Bahamut (mega_flare) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-06-01 00:46:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, bahamut, big mcintosh, billy batson (captain marvel), harry dresden, magius, nathan summers (cable), zeus |
Tales from a Taxi-cab: Episode I
Who: Ben Hammond (Bahamut), Magius, Zach, Nate, Harry, Billy, Mac.
What: A series of vignettes
When: While Ben is on duty (Backdated a couple weeks ago, post-Pelenor)
Where: Out and about the OC
Warnings: tbd
Ben was just about to take his first fifteen minute break when he heard a woman's scream, and saw a rough-looking older teen come running down the street, clutching an expensive handbag. He waited, glancing in his mirror to make sure there was no traffic coming from behind him, and counting silently in his head--throwing open the door just as the purse-snatcher passed the front bumper of his cab. There was a gasp, a thump, and smack as the thief's flight came to an abrupt halt, leaving him stunned and writhing on the asphalt.
Ben stepped out of the car, nudged the purse out of harm's way, pinned the thug to the asphalt in a quick armbar, and called the police. "Yes, I'd like to report a purse-snatching. I have the perpetrator detained..."
Of course, after making that phone call, he had to stay and give his statement, which meant he didn’t get his coffee, and he lost out on whatever fares he might have picked up in the interim, but oh well. It couldn’t be helped. He’d just have to work late to make up for the lost time.
Harry Dresden, for one, was thankful for the delay, because he, who had indeed had questions for the person, needed, right away, to get to the courthouse. New evidence and new chances to acquit a client! He slid into the cab as the man got in and turned on his sign, and grinned. “To the courthouse, and push it. You may have just saved a life, and now I need to bring it home.” His words were dramatic, but spoken utterly serious-faced.
“As you wish,” Ben quipped from the front seat, nodding his head in a half-bow and pulling into traffic. He knew all the quickest routes around the city, where to detour when there was traffic or construction, and just how fast he could push it without causing an accident. He seemed to have a sixth sense for when there was a bike messenger coming up in his blind spot, and had honed his reflexes to react accordingly. He probably could have been a stunt driver for films, if he’d wanted to be, but here he was, frightening commuters while simultaneously doing his best to keep them safe.
He pulled up at the courthouse in record time, glancing back at his passenger. “Need me to wait?”
Harry talked as Ben drove, and spoke quietly, rehearsing his words, putting more oomph into them. When they arrived, he was halfway out before Ben spoke
“Nope! But thanks! Keep the change!” And a hundred landed on Ben’s passenger seat as Harry dashed into the courthouse to win.
"Godspeed," Ben murmured, staring after the man for a moment before making change for the generous tip, and heading out to pick up his next fare. The man had said something about saving a life, so Ben offered a prayer that all would work out for the best.
Just down the street, a man stepped out and waved for a taxi. Zach needed a ride toward his house, what with the Delorean being at Rogan electronics for it’s tune-up before the tune-up. The electronics and modifications needed a looksee before the dealers got their hands on it, always. And sometimes after. Nowhere else he would take it, really.
He nodded as he waved.
Ben checked his mirrors and pulled over neatly, nodding to the dark-haired young man who slid into the cab. “Where to?”
Zach was puffing a little as he stepped in. “F-first to my apartment, where I will need you to wait a few minutes, then to the mall.” Zach needed to grab a few things, then get to work on his latest project, building a better computer. He rattled off his address and settled in.
He was nervous, as always, in cabs, but tried to distract himself. “And how are you t-today?”
"Sure thing," the driver said, checking the mirrors again and pulling into traffic once more. He was old hat at this. "I'm very well, thanks for asking." Sometimes passengers made conversation, sometimes not, and Ben usually took his cues from that. "How are you?"
“Oh, I’m a mess, but that’s life. Today is a good day. Just trying to get organized and build a better backup computer based around a new processor I designed. I hope I can get the right parts at the computer and salvage stores at the mall. They usually have what I need, but not always.”
“I hear you,” Ben mused, “Today’s been crazy but good.” He shot a smile at the rear-view mirror. “I hope you have good luck finding what you need.”
“Thanks! I’m Zach! Do you work this area a lot?” Because having a stable and good cabbie was a good thing. It helped anxiety stay down.
