The movie takes place in a magically easy time and place.
It is a land where people honestly believe that unresolved crushes, awkward conversations, homework and exams are problems; a place where people stay up late figuring out the nature of Reality over cheap beer. It is an impossibly easy place, a fantastically easy place, a place so easy that its inhabitants are so convinced that they have challenges that they sometimes crash out and end up in a slightly less cushioned existence. It is a place that cannot exist, a place that yet somehow is.

I know who will star in this film, and I wish I could marry her and have a nice life on the other side of hope and fear. But she must find her own way and I must disappear into the fog, it is a pea fog, it is a layered fog, it is a thick and a proud, a self-satisfied, a vaingloriously thick and fuzzy fog.

Susan’s Mother: We’re just a phone call away, honey.
Susan’s Father: Okay, Gloria, that’s enough, let me have a turn.
[So Susan’s mother steps back so her father can hug her goodbye]
Susan’s Father: We’re proud of you, Susan, take care of yourself.
Susan: Thank you, I’ll call every day.
Susan’s Mother: Just to check in, it doesn’t need to be for hours, just to let us know how you’re doing.
Susan: Yes, of course.

Julia walks by. She rolls her eyes.

Then in the next scene, we’ll have it happen that Susan and Julia are roommates. We can do whatever we want.

Susan: Hi, I’m Susan.
Julia: Hi! Julia.
Susan: I’m from Lawrence Park, well, Erie.
Julia: Oh, I was in Erie. Presque Isle.
Susan: Yes! A wonderful resource. Where are you from?
Julia: Philadelphia.
Susan: Oh! I always wanted to go. Must be so cool.
Julia: Big city.
Susan: I love your skirt, so cute.
Julia: It was a gift.
Susan: Oh. … Do you have a major picked out?
Julia: No, something with art, or computers, or literature, or chemistry.
Susan: Wow, that’s a lot of ideas! I’m prelaw. My parents’ are lawyers. They like it.
Julia: Sounds like a safe bet.
Susan: I know, right?

Tiffany: Hi girls, my name’s Tiffany, I’m your RA, just stopping by to wish you welcome!
Julia: Thank you
Susan: Yes, so considerate!
Tiffany: How are you settling in so far?
Julia: Good, we’ve put our bags down.
Susan: Yes! And then we’ll unpack them.
Julia: Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tiffany: (laughs) Okay, great, well, if you need anything, I’m on the first floor – 1C.
Susan: Thank you!
Julia: I do have one question.
Tiffany: Yes?
Julia: Are there any rules?
Tiffany: No! Of course not! Just no drinking, no smoking, no loud parties, and no boys.
Susan: Perfect!, great rules.
Julia: Should minimize the unwholesome fun.
Tiffany: And make room for wholesome fun!

Then we’ll do the same thing, but with two young men meeting for the first time in their dorm room. Darren is unpacking as Abe enters.

Abe: Hi!
Darren: This your room too?
Abe: Yeah.
Darren: So we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. I’m Darren.
Abe: I’m Abe.
Darren: Like the president?
Abe: Honest Abe.
Darren: Lot to live up to.
Abe: Yes, keeping the union together through a civil war, ending slavery, writing and delivering one thoughtful, soul-searching oration after another, growing wiser in dialogue with the nation.
Darren: How do you handle the pressure?
Abe: I gave up early, before I could walk.
Darren: No kidding?
Abe: Yup, in my crib, my first sentence was, “Mommy, don’t expect too much”
Darren: Was she disappointed?
Abe: At first, but she’s gotten used to it. It was better to break it to her right away.
Darren: Tear off the bandaid.
Abe: Mmm

Walter: Hi guys, I’m Walter, I’m your RA.
Darren: Hello. Darren.
Abe: Hi! Abe.
Walter: Like in the Bible?
Abe: Father of the Faith
Walter: Lot to live up to.
Abe: In fear and trembling, I make the infinite motion. I don’t just fling myself into the absurd, but stand calmly up inside of the mystery, trusting in the Love that chooses everyone.
Walter: Oh, wow! Can you really pull that off?
Abe: Tell him, Darren.
Darren: He’s a quitter, Walter. Never even tried to live up to the name.
Walter: No! Quitting already?
Abe: Long since quit.
Darren: Been done quit.
Walter: I see.