Alleged curse of cab 666 may soon end

SAN FRANCISCO, July 24 (UPI) -- It may soon be the End of Times for San Francisco taxi cab medallion No. 666, which has been rumored to be a curse for any of its owners.

The San Francisco Chronicle said that San Francisco Taxi Commission officials are discussing the potential retirement of the unusual medallion number after its present owner complained that bad luck apparently follows what is referred to in the Bible as "the Mark of the Beast" and a sign of the Apocalypse.

In an effort to gain a new cab medallion, veteran driver Michael Byrne convinced commission official Jordanna Thigpen of negative ramifications of the notorious number, the Chronicle said.

"Do I believe in the Mark of the Beast myself?" Thigpen said. "No. But there is a lot of negative energy around that cab. If we can help somebody out, why not do it? If something's a nuisance, it's our duty to get rid of it, right?'"

The Chronicle said that seeking the commission's help in the matter wasn't Byrne's first hope to deal with the alleged curse.

The cabdriver reportedly took his vehicle and its troublesome medallion number to a local religious mission to have it blessed but apparently it did little good.