“I’m Ben, and yes, I do. Almost every day.” He had no kids of his own, and nothing to do at home most nights but potter about. “You commute often?”
“Run around, you mean? Fairly. Once a week or so. I do a lot after hours.” Running to his fiance’s house and his, to and from work for emergencies, out for food, all sorts of things.
“Via public transportation?” Ben amended, shrugging his shoulders. Just because he’d never picked someone up before didn’t mean they’d never used the cab service. But he tended to recognize his regulars.
Of course, all regulars were new fares at one time or another. “You said you work with computers, right?”
“Mostly that or by car. I haven’t been much in the taxis much,” Zach nodded, then. worried and nodding. “I do, yes. I’m an engineer, mostly. Currently job hunting.”
“Mm. It can get pricey if you have to catch a cab every day,” Ben mused. Then again, so could putting gas in your own tank every week or so. “Have you had any good job leads so far?”
“Very true. Everything is expensive these days.” Zach smiled. “Just been looking for a day, and not really, yet.”
“I’m sure you’ll find something, with your qualifications,” Ben said, nodding. It wasn’t long before he pulled up at Zach’s apartment, and put the cab in park so the younger man could run his errands. “I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”
Zach nodded and hopped out. “Be right back!” He tossed a twenty at the other man and then darted in. After collecting what he needed, he emerged with a small carrying case and settled back in the taxi.
“Okay! To the Partridge Mall, please!”
“You got it!” Ben flashed a grin in the mirror, and then it was off to the mall.
Zach sat back smiling. “Do you have family in the area?”
“My sister has a clothing boutique in Mission Viejo, called Fayth,” Ben said, nodding. “And we’ve got a few other foster-siblings scattered here and there. What about you?”
“Not close. Just the fiance.” He nodded. He was excited and hopeful the mall would have what he needed. It was a good start, he hoped for that.
“Oh, congratulations!” the warmth in Ben’s voice was sincere. “Are you planning a big wedding?”
“No, just a small one this fall.” Zach nodded. “It’ll be quiet and intimate.” He hoped so anyway. He was nervous.
“It’ll be just right for the two of you,” Ben said, nodding. “No two weddings are alike.”
Zach nodded as they pulled up to the mall. “Very true. Hey! thanks! “ He pushed his fare and a good tip into the box and then hopped out.
“You’re welcome!” Ben called, “And good luck with the rest of your day.” He’d wait a moment to see if anyone coming out of the mall was in need of a ride, and then it was back to work.
Nathan wa done with visiting one of his friends, and came bouncing out, his long legs carrying him faster along the walk as he waved. “Ben! Hi! Taxi! Yay!” He hopped in and slid to a stop, closing the door. “How goes? Oh! And Baxter Bakery please! Got to pick up some cupcakes for mom and dad.” He nodded. He was on lunch and had a time table.
“Howdy, stranger!” Speaking of regulars, here was one now. Ben had practically watched the kid grow up. He reset the meter and pulled out of the parking lot. “I’m pretty good. Had to stop a purse-snatcher this morning, but other than that, it’s been pretty much the usual. How ‘bout you?”
“Everything is right as rain. Job is going swell, family is going well, just the usual Orange County weirdnesses going on. You?” Nate smiled at the other man., He had known Ben for years, ever since he and his mom had moved here.
“Excellent, excellent,” Ben nodded, navigating deftly through traffic. He could almost pilot his way to all of Nate’s favorite hangouts in his sleep--not that he ever fell asleep behind the wheel. He wouldn’t have had a job for very long if he did. “My sister’s back from her honeymoon, and apparently has a teenage goddaughter who might be modeling for her for some photo shoots. Real smart girl, from what I hear, and rolling with the punches. Not much else that’s new, though, besides that.”
“Yeah? That sounds perfect! Congrats! And maybe they can find some help around the area. I know the agency Thomas Raith is working for is hiring more young models, too.” Nate threw around names and job hopes to anyone he could possibly help. He knew how hard it was for people without his extra gifts out there.
“I’ll let her know, if she’s looking to make a career of it.” Ben grinned. Nate was a good guy, always looking out for those around him. Reminded Ben a little of himself, sometimes, in a strange way.
Nate smiled and nodded. “Hopefully life will be quiet for a little while. Been trying to help everyone just rest, after all the crazy.”
