My Ride in a Tesla

by Pa Rock

Homebody

I don't get out much, and that's on me.  Just trips to my squad of doctors, the pharmacy, and the grocery store.  Now I am also in cardiac rehab which adds a splash of variety to my life three afternoons a week, but basically I sit in front of the window and type, take care of the dogs, occasionally mow the huge yard (my son has gotten to where he often takes on that chore - and his efforts are much appreciated), and just watch the world as it grapples for meaning.

As the years slide by, I get out less and less.

A few years ago while on a visit to see grandchildren in Kansas City, my son and I pulled up behind a Tesla.  That was my first and only sighting of the vehicle that has become so infamous - until this past Monday

I was in Springfield, Missouri, for cataract surgery at the beginning of the week, staying a a hotel about two miles from the surgery center.  I arrived on Sunday afternoon, walked to dinner that evening, had a friend (Ranger Bob, yea!) drive me to the surgery Monday morning and take me back to the hotel afterward.   That evening I had dinner out again - this time at the home of Ranger Bob and his wonderful wife, Sandy, and because I was tired of imposing on their kindness, decided to go to their home by Uber.

I don't have an Uber account and probably would not be smart enough to use it even if I did, so my son in Kansas City, who occasionally drives for Uber, arranged my travel through his account.  When he called me back to confirm that a car was on the way, Tim casually informed me that it was a Tesla.

That would be something new!

A few minutes later a small-to-modest-sized white Tesla sedan pulled up in front of the lobby.   I walked around to the back passenger side and was having difficulty opening the door because I could not figure out how to work the handle - and I was also carrying a cake for the dinner.  The driver, a very nice Hispanic lady, rushed around to help me get in.

We rode in silence for a couple of minutes, but then the urge hit me to talk Tesla while I had such a golden opportunity.  I told the driver that I had never ridden in a Tesla before, and then I commented on the car's quietness.  But before I slathered it on too deeply, I also added that I was not a fan of "Mr. Musk."  Boo, hiss!

I could see her face in the rearview mirror and noticed that she appeared to be a little embarrassed, like she had probably heard that same sentiment before, most likely numerous times.  "Yes, I understand," she responded quietly.  Then she told me that she had owned her car for two years, from a time pre-dating Musk's negative notoriety - or at least some of it.

As our trip continued I told her about a dangerous encounter that my son had experienced while transporting a passenger within the past several days, and while the driver had been relatively quiet, that topic animated her.  She told me that she had concerns about safety and would not take fares after dark.  That also saved her from having to deal with the drunks who needed a ride home when the bars closed.  The driver said that her biggest problem had been a person with strong body odor, and that she had to spray and air out the car after that encounter.   I asked if she had ever had someone throw up in her car, and she replied that she had not, but that a friend who drove for the company had.  She said that he took a photo of the resulting mess and sent it in to the company, and they had responded by adding $150 to his account for cleaning.  I related to that with my own tale of a sick elementary school student who threw up in my car while I was driving him home.  My school district did not pay for the cleaning!

The ride was pleasant, and I heard absolutely no noises from the operation of the vehicle - and I would probably ride in a Tesla  again, but only if I was in a hurry and had no other option.   And I would certainly never buy one.  If Elon thinks that Social Security is a ponzi scheme, then I think supporting Tesla is driving in the passing lane on the road to fascism!

Tax the church, eat the rich, and boycott Tesla!