I picked up a couple at a bar last night that went somewhat oddly. The woman appeared very drunk as they got into the backseat. I see there is no destination set so I ask where to. He names a hotel near by. As I’m driving he is asking her where she’s staying. She’s not answering and he keeps asking. Hmm… Then he’s on his phone explaning he’s coming right back and he just wants to get her to a safe place to rest. He repeats this maybe a dozen times becoming increasingly emphatic. It appears to me that whoever he’s talking to doesn’t believe him. I too am wondering what this guy is up to.

As we near the hotel he seems to see how this all looks. He explains he just met the woman, she’s alone and from out of town. He says he’s a fireman and knows the woman is too drunk to be left alone. She still has not uttered a word. When we get to the hotel he asks if I would wait a few minutes and take him back to the bar. At this point I’m pretty convinced he’s on the level so I agree. I could use a break anyway.

I takes some coaxing for him to get her out of the car and she’s still not saying anything. I couldn’t judge her mood but she was probably scared and confused being that drunk around strangers. He comes back a few minutes later and I ask is everything ok now. He says she went into the hotel rest room and won’t come out but the hotel manager agreed to deal with it. As I’m driving him back to his fireman buddies at the bar he tells me he’s married and wouldn’t take advantage of a woman in that condition. He thanks me for being understanding and I tell him I’m glad to help one of the good guys.