“I’m sure you’ll do a great job,” he said, “You’ve got a good heart, I can tell.” He smiled. “Just don’t forget to take time to let yourself rest, too.”
“I’ll try. I just want to do what I can.” Nate smiled as he watched the roads go by. “Sometimes, everything is just a little crazy.”
“We do our best,” Ben said, nodding as he pulled over in front of the bakery and stopped the meter. “That’s really all we can do.”
Nate smiled and paid the man. “Thanks! You’re always the best cabbie there is.” He hopped out. “Say hello to everyone for me!”
"Will do," Ben said, shaking the kid's hand, and waving him off. "And the same goes for you." He almost felt like he knew the family already, and they seemed like good people.
The taxi was not empty long as a tall older man slid in, carrying a doctor’s bag and a bag of donuts, and wearing a casual suit. Doctor Magius smiled as he settled in. “Good afternoon, Ben. Good to see you’re still kicking around these parts. I’ve not seen you in the clinic in some time.”
“It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?” Ben mused, arching a brow in the mirror. “Luckily, no sparring injuries or whiplash recently. I’m probably due for my yearly physical soon, though. Are you heading to the clinic?” he guessed. He wouldn’t start the meter until they were actually moving.
Magius smiled, nodding. “Good! And I am, yes. Had a house call this morning, Took the car in for it’s tune up and just now getting around to heading in.” He settled back.
“How is your family? The business?”
Ben punched the meter, and headed out along the familiar route. “Business is good. Lulu’s expanding her boutique to include a men’s clothing line, and I recently met her husband’s goddaughter. As for me, I’ll be working late to make up for time lost detaining a purse-snatcher, but it’s all good.”
Magius listened as he rubbed his eyes and settled back for the ride across the cities. Orange County cities were closely pressed together. Sometimes, he wondered why they were not all one city.
“Well, if you like, and are working that late, I will be in the business of needing a ride home at nine this evening.” Magius would be working late because of his own later hours today. And because of a possible birthing.
“I’ll be sure to swing by,” Ben said, nodding. He’d put it on the books when he was at a stopping point. “How’s life been treating you?”
“Good. Thank you.” Magius smiled as he leaned back. “Fairly well. Some darker moments, but some very good ones. Work is going well, I’m Dreaming, and I am seeing someone.” He nodded.
“Oh! Good for you! Is this someone a fellow Dreamer, perchance?” Not that relationships couldn’t work between Dreamers and non-Dreamers, but Ben imagined that it would be nice to have someone who understood what you were going through, someone you could talk with, either way.
“Not yet. But she is on the Valarnet, and I think that means, sooner or later, she will be one.” Magius had seen it happen to everyone who typed there. “I’m still waiting for you to appear there and then start Dreaming.” Magius smirked. He liked Ben and wouldn’t wish bad things on him, but a little magic might be good for the man’s life.
“My sister does,” Ben said, shrugging his shoulders. That didn’t necessarily mean much, but it meant he was no stranger to the things that went on in the OC, nor was he deceived by the media’s spin-doctors. Watching Lulu learn how not to blow things up was magic enough for him.
"I don't think I've ever asked her name. May I? " Magius was curious now.
“My sister? Lulu Tesla, nee Webster,” Ben answered. “Her boutique in Mission Viejo is called Fayth: F-A-Y-T-H. And I believe she is a mage of some kind or another.”
“Really? I recently hired her to fit a suit. She is a most excellent designer and worker. She seems a very good person.” Magius nodded, impressed.
"She's lovely," Ben said, "and tough as nails when she needs to be. She helped our foster mom raise a whole bunch of little ones, and kept us out of trouble for the most part." Ben's admiration of both Lulu and their mother was evident in his voice. "I hope you'll be very pleased with her work!"
“I’m sure I will.” He smiled at the way Ben talked about his sister, glad to learn more about this acquaintance, and about his new clothesmaker. “She is a good woman, as I have seen.” He nodded, then sighed as work loomed ahead. “It seems our interlude is over.” He glanced at the timer and then handed over the fare and a little extra as he got out. “Have a good day, Ben!”
Next onboard was a younger kid and he slipped in with a sigh. He wore a brace over a cast on one leg, and waved at the man. “Hi! Can I get a ride to my house, please?” Billy had been around a long time and he flipped his card forward,with his address printed on it.
