Scene 1

Setting: Inside a crowded New York City subway car. Jamie (mid 30s) sits near the window,
staring out at the blur of the passing stations. He looks tired. He’s in a suit, his tie slightly
loosened. The people around him are in their photos, others are asleep.

Jamie takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, letting the rhythm of the subway soothe him. He
becomes lost in thought, looking out the window. He notices a musician playing his guitar in the

corner of the train.

Jamie:
(mutters to himself)
How does she do it?

(The train screeches to a stop. People rush to the open doors.)

Jamie:
I’ve forgotten how to live.

He closes his eyes, trying to soothe himself. He opens his eyes and looks out the window.)

Jamie then gets off at his stop. He steps onto the bustling streets of New York City. Jamie stops

and takes it all in.

Jamie:

(looking down in hopelessness)
What am I doing to myself?

He walks towards a bench and sits. He pulls out his phone and looks at an old album of photos he took.

Jamie:
(reminiscing)
Why did I ever stop?

After some time, Jamie rushes back to his sleek high-rise office.

Scene 2

Jamie:

(muttering under his breath)

Another email…. Another report…

He sighs, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair.

Michael, Jamie’s co-worker, walks by Jamie’s office and waves. Jamie forces a smile, but is obviously uncomfortable.

Jamie:
(sarcastically)
Great to see you too, Michael.

There’s a knock at the door. Jamie is gazing out the window, too deep in thought to notice. The knock comes again.

(Jamie stiffens his shoulders and sits up.)

Jamie:
(eyes widening)
Hey, Karen.

Karen:
Hey, Jamie. Got a minute?

Jamie:
(Forcing another smile)
Yeah, of course.

Karen:
(sitting tall and confidently)

I need you to look at the projections for the client meeting. We’re really counting on you to—

Jamie:

(cutting her off, his voice filled with frustration)
I know… I know what you need. Can you just give me a break?
(Jamie looks down in embarrassment as he immediately regrets his words.)

Karen:
(taken aback by his tone)

Jamie, I know you are busy, but I’m your boss. We need those numbers on time.

(Jamie’s shoulders tense, but he doesn’t look at her.)

Jamie:
(monotone)

Right. Always. Just give me some time.

Karen
(sighs)

I’ll leave this with you. Get back to me when you can.

(Karen leaves the room.)

Jamie leans back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling. The sound of his phone buzzing startles him.

Jamie:

(sighing and slightly annoyed)

Hello?

(A concerned voice comes through the phone.)

Jamie’s mom:

Jamie, It’s Mom. You haven’t called in a while.

(Jamie pinches the bridge of his nose.)

Jamie:

I know, I’m sorry….. I’ve been busy.

Jamie’s mom
(scoffing)

You’re always busy. You used to make time for the things you loved. Remember photography?

You had such a gift, Jamie.

Jamie
(condescending)

Yeah, well, my gift won’t pay the bills.

Jamie’s mom
Jamie—

Jamie:
(cutting her off)
I’ve got to go, Mom. Deadlines.
Jamie ends the call before she can respond.
Jamie suddenly stands, grabs his coat, and leaves the office.

Scene 3

Setting: A photography gallery in SoHo. The walls are decorated with photographs. Jamie

hesitates at the entrance before stepping inside.

He walks slowly and scans the images. He stops in front of one in particular, a photo of a subway musician.

Gallery Owner:
(motioning toward the photo)
Beautiful, isn’t it?

(Jamie turns to see the gallery owner, a woman in her 50s.)

Jamie:
(still looking at the photo)
Yeah… It really is.

Gallery Owner:

Photographers just see the world differently. They find beauty in the mundane.

Gallery Owner:

You seem like someone who understands that.

Jamie:
(smirking)
I used to.

Gallery Owner:

We’re hosting an open call for submissions. If you ever feel like picking up a camera again, I’d love to see some of your work.

Jamie:
(staring at the card)
Thanks… I’ll think about it.

Scene 4

Setting: Jamie’s apartment. The space is sterile and lacks personality. Jamie tosses his coat
onto a chair and collapses onto the couch. He pulls out his phone and scrolls through his photo albums again.

Jamie pauses, his fingers hovering over a picture. It’s an old photo of him, camera in hand, laughing in a sunlit park. His younger self looks carefree, full of life.

Jamie goes over to his closet and digs out a dust-covered camera case. He takes a deep breath
and runs his fingers over the camera’s body. The familiar weight feels like a forgotten part of himself.

He raises the camera to his eye, clicking the shutter.

The sound is almost comforting, and for the first time in a long while, Jamie feels something stir inside him.

 

Scene 5

Inside a crowded New York City subway car. Jamie stands near the door, a camera
hanging around his neck. His expression is calm as he looks around the subway car. He notices a man reading the paper in the corner.

Jamie lifts his camera, frames the shot, his hands steady, and clicks the shutter.

Jamie:

(smiling while looking through the viewfinder)

Still got it.

The train slows down, the doors open, and people rush out. Jamie stays, taking it all in.

Jamie:
Yeah… this feels right.

He steps off the train. He adjusted his camera strap, looking around at the beautiful city. He walks through a crowd, his eyes taking in the details.
Jamie captures shots of everyday life.

Jamie:

(to himself, as he snaps another photo)
So much beauty in the little things.

He stops at a crosswalk, looking at the skyline, the sun reflecting off the tall buildings. He raises his camera and takes a shot of the structures.

Jamie
Perfect.