It happened during the 1950s in Los Angeles. Mr Hall was waiting for a traffic light when the girl came into view by the side of the road. She was pretty, and she was hitch-hiking, her thumb raised to the heavens and her elegant complexion faced towards the stationary vehicle. However, on this occasion Mr Hall didn't have time, and as the light flicked to green he zoomed off with haste, not giving the hitch-hiker a second glance.

A few miles ahead the freeway stretched like a winding serpent. The traffic was busy, and again Mr Hall found himself behind various other cars. As he stopped the car, he was startled to once again see the girl, exactly the same wistful woman who was looking at him, her thumb in the air her smile broad. This time however, Mr Hall felt guilty so he motioned for the lady to get in, and she did. Although the noise of the freeway was an irritant, he managed to ask, "Where are you going ? I turn off at Avenue 64." She smiled, so Mr Hall thought that as a destination it must have been fine with her.

As the traffic eased and Mr Hall pulled away, attempting to concentrate on the road ahead, he couldn't help but wonder just how the woman had managed to reach the freeway ahead of him, surely she hadn't got a lift and by some unknown short-cut made the freeway in short time. Bemused by the situation, Mr Hall, and to simply break the ice, decided it was time to ask her just how on Earth she'd reached the freeway and why she'd motioned to him, however, as he turned to face her she was gone...

...Mr Hall had been travelling at over 50 mph by the time the freeway had become clear, there was no way the woman could have got out of the car. In amazement he scratched his head, not quite coming to terms with the fact he'd picked up a phantom hitch-hiker!

Photo by cstrzRock on flicker