So, Emily, how was your week?
Pretty good, I guess.
Is that what you call getting a C in math? Good?
- Actually, yeah. I was expecting a D. - It's one C, Beth. Give her a break.
She forgot her tablet at your place and couldn't study.
Let's try a happy topic.
Are you excited about your birthday on Saturday?
We're going to laser tag and World of Discovery Adventure Park.
Separately.
Two parties sounds like fun.
Because your parents arguing who you'll spend your birthday with is really fun.
It's fine. I have a gallery opening Sunday, so we agreed I'd get Saturday.
We definitely didn't agree on that.
I just wanna have one birthday party with all of us together like a normal kid.
Sweetie, come on. We're gonna have a great time. Trust me.
- Like last year at the fair. - Yeah.
- Hey, we had a good time. - No, you pretended to have a good time.
Why would you say that?
Because you basically split up right after my birthday.
That math I can do.
That's not true.
Just admit it. All the times I thought were good,
all those memories were really a lie.
Everything was for my benefit.
Just because your parents grew apart
doesn't mean they didn't make good memories.
Especially with you.
Dr. Joan is right. No one pretended.
We loved your birthday. We've loved all your birthdays.
I have an idea.
I think I can prove it to you.
Come with me.
Welcome to memory therapy.
This is the Touchstone 3000, aka TS3.
It lets you relive memories.
Wow.
- Okay, that's cool. - Extremely.
All you need to do is connect your phone and download a picture,
and the TS3 takes you right into the photo.
The TS3 uses the phone's embedded metadata
to recreate the time, location and 360-degree environment of the picture.
So, we get to run around in a memory like time travelers?
You can't interact with people in the photo or change what happened.
The point is to let you reexperience this memory and see it with clear eyes.
It's an effective tool that will show Emily the true joy of her last birthday.
A great start for her to see that her happy memories were real.
Let's get you set up.
Okay.
Emily, I assume you have photos from your last birthday?
Oh, yeah, I have tons.
Perfect. Pull one up.
Beth, Ryan, grab a seat in the pods.
How's that?
- Cute picture. - Thank you.
Now put your phone down on the port here,
and the machine does the rest.
Photo sync complete.
You're all set.
If you need me, I'll just be over there in my office.
Okay.
Yeah.
This is so strange.
The corn was amazing.
Happy birthday, honey.
How'd you know?
You were dropping hints for months.
Cinnamon was just another way to pretend everything was fine.
You know that's not true.
You didn't even give him to me together.
Dad was eating corn while you got him.
No? Okay.
- See, you're not even getting along. - Don't be so sure, sweetie.
I'm so impressed you kept that secret. I know it's not your strong suit.
I almost cracked, like, ten times.
I didn't remember that.
This is the best birthday ever.
- Can I see? - Yeah.
That was insane.
That was a nice memory.
What a great way to spend Emily's birthday.
It was all Beth's idea.
You kept the secret.
I was proud of you for that.
It was so freaky, Yasmine.
And the best part is, my parents got along after for 10 whole minutes.
So, when can I sneak in to relive my trip to Hawaii?
I think your parents need to get separated first.
I love them, but it was an epic vacation.
So, what's the deal with your parties?
Still not looking forward to it.
Your parents are giving you two parties they know you're going to love.
You're lucky.
Not the divorced part, but--
They're not divorced yet. Just separated.
But I think I know how to get my parents back together.
Em, they separated for a reason, right?
Like all the times they weren't getting along?
All it took was a few minutes in a memory machine,
and then they were as happy as a year ago.
Next session, I'll load in more happy memories
like birthdays, the trip to the zoo and the Fourth of July parade.
And they'll realize how much they love each other.
You're dreaming. It's not that easy.
Maybe it isn't, but I can try.
If I'm right, then there'll be no more bouncing between houses.
No more getting stuck in the middle of them arguing.
Things would go back to the way they were.
Wonderful session.
Good to hear you've found some strategies to avoid forgetting your things, Emily.
I really think the memory therapy works.
I'm glad we're doing it again. We should do it a lot more.
I'm glad you found it helpful.
Let's go back to the memory.
One session helps, but reinforcing what we learn is the key to real change.
I totally agree with that. Let's do this.
I never thought I'd see the day when you were excited for family therapy.
That's what I like to hear.
Okay, Emily.
Let's upload the same picture as last session.
- Let me help you. - Oh, no, I remember how.
