DRIVERS, AND SOMETIMES IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET A JOB.
Man: WHAT TYPE OF DRIVERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TODAY?
I PUSH TOWARDS THESE BLACKO LIMOUSINE DRIVERS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN MAKING A LIVING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
WE AIN'T NEVER... YOU'RE GONNA SIT IN THE CAR.
STAY HERE.
AND IF ANYONE BOTHERS YOU, TELL THEM, "TAKE A (bleep) WALK.
I'M AN OLD (bleep)," OKAY?
YOU KNOW WHAT TO SAY?
YEAH, I KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
OKAY, I'M GONNA RUN.
YOU'RE TAKING THE TAXI TEST TODAY?
YEAH.
COME WORK FOR THE BEST FLEET IN NEW YORK WHEN YOU'RE CLEAR.
WHERE YOU FROM, NEPAL?
TIBET TIBET?
YOU CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN?
NO.
I PLAN ON DOING IT LATER.
HE'S GOING TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN, LOOK AT THIS!
COME WORK FOR THE BEST FLEET.
IN BUSINESS SINCE 1938.
WE'RE RIGHT DOWN HERE.
WE'RE 5 BLOCKS FROM THE BRIDGE.
WE HAVE FREE PARKING, NO DEPOSITS, CELL, GAS.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT?
EVER DRIVE A CAB BEFORE?
NO, I DROVE A TRUCK.
TRUCK?
YOU'RE OKAY.
HERE YOU GO YOUNG LADY.
THANK YOU.
COME WORK FOR A GOOD FLEET WHEN YOU PASS.
HERE YOU GO, CHIEF.
HOW ARE YOU GONNA FIT BEHIND THE WHEEL WHEN YOU'RE SO BIG?
HOW TALL ARE YOU?
YOU SHOULD BE A BASKETBALL PLAYER, NOT A CAB DRIVER.
IF YOU PASS EVERYTHING TODAY, YOU GET YOUR LICENSE...
I COME TO YOU.
COME TO US.
MY NAME IS BOSS.
I'M STANLEY, OKAY.
OKAY, THANK YOU.
I FEEL IF I GET FOUR OR FIVE THAT COMES DOWN TO THE GARAGE, I'M WAY AHEAD OF THE GAME.
OKAY, SPIDER, LET'S GO.
YEAH, THERE REALLY-- THEY'RE REALLY BOOMING OUT HERE NOW.
I WON'T BE AROUND.
TEN YEARS FROM NOW, I DON'T EVEN KNOW-- YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE AROUND?
WHERE YOU GONNA BE?
DOWNSTAIRS.
(laughs) YOU WON'T BE DOWNSTAIRS.
YOU'LL BE AROUND.
KEEP WORKING, KEEP MOVING.
THAT'S ALL.
BEFORE HE GOT ON THE BRIDGE, HE OPENED THE DOOR.
YEAH, AND HE THREW UP.
OH (bleep).
AND ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE BRIDGE, HE TURNS TO THE PASSENGER, HE SAYS TO THE PASSENGER, "I CAN'T SEE."
OH.
SO HE SAYS-- AND THEN HE SLUMPED OVER.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
HE HAD TO FALL TO SLEEP.
NO, NO, HE DIDN'T FALL ASLEEP.
HE HAD LIKE A SEIZURE OR SOMETHING.
HE SUPPOSEDLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND HE BANGED INTO THE BRIDGE BACK AND FORTH.
YOU SAY HE PICKED UP A PASSENGER AT KENNEDY AIRPORT.
YEAH, HE SAID THIS IS THE MAN THAT WAS PICKED UP AT KENNEDY.
SO HE SAID HE'S OKAY?
YEAH, HE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED.
HE'S NOT FROM HERE, RIGHT?
NO HE'S NOT, HE'S ENGLISH.
ROLLING STOCK, THEY CALL IT.
HI, SIR.
YES.
YOU GAVE ME THAT.
OKAY, I'M LEAVING NOW.
IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK IN ABOUT AN HOUR, I'LL TALK TO YOU.
OKAY.
YEAH, I JUST GOT MY HACK LICENSE.
IF YOU MEET OUR QUALIFICATIONS, I COULD PUT YOU IN.
BEFORE WE SEND YOU OUT, WE TALK YOU FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF HERE.
YEAH, I KNOW, 55 STAN, YEAH, VERY FAMOUS.
I KNOW.
WE'RE VERY FAMOUS?
THANK YOU OKAY, I'LL BE BACK IN 45 MINUTES.
I'LL TALK TO YOU.
LET'S SEE IF HE CAN DRIVE.
