Original subtitles

VITAL SIGNS

Look at me.

- Need help? - No.

- Hello. - Hi.

Why wasn't I called before?

It happened very quickly.

She might not have had time.

It happened very quietly.

It's not always the case.

You know you can see her one last time.

See her body.

Here?

At the mortuary.

- It helps sometimes... - No, that's O.K.

The service is scheduled for Friday.

Do I need to sign anything...

or should I just go?

Would you like to meet with Nathalie?

Who's Nathalie?

Our psychologist.

Why?

To talk about it.

Do you like it?

I, the undersigned, Juliette Léger,

maiden name Sévigny, born October 27th, 1937,

bequeath all my belongings to Simone Léger.

When did she write that?

Uh... October 2nd.

- This year? - Yes.

Did she come here?

No I went there.

She made me come down to the care center.

She was very proud of you, you know?

Cheers.

To Juliette Léger, born...

Sévigny.

Who leaves behind a beloved grand-daughter...

and...

Nobody.

And her husband to be.

Mrs. Girandeau. You are...

Terrible, don't worry about me.

I am Nathalie St-Onge, psychologist.

Hello.

How was the new car in the snow?

- Hi, Simone. - Hi.

Everything is pretty much the way you left it last week...

Except there's a new patient today. Her name is Mrs. Girandeau.

Dr Richard is checking her bad hip.

She is completely lucid.

She receives 80 milligrams of morphine on a patch

and she's not suffering.

But she is pretty anxious.

The family is exhausted.

Is she religious?

I don't think so.

That reminds me...

Father Duchesne had another stroke.

He won't be here this week.

Among the volunteers are there any church-goers?

Who prays or goes to church?

Either...

...or someone who believes in God, or has faith.

Micheline.

She comes on weekends.

Lucette Mireault.

We'll have to decide...

She's been here 16 weeks.

Here you go.

- Call if you need anything. - OK.

Enjoy your meal.

I know that one.

We've seen it in New York. Isn't it beautiful?

It's time for your bath.

Just leave me alone.

Can you take these books, Simone?

Thanks.

No, no, no.

You're not going to put your hand in my butt.

There's a person paid to do that.

It's alright, Simone. You can leave.

Come back later, will you?

This soap stinks.

It's your brand. C'mon.

Is it too hot?

Christ... I can't believe it.

You'll appreciate it later.

That's enough. I'm clean.

There's still the bottom left.

I'm not dirty for Christ sake! I haven't moved from here.

I think I can see your bet.

Yep, I think so.

So, Simone, you got caught?

Take me to my room?

To our private suite.

Help me get up.

See how beautiful her curves are.

A little pillow for your head.

You'll be alright Mrs. Mireault. I'll be right back.

Just call if you need anything.

I'd like you to give me a large dose while I sleep.

Don't warn me so I can go without knowing.

I can't do that.

If it hurts, Dr. Richard can readjust your medication.

You smell like fries.

Your ears are sticking out more.

You have white hair.

Oh yeah?

Your head has gotten bigger since going to Harvard.

Stupid.

I'll massage your brain, see if it shrinks back to size.

You always come back.

You tell me nothing. I have to come see for myself.

See what?

I want to know everything.

What you do every day.

I want to know why you're not finishing your PhD.

I want to know to whom you give yourself?

What is it again?

We are not together, Boris. I don't owe you anything.

Uh... yes.

When you're in a relationship, you do owe something.

When will you introduce me to your boyfriend?

What?

When will you introduce me to your boyfriend?

News travel fast.

He's not really my boyfriend.

Not your boyfriend?

No. Not really.

So I have a shot with you.

Seriously, I'd like to meet him.

He has no free time.

No time? What does he do?

He writes music.

He writes music no one will ever hear.

Why are you with him if you don't believe in him?

That's why we're not really together.

So I have a shot with you?

You are wasting precious time.

Yes, you have a small shot.

What did you use to do for a living?

Cement.

- What? - Cement. Construction.

Ah. Construction.

Yes, Ma'am! And you, what do you do among the dying?

Frankly you're the best company I've ever had.

What I'm wondering is what can I possibly bring you.

You're alive.

As long as we're not quite dead

we need the company of the living.

Are you a religious man?

Yes.

Yes, I'm a believer.

But mostly I have faith.

What's wrong?

I don't feel like it, that's all.

But they're your friends. We shouldn't have left.

If they were my friends, I'd be playing music with them.

Didn't you quit smoking that stuff?

Yeah. I'm a real champ. I must have quit at least 12 times.

Play the piano, will you?

It's late. The neighbours wouldn't appreciate.

Let's put this here.

You have to be careful what shoes you wear.

Well, you walk like a lumberjack with those big shoes.

I had an accident when I was young.

Poor darling.

What type of accident?

Can I take a look?

Looks alright.

I know a lot about bones.

What kind of accident?

Car.

A big wreck with lots of casualties.

- Mrs. Perrin! - It's alright.

OK, that's done.

Morphine...

Mireault...

For her it's 5...

Does morphine kill them little by little?

Well, some terminal patients arrive here with weak hearts.

A large dose can kill them.

But usually, their body gets used to it

and that's not what kills them.

As you can see she refused medication until the very end.

She never complained.

How do you deal with patients who want to die?

That's a tough one.

You must face that quite often here, right?

