Angel Dumont Schunard died on October 30th, which left everyone in despair especially for Collins. Roger planned to leave for Santa Fe soon, Mimi apparently was losing strength, and Joanne and Maureen got back together.
As for Mark, he was unsure of his world. Over the last few months, he had ran into Andy a couple times. Several times he had walked her to the restaurant. They had become friends.
"How come you carry that camera around?"
"It's there so I can never miss an interesting moment that I could use for my documentary."
"Really?" She took a small book out of her satchel that hung across her chest. She handed it to him. He was confused for a minute, then he saw the pencil sketches. "That is what I do."
"These are really good. You really have a knack for capturing a person's features." There were portraits of stranger, some looked somewhat familiar and towards the end, there were Benny, Mimi and he. "Wow, these are good."
She took the book back and put it away. Mark thought then spoke, "Do you want to see my stuff sometime?"
"I'd love to."
"Granted of course. I have nothing finished at the moment." He stated the harsh fact, but he was happy.
With the gloom of Angel's decease, and Roger's departure, these interactions became more frequent. Mark decided to bring her to one of his editing sessions. He wanted to finish his film but he needed another's feedback, and since it was a surprise for his friends, she seemed like the best choice.
That night, he left the apartment and went to her work to ask her. He waited outside until eleven, and then Andy came out. "Mark? What are you doing here?"
"You know how I promised to show you my stuff, well I need feedback. Come with me to my editing room?" He looked so pleading.
They both set off to "Corporate America". Andy sighed, "The world I ran away from."
"Huh?"
"My parents are both top lawyers. I never fitted in. They wanted me to lead the Ivy League life but when my boyfriend of then got me pregnant, I left and they disowned me.'
"Wow. So what happened if you don't mind me asking?"
"I had a miscarriage. So I was alone and abandoned." She stated with a heavy heart. "So then I found Alphabet City and a job."
"That must have been hard. I myself left my parents' house. They live on the upper end of town. They still call but I don't exactly communicate with them. Here we are."
They had reached the private entrance. Mark unlocked the door and they walked up the stairs. When the pair reached a room that consisted of the editing equipment, Mark got his neatly preserve roll of film. He put it on the projector and let it run.
There were scenes of typical New York settings, the old homely New Yorkers that would help each other in time of need if they could. There were scenic shots as well as clips of the group and some of strangers.
One scene that really stuck out was the one where Andy was sketching from the roof and Mark unknowingly to Andy, captured her.
"I hope you don't mind. I meant to ask you if that was okay but I didn't know how to bring it up and at the time I didn't feel right to disturb you."
"It's okay. Really. Plus it works for your documentary… That is what you are trying to capture. La Vie Boheme in the practice."
The last picture showed and it went black.
"I liked it. I'm sure they will too." She stood and hugged him, while wiping her tears away.
"Why are you crying?"
"I had a close network of friends too once. Then they all left."
It was his turn to comfort her.