D.C. Cab

As Adam Baldwin's Albert Hockenberry steps off the bus in Washington, D.C., the warm glow of the city's capital buildings gives way to a whirlwind of encounters that set the tone for his journey. His arrival at the D.C. Cab Company, owned by Harold Oswell (Max Gail), a battle-hardened Vietnam War veteran and friend of Albert's late father, is marked by an unexpected reunion that is swiftly interrupted by Ernesto Bravo (Jose Perez), the city's Hack Inspector, who accuses driver Tyrone Bywater (Charlie Barnett) of overcharging a Japanese couple for their airport-bound ride. Though Harold returns the fare, Bravo warns that he will stop at nothing to shut down the company, setting the stage for a battle of wits between the two.

As Albert settles into his new surroundings and takes up residence with Harold and his wife Myrna (Anne De Salvo), tensions simmer beneath the surface. The couple's bickering over trivial matters gives way to a deeper-seated unease that mirrors the struggles faced by the city's drivers, including Xavier (Paul Rodriguez), a suave Latin American with aspirations of becoming a gigolo, and Samson (Mr. T.), a community-minded African American driven to action by the scourge of drug dealers in his neighborhood.

As Albert begins his training by riding shotgun with the company's drivers, he receives his hack license on a day marked by turmoil. Ophelia (Marsha Warfield), one of the city's top cabbies, threatens to abandon ship for Emerald Cab Company after being robbed at gunpoint multiple times by a masked assailant (Dennis Stewart). Determined to retain his ace driver, Harold invites Ophelia to pour her heart out over a beer.

As Albert navigates the highs and lows of life in the city, he finds himself drawn to Claudette (Jill Schoelen), the lovely granddaughter of diner waitress Maudie (Diana Bellamy), who warns him away from pursuing her granddaughter. Meanwhile, Bravo drops another bombshell: a priceless violin has gone missing, prompting the drivers to scramble to their vehicles in search of the lost instrument.

As Tyrone and Albert navigate the demands of their job, they face unexpected challenges, including a run-in with egg-throwing embassy kids and a daredevil stunt that nearly leaves them as casualties on the railroad tracks. As the stakes continue to rise, Albert must confront his own fears and limitations while finding his place among the ranks of D.C.'s colorful cab drivers.

As the sun rises over the bustling streets of Washington D.C., a masked bandit bursts into Tyrone's cab, held hostage by Albert (driver) at the wheel. With a menacing grip on his gun, the thief coerces Albert into careening through the city's congested roads, ultimately delivering him to a crew of heavily-armed drivers at the garage. This tense standoff serves as a trial by fire for Albert, who proves his mettle and earns the respect of Tyrone in the process.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rhythm, a spry elderly gentleman who calls the garage his home, stumbles upon the missing violin in one of the taxis, netting the company a handsome $10,000 reward. Harold, the entrepreneurial owner of D.C. Cab, seizes this opportunity to rally his drivers and proposes that they reinvest in the company as partners. Despite initial reluctance, only Albert bites, his focus momentarily derailed by the captivating presence of Claudette.

As tensions simmer beneath the surface, a series of events unfolds with unexpected consequences. The next day, Claudette slips out of the diner to spend hours in Albert's taxi, rekindling their connection. However, Harold returns home to find that Myrna has absconded with the reward money and locked him out, leaving him feeling defeated.

Believing D.C. Cab is on the brink of collapse, the drivers converge at the garage to clean out their lockers. Albert, his indignation palpable, berates his colleagues for their lack of dedication before offering a glimmer of hope: he'll invest the last of his inheritance, $6,063, to revitalize the company's vehicles and garage facilities. The employees, impressed by Albert's commitment, agree to his proposal – all except Tyrone, who remains resolute in his determination to strike out on his own.

As time passes, the fruits of their labor become apparent: improvements are made, profits rise, and the employees share in the company's newfound prosperity. Albert's romance with Claudette is no longer a secret, and Maudie becomes an ally rather than a thorn in his side. Meanwhile, Tyrone struggles to find success as a souvenir salesman.

However, when kidnappers commandeer Albert's cab, taking him and the Rayburn children hostage, events take a dramatic turn. Mattie receives a minor gunshot wound, and Albert is forced to deliver ransom demands over the phone, inadvertently implicating himself in the eyes of the law. As a result, Bravo shuts down D.C. Cab pending an investigation, leaving Tyrone to devise a plan to rescue his colleagues.

As Mattie's hospital room door slid open, three drivers, masquerading as lawyers with impeccable suits and solemn expressions, slipped inside. Their cover was convincing enough that even the vigilant federal agents standing guard didn't bat an eyelid. With stealthy precision, they extracted crucial intel from the authorities, their faces a picture of seriousness and authority. Meanwhile, at the farmhouse, Albert seized his chance to break free, sprinting towards his taxi with the desperation of a man on a mission. From the driver's seat, he frantically radioed Mr. Rhythm, his trusted ally, awakening him from a slumber. Albert's instructions were cryptic yet effective, using a series of recognizable landmarks as navigational aids - including none other than the iconic Chinese martial artist Bruce Lee - before the kidnappers swooped in to recapture him. Mr. Rhythm, now alert and ready to respond, relayed the information to Harold and his team, who sprang into action with their taxis, maintaining a steady stream of communication via radio as they converged on the farmhouse.

The drivers' diligence paid off when they finally pinpointed the location near a drive-in theater, its screen illuminated by the grainy image of yet another Bruce Lee film. Undeterred by the kidnappers' attempts to convince them otherwise, Harold and his team made a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to persuade the criminals that they were surrounded by law enforcement. Samson, ever the hero, swooped in to rescue the children, leaving the kidnappers to make their escape in their van, with Albert as their reluctant captive.

In the ensuing high-speed chase, Albert seized another opportunity to break free, leaping into Samson's taxi and abandoning his captors to their fate. The van, its tires screeching in protest, hurtled off an embankment before splashing down onto the movie screen, its occupants finally coming to rest on the ground. As the dust settled, Harold and his crew were hailed as heroes, their bravery and quick thinking celebrated by the city with a grand parade in their honor.