A shrewd east wind blew the window open, causing her to jump and she moaned against the awful awakening. She stirred and lolled around the white sheets, twisted and disordered from her sleep. Still half dreaming, she felt the cold breeze blow across her exposed calves, causing her skin to goose bump. Irritated at the uncomfortable chill, she roused herself enough to sit slumped on her knees. The shrill ring of the phone echoed in the stillness of the room. She fumbled to answer with an almost in audible greeting, and as she began to comprehend the context of the conversation, her eyes widened and mouth dropped open. She flashed a glance at the digital alarm clock, its geometric digits glaring, and slammed down the phone. Slamming the door and clumsily jumping down the flight of stairs, she spilled out onto the streets of New York. Hair a mess, clothes crumpled and buttons askew, she ran into the crowds and the city swallowed her up.