The Passengers

Driving for a rideshare company, particularly in Las Vegas, allows one to come across all kinds of characters. We have the locals who use the services daily to get to work or run errands, patients who get rides through their medical providers, and tourists of every kind.

We get the older couples here to gamble and enjoy themselves, the sophisticated people who come for the shopping and fine dining, the partiers, and everything in between. We get superstars, executives, medical personnel, call center people, drug dealers, strippers, average stay-at-home moms, and whoever else you could possibly think of. And then some.

A good portion of the rides in the books were inspired by actual events that took place in my car, one of my closest friend’s car, or other rideshare drivers I’ve met along the way. Of course these things were only inspiration and are of course only used fictitiously. (Any and all defining details have been changed to protect the innocent.)

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s really talk. Yes. People are that crazy. I can’t wait to ask y’all a few questions, like which rides you think really happened to me, someone I know, or were completely made up.

If you’d like in on a little secret…I even added a version of a situation I was in as one of the rides. Guess which one?

Chapter One is one of those rides that was really inspired by true events. My friend started driving a few weeks before I did. That ride was actually one of his first, right after shared rides started in Vegas.

Except, the actual ride in real life took place over the course of more than two hours and was much more involved. I had to tone it down quite a bit because I’m pretty sure no one would have believed the mess that actually transpired.

For those of you who are quicker to watch a video than pick up a book, I’ve actually used that ride from Chapter One to create a trailer of sorts. I got a couple of friends and one of my sons to play the roles of the driver and two passengers.

I truly hope y’all find it as hilarious as I do. Due to a variety of lighting and editing issues, we’ve actually filmed this thing twice. And it’s been through editing more than three times because technology doesn’t want to work with me right now.

Besides the actual footage, I do plan on releasing some of the bloopers. I can’t even begin to adequately explain some of the shenanigans that took place during the filming of the “commercial.” Both times. (And we didn’t even get it all on camera.)

We had everything from people hiding in the car who couldn’t get out (because we had to have a chase vehicle so the actors could get in and out when they were supposed to), to the door not opening when it was supposed to, to forgotten lines, or goofy personalities shining through.

With all that being said, I have really enjoyed my time as a rideshare driver. I have met some amazing and intriguing people, made my own hours, traveled, made some decent money, gotten to know a lot more about my city, and so much more. Even with a few unpleasant circumstances, I’ve truly come to appreciate the experience.

In addition, I am beyond grateful that I have a few people in my life who believe in me and my dream and have given so much of themselves to help me make all of this happen. With that being said, I’d like to share something that’s heavy on my heart, which is filled with gratitude.

Even if/when you feel like you’re alone and struggling and going nowhere, I promise you there is at least one person in your corner. You are not alone. You matter. Your dreams matter. And even when you can’t see through the fog, there is beauty waiting for you if you just keep going.