My First Mister 2001

As Jennifer, a 17-year-old with a penchant for the darker side of life, navigates the uncharted territory of post-high school life in Century City Mall, Los Angeles, she sets her sights on securing employment at Randall Harris’s upscale clothing store. The 49-year-old entrepreneur, initially perplexed by her eccentricities, eventually warms up to her charms and hires her as a stockroom clerk, dubbing their professional relationship with a relaxed rapport - “R” for him, “J” for her.

As the days blend together in the sterile confines of the stockroom, Jennifer’s innate curiosity gets the better of her, prompting her to venture out into the main store where she begins to interact with customers. Randall, impressed by her initiative, decides to promote her to saleswoman and, in a bid to humanize her gothic persona, gifts her a more conventional wardrobe.

Feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty, Jennifer finds solace in her burgeoning friendship with Randall. As their bond deepens, she confides in him about the self-destructive tendencies that plague her, only to be met with an unexpected display of empathy and understanding from her employer. Their unlikely camaraderie is forged in the crucible of mutual isolation - Randall’s phobias and Jennifer’s unhappy living situation with her mother (who seems more enamored with their two pugs than her daughter) - as they realize that neither has anyone to turn to for genuine connection.

Randall’s paternal instincts are piqued, and he offers Jennifer a financial lifeline in the form of an advance on her salary, allowing her to secure her own apartment. As they navigate the challenges of adulthood together, Randall tentatively agrees to indulge J’s fascination with the morbid by accompanying her to a cemetery, where they lie among the gravestones, seeking solace in the “energy” of the departed. The evening winds down at Randall’s home, where they bond over steaming cups of tea and Jennifer spends the night on his couch, their friendship now firmly cemented.

As the sun rises on another day, J is confronted with a stark reality when she stumbles upon Randall lying motionless in the street. The revelation that he had been hiding a lifelong battle with leukemia from her sparks a mixture of emotions - anger, frustration, and ultimately, deep concern. The weight of his secret weighs heavily on her conscience as she grapples to come to terms with the fact that their time together is limited.

In the days that follow, J’s compassion prompts her to embark on a journey to uncover more about Randall’s past. A visit to his home yields a surprising discovery: the name and address of his ex-wife, a mystery that only adds fuel to her curiosity. Driven by a desire to understand the complexities of Randall’s life, she sets out for Albuquerque, where she hopes to find answers.

Her arrival in the city is met with a somber revelation: Randall’s ex-wife had passed away six months prior in a tragic car accident. The news is delivered by their son, Randy, a young man whose cynicism seems to be the result of a lifetime of emotional distance from his father. Initially, he shows little interest in getting to know the man who has been absent for so long. However, J’s persistence and Randall’s desperation ultimately prevail, and Randy agrees to visit his estranged father before it’s too late.

As Randall’s health begins to decline, J’s friendship with him serves as a catalyst for her own growth. She is motivated to mend fences with her family, particularly her mother, whom she has been neglecting. In the days leading up to Randall’s passing, J orchestrates an unforgettable celebration of his life, bringing together Randy and her own family in a poignant display of love, forgiveness, and redemption.