"Is this really New York?" Jem asked. He eyed a begging and homeless man. He handed him a five dollar bill.
"Yup!" Tessa said, popping the p. "It wasn't like this when I was a girl. It was just as loud- but less smelly, actually, I take that back,- but less bright."
"There are so many lights and sounds and stores! We shall go to a music store! I have heard of those things, what wonderful things they seem to be." Jem took Tessa's hand, pulled her close, and hugged her shoulders.
"They also sell bad things." Tessa remembered the last time she was in a music store. It doubled as a movie store.
Jem looked at her curiously. "What could possibly be sold there?"
"Pornographic gibberish." She said, a disgusted look on her face.
"Oh... emOh/em." He said, his eyes wide. "Well. We shall go to one of these stores, still." Jem grabbed her hand and pulled her farther along the street. The pair had made it to Times Square, somehow. As they walked in front of the jumbo-screen, Jem stared in awe. "Wow. Why is that girl so indecent? And what is her secret?"
"Jem! Just don't mind that. It's an advertisement for a store." Tessa pulled Jem away from the Victoria's Secret ad. A brightly colored circle caught Jem's eyes.
"Why does that yellow circle have an 'm' on it?"
"It's a candy store. Come! You need to try an MM!" Tessa squealed, taking his hand and running over to the store. "MM's are amazing." About an hour later, they walked out with bags of merchandise, as well as bags full of MM's. Jem was grinned while Tessa was giggling.
"You look like a tourist!" She said, snickering.
"Isn't that what I am?" Jem said, popping another MM into his mouth.
"Yes, I guess you are."
"Well, then. How interesting is that?" Jem asked, looking at her with a smile. It quickly turned to a look of disgust when he saw two young children, about the age of 13, a boy, with basketball shorts and socks with sandals, and a girl, wearing short shorts and a crop top, making-out heavily. He leaned down to the brunette beside him. "Why are they trying to eat each other's faces off? And why must they do that at such a young age? And, by the Angel! What in Heaven's name is that girl wearing?!"
Tessa laughed. "The children of this day and age have been known to be more... Indecent than us. Tragic, I know."
"Time has really progressed while I was out being a Silent Brother."
"It has, my de-"
"Miss? Do you have any spare change?" A young, dark skinned boy asked. He was about 9. His clothes hung from his body, exposing a thin, malnourished frame.
"Here! Take this, young one." Jem said, handing him a twenty dollar bill. "Would you like us to buy you lunch, as well?"
He thought about it before gently taking the bill and hesitantly nodding. "I'm Jackson, but everyone calls me Jack." He grinned, showing a number of missing teeth. "What are your names?"
"I'm Tessa and this is Jem! It is a pleasure to meet you, Jack." Tessa said, taking the boy's hand and leading him to the nearest Burger King restaurant.
"Same to you, Miss! Thank you for the meal!" He said, giving each a hug.
"You are very welcome, child." Jem said.