Tourist tipped Vegas cabby more than David Hasselhoff did
My favorite tweet-happy cabby had an epic night Monday and shared all the glorious details on Twitter.
His eventful evening began in the cab line at Caesars Palace, minutes after Elton John’s show ended.
“Big line of folks waiting for cabs, (David) Hasselhoff strolls up to the front of the cab line,” tweeted the taxi driver, who goes by Andrew (@LVCabChronicles on Twitter).
“He’s wearing a green suit, leggy blonde in tow. I’m up and I see who it is, they get in and Hasselhoff says, ‘It’s good to be me.’ OMG LMAO!
“We talked about the show. Hasselhoff raved about the band and ran off the first verse of ‘Rocket Man.’ My own personal Hasselhoff crooning!!
“OMG, it was like an internet meme just came to life in my backseat. Holy (bleep). David (bleeping) Hasselhoff ladies & gentlemen.”
The cabby added, “I’m going to tell you what happened, but can I do that w/o anyone suggesting that I’m complaining about it? It’s just, what happened.
“We went (from) Caesars to Bellagio, it was $6.80 fare. Hasselhoff hands me a twenty and says, ‘Keep two bucks for yourself.’ I gave him $11 back.
“DH: ‘Keep $2 for yourself.’
“LVCC: (sorting).
“DH: ‘Just give me $9 back. No, $11 back.’
“GF: ‘Just make it 10 back?’
“LVCC: (hands $11 back)
“Worth noting,” the cabby continued, “that I never let on that I knew who he was. I’d rather have a real conversation. If I had however, it’s possible (the) tip is better.”
Andrew’s excellent adventure was far from over.
“Tonight just got even more weird,” he tweeted. “Awesome? Picked up 3 Japanese guys at airport, English so poor they said Bally’s, but I heard Paris.
“We finally figured that out and I drop them at Ballys. They paid for fare and added $3 for my tip. I helped w/ luggage, off they went.”
“Only a handful of cabs at Ballys so I decide to hang out for my next ride. I wait — 20 min, till I’m called to load a younger couple.
“But I notice the same 3 Japanese guys next to cab stand. They see me and get my attention. Something’s the matter.
“In their best English they convey they forgot something in my cab. We all began looking, even young couple got out.
“That was the guy found his wallet wedged between the side of the seat and door. He promptly opened his wallet and gave $100.
“The young couple got back in and I took them to Hard Rock, for free. It seemed like the right thing to do.
“So I got $2 from David Hasselhoff and $103 from a random Japanese guy. All in a days work for this #Vegas cabbie. Things are looking up.”
And, yes, he’s putting it all in a book.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Comedy legend Jerry Lewis was honored Monday with the 2015 National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award. Bob Fisher, who retired in December as the founding president and CEO of the Nevada Broadcasters Association, received two awards at the NAB convention here this week. …
UNLVino’s Grand Tasting will be held Saturday at Paris Las Vegas. A special weekend buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer concludes at 5 p.m. today. Use the code BOGO at UNLVTickets.com. Chef Steve Martorano will be presented with the Dom Perignon Award of Excellence. …
The cast of “Rock of Ages,” with special guest Joey Fatone, celebrates Saturday with a special 10:30 p.m. keg tapping. …
Willie and Korie Robertson of the hit reality series “Duck Dynasty” have a breakfast sitdown with the Las Vegas media this morning at the Rio before tonight’s launch of their “Duck Commander Musical.”
SIGHTINGS
Actress Sharon Stone, with a party of 23 at Piero’s Italian Cuisine on Sunday night. Piero’s owner Freddie Glusman reminded her which booth she was in during a scene in “Casino.” Also at Piero’s: Vanna White. They were in town for the NAB convention. … Country icon Kris Kristofferson and his wife, Lisa, dining with Gene Kilroy, Muhammad Ali’s longtime business manager, on Monday at Fiamma in the MGM Grand. … Comedian Jeff Ross, part of Comedy Central’s Justin Bieber roast, at Beacher’s Madhouse in the MGM Grand on Saturday. … Lady Gaga, celebrating at Planet Hollywood’s Heart Bar after performing with Tony Bennett during their “Cheek to Cheek” tour at Planet Hollywood. Before their second show on Saturday, Lady Gaga took in John’s “The Million Dollar Piano.”
THE PUNCH LINE
“(Sunday) was my birthday. Every year my relatives from all over the country race to my house thinking it’s going to be the reading of the will.” — David Letterman
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter: @Norm_Clarke
