Original subtitles

Blue Sky Jo

- "It is silly not to hope." - Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea

Gallop, gallop Little Miss Musketeer

You go by the name Jo Josephine, noble and proud

In search of your father

Hey, Miss Mosquito!

Helen! Helen!

Quit yellin' Helen.

- You're bugging me on purpose! - It's your name!

My name is Josephi...

Call me Jo!

Jo?

Yeah. My name is Jo.

Since when?

I'm sick of you calling me a mosquito.

Well, on Planet Earth,

you gotta go see a judge to change your name.

It's starting! Quick!

Gallop, gallop Little Miss Musketeer

You go by the name Jo Josephine, noble and proud

In search of your father

You'll move heaven and earth

Turn it down, Mosquito!

Helen!

- Helen! - Ugh, quit bugging me!

My name is Jo.

Your dad'll be home late,

so I need milk and bread and a can of tomato soup.

Miss Musketeer just started.

Don't make me ask you again, Helen.

Her name is Jo.

The money's on the counter.

Tell Jeanne to go!

I'm studying.

If you don't, it's cereal for supper.

Or apples.

For supper?

That's that.

No apples, Jo.

Soon we won't be able to leave the house.

- Why's that? - All the nutjobs!

You're too old to be scared, Fred. They're harmless.

It's in the papers.

Oh, hi.

Hi, Fred!

Newspapers? A pack of lies just to make a buck!

Just 'cause you're from the asylum don't make you a nutjob.

Gimme a pack of Export A.

- Heard you're moving again? - Yup.

It's those damn rich folks.

They spread like molasses.

I'll get my lottos too, and a lighter.

Still waiting for you to win so I can quit working.

You like seeing me around.

You'd come see me in Florida. See the Expos camp.

Don't start on that baseball crap.

This year's different!

You say that every year! "This is the one!"

Don't listen to him.

Our Expos are gonna be the champs this year, right?

Yes.

Out of the mouths of babes!

Exactly, she's just a kid.

Hello, my dear Jacinthe.

- A bag for you? - Yeah.

- Okay, bye. - Bye.

Dad?

Dad!

Dad!

Where's Dad?

Left the bag on the street?

- I didn't mean to! - You think money grows on trees?

Sorry.

You didn't answer me.

Where's Dad?

At the Optimist Club. Wash your face and shut the door.

Yum, cereal without milk for supper.

Thanks, Mosquito!

Keep an eye on Catherine.

It went long?

- A gift from a student? - No.

From the school committee.

That's nice of them.

Yeah, a box of chocolates to celebrate 15 years

of putting up with students who'd rather get detention than learn.

It's still nice.

Can't wait for my fancy pen at 25 years.

We don't throw out gifts.

Enjoy your meal, girls.

Thanks.

Here's the pitch.

It curves into the zone for strike three!

The Expos still on defense.

What's up?

Why don't you wear an Expos cap like everybody else?

You noticed that, did you?

This one reminds me of old Santiago.

He's your friend?

No.

Santiago...

He's a character in a book by Ernest Hemingway.

The Old Man and the Sea.

I've never seen you read a book.

We didn't have a TV before you came along.

Must've been boring as hell.

So he was old. What else?

Good question.

He's a fisherman.

One day, he goes out to sea alone,

and catches a fish twice the size of his boat,

fighting off sharks all the while.

And he does it.

He does it because he's thinking about the great DiMaggio.

Who's DiMaggio?

Ah, DiMaggio.

A great baseball player.

Played for the Yankees.

Oh, that's why the cap.

But how did thinking about a baseball player

help the old man get the fish?

Because DiMaggio was his hero.

He was strong. That's what heroes are for.

To motivate us.

To be like them.

Our best.

And he was crying on the bus. All alone.

You ever seen Dad cry before?

Jeanne.

It's because of his job. Let me sleep.

Why?

Because I'm tired, dummy!

No, why is it because of his job?

He says it's slowly killing him.

Killing him?

You try teaching a bunch of drooling teens all day.

You'd be sobbing before you even reached the bus stop.

Hang on a sec.

- Sorry, I was so thirsty. - No problem.

- So, you know the neighbourhood? - By heart.

Why do you want a paper route?

I want my dad to stop working.

So he can be happy.

It's a tough job.

Lucky for you, I'm like Miss Musketeer!

She can fight lots of the Duke's soldiers all at once.

