A cluster of Shooters-bound students piles into a gray cab shaking from the bass of the radio. “Wassup, wassup ladies!" the driver greets them before the loaded vehicle zooms off into the night.
Over the course of the past sixteen years, Omar has gained prominent status amongst Duke’s late night party-goers. His is a household name for many fraternities and sororities, and his hours are occupied by personal calls, rather than ones from his dispatcher, Charlene’s Safe Ride. A text sent to Omar is typically greeted by a response within seconds.
“It's not just about the business for him," said sophomore Davis English. "He values the relationships with his clients and really takes interest in the Duke social scene.”
Omar was named Umernajan at birth, but said he identifies with Omar because the shorter handle is easier for customers. He refused to disclose his last name, calling it “boring” and “too long." Omar and his family immigrated to the United States from India when he was sixteen years old. Ten of his uncles live within a four mile radius of Morrisville, NC., but Omar spends little time with his family.
“My real family is the party legends of Duke," he said.
As a taxi-driver, Omar is over-qualified. Fluent in both English and Hindi, he earned a bachelor’s degree in bio-chemistry from East Carolina University and later worked as a clinical research associate. Surprisingly, Omar does not enjoy driving.
“Driving sucks," he said. "But driving with my homies is the dream.”
He added that he could be working elsewhere.
“I am not supposed to be doing this," he said. "But would I rather be doing paperwork or driving the party legends around?”
The competition is not exactly fond of Omar.
"They hate me," he noted.
Omar said that in one instance, a competitor suspected him of driving too many passengers at once and proceeded to follow him to Shooters. The driver’s plan was to find a police officer and catch him in the act, he added.
“He thought he was smart, but Omar knows [what's good]," he remarked.
He said he managed to drive through the back parking lot and evade his pursuer attributing his escape to the “help of the divine party immortals.”
Omar's preference for FLEX payment, a feature offered by Charlene's Safe Ride, sets him apart from other cab companies.
“If you want me to take you to the moon, I will still take your FLEX," he said.
Over the course of the past ten years, Omar has lived at twenty-four different addresses. He was previously married, but the eleven year relationship ended due to poor circumstance, Omar said. He also described his younger self as a nerd.
“I smelled," he said. "I had a heavy accent. I only thought about med school. I was socially deprived.”
After discussing his background, Omar begged to direct the conversation toward his role in Duke social life. A waitress visited our table, asking if she could remove our empty plates. Omar shooed her away as he continued to tell of the “legends” who live the life he never did.
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