Lost in New York City - Crimson/Lory

(This is a co-entry with Lory.  Enjoy.) "Are you sure we should be doing this?" said Lory.  I rolled my eyes at my paranoid BFF.  I've been waiting for an opportunity to return to the city.  In fact, Lory and I met here, in New York City, exactly two years ago..... I was leaving my apartment on 58th Street.  It was absolutely freezing outside.  There was just one problem with me going shopping: I am way directionally challenged.  5th Avenue was only one block away, however, getting there was half of the problem.  I licked my finger to test the wind direction.  The wind is coming from my right.  I don't want my beautiful hair to blow into my face, so I'll head in that direction, so my hair blows away from my face.  I preceded to walk one block, however, I reached another corner filled with a mob of people.  I knew I had to turn here, I just did not know where to go.  So, I decided to use the infallible wind test.  I licked my finger one more time.  The wind was coming from my left, so I decided to go that way.  This does not feel right.  Whatever.  The wind is always right. Uh... maybe I'll ask someone.  How about that unfashionable kid over there.  She looks smart... So, I walked over to that kid and grabbed her arm.  "OMG, do you know where the shops on 5th are?! I'm so lost...." I stood patiently within the crowd of people waiting for the walk sign to light up.  Despite the cold weather, the usual hustle and bustle of the city was as lively as ever.  My parents were in the city on business and I had decided to join them as I was on winter break.  The Museum of Modern Art had just opened a new exhibit that I was anxious to see.  Suddenly, someone was grabbing my arm saying, "OMG, do you know where the shops on 5th Avenue are?!  I'm so lost...." I turned to look at the person holding my arm tightly.  It was a woman, maybe a few years older than myself.  She was dressed in jeans with several tears and holes, a khaki trench coat, and a hat that couldn't contain all of the woman's unruly curly auburn hair.  The first thing I could thing was Holy crow there's a homeless woman grabbing me! A sense of panic began to arise in me.  I had run into another homeless person yesterday in the subway.  The occurrence had scarred me and now I refuse to take the NYC subway.  I briefly considered pulling out my pepper spray, when her words began to register in my brain.  If she was a hobo, then why was she heading over to 5th Avenue?  She didn't have any money!   I was staring at this girl I asked for directions.  Was she going to to tell me or not?!  Actually, she looks like she should go with me, if she even knows where the shops are.  This girl looks like she got dressed in the dark this morning.  Then, a stroke of genius hit me.  If she ever tells me where 5th Avenue is, I'll take her to Saks Fifth Avenue and get her a new outfit to thank her!  God, I am such a nice person.   I stared at her in confusion.  "5th Avenue is right there," I said, pointing to the left.  "You literally passed it, like, five feet ago." The hobo lady began bouncing up and down.  My concern grew marginally larger as I considered the possibility of drug use.  "Ohmygosh, thanks so much!  I've lived in this area, like, for-ever but I can never remember my way around.  Anyways, come on!"  She started tugging on my arm again.   I really need to learn my directions.  But for now, I'm heading to Saks with... "Woah, I'm sorry, I don't know your name!  I'm Crimson Paine.  What's your name?" "Um... my name is Loralye Watts..." "Loralye?  Gosh, that's such a mouthful so I'll call you Lory!  Okay, well now that you have told me where 5th Avenue is, I'm going to thank you by taking you to Skas so I can get you a new outfit!  No offense, Lory, but you look like you got dressed in the dark this morning!  So, ready to go?"