Night Tripper: A True Story about the Tinsel Town taxi trade

by Jeffrey Frost

Jack’s not looking for love, truth and certainly not anything even remotely resembling reality. But in a town built on make-believe, self-loathing and lies, sometimes everything you’re not looking for, finds you. Meet Jack Wudjinski, rookie night-shift cabbie. He’s an unemployed actor who’s taken to the neon-soaked streets of Tinsel Town in search of that ever-elusive catalyst for success. The one key ingredient that’ll keep him in the business of show, just a little bit longer. Rent. Follow this chain-smoking, Nietzsche-quoting cinephile on a lyrical, satirical, descent into the bowels of Hollywood. Ride with Jack as he torments the tourists, abuses the locals, and breaks every rule of the road known to man. Except vehicular manslaughter. He only bends that rule. Jack foils a plot to assassinate a racist Elvis impersonator and develops a frighteningly erotic relationship with his cab. (Which may or may not be communicating with him telepathically.) There’s a Russian Civil War at LAX, a drag race through time, and a zombie chase down La Brea. And just to complicate matters, Jack picks up a blond-haired, green-eyed poet in a bowler hat who just might steal his heart! As he ferries the weary spirits of Hollywood to their desired destinations, Jack will discover that he is, indeed, not behind the wheel. He is only a passenger.

376 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2011