Taxis for travel

Taxis represents both the ostentatious wealth of Americans abroad, who, like Jake, are so pampered that they cannot be troubled to walk across the street. 

In addition, taxis.may represent the transitory nature of people, coming and going. They may be representative of the way people in the twentieth century became increasingly disconnected from one another, People are now shying away from making real connections with the people who briefly come into their lives, like the taxi drivers. After the final bullfight, Romero and Brett leave for Madrid together. Cohn has left that morning, so only Bill, Mike, and Jake remain as the fiesta draws to a close. The next day, the three remaining men rent a car and drive out of Spain to Bayonne and then go their separate ways. Jake heads back into Spain to San Sebastian, where he plans to spend several quiet days relaxing. 

He receives a telegram from Brett, however, asking him to come meet her in Madrid. He complies, and boards an overnight train that same day. Jake finds Brett alone in a Madrid hotel room. She has broken with Romero, fearing that she would ruin him and his career. She announces that she now wants to return to Mike. Jake books tickets for them to leave Madrid. As they ride in a taxi through the Spanish capital, Brett laments that she and Jake could have had a wonderful time together. Jake responds, “Yes, isn’t it pretty to think so?”