A CREATIVE INNOVATION
(…combining an old form of transportation with…the oldest profession)

The entrepreneurial spirit manifests itself in many different and odd ways, especially here in America, and even more so here in the Bay Area, where it has apparently taken on a unique form as a creative innovation…combining an old form of transportation, with…the oldest profession.

I don’t know if this is a new trend for it, or, if it’s just an oddball singular application dreamed up by a very enterprising provider of that kind of service, who may have been inspired by the success of all those on-call taxi services with pink mustaches draped over the grill of their cars, figuring, if it works for guys with four wheels…it might do as well for someone with only…two.

It came to my notice one very early morning on the way to work, as I first stopped at a nearby 7Eleven for my usual cup of coffee. As I approached its entrance I almost collided with a cyclist who had glided silently out of the darkness down the sidewalk towards it. After exchanging mutual apologies for the near-collision, the cyclist dismounted from an obviously expensive racing machine, chained it, and turned for the entrance. By that time I saw that the cyclist was female, her spandex-clad form making that abundantly clear, even for a set of old eyes like mine (besides, you’re never too old not to appreciate the eye-candy of a lithesome and attractive young woman), so, being old school, I politely held the door open for her, receiving a charming thank-you smile in return. By the time we had made our purchases, and were standing in front of the check-out clerk, we were chatting and exchanging pleasantries like old acquaintances.

Once outside, however, she paused before turning toward her machine, asking…if you ever want to “party” for a good time, give me a call? At the same time, she handed me her business card. Its brief inscription read:

CALL-4-BOO-T

(I’ll bike…you’ll like)

by appointment (with a cell number in the lower right corner)

Intrigued by such an innovative approach to the oldest profession I had to ask her why the bike? Laughing, she answered saying…it beat the hell out of standing on a street corner, getting hassled by street trash, drunks, pimps, police, etc., allowing her to cruise the better neighborhoods because, that way, she blended in…everyone simply assuming she was just another one of those yuppy “greenies” and fitness freaks, doing her thing.

As she further explained it, the best part was that it kept her in fit condition, and she never had to check into a fleabag motel with a john. Even better, she had the pick of a better, up-scale class of clientele who appreciated the discreet on-call service she provided for them, and, being her own boss, she could work as little or as much as she wanted, because she charged by the hour…cash only.

Politely thanking but declining her offer, I complimented her on her innovative approach, wished her good luck with it, and we went on our separate ways.

Have never seen her again, but have often wondered how well her “enterprise” is working out for her. Hers was definitely a creative approach to that profession.

Like they say…ain’t America a great country…or what!

CENTURION