- Oh, yeah? - She's really brave, like me.

I should check that out.

It's on every day. 4pm on the kids channel.

Okay.

Don't worry, they say I look at least 11.

Oh, okay.

So you'll talk to your boss?

I'm in the phone book under Dallaire, on Richelieu Street.

I can't promise anything.

Like I say, you gotta be tough for this job.

Well, bye!

Bye.

Watch what the hell you're doing!

I know it's ugly, but I still need the damn thing.

Well, if it ain't the kid from the corner store!

What's your name, little pest?

I don't have one, you big drunk.

A wisecracker, eh? I'm gonna like it here.

You're really gonna stay here?

Got a problem with that?

My mom doesn't like people who swear like you.

She's your goddamn mom, not mine.

Hey, fellas!

Just lean it there, someone'll take it if they want it.

Why do crazy people talk to themselves?

- The ones wandering around here? - Yeah.

Just because someone talks to themselves doesn't mean they're crazy.

They might be feeling lonely.

But to answer your question,

the people who were released from the hospital talk to themselves

because they're not aware of others.

I don't understand.

They don't notice other people, the outside world.

They're like prisoners in their own minds, you know?

Was Grandpa like that?

Hello?

The little mosquito? Nope, wrong number.

- It's for me! - Sorry, no mosquitoes buzzing here.

Don't hang up!

Jeanne!

Yes? Hi, Fred.

There.

Your bag.

You start by rolling 'em all up like this.

Rubber band.

Like this, like this, and there you go.

The addresses of all your clients.

Deliver 'em all by 7am, got it?

And every Sunday, you collect the money.

Most people put it under the mat or in the mailbox.

And anything more than two bucks?

That's your tip.

What's a tip?

It's extra money the customer gives you.

You get to keep anything over $2. It's yours!

Well, have a good route!

Still no newspaper for you, Roger?

Don't start with me.

To battle.

And to victory!

Come on.

Thanks for joining us, Helen.

Do you know what we're discussing?

The longest word in the dictionary?

That was before she fell asleep, Philippe.

We're discussing the importance of reading.

Okay.

Reading a novel opens up the world to you.

You can travel anywhere, right from your couch.

And since we all need to escape sometimes,

you will read one novel by the end of the year.

To the last page.

Choose any book you want.

Do we really have to?

Do it for yourself.

Read for the fun of it.

Just you wait, it'll make you grow.

Then why's Philippe so short? He reads all the time.

Hey, sweetie!

Pretty small to be lugging such a big bag!

Pretty early to be drinking such a big beer!

- Hello. - Hello.

I'd love to, but Fernand never listens to me.

And really, it's like a drug.

He'll spend the whole day in front of the TV.

If I knew it'd be like this, would I have married him?

It's probably just a phase.

Right, a phase.

And how's your Marcel? The future Michel Tremblay of Limoilou?

He said it, not me!

Ah, when it comes to talking...

Yeah. They're all the same.

If I waited for Fernand to pick up after himself,

we'd live in a pigsty.

Who's Michel Tremblay?

- My word, you don't know? - No.

He's a great Quebecois.

What are they teaching you at school?

Like I say. School was better when the Church was in charge.

Do we have a flashlight?

What for?

My route. The mornings are getting dark.

- Check Dad's box downstairs. - You got a boy's job?

Yeah, so?

- Thanks, Mom. - Happy to help.

It's just a bunch of damn books!

Language!

I can't wait to see Miss Musketeer in high heels.

Never gonna happen.

Except once, when she went to Charles' engagement ball.

- You know what? - What?

Nobody recognized her.

What? It's true.

Was everyone in masks?

No, it was the first time she'd worn a dress.

No one recognized her in it.

Are you pretending to be dumb, or can't you help it?

Wear a dress to school tomorrow.

Nobody's gonna ask what your name is.

Help.

It was different back then.

Oh you're right, everyone was blind.

She tied her hair up and had nice jewellery on.

- Get the dish soap, please. - Oh, no!

Did I hear "no"?

I'm doing my accounting!

Dish soap. Bathroom. Now!

I don't wanna hear

"It's cold, it hurts, it's going down my back."

- That's that. - Okay!

If there's no whining, everyone can have a can of pop.

Yes!

Go get Mr. Roger.

- Who? - You know who.

- The neighbour? - Get the phone.

What's he gonna do here?

Not "gonna", it's "going to."

Okay, jeez!