"Sure thing!" Ben took the card, and punched the address into his gps, just to be safe. "I'll try not to jostle your leg too much."
“Thanks.I appreciate it. Just need to go home. I was trying to do things, but apparently now I am ordered to bed rest.” He grumbled about it.
“Sorry,” Ben murmured in sympathy. “That’s never any fun.” He’d never broken a bone, but he’d torn a hamstring once, pushing himself too hard at the dojo. That had knocked him on his butt for a while. “How much longer with the cast?”
“Oh, I’m at the start of it. So four weeks yet.”
“Oof.” Ben groaned, easing the cab around a corner. “Good luck with your recovery. I hope everything goes well.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. I just want it to go fast, you know?” He smiled as he sat back, resting. “Let me know when we get there, please?”
“Will do.” Ben was quiet the rest of the way, and only a few moments later, the cab came to a stop at Billy’s destination. Putting it in park, he turned to look into the back seat. “Here we are.”
Billy shook himself and rose, then paid. “Thanks, man. Have a good day!” And he darted out, slowly, hobbling.
Luckily, just about then, another call came in, this time from an orchard just a little ways away.
Ben plotted a course for the orchard in his GPS, and steered the cab away from the busy city toward quieter streets. It was a nice change of pace, and scenery, and he enjoyed those little moments of quiet in the midst of his workday. There was always some glimpse of beauty, if you knew to look, whether it was a rainbow arching over the freeway after an early morning rain, or a skyline all lit up at night, or a brief escape from the hustle and bustle like this.
He rolled down his window to better admire the trees as he pulled up toward the main building, inhaling the fresh, clean scent of greenery. He did not touch the horn, because it seemed rude to pollute the air with such noise.
Mac was waiting anyway, a large double bushel of apples, oranges, and cherries held by one hand, as he stepped out to the cab. “Howdy, there. Got to go to make a delivery.” And he rattled off the address while getting himself and his fruit established.
“Hello! Would you like a hand loading anything, or have you got it?” Ben was always ready to step out and offer his assistance if need be.
“Got it all.” Mac settled in and smiled. “Just got to make that delivery so that everything will be perfect. Providing for a wedding.” Mac nodded.
“All right.” The driver had been busy punching the address into his GPS, so he was all set to go. He started the meter, and pulled out of the drive. “How quickly do you need to be there?”
Mac smiled. “Fast, but no speeding, please.” Mac chuckled. “The fruit won't spoil that fast.” He nodded, aware timetables had to be met, but not in a hurry.
"No worries," Ben said, "I'll just try and keep an eye out for traffic and construction. Tis the season for road crews."
“True. Safe is better than sorry.” Mac nodded, liking this man. He was good smarted. “Good morning?”
“Not bad,” he said. “Stopped a purse snatcher, drove a lawyer to the courthouse to save somebody’s life. After that, pretty much the usual.”
Mac smiled, and listened, relaxed and he held onto his fruit. “Sounds like an interesting start, anyway.” He nodded. “Happen a lot?”
“Not a lot, a lot, but I go all over the city, so I see all sorts,” he said, shrugging a little as he glanced in the mirror. “If I happen to be in a position to lend a hand, I do.”
Mac chuckled. “An odd duck. You must be on the Valarnet.”
“Oh, yes. I pop on every now and then,” Ben said. “Can’t say that I really keep up with it all that well, with my schedule, but my sister’s on there, and it’s a good way to keep in touch when I can’t swing by in person. I take it you follow as well?”
“I do. Dreamed a lot for awhile, now just repeats. I reckon I might dream more someday, but who knows.” Mac’s voice had an Eastern drawl to it, but almost a mid-west feel. He saw his destination ahead and smiled. “Looks like we’re just about there.”
Ben nodded. “Who knows.” He smiled as he pulled up to the site, and stopped the meter. “Best of luck with the setting up,” he said, “And congratulations to the happy couple, whomever they may be!”
Mac piled out with his items, and waved one big hand as he headed in, mind already on other things. He had to present it just right, of course, and …
Ben just chuckled as he drove away, turning up his stereo a little while he was between passengers. Life just never slowed down for anything, did it?