A Friend in Need

A Friend in Need

On Election Day Jerry Barker's cab is busy. Just as he stops for lunch, Jerry sees a young woman with a sick child. She is lost and trying to get her boy to the hospital. Jerry offers to drive her for free, but before she can accept, two election workers run up and claim the cab. Their task is more important than the woman's, they claim, and insist Jerry drive them. Jerry refuses, even when they threaten him. Eventually they leave, and Jerry takes the woman and her son to the hospital. The woman thanks Jerry and rushes inside. Jerry then utters the words, "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these."

Moments after Jerry drops them off in the pouring rain, a woman in a veil steps out of the hospital and calls for a cab. Recognizing Jerry, she asks after Polly and the children. Beauty learns the woman is Mrs. Fowler, Polly's former mistress. When Mrs. Fowler asks about Jerry's health, he admits he does get sick sometimes, and Mrs. Fowler worries he may grow ill driving a cab in winter weather. She encourages him to contact her if he ever wants a different job.