The Ave Maria Hour 19xx-xx-xx- New Years Day In A Taxi

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: The Ave Maria Hour — “New Year’s Day in a Taxi”

Date: December 27, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: The Ave Maria Hour (original airdate 19xx-xx-xx)
Story Title: New Year’s Day in a Taxi

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Episode Overview

This episode of “The Ave Maria Hour” revives a classic radio play first broadcast in New York City, dramatizing a story set on New Year’s Eve in the heart of New York. Through the eyes of a weary cab driver, Pete Ragozzi, listeners are taken on a chance-driven journey that weaves together chance encounters, humility, small personal crises, and a gentle thread of hope and redemption. As midnight approaches, lives crisscross in Pete’s taxi—and ultimately, new bonds and small acts of kindness transform a bleak night into one of blessing and camaraderie.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: New Year’s Eve in New York

• [02:18] The story opens on a bustling, snowy city, with New Yorkers shouting, partying, and hailing taxis.
• Narrator: “10:30pm New Year's Eve. The city is bustling .... For most, it's a time of frantic joy. For others, it's a different story.”

2. Introducing Pete Ragozzi — The Taxi Driver

• [03:18] Pete reflects on his faded faith and family tensions as he prepares for another long night of driving.
  • Pete: “Soup and give us the strength to be happy with this new year, though it brings no more than the last... They used to mean so much to me in the old days. Why don't they anymore?”

3. The First Passenger: Henry Patterson

• [03:56] Henry, a cheerful but naive out-of-towner, flags Pete’s cab. He’s on his way to Greenwich Village for a date with an aspiring actress, Patty Parker.
  • Henry: “Happy New Year, fella. Happy New Year.”
• Their interaction is tense and comedic, highlighting Pete’s sour mood and Henry’s innocence.
  • [05:10] Pete: “The streets are mixed up like a bowl of cheap spaghetti... tonight’s New Year’s Eve. One night cabby feels like he should have stood in bed. It's this here drunks party.”

4. Small Wisdom and Forgiveness

• [07:18] Henry shares a calming tip from his priest: to forgive and say “bless you” instead of getting angry.
  • Henry: “Instead of counting 10, just take a few seconds to forgive the person and then say, bless you. It never fails.”
  • Pete: “Yeah, you’re right. It’s funny, ain’t it?... Maybe your trick would work.”
• Pete opens up about his wife Paula and their tradition of baking a cake with “prayers” inside for New Year’s, lamenting that such comfort has faded.
  • [10:00] Pete: “She used to bake prayers inside it... as you ate the cake, you pulled them out... made you feel good, you know?”

5. The Fate of Blind Dates and Bitter Irony

• [13:46] Patty Parker herself appears, looking to escape a blind date—unwittingly, with Henry. With confusion and irony, the cabbie becomes the stage for their awkward reunion.
  • [14:00] Patty: “There's a real creep coming to pick me up for a blind date. I. I don't know how I got trapped into it...”

6. Disappointment, Escape, and a Brush with Despair

• [15:44–20:13] Patty dodges Henry, intent on finding another man at a party. When disappointed and further rejected, she rides with Pete again, spiraling into a moment of despair.
• [21:15] There’s a tense, compassionate confrontation as Pete discovers she’s considered self-harm:
  • Patty: “I tried all the way down here, I tried, but I couldn't.”
  • Pete: “Thank the good Lord. Some of the things they teach us as kids stick.”

7. Redemption and Renewal

• [22:12–25:01] The cab driver encourages Patty to keep going and to return to the party for her things. He reflects on his own longing for family and the possibility of kindness renewing him, too.

8. Full Circle: New Connections and Acceptance

• [25:04] Henry finds Pete again, also cast aside by Patty.
• [26:13] Patty returns, and Pete introduces her by her real name, Anne James.
• All three (Pete, Henry, “Anne”) unexpectedly become companions at the close of New Year's Eve.
• Pete invites them home for his family’s cake and prayers, suggesting a new kind of party and fellowship.
  • [27:22] Pete: “You kids want to go to a party? A real party?... We'll go over to my place. We got that cake I told you about. We'll make a toast and read the prayers in a cake on a stroke of 12.”
  • [28:01] Henry: “Hey, I just thought of something. It's past the stroke of 12.”
  • [28:06] Pete: “Not in Chicago it ain't.... We'll have a Chicago New Year's... Sound good?”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Pete’s Reflections