I'VE BEEN DRIVING CAR SINCE 1986.
OH, GOOD, WHERE, IN THE UNITED STATES, OR?
YEAH, IN CHINA.
OKAY.
ALMOST 25 YEARS.
JOSH, HOW DO YOU LIKE THE WAY HE DRIVERS?
I'D GET IN THE CAB WITH HIM.
HE'S VERY COMFORTABLE, AT EASE, YOU SEE IT?
IN CHINA, ACTUALLY I'M A CHAUFFEUR.
I DRIVE-- OH, YEAH?
YEAH, LUXURY CAR FOR MY BOSS.
OH, YEAH?
LUXURY-- YOU MARRIED?
YEAH, I'M MARRIED.
YOUR FAMILY HERE?
YES.
HOW MANY CHILDREN?
TWO.
THAT'S ALL?
YOU GOTTA HAVE FOUR TO WORK FOR ME.
(laughs) WHAT, TWO BOYS?
YEAH, TWO BOYS.
OH MY GOD.
OOH, YOU GOT A BEAUTIFUL WIFE.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IN THIS BUSINESS TO BE A GOOD CAB DRIVER, YOU GOT TO LOOK AHEAD AND THINK AHEAD.
YOU SEE A GARBAGE TRUCK IN THE STREET, YOU DON'T GO INTO THAT STREET.
IT'LL TAKE YOU 20 MINUTES TO GET OUT OF THERE, AND TIME IS MONEY.
OKAY, ANOTHER THING.
ACCIDENTS.
YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT, DON'T PANIC.
YOU NEVER SAY, "IT'S MY FAULT, I KILLED ALL THESE PEOPLE," AND SIGN ANYTHING.
THE LESS YOU SAY, THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE.
OKAY?
SO IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, CALL US.
OKAY.
IT'S NOT EASY.
IT'S A TOUGH JOB.
AND IT'S VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE.
AND YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW THE CITY WORKS.
EVERY DAY IS A DIFFERENT DAY.
Man: DRIVER, TAKE ME TO NEWARK AIRPORT, PLEASE.
OKAY, PUSH THE BUTTON ONCE, THREE TIMES.
TWO, THREE, THAT'S IT.
THAT'S IT.
I GIVE YOU THE CASH, AND I SAY, "THANK YOU, SIR."
THANK YOU, SIR.
TAKE YOUR MONEY.
YEAH.
CHECK IT, MAKE SURE IT'S OKAY.
IT'S OKAY.
AND THEN YOU CLEAR THE METER.
CLEAR METER.
YES.
OKAY, THIS IS FOR YOU.
THANK YOU.
NOW LISTEN.
YOU NEVER LEAVE YOUR SEAT.
NOBODY TELL YOU TO HELP THE PASSENGER TAKE THEIR BAG FROM THE CAR.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
ONE GUY GO TO BROOKLYN, A YOUNG LADY IN THE CAR, SHE HAVE TWO BAGS THERE AND ONE IN THE BACK.
"DRIVER, CAN YOU HELP ME TO MY DOOR, PLEASE?"
OKAY, PULL OVER.
YOU GO OPEN THE TRUNK, TAKE THE BAG OUT, COME, SHE GO TO THE DOOR, "CAN YOU HELP ME UPSTAIRS QUICKLY?"
YOU GO UPSTAIRS, THE BOYFRIEND COME, "GIVE ME ALL THE MONEY" WOW.
GIVE ME THE MONEY.
IT'S A ROBBERY.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
BECAUSE YOU TRY TO BE A GOOD PERSON.
YOU UNDERSTAND?
I UNDERSTAND.
I KNOW MY ENGLISH IS NOT VERY WELL.
WELL, OKAY, SO DON'T BE CAUGHT IN THIS KIND OF NICENESS.
OKAY.
FOR FIVE OR TEN DOLLAR, YOUR LIFE DOESN'T WORTH THAT.
OKAY?
OKAY.
SO JUST BE CAREFUL.
MM-HMM.
AND THE TAXI OUTSIDE ON THE STREET IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.
YOU SEE A YELLOW CAB AND YOU ASK HIM TO CROSS HIM, HE'S NOT GONNA LET YOU CROSS HIM.
HE'S YOUR WORST ENEMY.
IT'S THE COMPETITION.
COMPETITION.
SO YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN OUT THERE.
UNDERSTAND?
I UNDERSTAND.
SO JUST DRIVE CAREFUL, COME BACK IN ONE PIECE.
GOOD.
GOOD LUCK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ALRIGHT, TAKE CARE NOW.
Man: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS CHRISTMAS SHOW IS JUST ABOUT TO START.