Yeah, yeah!

- Well, if it isn't Sweetie. - Never mind your Sweetie.

We need you, my sister drank bleach!

Jesus! And they say I'm crazy.

Back to your madhouse, tell your mom I'm coming.

And don't let her puke or she'll rip her guts out!

Eat the bread. Swallow it!

Come on. Have some more.

Holy goddamn Mary mother of God

Jesus Christ on a goddamn cracker, where's your head, child?

If there's a skull on the bottle, don't drink it!

Now eat your bread. It'll soak up the bad stuff.

In we go. Jesus goddamn Christ.

His language!

A bottle like that ought to be way up on a top shelf.

Keep an eye on her poo.

If there's blood, don't call me. Go to the hospital.

Come on, another one. You can do it.

Hey, little baby?

Why can't he mind his own business?

What a pain in the neck!

He took care of Grandpa in the psych ward.

You're too young to remember.

Liar.

Fine, don't believe me. See if I care.

Well, he didn't do a great job, Grandpa died.

That's not how it works.

You're so dumb.

No, you are!

- Hey, kiddo! - Hi Fred!

Nice bike! Banana seat and everything!

You took another route?

I need more money. I'm delivering down the hill.

- Across the tracks? - Yep.

Well, don't ask me to fill in if you get sick.

It's too far.

Don't be silly. Come with me one morning, you'll see.

No, no. Don't count on it.

No, that's a whole other world down there.

I can't do it!

Not on your life, not down the hill.

Why?

Give me a goddamn break!

Can't even use a comma.

It's like talking to a wall.

Think of DiMaggio, Dad.

You look tired.

Working too much, maybe?

With school, it's a lot for a girl your age.

- Can I go to my room? - You're not done yet.

They're slow as turtles, it'll take all night.

I'm not a turtle.

Not a turtle, a baby.

Jeanne.

- Another cramp? - No.

My foot hurts.

Go see Mr. Roger. He's got lots of tricks.

Go see Mr. Roger, he won't bite.

Off you go!

Come in!

C'mon in, before I die.

It's not a real one.

It just shoots pellets. Stings like a sonofabitch though.

You didn't come just to stand there, did you?

The bottom of my foot hurts.

Sit on the table and lemme see.

That's a nasty wart.

Roger'll take care of it.

You gotta draw a circle around the gross part,

and then you put a little round Band-Aid on it.

When it turns white, come back and see me.

When what turns white?

The skin under the goddamn plaster.

Need me to spell it out?

And for your cramps...

How do you know about them?

Getting old's gotta be good for something, eh?

You gotta keep a steak in the fridge,

and when you get a cramp,

put it under your foot or on the back of your leg.

Ew! That's disgusting!

What's disgusting?

The steak will get warts. My mom says they're contagious.

I always have to wear socks, even when I sleep.

You don't eat the steak.

It's like medication.

Wrap it, put it in the fridge, take it out when you need it.

But toss it after a week, 'cause it'll start to stink like hell.

Go on, draw your circle!

Which cut? How thick?

- Uh, pretty thick. - Okay.

The length of my foot.

I wear a seven.

A lady's seven.

It's for my cramps.

What cramps?

The bottom of my foot and the back of my leg.

Where?

Here.

You mean your calf?

Yeah.

And you gotta eat a steak the size of your shoe?

No, it's medication.

You put your foot on it.

Make way for the Duke's prisoners.

Father? Father!

It's a mistake. He's innocent!

When does she go to the ball?

Jo?

Jo?

Aw, come on.

He was an old man

who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream.

He had gone 84 days without catching a fish.

In the first 40 days, a boy had been with him.

But after 40 days without a fish, the boy's parents told him

that the old man was now definitely and finally salao,

which is the worst form of star-crossed.

Star-crossed?

Star-crossed:

Ill-fated. Unlucky.

At their orders, the boy had gone in another boat,

which caught three good fish the first week.

It made the boy sad to see the old man come in each day

with his skiff empty,

and he always went down to help him carry

the sail that was furled around the mast.

The sail was patched with flour sacks and, furled,

it looked like the flag of permanent defeat.

My wife hated when I joked around, she never laughed.

When my wife died, the kids were still damn young.

Brigitte was still in diapers.

What did she die of?

Some goddamn thing with her blood.

There are no guarantees, y'know?

How long ago was it?

I don't even remember. That should tell you.