• “God, make us worthy of this new Year of yours. They used to mean so much to me in the old days. Why don't they anymore?”
  — Pete, [03:18]

• “She used to bake prayers inside it.... Kind of made you feel good, you know?”
  — Pete on Paula’s New Year’s cake tradition, [10:07]

Henry’s Good-Natured What-Ifs

• “Instead of counting 10, just take a few seconds to forgive the person and then say, bless you. It never fails.”
  — Henry, on managing anger, [07:18]

Pete’s Dry Wit

• “The streets are mixed up like a bowl of cheap spaghetti.”
  — Pete, [04:55]

Crisis and Compassion

• “I tried all the way down here, I tried, but I couldn't.”
  — Anne/Patty, [21:15]
• “Thank the good Lord. Some of the things they teach us as kids stick.”
  — Pete, [21:23]

Hope and Renewal

• “You kids want to go to a party? A real party?... We'll make a toast and read the prayers in a cake on a stroke of 12.”
  — Pete, [27:22]

• “I got an idea that this is going to be the best New Year’s ever. But I mean the best, you know.”
  — Pete, [28:37]

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Important Timestamps & Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:18 | Story Setup: New Year’s Eve in NYC | | 03:18 | Pete’s opening prayers & internal struggle | | 07:18 | Henry shares “Bless you” advice—theme of forgiveness | | 10:00 | Pete describes his wife’s prayer cake tradition | | 13:46 | Introduction of Patty Parker/Anne James | | 15:44–20:13| Series of comic, then tense, interactions—Patty flees, later contemplates despair | | 21:15 | Pete encounters Patty at her lowest point and shows compassion | | 27:22 | Pete invites Henry and Anne/Patty to celebrate with his family | | 28:06 | “Chicago New Year”—a fresh midnight together |

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Conclusion

The episode gently explores how strangers’ paths cross at their loneliest and darkest hours—and how humility, kindness, and tradition can quietly heal. The faded faith of a taxi driver, an innocent out-of-towner's lost illusions, and a heartbroken young woman find common ground in a shared New Year’s ritual, reminding listeners that new beginnings—and second chances—can arrive unexpectedly, even in the back of a taxi.

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Transcript

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Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Father Bob Warren]

Hello, this is Father Bob Warren of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Thank you for listening to this rebroadcast of the Ave Maria Hour radio show. The Friars popular Ave Marie Hour was first brought to the radio airwaves in 1939. Recorded in New York City and on the mountainside grounds at Greymoor, a home in Garrison, New York, these timeless, classic stories of the Bible and the lives of the saints came to life each week through dramatic reenactment by professional actors and actresses. You know, friends, Christ once said, do not hide your treasure under a bushel.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

In saying this, he meant, share your.

[Father Bob Warren]

Gifts, share your talents. The Friars of the Atonement feel the message in these broadcasts remains as powerful and timely as when they were originally aired, and we are so happy to be able to share them with you today. To learn more about the missions and ministries of the Friars of the Atonement, I invite you to visit our website, www. Atonementfriars.org. in the meantime, sit back and enjoy this rebroadcast of the Ave Maria Hour.

[Narrator]

Today's Story New Year's in a taxi 10:30pm New Year's Eve. The city is bustling, almost bursting with anticipation. People laugh and cheer and shout. Happy New Year.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Forget the old. It's over. Hope for the new.

[Narrator]

It's yet to come. For most, it's a time of frantic joy. For others, it's a different story. The weather report said light snow. For Peter Gaussi, one of the vast legion of taxi drivers in the city of New York, this was just another piece of bad news. Everybody wants a taxi on New Year's Eve, and he'd had more than his share already. Funny time for a man to be saying prayers. Not praying, mind you, but repeating old prayers as one might hum a dear.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Soup and give us the strength to be happy with this new year, though it brings no more than the last. I like Bedwin, but the one that meant the most to me was God, make us worthy of this new Year of yours. They used to mean so much to me in the old days. Why don't they anymore?