GET READY, IT'S GONNA BE EXCITING!
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!
GET READY, EVERYBODY!
Man: OKAY, GENTLEMEN, IF YOU COULD STEP IN, THESE GIRLS HAVE WORKED ON THIS THING FOR TWO MONTHS TO ENTERTAIN THE TROOPS.
HEY, SPIDER?
YES?
WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN US IF YOU CAN?
WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO ENTERTAIN EVERYBODY HERE BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.
DING DONG.
HI, MOM, WANT TO SEE MY BEAR?
WHERE'D IT GO?
UH-OH!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "WHERE DID IT GO?"
I MUST HAVE LEFT IT IN THE CAB.
HELLO?
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
DO YOU HAVE A BEAR IN ONE OF YOUR CABS?
I'M MISSING ONE.
OH, LET ME CHECK.
OH, YES, I HAVE A BEAR.
GREAT, I'LL BE THERE IN HALF AN HOUR.
MAY I HELP YOU?
DO YOU HAVE MY BEAR?
HMM, RIGHT HERE!
GREAT, THANKS!
AND THANK YOU!
AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
WOW!
THIS IS GREAT!
THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR ATTENTION.
YOU'RE WELCOME!
COME BACK AGAIN!
THIS IS MY SENIOR CITIZEN PLACE.
I AIN'T GOING TO NO SENIOR CITIZEN BUILDING TO HANG OUT.
I HANG OUT HERE.
I COME, THEY LET ME DRIVE TWO DAYS A WEEK.
THAT'S ALL I WANT.
SOMETIMES I PRETEND I DON'T FEEL LIKE TAKING THAT LONG TRIP BECAUSE I MAY PUT MYSELF TO SLEEP.
I LIKE THE TRAFFIC.
I LOVE THE TRAFFIC.
THE WORSER THE TRAFFIC GET, THE BETTER I LIKE IT.
IT KEEPS ME ALERT.
I WAS SUPPOSED TO RENEW THOSE LICENSES.
I MAY NOT RENEW THEM.
OR IF I RENEW THEM, IT'S ALRIGHT.
SHOOT, I'VE BEEN DRIVING A CAB SINCE 1945.
MY NUMBER'S 16337.
OH, DANG!
THE DUMB ONE ALWAYS GETS ME.
GENE TONY, GENE, GENE TONY, WAKE UP.
DO ME A FAVOR, GIVE IT TO THIS GUY.
HE'S SLEEPING OVER THERE SOMEPLACE.
HE PASSED OUT.
30, 40.
WHOEVER WORKS IN THIS, THIS JOB, HOLDING THE PRETZEL FOR 12 HOURS TAKES ALL THE JUICE OUT OF YOU, NO MATTER HOW STRONG YOU ARE.
YOU GOTTA KEEP EATING RIGHT.
YOU GOTTA KEEP TREATING YOURSELF GOOD.
YOU GOTTA EXERCISE A LITTLE BIT, KEEP YOURSELF IN SHAPE.
OTHERWISE, "OH, PLAN, I'LL DRIVE A CAB FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, I'LL MAKE 35 TO 40 THOUSAND DOLLAR A YEAR, I SAVE THIS."
YOU CAN'T PLAN THIS, IF YOU GET SICK, IT'S OVER.
NO SECRETS.
NO SECRETS.
BUT IT'S STILL A WAY TO MAKE A LIVING, YOU KNOW?
SO...
IT'S ONE WAY OF SURVIVING.
YEAH, WHAT'S UP?
WHO'S MERCEDES IS THAT?
IT'S A NEW DRIVER.
A NEW DRIVER?
YEAH, HE'S--I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT JOB HE HAD BEFORE.
RIGHT.
OH, SO IT'S ACTUALLY A DRIVER WHO OWNS THAT.
WOW!
IMPRESSIVE.
SEE YOU GUYS LATER, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
(man speaking indistinctly on radio) HAVE DRIVER'S LICENSE?
DON'T RUSH.
WE DON'T EXPECT TO EARN MONEY VERY FIRST DAY.
DRIVE SAFELY, OKAY?
OKAY.
Stanley: LET'S GO, LET'S GO.
COME ON.
HOLA, SEñOR.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I THOUGHT YOU WERE LEAVING.
I'M LEAVING THIS FRIDAY.
MAYBE YOU'LL LEAVE A LITTLE EARLY, WE'LL SEE.
HEY, HOW ARE YOU DOING, STANLEY?
DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME.
WHAT?
YOU TOOK OFF YESTERDAY?
I WAS SICK!
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?