-Photo sync complete. - See?
- Yay. You ready? - Yeah.
I thought we were going back to the same memory.
This is good too.
Okay.
You were really scared.
- I wouldn't say scared. - I would.
Hey. You can do it. Be brave.
Ready?
- Look at Dad! - This is fun. This is fun.
- Yeah. Look over here. - Yeah.
Whoo!
- Oh, my gosh! Whoo! - Oh, baby!
Come on!
- I told you he could do it. - Oh, yeah.
It's all in the wrist.
Thanks, Dad. He's so cute.
I love my new giraffe.
- No. - I'm gonna get you!
Hang on. It didn't snow.
This definitely didn't happen.
Isn't that the marching band from the Fourth of July parade?
Yeah, and that's the tiger from the time we went to the zoo.
They're blending. The pictures are blending.
That means…
Emily!
What is going on?
- I don't know. - I'll get Dr. Joan.
No, these are all pictures and videos from my phone.
I can fix it. I'll be right back.
Processing error.
Error?
Delete. Come on. Delete, delete, delete.
Processing error.
Session complete.
That was odd.
Super odd.
No, I'll get Dr. Joan, and we can get back in.
No, no, it's okay.
I have to get to a meeting, so…
We will see you at 7:00. Emily will be all packed and ready to go.
- I actually need to do 6:00. - Of course you do.
Are you sure you packed everything this time?
Yes, Mom, I triple-checked.
I was thinking, what gift should I get Cinnamon?
- Why are you getting him a gift? - His birthday is on Saturday too, Mom.
You gave Cinnamon the same birthday as you?
No. We got Cinnamon on my birthday, at the fair last year.
Emily, we didn't take you to the fair.
I know we said that we would, but you know.
Okay.
I could take you, though.
What do you mean?
We went to the fair on my birthday. You gave me Cinnamon there as a present.
I think I'd remember the fair. And Cinnamon.
Actually, I don't remember when we got Cinnamon.
Are you joking right now?
Joking about what? I'm confused.
Me too.
Hey.
Please make sure she doesn't leave anything at your place this time.
I got it.
Dad, you remember when we got Cinnamon, right?
Of course. It was Christmas.
No, Easter. Thematically more appropriate.
My birthday at the fair last year?
I haven't been to the fair since I was your age, Em.
How could you both forget? Look, I'll show you.
- So, we have to talk about Saturday. - It's too late to change laser tag.
You booked it?
We agreed.
Where's the photo?
- Just because you decided… - Where's the photo?
-…doesn't mean we agreed. - Would it kill you to give in one time?
Now I know why you're such a good lawyer.
We can't all plan our weekends around your muse.
Stop it. What's wrong with you two?
You were getting along, and now you don't even remember our best day.
Emily…
Let's go, Dad. I just--
When I deleted the photos from the machine,
it somehow deleted my parents' memory.
But why do you still remember?
Because I wasn't in the pod when I deleted the photos.
But they were getting closer.
What if they never get it back? They'll just keep fighting more and more.
Just don't spiral, okay?
Here's what you do. Just upload the right pictures next time you're in the machine.
Boom. The memories are back.
But they're deleted from my phone too.
You don't understand.
This was the last good memory that we had together as a family.
And the only way I can get them back together is
if I can restore this memory.
Maybe the doctor can help?
No, I can't tell her. Then she'd know what I did.
And she'd never let me near the machine again.
Just let me think.
If you don't have any pictures from that day, what about creating one?
We get a picture of the fair online, and we edit in you and your folks.
That could work.
It has to work,
or the memory is really gone forever.
That wasn't the best session, but, hey.
Two steps forward, one step back.
I'm not so sure a trip down memory lane is such a good idea right now.
Wha-- Mom, please. I really think it'll help.
If it makes you happy, I'm willing to give it another try.
See? Dad wants to do it.
Please, Mom?
- Fine, we'll give it another shot. - Yes!
Here, let's make sure we upload the photo correctly.
Photo sync complete.
Please work.
It worked.
What memory is this from?
I told you we went to the fair. You just don't remember.
- Me either. But how can we-- - Come on!
What's going on? This isn't right.
Maybe it's still loading?
What?
No, no, no, no. What's happening?
No, no, no, no, no. No.
-Error. Error. - Oh, shoot.
- I told you we shouldn't have done that. - Don't blame me.
Something's wrong.
- Force of habit. - I got an alert the machine shut down.