What I can say is

there are as many answers

as there are different pains and different patients.

It means you must think about it, sometimes?

Yes. Yes I do.

I don't think a caregiver should bear the burden of such a question.

It's too much for one to shoulder.

That said, it is not a public matter.

It's not something the courts can rule on.

That kind of decision has to be made privately

between people that are very close.

And with a doctor who understands the body and soul.

It took you so long to come today.

I know...

Tomorrow I'll by here early.

Please stop.

What's wrong?

Let go of my hand, it hurts.

I just want it to be over.

Don't say that... There's always hope.

Keep your banalities for someone else.

No, no, no, Simone! Stay here please.

Don't leave me with Two-Face.

I believe this moment belongs to you.

Yeah, right.

You must have things to say in private.

That he's going to spend Christmas with his mistress.

Who cares?

It's like a bad play.

Jonathan's father was no better.

No chance he'd come say goodbye.

Getting old is not a tragedy.

It's not.

It's a joke.

I don't know what's gonna happen.

Look at me for a second.

Look at me.

It's because it hurts, you understand?

Open. I know you're there.

Simone. Open.

Here's Steve. My boyfriend.

Pleased to meet you.

What a nice little dog. What's its name?

Cachou.

Would you like to dance, Miss?

No, I don't dance.

- You sure? - Uh... Yes.

Mrs. Ducharme, you won't turn me down I hope?

Uh... OK.

You don't seem convinced.

Be your third, no thanks!

I only have eyes for you!

...now we're in trouble.

You have to take care of it.

Call somebody. Do something. Be a man!

...his father again...

His father had a right to see him...

No, his father had no right...

- Until he was 14 he had the right! - Not true!

What for?

I don't know.

No reason, I guess.

My mother will be happy

to see me well-groomed.

I have nothing to give you.

But I won't forget you once I've crossed to the other side.

I won't forget you either.

She's in a stable condition, but she's very weak.

She could die tomorrow, in 4 months, in a year...

I really can't say. The agony seems to be over.

She wouldn't survive another move. Not again.

But in a nursing home she'd be cared for.

She has no one.

What does she want?

Nothing in particular.

I think she just wants to die.

We're going to have to release her and transfer her somewhere else.

Strange...

That's weird.

Hey, Mr. St-Louis!

Go get something.

Let's go this way.

It's gonna be alright, Mrs. Mireault.

You can go now.

Can I do it?

No.

Only staff members can do it.

Stop joking around.

You woke me up at 6 AM just so I'd pick you up?

Take me to your bed.

See how you make me feel.

What are you doing with Mrs. Mireault's belongings?

She had no one.

Did you look at her file?

Yes.

Was it you?

It was her.

It was her decision.

You realize I could request an autopsy?

I did nothing wrong.

I just made her believe that I had intervened.

It allowed her to let go... I think.

This is serious.

Shit!

- Hello. - Hi.

- Want something to drink? - Yes.

Here.

I'm gonna go, Boris.

You can call me on my cell.

OK.

What the hell are you doing, Simone?

You're not even paid.

You're not studying, you give them everything.

You don't understand.

It's a rare intimacy to share one's dying moments.

Does that mean you sleep with them to?

Stupid dumbass!

What's wrong with you?

Céline...

It's Simone.

Jonathan...

Your mother wanted me to tell you something.

We can go to the lounge if you want.

Would you like anything to drink?

Your mother...

...she told me she would never abandon you.

She wanted to apologize and tell you she'd always be watching over you.

My mother would never say that.

It would hurt her mouth too much.

You must be so damn lonely to make things up like that.

Hi.

Are you alone?

The things you wanted are here.

Are you sure there's nothing else for me?

Take what you want.

You're still pretending you don't need anything?

If I needed something, what would you do?

I'd be there. I'm here.

Sure you're here...

...but what have you done, Boris?

Nothing. You're at the same place you were at 18.

What qualifies as doing something?

Is it having diplomas?

Wearing your Harvard shirt at the gym?

What is it?

Denying where you come from?

Spitting on those below you?

Marrying a rich American and have a boring life?

Successful but dying of boredom with a dried-up heart?

Contempt is easy.

But inside you're afraid. You're a coward, Boris.

You can't stand up for yourself.

You're right.

You're so tall and straight that you don't even see or feel.

Yes, I feel.

You have to feel the death of others to live something yourself.

- Yes, I feel. - What do you feel? I'm curious.

I feel pity... for you.

Ask me for help!

Ask me to help you up!

I'm sorry to ask you this...

It would be best if you didn't come back to the care center.

Ask for an autopsy.

I didn't do it.

I didn't do anything.

It's not just that.

Those afraid of stepping into a palliative care ward have issues.

But those who spend all their time there

might have issues as well.

What are you going to tell Pénélope and Mrs. Perrin...

You can come say goodbye.

I understand.

It's not easy for you or for them.

It's not easy for me either.

Sorry.

Forgive me, Simone.

Forgive me.

It's Simone.

Simone Léger.

We've played cards together.

I am not a cheat!

I'm the one who cheated.

I did cheat quite a few times.

I am here to say goodbye.

I'm going back to the States to finish my studies.

Ah... OK.

I think that...

I think I'm going to die soon.

Are you worried?

I would have liked it to continue.

Farewell.

Subtitling: CNST, Montreal