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Taxi. Hey, hey. Taxi.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Back to reality, Pete boy.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Taxi. All right, all right, all right.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What do you think, I'm deaf or something, boy.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Didn't think I'd find a taxicab tonight. Boy, I'm lucky.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Happy New Year, fella. Happy New Year.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, brother. Okay, okay. Well, what's the mystery?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Mystery?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah. Where you going?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot there for a minute.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Mister, please.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah, yeah, I got it here someplace. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Good for you. Oh.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, here it is. 18 Grove Street.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Grove Street? That's down in Greenwich Village someplace, ain't it? Sure is. Just my luck.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Beg pardon?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Nothing. Nothing. Okay.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Look out. You bump.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

That was a close one.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Any complaints? What, you don't like the way I'm driving?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, yeah. Everything's fine.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

So it's down to the Village.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Don't you like it there?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No cabbie likes it there. The streets are mixed up like a bowl of cheap spaghetti. Oh, and besides which. Another thing. Tonight's New Year's Eve. There's one night cabby feels like he should have stood in bed. It's this here drunks party.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Bored? Oh, well, only once a year.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

And besides which. Still another thing. The weather report says.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

No, just light powder.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Enough to make New York streets into Madison Square Garden. And me, the head star of the ice folly.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

You're right. You should have stayed home tonight.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What? What are you wise or something?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Gee, no, no, I. I only meant.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Look, you mind your business. I'll attend to mine, okay?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Okay.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

The fair gets on at Broadway in 92nd. Wants to go way the heck down to the Village. And he's telling me how to run my life.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Look, I didn't mean anything.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Hey, what. What are you colorblin?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You see that light? But it changed.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

He had the right away look.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You give me a pain, you know that? 90 seconds in a Village.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Boy.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I. I've never been to Greenwich Village, so.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You expect me to feel sorry for you? There's lots of places I ain't been. Paris? China.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah. No, you see, I'm from out of town.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No kidding. Yeah.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Just visiting a friend for the holidays. And he has this girlfriend who has this friend who lives down in Greenwich Village. I just called her up, made a date.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Big Bill.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Her name's Patty. Patty Parker. You ever heard of her?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I know everybody in this place.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

No, no, I. I just thought you might have heard of her. I. I mean, she's an actress.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

An actress. Well, well, well. Maybe we ought to go into the New York Times and tell them to stop the presses.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I. I just thought you might have heard of her. She was once on television in a small part and she understudied somebody. Big star in a Broadway show. You know, a play.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, you don't mean the Patty Parker who was once on television and understudied somebody in a Broadway play?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah, yeah, that's the one.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

You know her?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Never heard of her.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, the way you talked and everything, I thought you meant. You just show me.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Now, look.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Bless you. Why, just something a friend of mine, Father Murray, once taught me. You see, I used to get in all kinds of fights with a lot less provocation than you're giving me now. And he told me whenever I'm about to lose my temper, Instead of counting 10, just take a few seconds to forgive the person and then say, bless you. It never fails.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah. Yeah, you're right. It's funny, ain't it? You gotta excuse me, kid. I got out on the wrong side of bed this morning. Maybe your trick would work.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

It's more than a trick.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Well, you know what I mean. Boy, I'm sure starting this new year out right. Yeah.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Will you look at that? Big lummox. Hot.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I mean, bless you. Well, what do you know?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

You see, I guess driving people around all night isn't the best way to spend New Year's Eve.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Well, where else should I be? Home with my family?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah, I guess so. It's where I'd be if I hadn't come to New York.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I don't know. I think if I was a mouse and I was standing out in the middle of Times Square at the stroke of midnight tonight, I'd have more peace and quiet than if I was home with Paula.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Who's Paula?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

She's my wife.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

That mean a man's gotta make a living, don't he?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

And to make a living, a man's gotta do his job, right? Right.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Try to tell that to Paula. They're my wife, you know.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah, yeah, you told me.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I mean, so you get a call and you gotta go out on New Year's Eve. I mean, so this is an atom bomb attack. You gotta start a fight.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

No.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I mean, so the Murphy's are coming over like usual to have a nice little, quiet, respectable brawl. I mean, so what? It's not the Queen of England. I mean, every other night I'm not working, the Mifies come over. In between, we Go over to the Murphys.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

So this is something to blow your top about?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, New Year's Eve is.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

I mean, so.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

All right, so I got her a bracelet for Christmas. And I didn't get her that sweater, mark down to 9.98 she was hinting about.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

It's all right.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I got important things on my mind. Right?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

So this means I don't love her.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No more, you know?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

