Final answer:
The pivotal event in the story occurs when a character rides by, changing direction of the narrative and leading to a turning point or climax.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passages provided suggest a pivotal event occurs when a character rides by taxi or some form of transport, which significantly alters the direction of a given story. These moments often act as climactic turning points or contribute to the rising action within a narrative, leading toward a climax. Whether it is the encounter with little Fay by Lassiter, Gil-Dong revealing himself to the assassins, or John witnessing a significant change in his circumstances due to external forces, each event serves to propel the story forward in a meaningful way.