Who the Hell is Vanessa?

 

 

Vanessa is literally the voice of technology, because she's my GPS.  Travels With Vanessa is a seriously silly and slightly skewed look at our technologically empowered, economically confusing and emotionally charged world.

 

When a passenger gets in my Volvo V70 XC, AKA - the Brown Bullet, I can usually get a good read on them in an instant.  It’s a feel type thing.  Are they relaxed or taut?  Do they want to talk or be private with their thoughts.  Are they with friends? Do they want to talk amongst themselves? Are they fixated on their mobile device or open to interaction.  

 

Then there's the bigger question? Do they have sufficient creative bandwidth to appreciate Vanessa? I watch their body language and pay close attention to their tone of voice.  If I get the right signals, I offer up, with a wink and a nod, an opportunity to connect, by weaving Vanessa somehow into the conversation. I use varying degrees of subterfuge to pique their interest. 

 

“Have I introduced you to Vanessa yet?”  

 

It’s probably my most direct approach and my goofiest line. Not everyone get's it. Some look perplexed, as if to ask, "Who the Hell is Vanessa?"

 

Some start looking around the car nervously as if they’ve missed something. When they realize there’s nobody but me in the car. A few get really uncomfortable. It’s understandable.  They know nothing about me. To them, I’m a random match.  I’m that stranger behind the wheel.  

 

They've entrusted to their fate to me, on the basis of some algorithm developed deep within the bowels of the Uber system.  There we are, driver and passenger, in each other's company for ten, twenty and thirty minute intervals.  I need to use my time with them wisely taking on multiple roles: psychologist, navigator, tour guide, social director, disciplinarian, part goofball and part rogue.

 

I sure hope they like my imaginary companion, Vanessa ...

 

Otherwise it might be a long ride.