A fight, huh?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Something like that. It's got me. I don't know what's been happening to us lately. We used to have such great New Year's Eves.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Lots of drinks and hooping it up.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No, no, no, no, nothing like that. Paula, she'd bake this here cake.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, that sounds exciting.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Ah, but it wasn't just no ordinary cake. She used to bake prayers inside it.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Prayers?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah, little New Year's prayers she'd made up herself. It was on little pieces of paper. Funny, I was just remembering some of them before you held me. And it was attached to strings. And as you ate the cake, you pulled them out. I know it sounds corny, but then when 12 o' clock come around, we'd all toast each other and kiss and wish luck. And then we'd read the prayers. Kind of make you feel good, you know? Then we'd break it up. The guests go home and the family go up to bed. Kind of made you feel good, you know?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Sure, but not this year.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Ah, she's been grumbling all week. She baked the cake this year, but I don't know, my heart's not in it no more.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, gee, that's too bad.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Maybe if I knew about that. Bless you. I did.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Maybe.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Hey, listen, I'm doing just what I want to be doing tonight. Driving this here hacking.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Sure, sure.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

It's a lot better than sitting around listening to her grumble. How I don't like her because I forgot her sweater for Christmas. I mean, the fact that I've been hitting for a power drill and I end up with the same old two shirts and three ties. That must mean she's crazy about me, huh?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, I don't know.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

You're darn right.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Like, I mean, hey, this is Sheridan Square.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No shit.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Patty said Grove street was right off Sheridan Square. Now, you make a right hand turn there.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

There.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

That's the street right there. That little one.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Okay, okay.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Eighteen ought to be. It's a little straight.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Yeah, it's right there.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

There it is.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Boy, you better calm down.

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[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer]

Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits. Plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Limu Emu and Doug.

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[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Fascinating.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

They see us.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings.

[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer]

Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah, it's just that this is the first date I ever had with an actress. Here, keep the change.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, thanks. Now, take it easy, kid.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

You too. And remember what I told you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah, yeah, I remember. Keep the change.

[Father Bob Warren]

15 cents.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Here. I might have known. I guess the advice he gave me was better than the big tip, though. Bless you. I wonder what Paula and everybody's doing now.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

When you look at that jerk blocking the street. Dick. Come on, you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Wait a minute.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Bless you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

It's stretching a point, but bless you.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Taxi. Taxi.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Okay, okay.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I'm glad I found you. I want to go up to East 82nd street quick.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Just as soon as I can get past that car up there.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Driver, I'm in a hurry. There's a real creep coming to pick me up for a blind date. I. I don't know how I got trapped into it. Now, he's due any minute. I gotta get out of here before he comes.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, lady, that's not a nice thing to do.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

What business is it of yours?

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Ms. Parker? Ms. Parker? Is that you, Ms. Parker?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, no. My blessings.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Hi, I'm Henry Patterson. You know, we had that date.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I thought you weren't coming. I thought I'd been stood up.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, heck, no.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I'd never do anything like that. Oh, gee, Am I late, Ms. Parker?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Well, kind of.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

It's lucky I got here when I did. Your roommate told me that you just left and she pointed you out. Getting into this cab.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I'll kill her.

[Father Bob Warren]

Huh?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Nothing. Nothing at all.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, I guess we might as well take off for that party.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Huerto. Oh, hi. It's you.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Oh, boy.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Did you ever see such Luck.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Not in a million years, buster. Not in a million years.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

And I suppose you want to know where we're going.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Sometimes it's a help.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, I've got it written down here someplace.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

125 East. 70 seconds. Right.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Hey, listen, buddy, I think I ought to tell you.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I beg your pardon?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah? Nothing. Nothing at all.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Boy, I had a great time there. I majored in business administration. So after I got out of college, I got this job.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh, Darren, I just remembered something.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

What is it?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Well, we're almost there, and I just remembered. I forgot my cigarettes.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Heck, I'll get you some. There's lots of stores along here.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Would you please.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Miss Parker, it would be a pleasure. There's a store, a driver.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Stop.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I. I want to get Ms. Parker some.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

I know, I know.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

All right.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I'll be right back.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Okay.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Okay. Driver, take off.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

You heard me.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Aw, miss, you can't do.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Look, I don't have to make any explanations to you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Fine. Have it your way. Same address?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

No, that was a phony I gave. It's 1 24-East-82nd. Driver, what are you stopping for?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

The light. Can't you see?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh, darn it, driver, you could have made it.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Careless, I guess I'm beginning to feel like he's guardian angel.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Listen, there's a guy I'm absolutely crazy about. See, I. I wait and wait for a call for New Year's Eve, but all of a sudden, big stone face.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Look, lady, you don't have to.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

