“Big S” the Passat was due for his 40,000 mile tune up, so I took him out to the VW dealer. Once the papers were signed and the keys turned over, I made my way into the showroom to wait for my ride back to work.

Mr.B–commander of the Courtesy Shuttle–showed up a short bit later.

I met Bill Sweeney back in February when Big S fell ill to some gasket trouble. Bill got me back and forth, offering wisdom and good conversation with each turn and short cut.

That man is the King of the Road. Let’s just put it this way: he knows his way around Portland. He can sense a congested intersection miles away. he knows where the traffic is, where the road work is holding stuff up. He keeps an eye out for, “Dangerous drivers.”

Today we spoke about his time in Vietnam, boot camp, barbeque recipes and the great Soul men of our time: Marvin Gaye, Al Green and the King; Mr. Elvis Presley. He leaned over and added, “Let me tell you, there were a lot of kings before Elvis! Ha!” Wisdom.

We parted with a firm handshake and I offered him this guarantee, “Mr.B, if you are ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop on by and I’ll buy you lunch.”

I hope he stops by. We’ve got him covered.

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To read of my first encounter with the amazing Mr.B back in February of this year, click here and scroll down to the February 05, 2003 entry entitled, “ That Man Made My Day ”