Manipulating Leonard (close reading on Leonard/Burt dialogue)

As one of many first-timers watching Memento, the alternating chronological order, choppy scene sequences, and mysterious plot line caused total and utter confusion in the beginning of the film—mainly because it is a narrative style that is not frequently used in film. One particular scene, however, helped put some of the pieces together and revealed important clues to the rest of this puzzling film. This scene takes place when Leonard Shelby checks in at the Discount Inn and Burt Hadley, the man at the front desk, escorts Leonard to his room.

Burt’s boss instructed him to take advantage of Leonard’s memory condition by renting out a second room to make a larger profit. However, Burt’s scheming strategy fails when he accidentally brings Leonard to his old room inside which Leonard recognizes his own handwriting on the front of a brown paper bag. This causes Burt to clumsily blurt out that Leonard has a new room, thus revealing his boss’s plan to “rip him off.” Ironically, as a man incapable of trusting anyone who is not a part of his Polaroid collection, Leonard appreciates Burt’s honesty. But when Burt’s says, “Well you’re not gonna remember anyway,” Leonard retorts, “You don’t have to be that honest, Burt.” Through this exchange, though brief, the audience discovers valuable clues regarding others’ manipulation of Leonard and Leonard’s manipulation of himself through his short-term memory loss. Burt charging Leonard double at the Discount Inn is a perfect example of how easy it must be for everyone and anyone to manipulate Leonard into doing just about anything. Leonard may be in search of the truth, but even he admits that some truths are just too harsh to be known, which is why he prefers Burt to refrain from being that honest. It becomes apparent that Leonard’s notes, Polaroid pictures, and even tattoos depicting the “truth” are not as objective as we may have thought. Leonard’s reaction to Burt’s hurtful reproach goes to show that perhaps even Leonard prefers certain truths, certain honesty, to remain hidden and undiscovered forever if too harsh to face.

The full dialogue referred to:

Burt Hadley: Oh shit. This is the wrong room. You’re in 304 now. I'm sorry. I fucked up.

Leonard Shelby: This is not my room?

Burt Hadley: No, come on, let’s go.

Leonard Shelby: Why is this my handwriting?

Burt Hadley: ...This was your room, but now you’re in 304.

Leonard Shelby: When was I in here?

Burt Hadley: Last week. But then I rented you another room on top of it.

Leonard Shelby: Why?

Burt Hadley: Business is slow. I mean, I told my boss about the—your condition and stuff, and he said try and rent him another room.

Leonard Shelby: So how many rooms am I checked into in this shit-hole?

Burt Hadley: Just two, so far.

Leonard Shelby: Well, at least you’re being honest about ripping me off.

Burt Hadley: Well, you’re not gonna remember anyway.

Leonard Shelby: You don’t have to be that honest, Burt.