Chapter 10 taxi
There is a biographer in the United States named Studs Terkel (Studs Terkel).He does not write with a pen, but with a tape recorder.After deciding on a topic (maybe war, maybe work, maybe the American dream), he interviewed many people and recorded the interview process.Then, rearrange the content of the recording and write it into a manuscript.He can create astonishing works from a recording realism called "unskilled extreme", showing the lives, thoughts and personalities of all kinds of different people, like a mosaic, spelling out outstanding works. The contrast and the various states of the world.When I was in college, I saw these things in paperback books and wanted to try this technique someday.So, I challenged this short story based on the content of the conversation with the taxi driver.Of course, I didn't record the conversation.I am fairly confident in my ear and memory that I should have reproduced the rhythm of the conversation correctly.In fact, I really like talking in taxis, maybe because I don’t need to face to face with the driver, but at the same time facing the direction of travel. Although it’s limited to the moment, I can chat easily.Of course, when I am very tired, it will make me feel a little difficult for the driver to chat with me.
"Is it booming? Yes, maybe a little bit. However, you also know that the taxi industry is very special. In Japan, after the regulations have been completely relaxed, this industry is probably the only one that has become so free. If you want to drive a taxi, you can Feel free to join, the number of cars has doubled in the past few years. However, the number of guests has not increased, so it has not helped the turnover at all.”
I love chatting with drivers in taxis, so I always chime in.I usually hail a taxi late at night in Tokyo, so please automatically think of colorful neon lights, skyscrapers you haven't seen, and a lot of red brake lights in a traffic jam.As for me, I sat comfortably in the back seat.
"The current turnover is only half of what it was during the bubble economy. However, it was indeed a bit abnormal at that time. Ordinary office workers gave taxi rolls to a hotel lady like handing out advertising leaflets. However, I think the prices are too expensive. It's scary, but even if people don't have money, they pretend to be rich and spend their money desperately. But now it's completely reversed, and everyone saves a little money. But when people around them say that the economy is in recession, the economy is in recession, Therefore, I also cooperate with other people and do not want to spend money. In this way, the economy will never get better. On the contrary, Japanese people always live in harmony with the people around them, regardless of their own thoughts or how much money they earn. Everyone I am afraid that if I leave the group, I will be eaten by wolves, not enough, even if the Japanese try their best to cooperate with the people around them, they still feel lonely.”
"Is it in front of the land bridge? Well, I see, sir, do you work in television? Because you look young. The apartment with the lights on? Well, thank you for coming. This This is your receipt, please don't forget your belongings."
"I'm lucky today. This car is not black, but dark blue. It's a color called late night blue. Driving a car of this color can make you an extra 10 to 20 percent a day. Our company allocates cars according to seniority. Long drivers can drive this kind of car like a black-headed car. There are also companies that are based on strength, and there are drivers with high performance who drive this kind of car. I really hope that our company will also adopt this method. If those old guys who have no motivation to drive This kind of car is a waste of the color of this kind of car. Because many customers will specially order a car of this color. When you go to the hotel or the airport to meet important customers, doesn’t this kind of car feel more advanced? You Do you ask me what level the car is equipped with? It’s actually exactly the same. It’s exactly the same as the yellow and orange taxis of the four major taxi companies, only the exterior paint color is different. However, customers say that this kind of car is more comfortable to sit on.”
"No, the problem is that all the cars can't be changed to this color. The officials disagreed, and they asked the four companies to keep the color that can be seen at a glance as a taxi. I think that in addition to dark blue and black, there can also be dark green. Wrong, it is the British racing green (Bristish racing green). Customers like it very much, and dark brown or silver are also very high-end. I think it is also good. All taxis need to be repainted, but use one color Unification, the cost of two or three colors is lower than the current situation, don’t you find it strange? Customers like it, our drivers are also happy, and the turnover can increase by 10%. It’s a happy thing for everyone, but those officials insist Use conventional colors. In my opinion, only following the aspirations of the public can really promote economic recovery, and it doesn’t cost the government a dime at all. Those officials don’t understand what the drivers and customers want to call, and think that they are the ones who make the decisions. Go on, and sooner or later the public office will close down."
