I have to reach over Ann's slim thigh to shift, and she giggles like a schoolgirl who has just been asked to the prom with each shift, particularly the 2-3 shift because the gates are stretched so far apart.

Ann unfastens the top.

"Take it down"

I depress the top lever and the parchment colored top retracts into the boot.

"Let's suck up some fresh air, Studio D still smells like old Chinese take out."*

"C'mon Ann, that may not be wise."

Driving with the top down in NY is an invitation to disaster. Even with all these gadgets onboard, NY is a rough town.

She relishes the badgirl act but knows with the top down we are both more visible - and vulnerable. The McDonald's on 10th avenue and W 34th street is pretty much the only Drive Thru McDonald in downtown New York and it looks like a heavily worked over "Robertos" taco shop.

"You call this fresh air?"

"Compared to that stuffy studio heated up by 50 jillion watt lights, yes this is fresh air."

I laugh. She slides off the center console and back into her seat. She grabs her drink, pulls a pair of super dark shades from out of her purse and I can see she has gone into "celebrity" mode. Ann described it once thus, "It's a version of the basic New Yorker mode. You need to create an aura of unapproachability, a virtual high tension wire exists between you and the rest of the world. If done correctly gawkers even feel guilty gawking and most people won't even ask for an autograph, even if they do recognize you."

I pull out my Raybans from my Jacket and attempt to join her in her virtual sanctuary. In NY long traffic lights and the pedestrians huddled on every corner add to the sense of complete exposure.

Ann is a polarizing figure. More than once, after waiting at a light too long someone is yelling something nasty & obscene or screaming "I love you".

"Stop by Abercrombie & Fitch, I have to pick up something."

A "quick" jaunt up the Avenue of the Americas, Across E 57th and back down 5th Avenue. Right across from Trump Tower.

"You know I hate New York. I hate one way streets and I hate New Yorkers."

She turns, raises her glasses and gives me the cold "Ann" look. Suddenly it feels like both th Aston and I struck an iceberg.

"Okay...I merely dislike most New Yorkers. They live like swarming rats in a huge above ground sewer.

"I know, it's part of my long-term plan to break down your resistance to living here. One day perhaps you too will be an above ground 'rat' "

I realize my words were harsh, but NY makes me claustrophobic, even in a convertible. When one has lived in country where one can see the horizon and huge amounts of blue sky, or lived right on the beach where the sound of the waves gently caress one and put one to sleep through an ope window, one can't ever envy anybody in NY, even those folks paying big bucks to be living in Trump Tower.

"I'll be right back."

Ann dashes out of the car. I have paused for less than ten seconds and already the bozo taxi driver behind me is leaning on his horn. I loop around 56th, up Madison, a left at 57th and another left back on 5th. It seems like 20 minutes have lapsed, perhaps they have.

As I pull up, Ann is waiting on the corner signing on autograph for a young couple. She jumps in and they wave as we pull away.

"I was out there for ten minutes."

"If you want a guy who can part NY traffic like the red sea just so you won't be caught waiting, you should be dating Charlton Heston, not me. Besides, they looked like fans...and weren't Che shirt wearing dufuses having a hissy-fit."

Ann laughs her "all is forgiven" laugh.

"They were conservatives from...Utah I think it was... on their first trip to NY. They said they watch me all the time when I'm on Fox and that they even have my latest book. They plan to vote for Mitt."

"Of course they do. You realize I am 'godless' of course."

"I know. But you really believe in something even bigger. That makes you quite spiritual as far as I am concerned. And like my mother always told me, 'by their fruits they shall be known' and you have already surrounded yourself with enough fruits for an impressive still life."

I laugh at her double entendre, say what you will she is quick with the similes and visual imagery.

She puts the Abercrombie bag down, holds it open and gives me a quick peek inside, then bends over and kisses me on the cheek..

"Let's go home...and I'll do a little fashion show for you..."

"Well...okay...if you insist."

*Hannity & Colmes is filmed in Fox News Studio D in NY - it used to be a Chinese restaurant.

"What are you doing?"

"Just keying in a quick post."

"OMG is that the leftistZone again?"

"Yeah. You want to read the thread?"

"Do I?"

"Sure, you might get a kick out of it."

...time passes.

"Who is this Eri?"

"I'm not quite sure, a writer down in MO. Fairly new to the boards. She doesn't like you."

"Really...how'd you guess!"

"And Lindy...I remember her...why she hasn't switched to conservatism after all your posts here is beyond me..."

"Me too."

"This Buck guy really has it bad for Hillary huh?"

"Yeah. He posted a photo-montage from her younger days."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Who's ER? Emergency Room? Does he think I'm straddling the shifter in my crotch? What does he think, You push my butt back and forward when we need to shift gears?"

"Elisee Reclus is the pseudonym. I think he was just curious as to whether the Aston is an automatic or a manual transmission."

"Yeah, sure he was. What a filthy, filthy mind."

"I don't get TB's comment? Lighter? Is he making a crack about how thin I am?"

I do my best De Niro voice:

"Yeah. I think so. A little bit...Yeah. But don't sweat it."

"Why not?

"He's the boards Sisyphus, he posts explanations, they forget them and he has to post them again. And again. And again. You get the picture? Nothing you could do or say would increase his burden here."

"I think all conservatives fit that description to some degree. He needs to buy my book, How to Talk to a Liberal (if you really must) and pick up some pointers."

"Well if he reads this post you just told him."

"Ok enough of this LeftistZone stuff...just log off and come to bed."

For the first time I turn away from the screen and look at what she is wearing....

*(CLICK)*