And you never remarried?

Are you nuts? With three kids underfoot?

No way I was going to get hitched again.

How come we never see these kids of yours?

Shit, just you wait.

When your girls are older, you'll see.

You give 'em the world, and then they stop needing you.

They just come back when the shit hits the fan.

Last year, my son got divorced.

His wife wasn't even dead yet, but he couldn't wait to get rid of her!

- They have their own lives. - Sure, sure.

They'll come and see me in my goddamn pine box.

- Won't be long now. - Roger!

What, I can't say "goddamn"?

Anyway, I'll quit ruining your night.

Come on, now!

I'm a loud talker, and the little busybody can't sleep.

What are you doing there? Back to bed!

Yeah, but...

No buts! Get to bed!

- I'm outta beer anyway. - Yeah, us too.

Good thing. One more and I'd croak!

Thanks kindly.

- Don't say things like that. - Yeah, yeah.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Whoopsie.

Not just the walls that are plastered, eh?

Goodnight, little pest.

What do we say?

Goodnight.

Gimme a hand or I'll pitch right over.

I'll go down with you. Watch your step.

When the boy came back,

the old man was asleep and the sun was down.

The boy took the old army blanket off the bed

and spread it over the old man's shoulders...

Hey you!

You goddamn son of a bitch!

Piece of fuckin' shit!

Get the fuck back here, you bastard!

Christ almighty.

Is he gonna die?

No, don't worry.

You can talk to me, pest, I ain't dead yet.

He needs to cut back on beer and smokes.

You've heard that before, eh Roger?

To hell with you! I'm not cutting back on nothin'.

Just a little angina. I'll bring him back soon.

If I ain't about to croak, then fuck off!

Too late. You get to enjoy some good hospital food.

Over my dead body!

I'm not eating that shit!

I'll shove my pudding down your throat!

Don't drop me!

Helen!

They caught him.

I just talked to the police.

Was he a maniac that just got out?

Out of where?

The asylum.

No, Helen. He was normal.

Lie down.

Where are you going?

Been a while since I delivered papers.

Any flyers today?

I haven't checked.

Let's find out.

Did you know I finished The Old Man and the Sea?

I didn't even know you started it.

Yep. And not for homework.

- Did you like it? - Yeah.

But I thought it was sad when the sharks ate Santiago's marlin

as he tried to row back.

He went through so much to catch it.

Do you think that if he didn't break his harpoon,

Santiago could've killed the sharks?

He did kill them.

But then another one came, and another.

The sea is full of sharks, and they don't stop coming.

- Do you know DiMaggio's first name? - No.

It was Joe.

For real?

- So, what's our next stop? - That place over there.

Hey, don't take her coffee! It's all she's got!

She's got no family, no friends, she's alone in the fucking world.

It makes her vomit, Roger.

With all the pills you give her to numb her brain,

she forgets she's had a coffee and gets another!

It's gonna be okay, lovely Jacinthe.

Piece of shit!

No channels, no sound, nothing!

Hi.

They caught him.

I heard that.

I should've gotten there faster.

What am I supposed to do?

Stare at the ceiling?

I'd be better off dead!

Why were you following me on my route?

It was Fred.

What about Fred?

Fred asked me to keep an eye on you.

You can't listen to him. Fred's scared of everything.

He won't even go down the hill!

Well, you can stop following me now.

I'm looking for another job.

Why's that?

Because, well... I want something that pays better.

Here.

What is that?

A book.

You couldn't have brought beer? A warm one off the shelf?

Keep it, in case you change your mind. I'm done with it.

What's it about?

An old fisherman who's all alone and catches a big fish.

Jesus, you want me to die of boredom?

It's about baseball, too.

I hate that fucking game!

Bunch of fatties in tights sitting on a bench!

Aw, forget it.

It'd be nice if you stopped wanting to die.

Yeah, and if you stopped being such a tomboy.

- Mind your business! - You too!

You're as stubborn as the old man in the book!

We'll see, but it's not a good time.

Money is tight. I'm sorry.

It's really important to Jeanne.

I could sub for the remedial classes.

I wanna go to Winnipeg next summer to learn English.

Where's that?

Far away.

Why?

Because I got a scholarship.

I just have to pay for the plane ticket.

Are you coming back?

Don't have much choice.

Unless I figure out a way to stay there.

Maybe you won't like it.

Can't be worse than here.

You still an old grouch?

