Chimerica

Back in New York, Joe invites Tess over to his apartment. As an apology for yelling at her at the restaurant, he offers her a folder of landscapes and scenic photos he’s taken to use for her company’s credit card. But Tess accidentally opens the wrong folder and pages through Joe’s war photos instead. After lingering over a few together, Tess asks to see the Tank Man photo. Gazing at it, she comments on how powerful the photo is, and Joe reacts dismissively, telling her he wishes his photos now could change the world like that one did. Tess challenges him, but Joe doubles down, explaining that now that more people can take, share, and view photos so much more frequently, the weight of a single photo has lost its meaning. People aren’t moved by images of atrocities anymore.

Tess moves toward the exit, but Joe coaxes her into staying and having a beer with him. She asks him why he doesn’t want kids, and Joe tells her he’s not sure if he wants to bring children into such a dismal world. As they talk, Tess chooses an unremarkable scenic photo from the folders for the credit card. She admits that she only has one friend in New York and that she’s happy Joe got back in touch. Joe suggests that now they’re friends, too.