>As for the love aspect of it, I think it has to do with
>fantasy versus reality. Who doesn't have the image of the
>ideal significant other? NJ has spent 30 years
>romanticizing his memories of Sherry. There's no doubt he
>loved her (and still does) but I think he realizes she
>wasn't as perfect as he liked to remember her and that he
>probably wouldn't be much happier with her than he is with
>his current wife

spoiler


nj confesses at the elevator that sherry is the "only woman" he has ever loved. she says nothing and lets the doors close.

in another scene as ting-ting and "fatty" are in the hotel room and first the lights won't come on and then they're standing around all awkwardly and finally he just walks out almost saying nothing. that was perfect.

those two scenes do much with minimalist dialogue. the characters as per in reality would have very little to stay, given their shock and anxiety in the given station. it wouldn't be a time for long drawn out diatribes about "the perils of love and past mistakes." you would simply let the elevator doors close.