instincts

Hey there, wonderful readers! It’s Tina here, bringing you another delightful slice of life that’s sure to make you chuckle, ponder, and maybe even see yourself in the narrative. Today’s story kicks off with a scene straight out of an action movie! Imagine, if you will, someone jumping into a taxi and shouting the words we’ve all secretly wanted to yell at least once in our lives: “Follow that car!” Intrigued? Buckle up, because this ride is about to get wild.

Meet Jessie. Jessie is your average twenty-something with a penchant for spontaneity and just a touch of chronic lateness. On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Jessie finds herself darting through the crowded streets of downtown, juggling an umbrella, a coffee cup, and a bag that’s threatening to spill its contents—all while glancing at her watch with increasing alarm.

Jessie has an interview for what could be her dream job at a trendy, up-and-coming tech startup. But of course, the universe decides to throw in some last-minute chaos. The cab Jessie ordered? Nowhere to be found. Traffic? A veritable labyrinth of gridlock. And to top it off, Jessie’s coffee just tipped, leaving a stain that’s halfway between artistic and disastrous.

By some miracle, just as Jessie’s about to lose all hope, a cab pulls up right in front of her. Jessie flings herself inside, hair plastered to her face, and without thinking, shouts, “Follow that car!” pointing toward a sleek black sedan disappearing around the corner.

The cabbie, a grizzled veteran named Lou, raises an eyebrow but hits the gas without a word. “Better than another run to JFK,” he mutters, eyes twinkling with amusement.

Jessie initially wonders what on earth possessed her to imitate a scene from a TV show. She hadn’t planned to follow anyone—she just needed a ride. But before she can correct herself, a twinge of curiosity and adrenaline takes over. Who’s in the black sedan? Where are they going?

As the cab weaves through traffic, Jessie decides to roll with it. What’s life without a little adventure, right? Plus, she can always blame this on the same spontaneity that had her picking up salsa dancing last summer.

“So, who’s the mark?” Lou asks, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

“What? Oh, um, it’s… personal,” Jessie stammers, trying to sound more confident than she feels. “Important, actually. Very important.”

Lou nods sagely. “Ah, gotcha. A matter of the heart or business?”

Jessie picks the safest option. “Business,” she says, sitting up a bit straighter. “Very top secret.”

As they hurtle through the city, Jessie learns that driving through Manhattan involves all the joy and relaxation of a high-stakes video game. Honking horns, tight turns, pedestrians acting like they have nine lives—it’s a miracle they’ve managed to keep the black sedan in sight.

They eventually find themselves in the artsy neighborhood of SoHo. The sedan pulls over, and a well-dressed man steps out, heading towards a chic-looking café. Jessie’s heart pounds—half from the excitement, half from her brain frantically trying to make sense of what to do next.

“Want me to keep the meter running?” Lou asks, already knowing the answer.

Jessie nods, thrusting a handful of crumpled bills at him. “Keep it running. I’ll be just a minute.”

Stepping out into the drizzle, Jessie debates her next move. What’s the play here? Confront the guy? Follow him? Pretend to be an undercover agent? She realizes she should have thought this through a bit better.

As she watches the man disappear inside, Jessie decides to go full detective mode. Entering the café, she grabs the nearest menu as a prop and pretends to scrutinize it while sidling closer to the mystery man. He’s sitting at a corner table, engrossed in a folder of documents.

As Jessie edges nearer, she catches snippets of a conversation. The more she hears, the more it becomes clear—this guy’s planning a business deal, not international espionage. And just like that, Jessie feels a mix of relief and disappointment.

Turning to leave, Jessie bumps into a server, sending another coffee flying. Because apparently, the world wanted to ensure Jessie’s quota of coffee mishaps was filled. She offers a rapid stream of apologies as the man looks over, arching a curious eyebrow.

Suddenly, it all clicks. The man—he’s from the very tech startup where Jessie’s supposed to have her interview! His name starts with a B… Ben? Brandon? Yes, Brandon! Her chances of making a good impression have just plummeted faster than her last attempt at online dating.

But then, Jessie decides to dig into the whole spontaneity thing for all it’s worth. Maybe she can turn this around.

“Mr. Brandon, right?” she says, trying to sound both authoritative and composed while still wiping coffee off her jacket. “I was actually on my way to meet you for the interview. I just wanted to show how committed I am to… uh, following through.”

Brandon chuckles, clearly amused. “Well, you certainly caught my attention. Have a seat, why don’t you?”

Jessie sits, launching into her best elevator pitch about why she’s perfect for the job. Forget the rain, forget the stained clothes—she’s in the zone, adrenaline working to suppress the fiery embarrassment tugging at her mind.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn as Brandon seems to appreciate her unconventional approach. He laughs at her mishaps, nodding thoughtfully during her explanations, and even shares his impromptu admiration for someone who’s willing to go the extra mile—or follow a car through city traffic.

By the end, Jessie can hardly believe it when Brandon extends his hand. “You know, Jessie, I think we need someone with your kind of tenacity and creativity. When can you start?”

Jessie’s mouth drops open. Did—did she really just land the job through sheer absurdity and accidental espionage?

Lou’s cab horn blares from outside. Jessie quickly shakes Brandon’s hand, promising to start first thing Monday. She bounds out of the café, joyously splashing through puddles like a triumphant kid.

Climbing back into the cab, Jessie grins at Lou. “Mission accomplished, good sir. Take me home.”

Lou chuckles, nodding. “Not bad for a day’s work, kid. You sure you don’t want to follow antother car?”

Jessie laughs, feeling lighter than she has in weeks. “Maybe next time, Lou. Maybe next time.”

As the cab weaves its way back through the bustling city, Jessie leans back, marveling at how a seemingly bad day turned into an unforgettable adventure. She makes a mental note to occasionally listen to those wild, impulsive instincts—because sometimes, they lead to the most unexpected opportunities.

So here’s to spontaneity, to the thrill of the chase, and to all of us who’ve ever wanted to shout, “Follow that car!” Remember, sometimes the wildest detours end up leading us right where we’re meant to be.

Until next time, dear readers, stay curious, embrace the chaos, and never be afraid to follow that car—whatever form it may take.




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