Ding! Uber beckons me to Pensacola Beach. It's not a beautiful day at the beach as I pick up a father and son, but you wouldn't know it from the dad's attitude.
"We're dropping my son off at the Saenger Theatre," he says. "He's got classes today, so he'll be busy all day. I think I'll go back to the beach for a swim. I love the warm water here. I grew up on the California coast, and that water is cold year-round. I swam here yesterday."
He told me that they now live in Salt Lake City, but they do a lot of traveling, especially this time of year.
"So, what brings you to Pensacola?" I asked.
"We're here for a few performances of 'A Christmas Story' at the Saenger Theater. My son here plays Randy Parker, Ralphie's little brother. The kids are all required to get their education while we're on the road. Their tutors will be teaching them all day in the theater," he said.
My next ride was at a nearby hotel. They were from the Northwest. As luck has it, both were members of the production crew for the same performances. When I told them about my previous riders, both said the little brother in the play is one of the funniest young actors they've seen.Really nice people!
Much nicer than my first encounter that morning. I no sooner turned on my app than I received a request to pick someone up on the fishing pier next to Three-Mile Bridge. The location was odd.
My rider texted me. "I'm in a black BMW. I wreck my car. I need a ride. I'm facing south on the highway."
Ok, I thought. What highway?
Just when I was about to call her, I received a call from Uber.
"Do I have the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Tommy?" the voice said.
"Yes, you do, " I said.
"My name is John Markam (or some name). I'm part of the Uber Security team, Badge #12548 (or some number). We have a complaint from one of your recent riders that your vehicle smelled like alcohol. We will require you to take a sobriety test before you are allowed to continue driving."
"Can you see my information? How do I know you're legitimate?" I asked.
"Yes, you've been driving for us for 8 1/2 years. You have 11,000 rides and a 5.0 rating." (All of this information is readily available to our riders. This made me aware that it was likely related to my scheduled pickup.)
I had been scammed by someone who used a different, much more effective approach about a year ago. This effort was not very good.
"I'll tell you what," I said, "I have to make a pickup, so you just do what you have to do. I believe you have been drinking, so call me back when you take a sobriety test!"
He responded, "You will have to go through our process or you will not have any appeal for the next 72 hours."
Suddenly, my ride had been cancelled.
I guess the random phone numbers Uber used had not been totally hung up. I got another call from the same number.
"Do I have the pleasure of speaking to Mr. John? This is Marvin Madison, Badge number 58392 with Uber Security," the voice said.
"No!" I said. "This is not John!"
It didn't even phase him.
"We've had a report from one of your recent riders that your car smelled like alcohol and we will require an online sobriety test before you will be allowed to drive."
"Look, pal," I said, "You're not only drunk, but you're a moron!" I disconnected. What a dufus!
But today, I had one of my favorites. I picked up a lovely woman for about a half-hour ride. She chose to sit in the front seat. She seemed a little tired at first.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm ready for God to go ahead and take me. I'm ready to go, but I know He wants me to keep trying to serve Him." she told me. "So, I keep trying."
We had a good conversation about faith. I told her about my book and my upcoming program this week. It was the perfect time to rehearse some of my talk.
You know how sometimes you wonder if something you're working on will actually work? For each story, she seemed more interested and encouraging. She promised to check out my book and make every effort to attend the program on Wednesday night.
"I'm usually the one doing all the talking, but I enjoyed listening to your stories. You've made my day!" she said as the ride ended.
No, I thought. You made my day. As far as out-talking me...I'm almost undefeated!
Thanks for all of your support! Pray for me, and for a successful event!
Tommy