Ray: I’d like to show you a video that Brenae made before she died. It was erased from her laptop by someone after her death, but a copy remained and found its way to my client.

Layla: What do you mean someone erased her laptop? You mean the police?

Ray: No, not the police. It appears someone handled her laptop after she committed suicide but before the school found the body.

Layla: That’s horrible.

Ray: Hard to imagine, isn’t it?

[pause]

Layla: I’m ready for the video.

Ray: The material may be upsetting to you. You can tell me to turn it off at any time.

[Brenae’s voice-over plays for an excruciatingly long time. Then there’s a click and shuffling sound. Then a protracted silence.]

Layla: What do you want me to say?

Ray: Do you recognize the people?

Layla: I recognize Brenae.

Ray: Not the man?

Layla: No.

Ray: Do you have any thoughts as to why Brenae made this?

Layla: No.

Ray: How about who would destroy it?

Layla: I don’t know.

Ray: I think you might.

Layla: I’ve never seen this in my life.

[Another silence.]

Layla: You think I could watch this and erase it? It’s sickening.

Ray: What would you have done with this video if you saw it six months ago?

Layla: I didn’t see it, okay? I’m done. You can talk to the next person.

[A door slam.]

Then Erik.

Ray: I really appreciate you meeting with me. As I’ve explained, I work for a client who is concerned about Brenae Brasil’s treatment at LAAC and wants to understand what happened at the school leading up to her death.

Erik: Don’t we all. I’m glad you’re doing this. I really am. The police—they covered what they needed to cover—but it’s not over. There are people still really wounded about her death.

Ray: What people?

Erik: Just like all the students who believed in her, you know? They just showed Packing out near Joshua Tree last weekend, and people were amazed. There were about thirty new art installations out there, and all anybody could talk about was if they had seen Packing or not. Brenae was a titanic talent. She should not be forgotten.

Ray: You shot Packing.

Erik: Yes, I did.

Ray: You were the cinematographer for Brenae’s undergraduate films as well.

Erik: You did your homework.

Ray: How long did you know her?

Erik: Almost three years. And yes, because I know you’re going to ask, we were in a consensual relationship for about eight months.

Ray: When?