A Tickle Me Elmo

     Times Square: The Center of New York, busy, crowded, iconic, and full of prominent animated characters that looked like they were hit by a bus.  Each one is altered in just a way to avoid copyright infringement, and shuffle around like poor zombie cartoons asking for money.
   
      It can become very unsettling.

      It can be even more unsettling when you don't even see them coming.

      It began with meeting some friends outside one of the theaters for dinner before his next show.

      Coming up to Times Square from the subway station, I stopped at the corner to make sure I would be going in the right way.  Double checking the directions I had on my phone, I noticed something large and red in the corner of my eye.

     I didn't think much of it, until it began to grow closer, and even closer still.

     Finally glancing up, I saw a giant pair of off center eyes inches away from my face.

    "Woahmygod."

    The Elmo was pointing at my phone, and then to himself, wanting to take a picture.

   "Oh no. I'm sorry. It's ok."

    Then, in a very unexpected heavy and thick middle eastern accent, Elmo said: "Come. You take picture with Elmo."

   "Oh, Elmo, no. I'm so sorry. it's ok."

   "Picture. Elmo."

   "No, No Elmo. I don't even have a dollar for Elmo. I'm sorry."

   "Elmo."

    "Elmo, no. I'm sure many people want their pictures with you."

    "Is OK. You give Elmo Hug."

     "I'm ok."

     "Hug Elmoooo"

     ....and Elmo awkwardly swooped in.  I don't ever remember Elmo being that awkwardly aggressive.

   I think I used to like watching Sesame Street, but I think I'm good for now. It just wouldn't be the same.