You've Reached Sam

In the past, Sam took a gig at a wedding. He was nervous with stage fright and insecure, though Julie cheered for him. When his voice wobbled while singing, Julie quickly found a friend in the crowd and started dancing with him. The dance calmed Sam down, who found his rhythm and sang perfectly.

The flashback shifts to Julie and Sam at their favorite lake together one night. They went skinny-dipping, but with some clothes on, helping Julie become more spontaneous as she wanted. Sam teased her as fireworks went off above them. He swam to her and kissed her deeply.

In the next flashback, Julie and Sam were in New York City for a trip. He hurried through the subway to his flight to Japan for the whole summer. Julie hated goodbyes. After their last kiss, she pleaded for Sam to take her with him. Sam promised her they would go to Japan together next summer, after graduation, and that they would have the rest of their lives to travel.

At a local carnival, James was upset with Julie. Much younger than Sam, he finally admitted that Julie was going to take Sam away from him. He overheard them saying they would leave for college in Portland. Julie told him that didn’t mean they were leaving him. Sam appeared with a stuffed lizard he won for Julie. They rode the Ferris Wheel together, even though Sam feared heights. Julie talked him through his fear, holding his hand and closing their eyes to make it less scary. They imagine a happier place, their future apartment.

In the present day, Julie lies on the couch alone, her mother at work. It’s Sunday, the day of Tristan‘s event, but she’s staying home and being lazy. Though her friends have tried to reach her, Julie is too embarrassed by the lantern event to respond. Mika arrives at the door and asks why she isn’t dressed for the film festival yet. Julie isn’t in the mood to go. Mika convinces her by stating she promised Sam she would. She agrees with Sam that it would be good for her, as it will show Sam that she will be okay without him. Julie finally agrees, and Mika assists her in beauty prep. While Mika does her hair, she agrees that Sam’s request is weird, but that people should honor the dead’s requests. They realize Sam isn’t asking her for too much. Mika says they must let each other move on.

After Mika leaves, Julie’s neighbor delivers some mail he got by mistake. It’s from Reed College; they rejected her. Julie is shocked, feeling faint. She thinks that none of her efforts or plans matter. Distraught, she calls Sam, who can’t believe she was rejected either. He talks her down, helping her breathe and stating it’s just one school and Reed’s loss. Sam says she’s destined to do great things, no matter where she goes to school: “You’re the most talented person I know, Julie. And you’re an incredible writer. If Reed can’t recognize that, they don’t deserve you” (180). The call ends before they can talk more. Though she’s incredibly late to the festival, she composes herself.

Julie holds back tears as she walks to the film festival at the local university. White tents rise from the college’s quad. Julie is impressed by the elegant event, thinking she’s in a red-carpet award show. She sneaks into the tent that is showing Tristan’s film, sitting in the back by an older gentleman. All the films start late, the man tells her, so she shouldn’t worry. He’s there for the music aspect of the film, since it’s a documentary about a band called the Screaming Trees, one of Sam’s favorites. To his surprise, Julie tells him that she loves that band, and her boyfriend introduced her to them. When the man asks where her boyfriend is, Julie says he couldn’t make it.

The film begins, a unique and dreamlike portrayal of the band members. Every song makes her think of Sam, though the songs are distorted and rearranged with electric instruments. She’s hypnotized by how the different scenes fit.

Afterward, she meets Mr. Lee, who is happy to support his employees. They chat about the film, and Mr. Lee plans to sneak into the after party. Tristan arrives, complimenting her on her incredible dress. He wears a tuxedo and gives Julie a rose, though he says it was his mom’s idea. He takes her to watch a few more films.

At the after party, Tristan introduces her to Professor Guilford, who works with her mother at the university. Tristan compliments Julie repeatedly, and the professor suggests he take her screenwriting course (which is usually reserved for upperclassmen). Julie makes a strong connection with him, feeling better about her prospects.

Tristan and his friends point out Marcus Graham, who was a former manager of the band Screaming Trees—and the man Julie sat next to during the film. She suddenly thinks she could give him Sam’s CD. She rushes after Marcus as he’s leaving, begging him to listen to Sam’s songs. He refuses politely as his policy, until Julie screams, “He’s dead! [...] That’s why he couldn’t make it” (189-90). She tears up, and Marcus agrees to listen, but Julie can’t give up her only copy of the CD. He tells her to email him Sam’s music instead. She chastises herself for not letting go of the CD, just like the lantern, just like Sam.