Graham Dalton quotes from Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)

John

I'm sorry?

Graham

No, it's just, I, you know, I just think - right now I have one key and everything I own is in the car, and I just... I like that, you know? I mean, I just, if I get an apartment, that two keys, if I... get a job, you know, I might have to open or close, that's more keys, you know, buy some stuff, I'm afraid it's gonna get ripped off, or something, and I get more keys, and I just, I, you know, I just like having the one key, it's clean.

Ann

You're not gonna worry in losing them, I always lose my keys, I hate that.

Ann

So, all these are... are interviews, huh?

Graham

Uh, yes.

Ann

Can we watch one?

Graham

No, I'd - uh, no.

Ann

Why not?

Graham

Well, I... promised each of the subjects that no one would see the videotapes except for me.

Ann

What are the interviews about?

Graham

The interviews are about sex.

Ann

Sex? What about sex?

Graham

Everything about sex.

Ann

Like what?

Graham

What they've done. What they do. What they want to do; but, are afraid to ask for. What they wouldn't do even if asked.

Ann

So let me see, you said, um, you said that I should never take advice from someone that I haven't had sex with, right... right?

Graham

Basically.

Ann

Right. And, uh, we haven't had sex...[giggle] right?

Graham

So...

Ann

So, I, I, I guess from your own advice, I shouldn't take your advice.

Graham

I wouldn't.

Graham

So, I don't... I don't understand, uh, what made you want to come here. I can't imagine Ann painted a very flattering portrait of me.

Cynthia

Yeah, well, see, um, I don't really listen to Ann when it comes to men. I mean, look at John, for Christ's sake.

Cynthia

If Ann got freaked out by these, there must be something sexual: are these tapes of you having sex with these girls?

Graham

No, not exactly.

Cynthia

Well, either you are or your aren't; which is it?

Graham

Why don't you let me tape you?

Cynthia

Doing what?

Graham

Talking.

Cynthia

About what?

Graham

About sex... your sexual history, sexual preferences.

Cynthia

What makes you think I'd discuss that with you?

Graham

Nothing.

Cynthia

Hmm. And you just want to ask me questions?

Graham

I just want to ask you questions.

Cynthia

That's all.

Graham

That's all.

Cynthia

Is this how you get off or something? Taping women talking about their sexual experiences?

Graham

Yes.

Cynthia

Mm. No. Not really. I...I didn't... I sort of... I didn't think it would have, uhm, veins or ridges or anything. I just thought it would be smooth like a test tube. It's weird thinking about it now. The organ itself seemed like a - a separate thing, uhm, a separate entity to me. I mean, when he finally pulled it out, and I could look at it and touch it, I completely forgot that there was a guy attached to it. I remember literally being startled when the guy spoke to me.

Graham

What did he say?

Cynthia

He said my hand felt good.

Graham

Then what happened?

Cynthia

And then I started moving my hand - and then he stopped talkin'.

Ann

I want to know why you are the way you are!

Graham

And I'm telling you it's not any one thing that I can point to and say "That's why!" It doesn't work that way with people who have problems, Ann, it's not that neat, it's not that tidy! It's not a series of little boxes that you can line up and count. Things just don't happen that way.

Ann

I thought about you. Have you thought about me?

Graham

Yes.

Ann

What did you think?

Graham

I thought about what you would look like having an orgasm.

Ann

I'd like to know what I look like havin' an orgasm. Can you do that?

Ann

My life is shit. It's just shit. Nothing's what I thought it was. John's a bastard. Let's make a videotape.

Graham

No, I... ahem... I don't think that's a good idea.

Ann

Why not?

Graham

Because I don't think it's a choice that you'd make in a normal frame of mind.

Ann

And what would you know about a normal frame of mind?

Graham

That's a good question.

Graham

You're right, I've got a lot of problems... But they belong to me.

Ann

You think they're yours, but they're not. Everybody that walks in that door becomes part of your problem. Anybody that comes in contact with you. I didn't want to be part of your problem, but I am. I'm leaving my husband, and maybe I would have anyway, but the fact is, is, I'm doing it now, and part of it's because of you. You've had an effect on my life.

Graham

This isn't supposed to happen. I've spent nine years structuring my life so this didn't happen.