The Early Chapters

Answer side by side

Describe the era we became friends in — ours, specifically.

The question sits across the top; you each answer on your own page. Whoever writes second reads the first answer before writing — agree, argue, or correct the record.

Why this question

The music, the haunts, the things we wore that must never come back, what a night out cost.

And once you’ve both answered

What single detail brings the whole period flooding back?

Answering it honestly

  • Whoever writes second reads the first answer before writing — properly, not a skim. Your page can agree, argue, or correct the record.
  • Be specific. Dates, places, what was playing, who else was there. Wrong details are welcome; they're evidence.
  • Don't negotiate a joint version. Two accounts that refuse to match are worth more than one polished one.

And the house rule, whatever the mode: leave a blank rather than write a lie. A blank can be filled later; a lie sits in the archive forever, and you both have to live with the paperwork.

More from The Early Chapters

When was the first time we laughed until it actually hurt?

What did you get wrong about me in the early days?

What is one of the earliest running jokes or private languages we developed?