Several years before the theft, Ray is a teenager in high school. His mother encourages him to graduate early so that he can get a job and support her. She tells him that, after the holidays, she wants him to start paying rent. Currently, Ray is working in construction, but it’s a limited engagement that will soon be finishing. Later, Ray’s friend Aiden, who is part of his orchestra class, offers Ray a gig playing with his quartet at a local wedding. Ray is ecstatic when he learns that he’ll be paid $200 for one afternoon. He rushes to tell his mother, but she is unenthusiastic. When he asks her for a ride to the wedding, she refuses. Ray arranges a ride with Aiden instead.

When they arrive, Aiden goes to park while Ray goes inside. However, he’s barred from entering by a large man someone calls Uncle Roger. Roger greets other guests but keeps Ray from coming in; when Ray becomes insistent, Roger aggressively tells him to leave. Ray calls Aiden, who comes to meet him, and they both go inside. The group plays confidently and competently, and Ray is proud of his performance. After the ceremony, Roger pays them their fee but pulls Ray aside and tells him he ruined the wedding.