September 1992 in the big theatre in the Scotia tower during the VIFF. You were young and radiant maybe 30. Wearing a light coloured sweater. Red hair, could be strawberry blonde, fair complexion, some freckles and jeans. You were eating a nicely organized lunch from plastic containers, obviously a seasoned vet of the film fest. I was 2 seats to your right. Before our film screened, the manager announced that those staying for the next film in that theatre should put up their hands so an usher could take tickets. The title of that film was flamingly gay. You slowly looked up from your food and scanned the theatre. You said in a stage whisper, "Well, now we know who's who." Then you went back to your food, the lights went out and the magic began. I know now that in that instant I loved you. I kicked myself for not engaging you and losing you after the screening. I never saw you again. I went back to the VIFF every year, saw more foreign films than I can count, read far too many subtitles, laughed, cried, looked for you to no avail. I can't stop. I'll be there again this year. Help me.