So I say, all right, to heck with him. And I make a date with George there, or whatever the heck his name is.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

His name is Henry.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Two minutes later, the other guy calls. He's gonna be at this party, see? The one I'm going to. He says he'll meet me there.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, sounds like a nice guy.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Well, you gotta understand, Demi, he's got problems. He's misunderstood, poor fellow. I mean, I wouldn't mind if I could show up on the arm of somebody. But I mean, this square, I die of mortification.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

So, what's he supposed to do tonight? You ever think of that?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Look, that's his problem. I mean, we all got problems. The light's changed. Yeah.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah, I see.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Hey. Hey, wait. Hey, where you going? Hey, come on, brother. What are you waiting for?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Lady, I can't. Not with him standing there. Boy, where are you going?

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

We.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

We had to move a little. We were standing in a bus stop. Right, driver?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I only know what I read in the papers.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Thanks. You got the cigarettes already, honey?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, no.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What brand huh?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, you forgot to tell me what brand. Isn't that funny?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Scream.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Come on. Come on, get in. I got an extra pack I can give you.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

No, no, that's all right. I'll get her some more.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Will you get into the car?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Okay. Oh, thanks.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

But listen.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

We'Re off again.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Driver, can't we go a little faster?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Lady, don't you see the weather?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

It's snowing.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Parker and I got a wife and kids.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I want to get there before the new Year.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, we've got plenty of time.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

It's only.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

There.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Do you see what I mean?

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Ms.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Carol is driving.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Bless you, lady.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Love the idea.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Say, what is this?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Don't worry, we're here.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

You pay him. I'll run ahead and meet you in the vestibule.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

And don't tip him. He's been very rude.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Boy, what a girl. I never met a girl like that before. I wonder why.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Pure luck.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

What do you mean?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Look, you sure you want to go to a party with her?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Sure. Sure. Here, Keep the change.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, you're disobeying orders.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, she's high stern. You gotta understand people like that.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah. Yeah, I guess you do.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Where'd she go?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Her house. There. I watched. I'm on your side, buddy. Happy New Year.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah, same to you. I hate leaving you like this. Say, why don't you go home to your family, sonny?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I've been thinking of that. That's a good idea.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Sounds like you always have a great time. You take my advice and go home now.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Goodbye.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, sorry.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I didn't see you coming.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

That's all right. You didn't hurt me.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

The snow makes everything pretty slippery.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

It's all right.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Happy New Year.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Yeah.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Taxi. Taxi. No, no, no. I'm off duty.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What the heck? Okay, lady, don't run. You break your neck.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I'm glad I found you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You all right, lady?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Why shouldn't I be all right?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I don't know. You look kind of funny.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I'm okay.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

All right, hop in. Well, where to, lady?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

To. To Times Square, please.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Times Square? Tonight?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

What's the trouble, laddie?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

It's New Year's Eve. Oh.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh. Then take me to Grand Central Station.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Well, that's a switch. Look, lady, are you sure you feel all right?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I feel fine.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Okay.

[Father Bob Warren]

Okay.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Sorry it's taken so long, but it's almost midnight and this whole area is like topsy turvy.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Lady, what time is your train leaving? What? What's the matter, lady?

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Hey, what the. What are you doing?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Now, wait.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Wait a minute. Yeah, Come on now. Give me that thing. Let me go. Let me alone, please. Where did you get this razor blade? Nothing for business, man. That's all I need. I ought to call a cop or something. No, please. Please, no. I wasn't going to.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I tried all the way down here, I tried, but I couldn't.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

I just couldn't.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Thank the good Lord. Some of the things they teach us as kids stick. Well, what brought it on, huh?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

It threw me up.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

It told me to leave the party.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Look, kid, calm down, huh? Please.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Old man didn't want to see me anymore.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

He must be nuts. Pretty girl like you. Now, come on. You okay now? I sure. Yeah.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Well, it's through now. It's all over. Should have ended a long time ago.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What do you mean?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Should have gone back home then.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Lady, it's none of my business, but it might have been the best thing. No.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I told my family I was gonna make good, and I am.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Been in this town long?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Since September.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, heck, you ain't even started yet.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

All I wanted to do was call home at midnight.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

He put up such a fuss.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

He said I was. I was tied to their apron string. Said they exerted an unhealthy influence on me.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

