I can no longer ignore my conscience. I have to tell you about Florence. I first met her 1 1/2 years ago. Then, she had only been homeless for a couple of months. She reminded me of my grandmother. I asked for her name and she told me. It was the last time she ever answered one of my questions. It was also the last time she ever asked me for money.
Since then I have seen Florence dozens of times on the streets of Hollywood. Mostly she is curled up in the fetal position, but sometimes I actually see her walking. All her pores are filled with dirt and her nails are several inches long and curling around her fingertips. She is constantly talking to characters that I do not see, though I am sure to her they are very real.
