I wish I could say that I swayed my hips more then was strictly necessary because of some master plan I had to seduce the bell boy and thus gain entry into the house that way, but to be honest, it was because my feet were killing me. I’d been experimenting for the last few hours with various ways of walking that reduced the pain in my feet to a more tolerable level. All with no success. It’d been a long day and the allure of the heels that made my pudgy legs look oh-so-sexy this morning had long since worn off. I was ready to either kill someone or cry. I’d settle for a hot bath and the architectural plans for my marks building.

A cab turned the corner and I flagged it down, gritting my teeth as it drove through a puddle, splashing the dirty water over my already grimy clothes before stopping. I took a few calming breaths to calm down and restrain myself from murdering the driver before walking towards the back door and climbing in. With my luck it would probably start raining again.

The warm humidity of the outside world was cut off as I closed the door and welcomed the cool crisp air that greeted me.

“Where’ll it be?”

The driver peered at me over his shoulder, most of his face hidden by his high buttoned collar and down turned hat. Great, probably a vampire.

I gave him the address of a house a block west of mine and watched as he turned the car around before speeding off through the dense fog. A gal can never be too careful these days, especially with my job.

Streetlights flashed by in short bursts before fading back into the mist that clouded the streets and buildings. I watched the rearview mirror for some sign of the identity of the cabby. A small flash of skin, eyes, anything but the low hat and shadows that obscured all his features. The car slowed down for a red light, a cluster of street lamps surrounding the nearby convenience store illuminating its interior and the few visible features of my driver. Nothing showed in the mirror. Chalk one up for woman’s intuition, a definite vampire.

The car started off again and I listened as the meter gave off it’s soft clicks. The closest thing to a conversation I’d had all night, aside from the directions I’d given the cabby. Kinda sad really if you stop to think about it.

Another stop light and a high, pale cheek bone revealed itself as the car turned right. I wondered why a vampire would choose to drive a cab for a living. Why bother make money when you can get your meals for free?

The car slowed to a stop in front of my apartment building and the driver turned for his payment. I dug a few bills from my pocket and shoved them at him before opening the door and stepping out into the light drizzle that had started up a few blocks back. I’ve never liked water, it always conspires to make me miserable.

I walked around the back of the cab before noticing that the driver had lowered his window and was beckoning me back again. I took a step forwards, positive that I’d given him the right amount of money.

“Because it beats sleeping in a crypt.” He said when I was in hearing range,

I stared at him, puzzled.

“You wanted to know why I would chose to drive a cab. Basements are more comfortable then crypts, but they cost rent.” He said, flashing a toothy smile before speeding away, disappearing into the fog as I stood on the curb starring.

I’d forgotten that vampires could read minds. Damn.