Link had spent his whole life learning from Orca and Sturgeon, so he was used to dealing with grumpy old men. It’s a skill, to be honest — one honed over years of dealing with unrequested advice and pretending to show enthusiasm during seemingly endless tangents about how things were better back in their day. Link knows how people can be set in their opinions and personalities. This is good because as he walks into a curious shop in Windfall Island’s market, he comes face to face with another classic old-timer: master photographer, Lenzo.
The tone is set the moment Link makes eye contact with Lenzo. There’s a subtle-yet-unmistakable bitterness in that bearded face. His dim and narrow eyes almost seem to purposefully contrast the vibrance and optimism of Link’s eyes. Link tries to keep things pleasant, but he can barely say hello before Lenzo begins a judgmental tear of Link’s character. He gives a story about another stranger who stole his beloved Picto Box, a device at the heart of Lenzo’s photography obsession. Sure, Lenzo has many Picto Boxes, this store being a Picto Box and Pictograph shop and all, but the one in question was special, apparently. At least, special enough for Lenzo to lose all concept of social skills and to forevermore deem strangers as untrustworthy. With little reason or warning, the old-timer urges — kicks — Link out of his store.
Old Lenzo was one of those typically atypical old guys who are too good at what they do to keep themselves aware of how other people perceive them. His passion was for photography, and he almost seemed to carry resentment for people who didn’t share his level of obsession. It’s understandable that he’d be skeptical after having his trust betrayed, but turning into Luke Skywalker from The Last Jedi is never the answer — ever.
That was an odd experience. That’s the most Link can make of what just happened, at least. Nothing ventured and nothing gained though, so there’s not much else to do except move on. With Link being how he is, his explorative nature leads him to find the Picto Box deep within a network of dark tunnels behind a dingy dungeon. Crawling back out of the tunnel, Link stands to his feet, dusts off his new toy, and remembers his run-in with the older photographer. This is clearly the missing Picto Box. Maybe the old grouch would change his tune if Link returned the box?
Ever the optimist, Link returns to Lenzo’s store to return the box. Link doesn’t know the first thing about Lenzo, but the kid can’t hold back his desire to help. He hopes that returning the box will do the trick.
That might be his plan, but that doesn’t mean that’s what will happen. This is made clear when Lenzo, after Link shows him the box, fails to recognize it as his. Link tries to explain it, but the old man’s not letting him get a word in edgewise. Lenzo just keeps prattling, which seems to be his second-favorite hobby. All Link can do is keep quiet and let it play out. And once Lenzo offers him the chance to be an assistant, all Link can really do is say yes. Looks like this is Link’s Picto Box now. There’s no sense in trying to explain it to Lenzo again. That will only result in another tangent.
Lenzo’s excited to have someone to teach his craft to, so that’s something Link can help him with. He can make up for the semi-theft of the Picto Box by playing the part of the eager student.
Link’s new boss wastes no time getting into things and gives Link his first assignment: Get photographic evidence of unrequited love. It sounds like an intriguing mission at first, until Link figures out that it means little more than spying on people as they use the mailbox. With the photo snapped, Link returns to Lenzo to report his findings and await his next mission. Though, with how boring things tend to be on Windfall, Link has a feeling he knows how the other assignments will go.
Link senses are always keen. The next two assignments play out the same as the first: invade people’s privacy in the name of art. At least he only needs to finish a total of three jobs. After returning with the last photo, Lenzo praises Link for his understanding of the craft. He deems Link truly worthy of being his apprentice, and as a reward, he gifts Link with a Deluxe Picto Box, which can take color photos.
This is the second Picto Box that Link has received from this man without paying for it. He feels like he’s stealing from Lenzo, again, but Lenzo seems so happy, and he’s also stopped talking. Discretion is the better part of sanity, so Link opts to graciously accept the gift and depart.
Lenzo’s life changed for the better after Link came into it. Yes, he was still a peculiar old man after Link left, but he would have missed out on a chance to share his love of photos if he had stayed stubborn. He was another person to add to the never-ending list of people Link had rescued in some way.