Only if you're still a little tomboy.

Christ, it feels so good, I could die.

Cool.

You speak English now?

No, I just know a few words.

But a girl at my school speaks entirely English.

She'll be long gone before you know it.

Why?

That's how it works, dammit.

My son learned English and then just buggered off.

I'm just gonna learn a bit of English.

Cool.

You find a new job yet?

No. And I really need one.

- Roger sent you? - Yes, ma'am.

How is the old schmuck? Still saying he's about to die?

Yes, ma'am.

- How old are you? - Twelve. Almost twelve.

Drop the fancy fake accent, we're in Quebec.

Okay.

You're pretty short for twelve.

Not my fault.

You poor thing, you'll end up short like me.

It's a pity. Life isn't easy when you're short.

Not easy when you're fat, either, I can tell you that.

- Tell me, are you fast? - Yes, ma'am.

- Are you a whiner? - No, ma'am.

You'll see, this job is damn hard.

Not many can make it.

I can do it, ma'am.

You're a bit of a smartass.

I don't hate that.

Come on, then.

No streaks on the sinks.

I want them looking brand spanking new.

Okay.

Use a bit of Ajax, scrub them with water,

rinse to get the Ajax off,

and wipe 'em real quick so they don't get streaks.

That's the secret. Wipe 'em quick.

When you leave, I pay you ten bucks.

Minus the orders you messed up. You pay for those.

So don't mess them up.

I don't touch your tips.

Put that on, this ain't a daycare.

Get going!

N41.

O63.

O63.

A coffee, double-double!

What does double-double mean?

Two creams, two sugars. Bacon grilled cheese for me.

I'll have some fries!

Baked potato!

Pogo with ketchup. Get moving!

We have a bingo!

Don't look down at your tray. Makes you drop everything.

Okay.

Thanks.

You know where it's all going?

I think it got mixed up on my paper.

Let's see.

Yep.

You're screwed, kid.

- What's your name? - Jo.

Listen, Jo.

Each table has a number.

When you take an order, let's say for toast,

you put the table number, let's say 12.

You take a good look at whoever ordered it

and write a note that'll remind you of them.

Like "purple fatty" if it's a fat cow in a purple sweater.

So you have three columns.

The first column is where: 12.

Next is who: Purple Fatty.

Last is what: Toast.

Okay, thanks.

And never take more than 15 orders at a time.

Give your paper to the kitchen, they'll make it up.

When you drop it off, start a new paper.

You can prep it ahead.

Oh. Thanks.

But hide your papers.

If fat old Deslauriers sees them, she'll freak.

How come?

'Cause the guys in the kitchen call them out.

They get a laugh out of it, but not her.

'Cause she's projecting.

Thanks.

Who ordered a double-double from the kid here?

Here!

And who got a bacon grilled cheese from the little birdbrain?

Me!

Now grab your daubers and we're back at it, no big deal.

May the person who's never made a mistake call the next bingo.

For those who missed it, the last ball was G49,

and we're moving on to G59.

G59.

If you get a bingo with the next ball, I'll throw in the knife set!

How much did you make?

Zero, with all the plates I dropped.

Hold out your hand, doofus.

We chipped in two dollars each.

So?

It was super.

Ol' Fatty ain't the worst boss, eh?

Seriously?

What? She's fat.

Mrs. Deslauriers is just fine.

You make a bunch of money?

I mean, I just started.

You look wiped, little pest.

My ankles hurt.

You gotta do a sea brine.

Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Get rid of the swelling.

Where do I get sea brine?

You make it, 'cause the sea's a bit of a walk.

Get a pot of water, toss in some coarse salt, that'll do it.

Sounds complicated.

Not a bit!

Maybe.

I'll switch up every week, see?

Tonight I came home by route number 2.

- It's just random numbers. - That's on purpose.

The maniacs won't know which way I'm taking,

so they can't wait for me.

- For your ankles. - Thanks.

How was it?

It was super.

It's a bit late to be getting home.

It's fine, I bike fast.

But you have school in the morning.

I'm not getting up to do papers anymore.

I can go to bed late once a week.

You don't need to work.

I have to make money.

Money doesn't buy happiness.

Only poor people say that, Mom.

And you think we're poor?

Well, you can't say we're rich.

I'm happy you want some independence.

But money should work for us, not the other way around.

O63.

Where's it hurting?

Drop it.

Tell me or I won't do the sinks.