I BELIEVE YOU, BUT DON'T TELL ME-- DON'T TELL ME YOU DON'T WANNA WORK.
(both shouting) REALLY, I WAS SICK!
I BELIEVE YOU.
I WAS IN BAD SHAPE.
YEAH, IT'S A MIRACLE.
THANK YOU, GOD!
VERY COMFORTABLE.
VERY COMFORTABLE, HAVE A JOB.
(chuckles) I HAVE CONFIDENCE, DRIVE SAFELY.
HI, GOOD MORNING.
MR. STAN.
OH, BOY!
YOU'RE HERE EARLY THIS MORNING.
HALLELUJAH!
FIRST DAY.
I WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE FOR MY-- FOR MY--THE CAB.
A YELLOW TAXI.
(chuckles) ONE OF THOSE GUYS WORKING FOR ME OVER 25 YEARS.
HAVE A NICE DAY.
FEEL GOOD.
Stan: IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR HERE.
THIS IS NOT THE GREATEST JOB IN THE WORLD.
BECAUSE OF THE RECESSION, WE'RE BEING HELPED A LOT.
PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK.
SOME OF THESE FELLAS COME IN HERE, THEY HATE THIS JOB ALL I HAVE TO DO IS BLINK AT THEM AND THEY TAKE OFF.
I'M TELLING YOU.
THEY JUST DON'T LIKE THIS.
THIS IS A TOUGH JOB.
IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB.
HEY, MY FRIEND, DON'T PLAY GAMES HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!
YOU WANT TO PLAY GAMES HERE?
YOU'RE PLAYING WITH THE WRONG GUY.
YOU'RE PLAYING WITH THE WRONG PERSON!
YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THE WRONG PERSON!
NOW STEP ASIDE, LET'S GO.
HOW YOU DOING?
HI, GOOD MORNING SIR.
GONNA GO TO GRAND CENTRAL STATION.
GRAND CENTRAL STATION.
OKAY.
SIR, IT'S MY FIRST DAY.
TO COME TO GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL... OH, YEAH?
YEAH, WHICH AVENUE SHOULD I PARK?
VANDERBILT OR... OR 42ND?
YOU SHOULD JUST PULL OVER ON THE RIGHT.
OKAY.
JUST AFTER THIS TRUCK, 'CAUSE YOU CAN'T STOP UNDER THAT BRIDGE.
OKAY.
OR ELSE THE POLICE WILL...
OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
RIGHT HERE IS FINE.
OKAY.
YOU DON'T WANT TO STOP UNDER THAT BRIDGE, HERE IS FINE?
YEAH.
OKAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I GOTTA USE A CARD.
OKAY.
I THINK YOU NEED TO HIT THE THING.
OKAY.
OH, SORRY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
HAVE A GOOD DAY.
THANK YOU.
IT DIDN'T COME OUT.
THE PRINT.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE-- WHAT SHOULD I DO?
(telephone rings) Stan: TAXI.
HELLO?
GOOD MORNING.
THIS IS ERIC YIN, THE NEW DRIVER, THE FIRST DAY.
HOW ARE YOU?
YEAH.
I HAVE A QUESTION.
I HAVE A CREDIT CARD FARE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRINT.
OH, GOD, HOLD ON, PLEASE.
HOLD ON, I'LL GET YOU SOMEONE TO HELP YOU.
OKAY?
OKAY.
WHO'S HERE?
WHICH MECHANIC?
PICK UP THE PHONE.
I GOT A GUY IN TROUBLE.
SEE IF YOU CAN HELP HIM.
HELLO?
HEY.
PRESS "TIME OFF."
OH, TIME OFF.
YEAH.
AND PRINT.
OH.
(receipt printing) OH, IT'S THE U.N. GOOD-BYE, BOYS.
THAT'S IT, LAST CAR.
SPIDER'S CAR.
YEAH, YOU GOT THE LAST ONE.
ALL RIGHT.
I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
HE DIDN'T SAY A WORD.
HE SAYS YOU'RE NOT COMING.
ME?
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT HE TOLD ME.
WHO TOLD YOU, MOHAMMED?
YEAH.
HE SAID, "COME IN, COME IN, COME IN."
AH.
IT'S CRAZY.
SO THERE IS NO CAR OR WHAT?
OKAY, I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW THEN.
SO MONDAY WILL BE YOUR DAY OFF.
SO I'LL GIVE YOU THE REST OF THE WEEK.
THEN YOU HAVE TO BORROW ME SOME MONEY.
I DON'T HAVE MONEY, GIVE ME 20.
I'LL GIVE YOU TOMORROW.
