Money Matters

Limousine jobs commencing later than 9:00 pm always warrant caution. Let's face it, these people aren't going to a charity ball.

More caution is merited when the pickup address is a bar of somewhat dodgy repute. And even more evidence of trouble to come is when The Boss calls me an hour beforehand and says that he ran the credit card provided (because he had a "bad feeling") and it was declined.

Great.

The Boss is particular about payment. He accepts credit cards to secure a booking, but of course he'll take cash as full payment. He provides neither terms or credit, there's no billing, nor will he accept cheques, the latter because depositing them requires more effort than he's prepared to invest.

It is a smart way to operate, to give him his due. Possessing a valid credit card number means that if customers break anything or merit the puke charge or promise cash payment but fail to deliver, he has some recourse. Thesedays, of course, credit cards don't work as well as they used to. Hence his caution.

So the night, a Saturday, isn't off to a great start. The prospect is of a bunch of demanding drunks who can't actually afford it going clubbing. Experience tells me that someone here is showing off, boasting that they're taking a limo, partying it up etc etc. Oh, and it will be a late, messy finish.

The Boss is leery now, even though the guy got back to him with a decently accredited credit card. (Many phone calls are required while I'm preparing the limousine to resolve all of this.) As is usual in these circumstances, he instructs me to take cash for the six hours before anyone steps into the car.

Actually, I like this way of operating. Firstly, it means that The Boss has his money up front for the run, which means I shall be paid. Secondly, it establishes that I have the power to stop and start the run at my discretion. Thirdly, it obviates the always awful scenario at four in the morning as the organizer attempts to screw money from his buddies. (It's always the buddies - women scatter at the point when they have to cough up cash.)

Driving to the pickup address, I contemplate the fact that nothing ever works out as one expects on a night like this...






Mercury Parklane pic from here [link]