The old sow will complain if I do them, anyway.

Fine.

It's my not-a-boob.

Your not-a-boob?

I knew you'd laugh.

What's a not-a-boob?

I have a boob that doesn't grow.

It's just a tiny lump, and it hurts like hell.

- A lump? - Yeah.

- Show me. - Are you nuts?

You're not 12 almost 13.

I am too. I'm 12.

No you're not. I never see you at school.

Because I'm in grade 7.

Me too.

No, you're 14.

I failed twice.

Don't tell, okay?

I knew from the start, and I never told.

I'm not blind like the old bat.

Hand over the Ajax, I'll do your dumb sinks.

Can you do the ashtrays with a not-a-boob?

She went out doing what she loved.

She was on fire a minute ago.

Excuse me, coming through!

Can you imagine? Her cards were full!

What's your name?

Did I win?

Looks like she's just fine.

Smells like a boy who doesn't take his bath.

Are those stains I see on your shirt?

How many days have you worn it?

Not fresh from the drawer, is it?

Answer me, young man.

That's not a clean shirt, is it?

No.

- Show me your hands. - Why?

Show me your hands.

- What's your name? - Philippe.

- Philippe, you know to wash every day. - Yes.

- And to wear clean clothes to school. - Yes.

And they're too big for you! Look at your pants! Terrible!

Leave him alone, goddammit!

She is insolent, brazen,

cocky, impertinent,

disruptive, rude, arrogant, disobedient,

impudent, obstreperous, intolerable...

Pick something.

- You want bubblegum? - Yeah.

Two packs, please.

Well, look who's wearing an Expos cap!

Well, I don't wear toques.

- A pack of Export A. - Sure.

Not a great idea, what you did in class.

I know.

And could you not tack "goddammit" onto every sentence?

It's Roger's fault.

Don't drag me into it!

You choose to repeat what Roger says.

You're a bit young to go around laying blame.

You did the same thing you were criticizing her for.

I didn’t mean to. I was just so angry.

That's not a reason.

Sorry.

Often, people who aren't nice are just really unhappy.

C'mon, blow! Blow!

You're getting there.

Ah, it's my boys!

Don't they have names?

The one who's always finding treasures is Croesus.

He was dropped as a child.

The one with the helmet?

He's Astronaut.

- Is he really? - Don't be silly.

One time a truck hit him, and he went flying way up in the air.

And the other one?

- Can't tell you about him. - Why not?

Too fuckin' sad.

- You always say that. - I mean it this time.

Why?

Because you're a goddamn pain in the neck.

But why?

Because at your age,

you should still think that people are good and kind.

Right?

Yeah.

You up for a little race, Marcel?

- No thanks. - C'mon!

- Another time. - C'mon, just for fun!

First one around the block.

I couldn't be beat when I was young!

And now you're old.

Wait and see.

You should've seen them.

Both yelling at me in class!

Well, Jo,

what your dad said is true.

But a hag is a hag, no matter the reason.

So you think I did the right thing?

Between you and me? Yeah.

But sometimes it's just not worth your energy.

You can't force happiness on someone who doesn't want it.

You got this, Roger.

- You ready? - Yup.

You sure?

On three.

One, two,

Cheater!

Turn right!

Get back here, you little pest!

Old Roger's still got it!

Would you look at that!

Turn right!

I'm winning!

It ain't over!

Excuse me.

Hi.

Hi.

- Brigitte. - Jo.

I'm glad to see you.

My dad talked about you.

Roger was my dad.

Not possible.

Why?

You never came to visit.

That's true.

I'm sure he told you all sorts of stuff.

Why didn't you come?

It's complicated.

Well, I'm twelve years old.

Exactly.

You shouldn't have to hear sad stories at your age.

You sound like him.

May I?

Roger thought I felt sorry for him.

He moved around a lot so I wouldn't catch up to him.

He moved here for the corner store.

That's what he said?

For the beer. It was closer.

I found this on the kitchen table when I cleared out his stuff.

I saw him in the hospital that time, just after you.

The hospital tracked me down.

I finished it last night.

It's a wonderful story.

He worked hard on it.

What do you mean?

He couldn't read.

Not like you and me, anyway.

He had to sound out every sentence word by word.

I don't know if he understood it.

I'd like to think so.

That's what he'd been missing since my mother died.

Dreams.

I thought you'd like it as a souvenir.

