Road Diaries

Logistically and price-wise, it made more sense to stay near the airport for Friday's game against Philadelphia and take a cab to the arena for shootaround in the morning. I was going to meet News-Herald Cavs writer Bob Finnan at the Airport Marriott and we'd share a cab to the arena.

I found a bellman and asked him where I could find a cab to take us to the arena district in South Philly. I told him I figured it would cost about $10 or $15 bucks and wanted to make sure that was accurate. He didn't say anything at first, then looked around to make sure no one was watching and leaned in like he had a big secret, like he was going to tell me where The Situation left his common sense.

"I'll take you, if you want," he said. "You can just give me the money."

I'm sure his bosses at the Airport Marriott (1 Arrivals Way, Philadelphia, PA 19153) wouldn't be very happy to learn about his Tony Stewart fantasy, but Bob and I certainly didn't mind. When we walked out to get in the shuttle, it was locked. Seemed strange. Greg Biffle banged on the window as if he knew what was going to happen next, and up popped another bellman who was sound asleep in the back seat. (These bellmen work less than the people at Dunder Mifflin).

Without saying a word, the narcoleptic rubbed that deer-in-the-headlights look out of his eyes, staggered out of the van and walked back inside the hotel while Kyle Busch told us to hop in and off we went. Fast.

All in all, it was a productive day. Bob and I got where we needed to go, the narcoleptic got a few winks and Mark Martin made $15. Off to Washington tonight to do it all again.