of humanity. God, he had never seen so many people. Everyone running here and there like they knew where they were going. His first thought was to find a small corner and push himself into it and hide. After a few minutes and lots of being pushed by the crowds, he found himself on that street of streets, 42nd Street.

Somehow he had found the area he had been looking for. He had been advised that there was a sort of U.S.O run by a 42nd Street association of businessmen that looked after servicemen while they were on leave. They helped them to find rooming accommodations, get tickets to shows and provided a place to enjoy a cup of coffee and a donut. Someone was always there to talk to about things to do and places to go and how to get there. There was even a place in which to clean up, if you needed it, and safe lockers you could rent to store your bag. It was sort of a YMCA for service men.

After going into the restroom and placing some of his money in his canvas traveling bag, Joseph rented a locker and stored his kit. No sense in taking all his money with him, especially after all he had heard about what could and did happen to guys on leave. Besides this way he would still have most of his money and clothes should he wake up with a big hangover. Josh was looking forward to being able to go into a bar legally and have a few beers. He was even hoping that the bartender would demand some I.D., now that would just put the icing on the cake. However, it was too early to drink now and besides he had plenty of time for drinking as he had a three-day pass.

The girl at the desk helped him by giving him all kinds of suggestions and free tickets for places to go to. She even took the time to sit down with him and show him how to get to some places. If she had been a lot younger and a little better looking he might have been tempted to ask her out but he was looking for someone hot and willing to trot and willing to screw like mad so onto the subway he went. Following her directions and suggestions, Joseph wound up in an area called the "village." This was almost like a small town within the city. People seemed to move a bit more slowly and some even smiled at you. Joseph noticed that the men seemed to smile at him a lot more than some of the women.

Finally spotting a small cafe he entered and was seated at a small table set up by the window, where he could watch the comings and goings out on the street. He ordered a beer from the waiter. The waiter smiled at him and asked him what brand he wanted.

"Just give me a Bud, if you have it," he said, as he looked around the place.

The cafe was not yet busy but there were a few men and some women having coffee and talking. Now and then they would look at Joseph and smile. Finally one of the women came over and asked him his name and started up a conversation. The woman had a nice figure and was rather nice looking too. She must have been in her late 20s. She had dark green eyes and