You head for the nearest main thoroughfare, your eyes continually scanning in all directions in case you espy that rarest of nocturnal London creatures, an unoccupied black cab.
Presently, much to your surprise, you do indeed chance upon a taxi - it's dropping off a couple of party revellers outside a pub.
You can:
Shout, "
TAXI!", and make the gesture.
Look for
another taxi
because you don't trust this one.
Recall all those newspaper stories about murderous taxi drivers and
walk to your hotel
after all.
Forget going home just yet and
visit the pub. Hey, it's cold outside!