"What? The mileage of this car? Well, it should be more than 150,000 kilometers. It doesn't feel old at all? That's right, because taxis need frequent and thorough inspections and maintenance. Generally, a car needs to be replaced after a few kilometers at most. I have a car, but Japanese cars are very solid, as long as they are well maintained, it will be no problem to drive 100,000 or 200,000. I heard that many Asian countries and Russia are rushing to buy Japanese used cars."
"My dream? Well, well, it should be the business qualification to drive a taxi without relying on traffic. Because, you can earn 30 to 40% more than now. Besides, you can drive your favorite car. When you want to work Just work and earn as much as you do, isn’t it great? But recently, it has become more and more strict, as long as there is a slight car accident, you can’t apply for the qualification of a personal taxi, so I always remind myself to drive safely. I used to I’m an office worker, but I don’t like meetings and reports. Driving a taxi is different. As long as you leave the office, you have nothing to do with other people. Even if you are lazy, you will be the one who suffers. How much return. Personal taxis have reached the extreme of this state. Although the maintenance costs have to be paid by themselves, compared to being taken by the company, they can earn more.”
"My hobby is fishing, and driving a taxi is really convenient. Although it was a bit difficult at first, after the night shift, as long as I take a nap for a few hours, I can have fun during the day, and I can also drive to the beach for fishing. Great. Yes, I see. After crossing the Chitose Bridge, turn left on Meiji-dori. Thank you. I'm so happy to hear you say that. I'm still young and I can take my time. It will be established someday Personal taxi company."
"Will the air conditioner be too weak? Before, a customer in a suit got into the car and scolded that the air conditioner in this car was not cold at all. When I was young, I always turned on the air conditioner to the highest level, but later my whole left hand was swollen. No sensation. Yes, because the air outlet is just in the middle. Now, the air conditioner is too strong and it’s over. Even if I wear two long-sleeved shirts, I still feel numb. Every day after get off work, I take a warm bath for an hour .It is said that it is the best way to treat asthenia and coldness. The situation has indeed improved a bit.”
"Taxi? I have been driving it for many years. It started in the year of the Tokyo Olympics. Tokyo has changed a lot, but the roads have not changed. It is incredible. No matter how clean it is, the asphalt road is still the asphalt road. My life seems to be on the same road. I have started to receive old age pension now, so I don’t need to work so hard. Before, I always thought that the elderly had nothing to do with me, but unconsciously, I also reached this age. In the past, if I didn’t complete the goal of the day, I would work overtime for two or three hours. Now I don’t have this kind of fighting spirit. Actually, it’s not much worse. Tokyo’s roads are prone to traffic jams, especially on Fridays at the end of the month, when cars are everywhere. But it’s strange to say that I heard from my colleague who had the best turnover that day that he went smoothly all day , no traffic jams. That’s what happens when you’re lucky, and you can’t stop it. Even now, I occasionally get lucky and wonder when I tried so hard. When this happens, I don’t feel tired at all by driving, but driving an empty car for an hour is the most likely to cause back pain.”
"I am grateful for the job of driving a taxi. There are three children in my family. Thanks to the taxi, they can grow up healthily. Now there are only my wife and I in the family. Even if we retire, it will not be a problem. My eldest son went to other places and built After my own house, I asked us to go there and enjoy it together. But I have seen the changes in Tokyo in the past 40 years, and I still want to continue living here, and I don’t want to move to the countryside for the time being. And, sometimes I will meet people like you A chattable guest. Everyone says that a taxi driver bears the lives of his passengers, but I think it’s more like a companion for a short journey, and it’s definitely not a relationship between a boss and a subordinate.”
"The greatest joy? It should be when I get off work. In the early morning of summer, I drive the car back to the garage and walk out of the company. Although I am a little sleepy, I feel very happy. I take the bus to and from get off work every day. There are no passengers on the first bus. There is no one at the station, sitting on a chair in the morning sun, opening a beer after get off work, looking at the quiet road with occasional vehicles passing by, enjoying it slowly by yourself, the first sip of beer is still very delicious. However, there is Time is hard, but at this moment, I feel very happy and lucky. Okay, the hotel is here, are you going to a party tonight? Please enjoy the happy time. If it’s convenient for you, call me later, I can come here to pick you up. Then, please be careful on the road."
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