The Memory Book

This is the house I grew up in on Staten Island.

The house I left when I went away to college.

The house my parents were divorced in.

Relationships never last in my family.

Could it be genetic?

And why put your heart out there just to be broken?

I learnt that lesson often and early.

And this is where I had my first kiss.

Behind P.S. 53 at recess with Tommy Nolan.

Who pushed me off the swings when the other boys

made fun of him.

I sprained my wrist and chipped two teeth.

This one is called "Love hurts."

I've been revisiting my life lately.

Through my art.

Yeah, I see that.

And it's very interesting, but umm --

Oh, you should also mention that I am opening my own art studio

here in San Francisco later this month.

I hate to stop you,

but I think you've confused me for someone else.

Aren't you a critic?

But you said you were a critic.

Back there someone said "everybody's a critic"

and I agreed.

You just assumed.

Oh, oh.

I work around the corner, actually, and I saw the crowd.

And to be honest, I saw you, and...

I'm sorry if I disappointed you.

No, no, I'm not disappointed.

It's the public's opinion that really matters.

Just for fun, though, if you were a critic...?

Oh, you don't want to hear my opinion.

I'm just a guy off the street.

Well, what?

You don't like the photos?

No, no, I do.

They're um, they're all in focus.

I'm sure they'd be great for someone.

I'm sorry, this isn't coming out right.

They're really nice.

And clearly I was aiming for nice.

I hate to do this, but I actually have to get to work.

The best of luck with everything.

Seriously.

Hey, roomie.

I definitely need to come to more of these gallery openings.

Champagne, free food.

Cute guys.

See anything you like tonight?

Now that you mention it...

I think he means something that's for sale.

What, the art?

Way out of my league.

Excuse me, waiter!

So...

how's business over here?

Well, no one seems to be much impressed

by photography these days.

It's all the digital cameras and photo programs.

When everybody can do something

it stops being so special.

Not that everybody can do what you do.

Oh God, that came out so wrong.

No, no, I know what you mean, sadly.

Well, gotta go.

3:00.

Polo shirt, perfect hair.

So not interested.

C'mon, it's been months, hasn't it?

The whole "Love" thing is just so depressing.

I mean, who needs it?

Me, for one.

How do I look?

Well, I'm guessing 'desperate'

isn't the look you're going for.

Don't wait up.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, it's you.

"Chloe Davenport, Moments in Time"?

So this is the place around the corner?

Gabe Sinclair.

I really put my foot in it earlier, didn't I?

Did you? I didn't notice.

Yeah, um, let me make it up to you.

A drink on the house.

Soda water?

Soda water it is!

A little wild.

I may need to see some i.d.

I like your photos.

Yeah, it's the city over the years.

Customers seem to like it.

Lime? Too crazy?

So tell me, what was it about my work?

The truth.

I can take it.

I don't know.

All those pictures of a bench, fences.

The full spectrum of human emotion.

Well, excuse me but I find beauty in everyday objects.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

I happen to prefer people.

It's hard to cozy up to a wall.

Excuse me, can you top me up?

Sure.

Ah well, at least the wall's always there for you.

Sorry?

Nothing.

I did it again, didn't I?

Sorry.

I'm not that good with first impressions.

I'm waiting.

Just, excuse me.

Y'think?

Are you interested in anything in particular?

Just looking.

You never know.

No, you never do.

What's all this?

Oh, just a bunch of stuff I've had too long.

I could give you a deal on the whole lot,

if you're interested.

The time someone put into this.

These photos,

a Valentine.

Tickets to a Ricky Nelson concert?

Before your time, but oh my I had such a crush on that man.

If he'd played his cards right...

Oh, I had a dress just like that.

'Course, that was back when I had a figure like that.

But who's ever going to buy someone else's memories?

How much do you want for this?

Oh, well, a valuable personal item like that?

These don't come along every day.

Look at the binding.

All the work that went into it...

I couldn't let that go for any less than, say...

I'll give you ten dollars.

Sold.

These two, Sarah and Jonathan, they're so sure of each other.

Look at the way he looks at her.

There's this one in front of a roller coaster.

Here, at a carnival or a state fair or something.

But you can just feel the love in their relationship.

You don't believe in this stuff, remember?

True love and all?

But these people look like the real deal.

Oh, hey, didn't the waiter take you to dinner tonight?

Although, he's not just a waiter.

Would you believe he's also an actor?

A waiter and an actor?

What are the odds?

It's late and I gotta turn in, but a word of advice?

Please.

Find someone.

Like Sarah and...?

Jonathan.

Jonathan.

Find someone wonderful, pick a date, rent a church,

and be insanely happy instead of just...

you know.

What?

Insane.

Good night.

Good night.

I know the price was right, but you really think

this place is going to work for a studio?

Seriously, Chloe.

What is their secret?

I don't think there's really a secret.

I think it'll work or it won't.

Man, you seriously have a lot of equipment.

Did you leave anything in New York?

It's so obvious in every photo.

They know something I don't.

Well, I'm obviously talking to myself, so...

Break time.

You planning a trip to the mountains?

This is what I want.

Backpack, blisters?

This.

Entire book.

Look how happy they are?

That's pretty much how love looks.

Especially when someone's pointing a camera at you.

Even biking along a lake.

Looks like the Stow Lake at Golden Gate Park.

Whoever they were --

Wait, they lived right here in San Francisco?

Oh yeah, those two are reaching out to tell you something.

Definitely a sign.

Definitely a sign!

Ok, read it for me.

Ok, well the sign says that contrary

to everything you seem to believe,

lasting love is possible.

That scrapbook proves it.

Bits and pieces.