Sh... shark.

Tell her you have to pee.

Helen, I have to pee.

Call her Jo, and ask her nicely.

- Why? - Because.

Jo, I have to have a nice pee, okay?

Hold it.

I have to go.

Jo.

Leave me alone!

- What's going on? - I don't know.

I've got a bit of a sweet tooth. What about you?

Gotta be good for something, eh?

Fifteen years of...

A balm for broken hearts.

Go on!

- Dad? - Yeah.

What are your dreams?

My dream is Winnipeg.

Jeanne.

We already talked about that.

Well, it is.

Please.

You might not have dreams, but I do.

I do so.

Like what?

Becoming a writer.

Yeah, well, mine is real.

Jeanne, stay with us!

I'm going to bed.

Please!

I didn't know you wanted to be a writer.

You bet.

You wanna hear a secret?

Your dad is gonna be the Michel Tremblay of Limoilou.

- The great Quebecois? - Yep.

I've got loads of novels up here.

You just gotta give me time.

It's true.

That's all I'm missing.

And I'll write 'em all.

When you stop working, you'll have tons of time.

That's for sure.

Better not eat 'em all.

You can't even tell.

Goodnight.

Think he's dead?

Don't be silly.

He's asleep because he's too drunk.

- Help me wake him up. - No way.

We can't leave him here.

Why not?

He can't sleep on the floor like that.

People in Africa sleep on the floor and it doesn't kill them.

At least he's got a carpet.

Go put the box back.

Who touched this?

I asked a question.

Are you kidding?

It was a gift from the school committee.

- You brought them out! - Don't lie, Jeanne.

You were drunk, you don't remember!

- That's your father you're talking to! - But it's true!

Nobody wants to face reality here?

I'm fed up. Fed up!

I'll go.

I was curious.

I was just gonna look, but then...

I'm the one who ate them.

You ate all that?

They were too good.

There's still a few left, no?

It's okay.

- Why are you laughing? - 'Cause it's funny!

- No it's not. - Yes it is!

Jo!

Jeez, don't flip out.

Your dad was sloshed and forgot he gave you chocolates.

You said you ate 'em and you're buying more!

It's hilarious!

Only because it's not you.

Yeah, that's true. It's not me.

I'm not lucky like you.

Don't get your hopes up, Jo.

He's not gonna stop drinking.

They always say they'll stop, but they never do.

My dad doesn't say that.

I'm just saying it because you're my friend.

I was just kidding. He'll be happy.

You're right.

You can't force happiness on someone who doesn't want it.

Who do you mean?

He has tons of time.

I've never seen him write a single sentence.

He'll never write a novel.

Your dad?

Kevin!

- Want some? - Some what?

Chocolates.

It's weird. It's like, kind of salty.

- Anyone going this way? - Yeah, me!

- On my bike, though. - Fine by me.

- Bye Jo. - Bye.

Goodnight, old man.

He's batting left-handed.

The pitch is low. One ball, one strike.

We're airing game two of this series tomorrow night at 8:10.

The Expos head back to Montreal tomorrow after the game.

I don't need it.

It's for Jeanne. For the plane ticket.

Thank you.

Jeanne will appreciate it.

But we'll make a plan to pay it back, okay?

It's fine, I already talked to her.

We worked it all out.

That's really nice of you.

Come!

That haircut really suits you, Helen.

We see your face better.

It's nice.

My father waited until I was almost a full adult

before succumbing to the first passing illness.

My mother wished he'd fought harder,

but the sharks were never far from my poor dad.

As for me, I want to be happy.

- Your sister's here! - Coming!

Mom said you're having trouble getting around.

She said that?

Yeah.

I do okay.

I bought another car.

This one's not working?

I'm giving it to you.

Why?

I found out about the money you lent me.

Sell it if you don't want it. You'll get a good price.

You can use the money for riding lessons.

No, no. I'll keep it.

It'll make things a lot easier.

You're gonna be late.

Thanks Jeanne.

Can't get more realistic than that.

You couldn't have put 20?

Nineteen's fine. But hurry up and turn 18.

- Mayo on the side. - Thanks.

A steak.

- What? - Your cramp. You were rubbing your calf.

I sound like an old man giving advice, not a paramedic.

Maybe, but it works.

Enjoy your food.

I never knew your name.

Me?

Helen.

My name is Helen.

Blue Sky Jo

Blue Sky Jo