Taxis, hard to find this area of town. Gotta meet my wife a mile down the road. Decide to walk.
Right then a cab pulls to a stop. Knows exactly where I am going, I get in.
Friendly banter, seems nice enough. Two minutes later we arrive.
"How much do I owe you?"
"80 pesos."
It's not a lot of money, but for such a short ride ... I'm familiar with the general taxi fares, the normal price should be half.
"80 pesos? Demasiado (too much)"
"How much will you give me?"
"50."
Now he gets mad. Gritting his teeth, "Okay, I'll give you the ride for free."
"No, no, not for free."
"Get out of my car!"
"What?"
"Get out of my car!"
"Here is 70, okay?"
He won't take it. I place it on the front seat next to him. His anger is palpable. I'm glad he's not carrying a gun.
"CIERRA LA PUERTA!" (close the door)
I follow his orders. The taxi begins to pull away, I turn and begin to walk away. Out of the corner of my eye, something flutters through the air.
An old woman sitting on the corner alerts me further.
"Sir, sir, moneda."
Still levitating off the ground, perhaps in a vortex of anger, are the 50 and 20 peso bills. I watch as gravity overtakes them, and look in dismay at the mess created.
I walk over, pick them up, nod at the elderly lady who eyes me wearily, and continue on to my destination.