MORNINGS ON MAPLE STREET

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Toll Taker 47

Toll Taker 47
 
The only thing between us and the Bay Bridge
   was Toll Taker 47.
That's what it said on his badge.
 
He peered in the window and said,
   "You've got a beautiful wife."
And she said, "I'm not his wife -
   not yet anyway."
And 47 pointed at me and said,
   "What are you waiting for?"
And I said, "My change,
   so we can get across that bridge."
 
And 47 turned around
   and pulled out a stack of bills and said,
"Here's 300 bucks,
   go get her a ring,
   compliments of the State of California."
 
And I said,
   "I can't take that money."
And she said, "Oh yes, you can,"
   and reached across my lap and grabbed the cash.
 
And we felt like Bonnie and Clyde
   in an old black jalopy
   as we left Toll Taker 47 in a cloud of dust
   and disappeared over the bay.  

From the book "Gig at the Amtrak." Click here for more information.

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