VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Philip Banks]

My worst kept Voice Over secret is to write on a Post-it note "It's not about me" and place the note where you are able to see it ......

It would appear that other people adopt the same philosophy.

"The Cab Ride"


When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.

But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with
sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.



'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab and then returned to assist the woman.


She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.



She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a
girl.


Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.


As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

[KaraEdwards]

This is lovely Philip- thank you!!
_________________
Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

[JimRon]

wow. thanks for that.
_________________
Jim Feldman
www.jimfeldman.us
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimfeldman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JimFeldmanVoiceovers

[Moe Egan]

What a wonderful story and message Philip, thank you.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

[Nelson Jewell]

I've been having a day thus far...my outlook has changed in the moments I took to read the story...thanks, Philip, you're a great VO friend.

nelson

[SeptemberDay]

It is a blessing to be feeling thirsty one moment...and realize your cup runneth over the next. Thank you for that inspiring and humbling tale!
_________________
www.septembervoice.com
www.voicetalentproductions.com
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Life is short but sweet, for certain
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
SaVoa Member #07011

[RD Levine]

Thank you Philip, for an other piece of wisdom.
_________________
Ron Levine
http://www.ronlevinevoiceactor.com

[Don G.]

Damn, sir. You do manage to find some gems. Thanks.

[todd ellis]

good story, philip.
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Mandy Nelson]

I hate you for making me cry. All that gas wasted...

I liked September's comment, too.
_________________
006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband

[CarynClark]

Lovely story... great way to start my day. Thank you!
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

[Lizden]

Yep. A gem indeed.

L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

[Audiogal]

Wonderful story, Banksey.
_________________
Mary

[bobbinbeamo]

Banksey, thank you for taking the time to share this.
_________________
Bobbin Beam
www.bobbinbeam.com
blog.bobbinbeam.com

[bobsouer]

Philip,

Wonderful story. Thank you.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express