I NEED MONEY, I DON'T-- I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO WORK.
SO I DIDN'T BRING MONEY.
20 WILL DO, I TAKE THE-- (laughs) I GOTTA LOAN HIM 20 DOLLARS.
GET OUT OF HERE.
I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
GET HERE EARLY, OR I'LL SHOOT YOU!
YOU OKAY?
YOU STRAIGHTEN YOURSELF-- SO MONDAY WILL BE YOUR DAY OFF.
OKAY?
NO PROBLEM.
YOU'LL WORK FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS, THEN YOU'LL TAKE ME TO DUBAI.
(laughs) DUBAI, EH?
OKAY, THANK YOU, SIR.
OKAY.
IF THEY'RE BROKE, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
"HEY, I NEED MONEY TO START."
THEN I KNOW HE'S...
IF HE BEATS ME FOR 20, WHAT AM I GONNA DO?
THAT'S THE GAME, BUT HE WON'T.
I'M NOT WORRIED.
THAT, I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT.
THEY'RE ALL VERY FAIR, VERY HONEST.
THEY DON'T PINCH YOU.
I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
YES.
I MEAN, I CAN JUST PAY IT AND FORGET ABOUT IT.
NO, BUT JERRY'S SAYING YOU CAN'T JUST SUBMIT A CHECK.
YOU HAVE TO APPEAR IN COURT, EVEN IF YOU PLEAD GUILTY.
HE TOLD ME THAT I JUST SEND IT IN TO THE ADDRESS.
WHO?
THE POLICE.
I KNOW, BUT THE POLICE OFFICER DOESN'T ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH.
THEY ALWAYS LIE, THEY DON'T TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
YOU DON'T WANT TO ACCUMULATE TOO MANY POINTS.
YEAH, OKAY, SO THAT'S FIVE POINTS.
YEAH, THAT'S GETTING CLOSE.
I THINK I CAN DRIVE WITHOUT GETTING-- I KNOW, BUT THERE'S TRAPS ALL OVER THE CITY.
SO YOU DON'T WANT TO GET YOURSELF TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE.
IF IT WORKS OUT, LIKE, THAT I GET POINTS, THE HECK WITH IT.
Stan: RICHARD PICK UP.
RICHARD ON ONE, RICHARD-- OKAY, WELL, THINK ABOUT IT, THAT'S WHAT I SUGGEST.
YOU THINK IT OVER.
I'M NOT GONNA THINK ABOUT IT.
OKAY.
OKAY.
I'M GONNA SEND IT IN, PLEAD GUILTY, AND I'M GONNA BE DONE WITH THIS, THAT'S ALL.
OKAY, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU FEEL LIKE IT, THAT'S YOUR CHOICE.
YEAH.
THAT'S FINE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
OKAY, TAKE CARE.
I DON'T KNOW, 30, 40 YEARS MAYBE HE'S DRIVING CABS.
AND THEN, HE DOESN'T REALLY MAKE MUCH MONEY.
BUT THAT'S THE ONLY THING HE CAN DO.
BUT, YOU SEE, YOU CAN-- RICHARD'S A LAWYER.
AND I'VE BEEN IN CAB BUSINESS FOR 38 YEARS.
YOU COULDN'T CONVINCE HIM, I WOULD EVEN HELP HIM OUT.
I WOULD EVEN PAY HIS LAWYER'S FEE.
BUT YOU SEE HOW HE SAYS, HE JUST WANT TO GET OVER WITH, HE JUST WANT TO PAY.
EVEN WE SAID THEY'LL SUSPEND HIM FOR 30 DAYS, HE SAY, "OKAY, I'LL TAKE VACATION 30 DAYS."
HE'S ANOTHER KIND.
I COME BACK.
Woman: SO HOW DO YOU FEEL?
I'M VERY HUNGRY.
ME TOO!
OH, WHO'S THAT?
I LIKE DRIVING IN THE TOWN.
I LIKE MAN-- MANHATTAN.
Boy: COULD YOU SHAKE THE CAMERA A LITTLE?
OH NO!
(both screaming) Boy: HAITI IS SAVED!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED YEAH!
(children shouting boisterously) YEAH, RAIN OR SHINE, WE GONNA GO!
YOU KNOW, RAIN OR SHINE OR SNOW, WE'LL BE THERE, SERVING THE PEOPLE.
NOW IT'S--MANHATTAN IS NO VISIBILITY AT ALL.
THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK.
IT'S TOUGH, AND HARDLY ANYBODY'S OUT THERE UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY STUPID.
(laughs) I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO GET MYSELF IN TROUBLE.
