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Josh pounded his Ford's steering wheel again, as if hitting it enough times was going to cause it to start. This time the horn stuck, blaring so loud Josh thought his eardrums were going to burst. He searched two minutes to find the fuse panel and disconnected it along with the fuses for the headlights, the windshield wipers, and who knows what else. Slumping back into his seat, Josh sighed and waited for his ears to stop ringing. This was no way to begin a Monday.

He luckily wasn't going to be late for work, but he dreaded walking. Most of the neighborhoods between his townhouse and the ad agency were so dingy and run down, and Josh had often felt repulsed by them even while driving. He couldn't imagine why Baker & Nash wanted to rent their offices in this area of town, but he assumed it was to save money on overhead-a lot of money. For today though, he was glad it was close. Putting on his suit jacket and straightening his tie, he mentally prepared himself for the fastest walk of his life.

As the sun began to rise over the city, the sidewalks fortunately appeared deserted. It looked as though he was going to be able to make it without running into another person. About a mile from the office however, he cringed as an old woman's voice called out to him.

She was so frail, with white fuzzy hair that reminded Josh of a clown. She smiled at him, but the wrinkles on her face betrayed years of heavy stress.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have a stamp? I really need to mail this letter, and I've used my last one on my electric bill. I'll gladly pay you if you have one."

Josh had two whole books of stamps in his wallet-his brother-in-law Michael even worked at a post office. Glancing left and right, he wondered if this was some sort of ploy just to get him to pull out his wallet. He saw no one, but he doubted there was any way such an old woman lived alone.

"Look lady-I'm really sorry, but I'm already late for work." Josh began to walk away as fast as he could.

*

Rose sighed. It was a long way to the post office, but she'd make it there. Making her way up the steps of her house, she took a moment to water the ferns she'd carefully tended for several years. It annoyed her that she hadn't been able to do much with them lately, but her doctor had been telling her to take it easy.

Rose grabbed her purse and letter and began her long journey to the corner of 4th and Austin St. The sunrise was beautiful, especially against the taller but distant downtown buildings. Rose

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