He is nuts. That's a while. We can't all be perfect. Bless him.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Huh?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, nothing.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

And he kept drinking and getting angrier and angrier. And then he told me to get out.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Well, I hope you do. And keep going.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I will. And. And thank you, driver. You've been very kind.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Think not, Moses.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Ah. Well, what is it?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

When I ran out of the party, I left my purse.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Important?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Everything I own.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No, don't tell me. Back downtown again. I'll never get home. But you know, I feel good.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Hey, ladies. Happy New Year.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Happy New Year to you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Well, here we are, right back where we started.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Oh, I'll get it and then be right down. You can take me back to my apartment.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You sure you don't want me to go up to the party with you?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

No, no, it's all right, really. I'll prepare to do it myself.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Be back in a minute. Ah, she's a nice kid, though. Not like that other dame. Why is it the nice kind always get it and the other kind always hand it out? Mystery of life, I guess. I hope she don't take too long. I'd like to get back to Portland. That's funny. That kid sort of reminds me of Paula back when I first met her. Ah, gee, Paula. God bless her. First New Year. We ever miss being together. I sure do miss that little cake and her prayers. Dar. I'm just a hothead. Why did I insist on working tonight? Just saw it, I guess. It shows you what happens. A whole New Year's Eve gone, and we'll never get it back.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Taxi. Taxi.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No, it couldn't be.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Am I glad I found you.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You? What am I, your private chauffeur or something?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Now, look, don't you give me any trouble.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Bless you.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I'm sorry. Just take me for a drive. A long drive.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

What's. Come over here.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

That girl I was with, you know, Patty Parker, the actress, you know?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, she ditched me. Walked out with somebody else and ditched me right as the clock was striking 12.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You don't say you ever heard of.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Anything so awful in your life. Just take me for a drive. A long, long drive.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

I'm sorry, I can't. I'm booked.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

What?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

You can stay in a cab and warm your feet if you want to, but I got somebody coming back in a minute. Must be at the same party you want.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Just my luck. At this hour. And with this snow, probably won't be another cab in sight.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, mister, I'm sorry, but nobody give you a franchise on me. Oh, here she is now.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Thanks, driver. I got out of that place as quickly as I could.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, just warming his feet, lady.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Warming your feet.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

He's an old friend of mine by now. It seems I've known him all my life. What's your name, friend?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Henry Patterson.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, I'd like you to meet Anne.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Anne James.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Hello, Ms. James. Well, I'll get out now and see if I can't find another cab.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Gonna be pretty tough.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Yeah.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Look, could I drop you someplace?

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Oh, sure.

[Father Bob Warren]

Thanks.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Well, it's the eternal question again. Where to?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I. I don't know.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

That's it. That's enough.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

All over. I'm pushing up the flag. Business is over for tonight, huh? Well, what am I supposed to do, just sit here?

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Various Passersby/Background Voices]

Oh, come on. Now, listen, I want to go home. This snow's getting bad. I know you kids got troubles, but this is the first New Year's I ain't been with my wife and kids, and I wouldn't. I.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Bless you. Hey, Zay, I got a great idea. You kids want to go to a party? A real party? Well, where? Well, first we'll stop at St Malachy's Church and say a few prayers. It's on the way. Then we'll go over to my place. We got that cake I told you about. And we'll make a toast and read the prayers in a cake on a stroke of 12.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

It sounds great. What do you say, Anne?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

I could certainly use a few prayers at church.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I mean, so could I.

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

Well, come on, let's go.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Hey, I just thought of something. It's past the stroke of 12.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Not in Chicago it ain't.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Well, you live in Chicago.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

No, but there an hour different from us. We'll have a Chicago New Year's, turn on the radio and celebrate it as it rolls through the Windy City. Sound good?

[Anne James / Patty Parker (Female Passenger)]

It sounds wonderful.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Oh, you're. You're a very kind man, sir. And I mean that.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Aw, I figure you might as well start off this way. It gives you something to go on for the rest of the year.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Say, I never did catch your name.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Ragozzi. Pete Ragozzi.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

I sure am pleased to know you, Pete.

[Pete Ragozzi (Taxi Driver)]

Pleasure's all mine. Hey, you know, I got an idea that this is going to be the best New Year's ever. But I mean the best, you know.

[Henry Patterson (Passenger)]

Mr. Ragazzi, I think you're right.

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