BUT I'M GONNA TAKE IT EASY, THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
NO, THE SNOW IS TOO STRONG.
I CANNOT DRIVE.
WELL, IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULDN'T PUSH YOURSELF, YOU DON'T.
YEAH, YEAH.
YOU DON'T.
I KNOW.
I TRIED TO STAY IN MANHATTAN.
THE REST OF THE BOROUGHS ARE, YOU KNOW, TOO ICY.
THEY'LL WANT YOU TO GO DOWN A SIDE STREET, THAT'S ALL ICED UP, THAT WASN'T CLEANED.
I ALWAYS TELL THEM, "FORGET IT."
TRY AND STOP, BUT I'M NOT GETTING KILLED.
AM I RIGHT OR WRONG?
HMM.
254?
WHERE IS IT?
2J19.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M GOING.
WHERE IS 2J19?
I BETTER GO TO DANNY.
I GIVE UP.
WHERE IS THE CAR?
IT'S RIGHT THERE!
WHAT DID HE SAY, RIGHT THERE?
GOOD LUCK!
YEAH, I'LL NEED IT.
I HOPE IT STOPS!
Spider: I BELIEVE THIS CAR NEED GAS.
THE CAR IS FULL, MAN, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
YEAH?
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU EYES?
OH, YEAH, IT'S FULL.
(laughs) THAT GARAGE WHERE I'M AT, EVERYBODY IN THERE FROM EVERYWHERE.
FROM EVERYWHERE!
THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER RIGHT OFFHAND, BUT THEY GETS ALONG.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE RESPECT FOR ALL THE RACES.
Man: BUT COMPARED TO FLORIDA, YOU FELT NEW YORK TO BE A LOT BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?
I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT.
I FELT THIS WAY.
I GOT TIRED OF BEING CALLED (bleep), AND I GOT TIRED OF USING THE WORDS, ON THE WHITE MAN, "CRACKER."
IT'S GOOD I CAME TO NEW YORK CITY.
MY WIFE IS 72 YEARS OLD NOW.
SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NEW YORK CITY, BUT IT DIDN'T AFFECT THEM, LIKE IT AFFECT A REAL SOUTHERN-BORN BLACK PERSON.
TWO SIDES EVERYWHERE.
WHITE AND COLORED.
THEY DIDN'T SAY WHITE AND BLACK.
THEY SAY WHITE AND COLORED.
COLORED PEOPLES OR NEGRO PEOPLES.
MAN, I'M TIRED OF THINKING ABOUT THAT KIND OF STUFF.
OH, GOSH, I HOPE THAT-- I HOPE THE NEXT 20 YEARS, PEOPLE EVEN FORGOT ABOUT ALL THAT.
I PICK UP TWO PEOPLE FROM 6TH AVENUE, RIGHT?
THE FIRST THING THEY SAID, "MY FRIEND, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE OUT NOW.
AND IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A PEEK IN THE MIRROR, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHARGE-- YOU HAVE TO GIVE US DISCOUNT."
THEY'RE GOING TO FOREST HILLS.
I PULL THE MIRROR DOWN AND I SAY, "LISTEN, FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO NOTHING IN MY CAR, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A MOTEL.
SECOND OF ALL, THERE IS NOTHING ON YOU THAT I DIDN'T SEE IT BEFORE.
I'VE BEEN MARRIED THREE TIMES BEFORE.
EVERYTHING IN YOU, I SAW IT MANY TIMES, ALRIGHT?
YOU'RE GOING HOME.
WHAT IS THE REASON THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE OUT IN MY CAR?
YOU'RE GOING HOME, MAKE OUT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, HOME.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE OUT?
SOMETHING FANCY ABOUT MY TAXI?"
(laughs) THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OKAY, THANK YOU.
Woman: YEAH, LIKE IF YOU'RE WEARING A ALL RED-DRESS, YOU CLEARLY ARE LIKE, "(bleep) ME TONIGHT."
Woman: (laughs) RED AND BACKLESS.
THERE IT IS.
THEN YOU'RE LIKE BEND ME OVER.
YOUR LEGS MIGHT AS WELL BE OPEN.
EXACTLY.
(laughs) (cheers) TRAIN STATION.
6 TRAIN.
TRAIN STATION?
I WANT TO GO TO THE TRAIN STATION!
OKAY, OKAY.
TRAIN STATION, MEANS-- TRAIN STATION.
IT MEANS TRAIN STATION.
IS PENN STATION?
RIGHT HERE.
OKAY.
THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH.
GOOD?
OKAY.
OKAY.
OKAY?
SIR, SIR, SIR!
DO YOU WANT TO PAY?
