Rideshare company Uber’s announcement of commencing operations in Karratha has spread excitement across the community, though not everyone is pleased.
Local cab drivers like Michael Delfino have had a vice-like grip over the city’s passenger service needs for decades.
Sitting against the bonnet of his car smoking a cigarette outside the Red Earth Arts Precinct, Michael told the Bugle that inside there was an Uber drivers sign-up workshop taking place.
“What are you gonna do,” he shrugged, while writing down the licence plate numbers of all the parked cars outside the venue into a small notepad.
“Be a shame if one of these fine Camry’s, I dunno, had a rock thrown right through the windshield – bing!”
While Michael did not begin the interview with any kind of strong accent, his voice slowly entered a kind of New Jersey brogue the more he spoke, and a toothpick suddenly emerged in between his teeth.
While reaching into his car and swapping out his Gazman Polo for a loose fitting bowling shirt, he extinguished his cigarette and produced a cigar and continued ruminating.
“Look, I got a lotta nice earners working for me at Karratha Taxis – I don’t need some rinky dink cocksuckers comin’ up here and interfering with my business, you know what I mean?” He said while eating sliced portions of what he referred to as ‘gabagool’.
He produced a flip phone from his pocket, held it to his ear without saying a word for thirty seconds before snapping it shut angrily and continuing on.
“It’s fuckin Jerry, he’s gone – they got him,” he said angrily.
“I loved that kid like a son and now look – ah madon’ – I gotta speak to Sil,”
“This shit ain’t over, and any stugots that wants to sign up with Uber – Michael Delfino will see you soon.’
He climbed into his 1999 Chevrolet Suburban before tearing off, the sounds of ‘Woke up this morning’ blaring from the cars sound system.
