Chapter 24

“Excuse me. Do you speak English?” Karl inquired of the third driver.

“Si, Signore. Yes, I do,” said the smiling older man. “Where can I take you?”

Karl explained they wanted to drive outside the city limits of Florence, and that they would like to be informed when they approached the boundary. After they left the city Karl would give more instructions. The driver looked a bit puzzled but agreed.

Then Karl asked, “How many of us are here in the cab?”

“How many are in the cab?” the driver asked back.

“Yes, beside you, how many are here?”

Karl felt silly asking this question, but he needed to be clear on this point.

“Ah…two?” the man answered as if he thought this was a trick question. “You and your young friend.” He smiled at Tonio.

“Good,” said Karl. “Grazie. Now we can go.”

The cab pulled out into the busy morning traffic. As they made their way through the city, the driver looked into his rear view mirror and said to Tonio, “Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?”