- What happened? - We don't know.
I don't know why.
Do you remember my birthday at the fair now?
My birthday at the fair?
Emily, I really don't know what you're talking about.
TS3 off-line.
Could you try again?
Dr. Joan said that it'll take weeks for them to fix the machine.
And by then, my parents probably won't even be talking to each other.
It's over.
- I really thought it'd work. - Me too.
Maybe you can still fix this.
Without the machine?
Maybe comfort popcorn will help.
Oh, my gosh. That's right.
We had roasted corn at the fair.
Thank you.
Thank you. Okay. I'm lost.
All I have to do is ask my parents to bring me to the fair for my birthday,
and then we'll do everything exactly like last year.
Including having roasted corn.
Smart. You'll recreate the day.
- Yeah. - And that will jog their memory.
The corn, the hayride, the slide, the Ferris wheel, the ring toss.
They'll remember for sure.
Wait. So you're gonna give up two birthdays
for the same one you had last year?
For them to get back together, I'd probably give up ten.
Emily, everything is set up.
I don't have time to plan a party at the fair now.
Mom, you don't have to. Everything's already figured out.
Dad's even dropping me off.
He's really giving up Saturday after everything?
Please, Mom? It's what I really wanna do on my birthday.
It's last-minute, Emily. I already put a deposit down on laser tag.
Please, Dad? You always said that we could go, before you guys split up.
You'll love the Ferris wheel. Please?
It does sound like fun.
And everybody says the corn on the cob is amazing.
And we'll be able to spend the whole day together.
It'll be so fun. But I get to pick your outfit.
Okay?
- Okay. - Yes!
We did it.
What do you wanna do first?
Maybe get some corn? Yeah, I'm pretty hungry.
Hey.
What are you doing here?
I'm taking Emily to the fair.
That's not the plan.
I think it was somebody's plan.
You lied to us?
Please don't be mad. You wouldn't have come otherwise.
This is really important to me.
Could you just get along for one day? Please?
Of course we can.
It's a nice shirt.
You bought it for me.
Yeah, I know.
Let's go have fun.
What do you wanna do first?
What? No.
- No. I-- - It's okay. I'm not that hungry.
They can't be sold out of corn at the fair.
Why don't we check out the Ferris wheel?
Come on. This will be better.
Yeah, I'm not so sure about this one.
What? You still can't do heights?
Please, Dad.
I'm sorry, Emily. You have fun. I'll wait right here.
Can you hold my bag then?
Forget it. Let's just go apple picking.
All right, everybody off.
- Come on. - All right.
Let's take a selfie.
Okay.
Here we go.
Ready? One, two, three.
- Okay, come on. Let's go run. - No, it's hot, Em.
Yeah, my feet hurt, baby.
Let's just go to the ring toss. It's over here to the right.
You have a terrible sense of direction. It's to the left.
Fine. You go your way, I'll go mine.
Stop. We have to go in the same direction together!
And it's my birthday!
So I say we go left.
You see? I told you it was left.
Please don't. Doesn't matter anyway. You guys just keep fighting.
Hey, I'm sorry. You're right. We shouldn't fight on your birthday.
Agreed.
Okay. This is our last shot.
You have to win me a giraffe.
No pressure or anything.
Here we go. One giraffe coming up.
You can do it, Dad.
It's fine.
Just throw it a little softer.
I said softer.
It's hard to concentrate with all the play-by-play in the background.
Come on, Dad. You can do it. Yeah.
You can do it.
Please, please, please, please.
I'm sorry, sweetie. I tried.
But I can get more tickets.
You don't remember at all, do you?
Are you okay, sweetie?
If you want the giraffe so bad, I can just buy--
It's not about the giraffe! I already have one anyway!
None of this is what I want.
This is our last chance to get that happy memory back,
and now you'll never get back together.
Look, I'm sorry. We're sorry this has been so hard on you.
And it's true, we're not getting back together.
- But we'll still have fun times. - Your dad's right.
We're still a family. We can get along.
Really? Because you couldn't even get along on my birthday.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry too, sweetie.
We love you. We both love you.
Your mom is right. We do.
And you know what?
Hay slides are right over there.
What do you think?
Let's go.
So, how did this experience with your parents make you feel?
I don't know. Still trying to figure it out.
But I really think this all began on that trip to Hawaii.
I think I have just the thing to help with this.
I assume you have photos from your last trip?