In the back of a deserted ally, she found what she was looking for - an abandoned building with a huge opening for an entrance. She wasn't alone. There - inside the cold room enclosed with old crumbling bricks lay several people - obviously crack addicts that were stoned out of their minds. They had nothing but thin blankets and brick walls protecting them from the outside elements. The stench of urine and excrement was horrible and Cindy held her nose while she nestled her belongings on the cold cement floor of the empty building. The contents of her gym bag were modest at best. A comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, makeup, shampoo, towel, and a blanket. The only other item of note was her teddy bear which she had owned since she was three years old. She had brought it with her for good luck.

Having found a small spot in a dark corner of the hideout, Cindy made camp. She lay out her blanket and arranged herself as far away from the others as possible. Thank god it was summer she thought to herself. At least it was warm outside. Her next order of business would be to find work. Cindy had an enormous charm about her and she looked fabulous and rather healthy despite her lack of nourishment of late. She had drank lots of water and rationed her food wisely. Still, tomorrow was going to be a big day for her in the big apple. She knew she had to find work soon or she was done for.

The next morning, Cindy combed her hair and applied her makeup using a small hand mirror. She quickly stuffed her belongings into her gym bag and stepped out into the alley. It was busy as always on the main street and Cindy was anxious to get in on the action. She excitedly made her way to the main street and began to look around.

"Lost honey?" asked a woman dressed in a black leather outfit with leather boots.

Cindy knew right away that she was a hooker.

"I..I don't know. I'm kind looking for work." said Cindy trying her best not to look directly at the prostitute.

"Well maybe I can help you honey..you see I make lots of money doing what I do." said the hooker.

"Really?" asked Cindy. "How much money do you make?"

"Enough to get by and then some." replied the woman.

Cindy finally gathered the nerve to look directly at the whore. She looked to be in her late 20's with a blonde wig with the identical coloring of Cindy's hair - only it was obviously fake. The woman definitely had some assets that Cindy lacked - most notably a fine rear-end. She also had a much more sexy outfit on - from a man's point of view. Cindy knew what whores did for a living and it seemed utterly distasteful to her. The things that whores did were very degrading and humiliating to women by and large. Cindy also knew however that some whores actually made out very well - provided they saved their money instead of investing it on drugs and other abusive substances. Cindy looked around her at the busy street and its occupants. It occurred to her that she did not have a resume to give to potential employers. She also didn't smell very good considering she had not had a chance to bath in days.

"Do you think I have a nice body?" Cindy asked the hooker timidly.

"I wouldn't trade it in honey - you look just fine." replied the prostitute. "By the way, my name's Brenda."

The woman extended her hand offering it to Cindy.

"Nice to meet you Brenda." said Cindy.

At that point Cindy had made her decision. Her body would be her resume. She knew it would be a hard life - but if men liked her body enough to pay for it, there was no telling how much money she would make. Cindy was right on that count. However what she didn't know was that street walkers were a dime a dozen in New York - especially in the red light district. Climbing the latter to becoming a success was almost impossible. What she also didn't know was the fact that Brenda had been recruited by a pimp named Alex to look for lost teenagers like Cindy - in addition to making money through prostitution.....(cont)