New York.
"Take care."
Inside a yellow taxi, the Black driver smiled as he saw off a passenger.
His smile seemed utterly harmless, but no one knew that once he stepped out of his taxi, he became the Equalizer, a man who made criminals shudder.
"How's business?"
A rough-looking fellow caught the door just before it closed and plopped himself into the back seat.
Robert glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
His arms were covered in tattoos, a stud pierced his nostril, and he chewed gum as his eyes darted over the people outside.
A bulge at his waist concealed a weapon.
Robert immediately knew what he was: one of those crooks who liked robbing taxi drivers.
Robert had been marked as an easy target.
"Not bad," Robert replied, pretending he had noticed nothing. "Where to?"
"Just drive," the man said.
Robert started the car and drove toward a less crowded area.
The man was quite happy to see fewer people outside.
Once they had left the crowded area, the man could no longer contain himself.
"All right, old man. Hand over everything you've earned."
Finally revealing his intentions, the man pulled out his weapon.
It was an old-model handgun, but that did not stop it from firing bullets.
"Hurry up!" he snarled.
Robert remained calm. He raised both hands and said, "I'm going to slowly reach over to the passenger seat and get the cash."
"The passenger seat, huh?" The man gave it a quick glance and ordered Robert, "Get it out!"
The instant the man shifted his muzzle, Robert floored the accelerator.
The man lurched sideways. Robert slammed on the brakes, throwing him forward.
Grabbing the man's hand, Robert swiftly disarmed him.
He turned the gun around and said calmly, "Open the door and