Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… one day at a time, in New York City. Alex knows the city inside and out and he’s grown to accept it as his permanent home. His profession puts him in constant contact with New Yorkers from all walks of life – from Congressmen to the homeless. Of all his co-workers, he’s the most comfortable with his living situation: “I'm going to die as I've lived, wearing a green shirt, a catcher's mask, and dancing the can-can.”
Profession… cab driver for Sunshine Cab Company. Alex used to have a typical office job, one that he even thrived at, but he was laid off after he refused to tow the company line. He’s at peace with his new job and has no prospects or ambitions otherwise. As he once put it, “One thing about being a cabbie is that you don't have to worry about being fired from a good job.”
Interests… gambling, unfortunately. Alex has struggled with gambling for years. He’s managed to suppress the temptation for long stretches, but his relapses can get ugly. After a winning streak in Atlantic City, he was immediately seized by an insatiable hunger for more. Needless to say, it didn’t end well.
Relationship Status… divorced. Alex was married to Phyllis Bornstein, who resented his lack of ambition and eventually left him because of it. She took sole custody of their daughter, Cathy. Alex was more than fit to parent, but rather than fight, he gave in to Phyllis’s wishes.
Challenge… having it too together. It sounds strange, but Alex is so stable and well-adjusted in comparison to his co-workers that he resents constantly being the company rock. When anyone has a problem, they come to Alex. Whether it’s a favor or advice, the drivers know Alex is good for it. While they all pine for something more than driving a cab, Alex is often burdened with picking up the pieces when things don’t work out.
Personality… grounded. Alex has no illusions about his future, and this frees him of the pretensions and let-downs that the other drivers face. He’s never cynical, though. Rather, his dry humor make the days easier for everyone: “I'm not really a cab driver. I'm just waiting for something better to come along. You know, like death.”
