Part Two: First Impressions.
When I looked back up at the fire escape he was gone and I suddenly felt my confidence wavering. I stumbled stepping over the curb as a taxi stormed by tossing a puddle across the toe of my beat up sneaker. Taking a moment, I surveyed the scene unfolding around me. As quickly as I had seen all the answers, I had lost them. Glancing wildly about me, I felt tears begin to well in my eyes. What the hell am I doing here? I wanted to scream aloud. I had nowhere to go. I knew no one. But, I couldn't go back. I refused to go back. Entirely defeated, I sunk unto the curb, knees to my chest praying for answers.
A low buzzing noise to my right brought my out of my thoughts. Looking up, I came face to face with the lens of a camera. Looking beyond the old camera I saw the focused artist. I wasn't sure whether to smile or cry. Whether I should laugh or shout at the man. I concluded to merely turn my face away.
"Zoom in on the out-of-towner," the blond man behind the camera narrated, "now aware of the camera, she becomes shy."
I turned back to the camera ready to have it out. But when I turned around the man had lowered the camera to his side. He wasn't much older than I was, pretty young actually. He looked about 20, although he could be older. With his right hand extended, he introduced himself as Mark. Standing up quickly, I shook his hand introducing myself as Jo.
"So, you're obviously lost," he smirked at me.
"Obviously," I mocked as I spun around acting confused.
"First time in New York City?"
"First time anywhere," I muttered. He snorted beside me.
"Where you trying to get?" he asked. I was stumped for an answer as I glanced down the street longing for direction.
"Umm…Well…you see…it's kind of like…I mean…"
"Welcome to Bohemia," he cut me off. He let his arms sweep out before him as he gestured toward the city.
"Thanks," I whispered.
"So, what brings you to the city?" he began, "What's your dream?" I glared at him questioningly. "Everyone has one." He continued, "It's the reason this end of New York is still thriving in the midst of disease and decay."
"Freedom." I stated simply, suddenly very interested in my feet.
"Freedom," he repeated over and over again letting it roll over his tongue.
"Okay, well, I'll be going now." Feeling uncomfortable, I moved to leave, he caught my arm.
"Sorry. I just, well, it's been a long time since anyone threw that one at me."
"Well, it's the truth." What more did this guy want.
"It just seems that lately everyone comes to good old NYC for one reason and one reason alone: success. Greed does make the world go round after all. Even though no one would admit, because we're all starving artist."
"Hence the camera," I laughed gesturing toward the equipment gripped in his left hand.
"And the guitar," he said gesturing toward the sky.
"Huh?"
"My roommate, it's his, shall we say, 'drug' of choice."
"I guess I should confess something," I smiled as I sat down beside him on the steps of his building. Reaching into my back pocket I unearthed the ratty notebook that was permanently folded in half. "I'm a writer."
"So, you do have a dream," he smirked. "I knew it. You have that hunger in your eyes. Be careful, it's catching."
"Well, I guess. But it is not the reason I left the farm." Mark laughed loudly at this remark, eventually clutching his stomach and sides.
"What?"
"The farm? Please tell me that was a joke."
"Oh, how I wish it was," I muttered under my breath.
"So country mouse decided to visit the big city, eh?" Mark quipped, thoroughly amused with himself. I wasn't completely sure I liked this guy anymore.
"Mark?" someone yell down from the fire escape.
"Yeah, Roger?" Mark yelled back. Looking up I found myself staring up at the man from earlier. I quickly diverted my gaze to the sewer grates that steamed in the heat left over from the Indian summer.
"What the hell are you doing? You said you'd be right back?" He yelled back.
"I found a mouse" Mark laughed, still on about his funny little joke.
"What the hell are you talking about," Roger screamed.
"Come down and see," Mark challenged.
"Look I really should be going," I moved to leave for good this time. Still completely unsure of where I was going, or even where I was for that matter, but too annoyed to care.
"Come on. Meet Roger. He'll love you."
"You mean I'll be good for laugh. No thanks," with that I left Mark standing alone to film my retreating form.
"What the fuck is going on, man?" Roger asked as he arrived at Mark's side.
"Nevermind," Mark said as he turned the crank of his camera quick to catch his shot of me storming away.