HUH?
DO YOU WANT TO PAY?
NO, I'M NOT GONNA PAY.
WHY, SIR?
BECAUSE I SAID I'M NOT GONNA PAY.
(door closes) HE REFUSED TO PAY.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
GOING TO ASTORIA.
ASTORIA?
QUEENS?
AS A CAB DRIVER, SOMETIMES WE TAKE OUR JOB TOO PERSONAL.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU TAKE IT TOO PERSONALLY, YOU THINK ALL THE PASSENGERS ARE JERKS AND THEY LOOK DOWN ON YOU, NO.
I THINK MOST PEOPLE, THEY JUST WANT TO GET TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING, YOU KNOW?
I MET THIS GUY WHO GAVE ME HIS BUSINESS CARD.
HE ASK ME TO SEND HIM MY RESUME, AND I SENT IT.
AND HE FORWARD IT, AND HE RESPONDED.
HE FORWARD IT TO THE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE I'M A COMPUTER ENGINEER, I FINISHED.
I'M LOOKING FOR JOB NOW.
DRIVER B: I'M NOT THERE YET.
MAYBE I GOT THAT WALL.
(laughs) CLOSE THE PARTITION.
I DON'T TALK TOO MUCH.
YEAH, WELL.
95% OF THE TIME, I HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE IN THE CAB, WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY GIVE ME TEN DOLLARS, FIVE DOLLARS, TEN DOLLARS, FIVE DOLLARS.
I'M THE OPPOSITE.
I'VE GOT BETTER TIPS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO I DIDN'T HAVE A CONVERSATION.
LIKE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE TEN DOLLAR, FIVE DOLLARS, IT'S LIKE COMPLETELY SURPRISES ME.
USUALLY WHEN THEY SPEAK TO YOU AND THEY SEE THAT YOUR ENGLISH IS CLEAR, YOU KNOW, THEY'LL BE LIKE, "OH, WOW, YOU ARE-- YOU ARE UNUSUAL," LIKE YOU KNOW?
WHAT YOU JUST SAID, I GET THAT.
YEAH, YOU SEE?
"YOU SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH," LIKE, I WAS BORN HERE, YOU KNOW, I'M FROM QUEENS, AND THEN THEY GO, "A LOT OF CAB DRIVERS, YOU KNOW, THEY ALL FOREIGN."
I'M LIKE, "I DON'T LIKE TO GET INTO ALL THAT."
YEAH, YOU SEE?
Spider: THE YARD IS OVERLOADED.
THEY'RE MOVING SLOW.
THERE'S ANOTHER CAR GOTTA GO IN THE SHOP.
DR. EMAD, DR. EMAD, NEEDED FOR SURGERY, DR. EMAD.
♪ EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIMES ♪ YES, SIR?
I WANT TO TAKE OFF TOMORROW.
TAKE OFF TOMORROW?
WHY?
WHY?
I GOTTA GO SOMEWHERE WITH MY WIFE.
OH, YEAH?
OH, IS SHE LOOKING GOOD?
(laughs) OKAY, I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
AND GOD BLESS.
JERRY.
WHAT'S THAT?
THE LICENSE.
HACK LICENSE?
SO YOU GOT YOUR LICENSE?
NO MORE AFTER THIS!
DID YOU GO SEE YOUR WIFE?
OH, SHE'S ALL RIGHT.
SHE--SHE--SHE ACT LIKE SHE AIN'T EVER BEEN SICK.
DID YOU HAVE ANY INTIMACY?
YOU SAID YOU WERE GONNA ASK.
WELL, I'M--I'M GONNA TALK WITH HER MAYBE-- NO, YOU SAID YOU WERE GONNA ASK HER IF YOU COULD-- WELL, I AIN'T ASKED HER YET.
I GOTTA BUILD UP MYSELF.
YOU SHOULD APPROACH HER IN A NICE WAY, TAKE HER FLOWERS-- I DON'T FLOWERS.
TOO MANY PEOPLE BUY FLOWERS AT FUNERALS.
NO-- I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT-- STANLEY BUYS FLOWERS EVERY WEEK FOR HIS WIFE.
THAT'S WY STANLEY'S GOING BA-BOOM.
THERE'S TWO THINGS WILL EXCITE A MAN.
YEAH.
HIS MONEY... YEAH.
AND HIS HEART AND A WOMAN.
SO YOU HAVE ALL THREE OF THEM.
SEE?
HE THINK ABOUT HIS MONEY, HE'S SO EXCITED.
THEN HE THINK ABOUT HIS HEART BECAUSE HE GOT HIS MONEY.
