Stream of words - short stories

Barry, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and an impressive collection of Hawaiian shirts, decided to start driving for Uber in Hollywood. "It's all about networking," he'd heard. Barry had no intentions of becoming famous. He simply wanted amusing stories to share at his upcoming high school reunion.

On his first day, Barry had an app notification. His first passenger was named Destiny. When he pulled up to the curb, a young woman with shimmering, purple hair and neon heels climbed into the backseat. “I’m going to be the next big pop sensation,” she declared, pulling out a tambourine. "Listen to my single!” For the entire ride, Barry was treated to Destiny's... unique blend of singing, rapping, and tambourine-shaking. Barry, ever the gentleman, nodded along. "Very... rhythmic,” he commented.

Next up was Chad, a muscular guy in his twenties who squeezed into Barry's compact car. “I’m going to be the next Marvel superhero,” he said, flexing in such a way that Barry feared he might burst through the roof. Chad spent the ride demonstrating superhero landings and explaining his self-made superhero, “Muscle Man”. By the end of the ride, Barry had inadvertently agreed to be Muscle Man’s sidekick, “Hawaiian Shirt Hero”.

Just when Barry thought his day couldn’t get more eccentric, in came Trixie, an aspiring actress with a flair for the dramatic. She got in and instructed Barry to drive her to the most popular café in town. As he drove, Trixie rehearsed a death scene, collapsing onto Barry’s lap at one point, which led to a minor swerving incident.

“Do you think I captured the essence of despair?” Trixie asked, sitting back up.

“You certainly captured something,” Barry replied, trying to steady his heart rate.

The afternoon brought with it a pair of twins, Tara and Sara, aspiring influencers who insisted on live-streaming their Uber ride. Barry found himself answering questions from their followers. “Is it true you once gave a ride to Scarlett Johansson?” one asked.

“No,” Barry laughed, “but Destiny, the tambourine pop sensation, was in this very car!”

As evening fell, Barry picked up Maximillian, an aspiring magician. Barry was regaled with card tricks and a particularly alarming moment when Maximillian made it look like he was driving the car from the back seat.

By night, Hollywood changed its tune. Barry’s car was filled with the soft strumming of an indie musician, the lyrical flow of an aspiring rapper, and the poetic words of a young woman who said she was the voice of her generation.

It was past midnight when Barry decided to call it a day. But there was one last ride request. Curiosity piqued, Barry accepted and drove to the heart of Hollywood. Outside an elite club, waiting for him, was none other than Jack Harrison, a Hollywood superstar.

As Jack climbed into the car, Barry's heart raced. "Just drive around the block a few times," Jack said, sounding exhausted. "I needed a break from all the young aspiring talents trying to pitch their stories."

Barry chuckled. "You and me both!"

As they drove, Jack listened intently to Barry's tales of the day, laughing heartily at the antics of Destiny, Chad, Trixie, and the others. "Hollywood's filled with dreams," Jack mused. "I was one of them once."

By the end of the ride, Jack gave Barry his personal number. "If you ever decide to change careers, give me a call. Hollywood could use a genuine guy like you.”

Back home, Barry reflected on his adventurous day. While he hadn't set out to network, he had unexpectedly made a connection. But for now, he was content with his role as the unofficial chauffeur to Hollywood’s aspiring stars.

At his high school reunion, Barry was a hit. Not only did he have the best stories, but he also had a selfie with Jack Harrison to prove it. Everyone agreed, Barry was the true Uber Star of Hollywood.