Shines Like A New Penny

     In the interaction between Penny and Fugit at 2:20-2:22, several arguments are created. By simply taking Fugit's pen Penny suggests that Fugit's attention is in the wrong place: that he needs to let go of his material object and set task in order to live within the moment along with everyone else. This is just one of several arguments that can be interpreted (such as the argument that people can lose site of what's important, etc.). However, it seems that Penny's primary argument is that Fugit should focus on the show and the people around him rather than his notes.
      Fugit's facial expression immediately following Penny's action is one of happiness and almost relief, as if he was more satisfied with interacting with her than his work. If Fugit had tried to take the pen back, Penny could have easily said something along the lines of "the smile on your face tells me that you don't actually want the pen back". Once the pen is gone Fugit smiles and glances between Penny and Russell, who both look at him and smile back in approval: Russell's smile of encouragement works to support Penny's argument that Fugit's "choice" to participate in the show rather than note-take is one that people approve of. The clip's design in itself also support's Penny's idea. Shortly before the scene cuts to Fugit writing the title of the band's song, a woman on the shoulders of another person is seen singing along and slowly clapping: although she is enjoying the music, she's calm and not cheering or screaming with excitement. The video doesn't show people cheering and screaming again until Penny has taken Fugit's pen and Fugit is seen watching Russell and the band. Following this Fugit stares at Penny, and it just so happens that the song's main guitar solo (or at least the one the viewer hears) takes place, possibly signifying again that interacting with Penny and becoming a part of the crowd was the "right" choice. Finally, Fugit is invited to accompany Fugit and his band members to L.A before being kissed by a groupie. Both of these events leave Fugit feeling accomplished and proud rather than ashamed for not continuing to take notes during the band's performance.
     Overall Penny's quick swipe can be interpreted as several arguments. It's different to see someone taking a material object away from someone so that the attention is placed on what's happening in the moment. In the video no one in the crowd had a pen and paper, a cell phone, a camera. Each person is cheering and swaying with their hands in the air and eyes trained on the band. Today people encourage one another to take pictures or videos of the event to show others, to share later rather than now or in the moment. In a way both Penny and the designers of the movie place a reminder that living in the moment can be just as (if not more) appealing, rewarding, and satisfying than trying to make notes for a later.