THEN HE THINK ABOUT THE WOMAN, THEN EVERYTHING QUIT.
THE HEART STOPS, AND WHERE'D THE MONEY GO?
SHE GOT IT.
(laughs) AIN'T THAT RIGHT, CANDY?
BUT I'M HAPPY.
BEAUTIFUL BUNCH OF PEOPLES HERE.
YEAH.
(laughs) I'M GOING DOWNSTAIRS!
(muttering indistinctly) Woman: (whispers) DO YOU THINK HE KNOW WHERE HE'S GOING?
Man (whispers): I THINK HE'S A NEW DRIVER.
(loudly) YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE A RIGHT BACK THERE.
DO YOU--DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING?
BQE... (whispers) WHY DOESN'T HE HAVE GPS?
BQE.
WHERE IS THE BQE?
BQE WEST.
WHERE IS-- WE'RE ON-- BQE HERE... ALL RIGHT, YOU GOT ABOUT $60.
OKAY, $98.47.
I GOT TO PAY $98?
$98.47, YEAH.
OKAY.
(laughs) (laughs) NO.
(shower running) (laughter) ALL THOSE COOKIES ARE JUNK FOOD.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
(laughs) WHAT IS THIS?
HMM?
CAKE.
CAKE.
CAKE.
HALLELUJAH, BROTHER.
MAN, THAT RAIN COME DOWN.
THEY DID WELL LAST NIGHT.
THEY DID?
YEAH, THEY DID WELL.
THE RAILROAD WAS OUT, LONG ISLAND RAILROAD.
OH, YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.
SO WE SHOULD HAVE A DECENT CROWD TODAY.
BUT THE TROUBLE IS I'M A LITTLE TOO SELECTIVE.
OKAY, YOU JUMP BEHIND THE WHEEL.
YOU HERE FOR THE TAXI TEST?
YOU HERE FOR THE TAXI TEST, MY FRIEND?
HERE, COME WORK FOR A GOOD GARAGE.
HOW LONG YOU BEEN DRIVING IN NEW YORK?
ALMOST SIX MONTHS.
OH, GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
(laughs) SIX MONTHS.
(laughs) GOOD LUCK.
HALLELUJAH!
HERE WE GO!
COME WORK FOR THE BEST GARAGE IN THE CITY WHEN YOU PASS.
WHEN YOU DRIVE A CAB, BRING YOUR SEAT BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SEATS ARE PUSHED DOWN.
YOU NEED A SEAT.
HERE WE GO.
COME ON, YOUNG MAN.
HEY, YOU'RE A BIG GUY.
I GOT A CAR THAT FITS YOU.
OH, YOU NEED A SPECIAL CAR.
HOW YOU GONNA GET IN THE CAR?
DON'T FORGET, WE HAVE THE BEST FLEET, THE BEST CARS.
COME WORK FOR US WHEN YOU PASS.
IN FACT, I HAVE A SPECIAL BATHROOM FOR LADIES.
YOU TAKING THE TEST?
COME ON, COME WORK FOR A GOOD FLEET.
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST JOB?
I TRADED MORTGAGE SECURITIES.
HEAR THAT?
HEY, BOSS, HOW ARE YOU?
HERE'S THE BOSS.
(laughs) YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAD?
WE HAD AN ARCHITECT.
HE DESIGNED SOME OF THE SKYSCRAPERS.
AND NOW HE'S DRIVING A CAB?
VERY, VERY GOOD.
YOU KNOW, MERRILL LYNCH.
LEHMAN BROTHERS.
ALL THEIR CLIENTS ARE GONE.
TAXI DRIVERS-- BETWEEN YOU AND I, WE'RE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN THEY EVER MADE BEFORE.
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.
LET'S GO.
OKAY.
WE GOT A NICE CLASS OVER THERE.
THE ARCHITECT WAS VERY QUIET.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT HIM.
VERY LAID-BACK.
THE MUSICIAN WENT CRAZY.
HE WANTS TO COME IMMEDIATELY.
HERE'S AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER.
HOW LONG YOU DRIVING IN NEW YORK, BUDDY?
SINCE 1945.
THAT'S ALL?
AIN'T THAT LONG ENOUGH?
YOU MADE IT.
(laughs) BEEN UNDER THEM WHEELS A LONG TIME.
'45.
THAT'S IT.
WE'RE HOME.
A BEAUTIFUL NAME, NEW YORK CITY TAXI.
THAT'S THE WAY TO SAY IT.
THAT'S IT, FOLKS, THIS IS IT.
GOODBYE.
NEW YORK CITY TAXI!
♪ ♪
