Snow Cake (2006) Movie Script

1
- Ladies
and gentlemen,
this is your captain speaking.
We will shortly be
approaching Timmins airport.
Local time is 6:30.
It's a beautiful spring morning,
and the temperature is
approximately seven degrees
with occasional
light snow flurries.
I hope you've had
a pleasant flight
and enjoy your stay here
in Northern Ontario.
- Do you
want more coffee?
- Yes, thank you.
- Do you mind if I sit here?
- No.
- Can
I take your order?
- Yes, please.
I'll have a Coke, please.
- Diet?
- Yeah, I've tried.
It's just the no eating
part that I struggle with.
I'm kidding.
I'll have a Diet
Coke, yes, thanks.
What are you reading?
- Wipe the Slate,
Light the Candle.
- Is that a novel?
- It's fiction.
- Hmm.
I've been thinking of
writing one of those.
You can make tons of money.
All the gullible people out
there, searching for answers.
I have the best title.
The Bleeding Child Within.
What do you think?
- It's very good.
- I don't know what particular
area of human pain or misery
I'm going to focus it on yet.
I just like the title.
Thanks.
I don't want to waste it.
You're English, right?
- Look, you seem like a
really chatty kind of person,
and I don't want to be rude,
but I'm not chatty.
So, perhaps you'd be better
off sitting somewhere else.
- Have you seen some
of these people?
- Oh, there's a few
empty tables around.
- Do you want to
know why I sat here?
Because you look like
a man who needs to talk.
You look like a guy who hasn't
talked in a really long time.
- That's why you sat here?
- That is why I sat here.
And because I need a lift.
And you were the
cleanest option.
- I'm sorry.
Good luck.
- Change of heart?
- No, I just tried
to change gear.
It's automatic.
- Oh, okay.
Well, good luck.
- I'm driving to Winnipeg.
You better get out
when I've had enough.
- Yes!
Absolutely, no problem.
Bit of a drive, Winnipeg.
I'm Vivienne, by the way.
- Alex.
I have to tell you, I
just got out of prison.
- Oh.
Fraud?
- I killed someone.
- Okay.
So, about this
person you killed--
- I don't want to talk about it.
I only mentioned it because
I wanted you to be aware
that ordinary looking people
are often the ones
you need to avoid.
- Okay, gotcha.
Look out for the ordinary ones.
- So you're feeling uneasy now?
- Nope.
- Sure?
- Well, maybe a little.
Uneasy, I tend not
to visit scared.
My mom is scared of everything,
and I've made a conscious
decision not to go there.
- If I hadn't been starving,
I wouldn't have
stopped at that diner.
That's what I call frightening.
- You can't be afraid of
tattoos and bad teeth.
It's part of their appeal.
I don't really think
they'd hurt anyone.
- I was talking about the food.
- Oh.
You got kids?
- No.
- Really?
At your age, no kids?
Low sperm count?
- More of a low partner count.
- Ah, I know the feeling.
Guys my age just don't like me.
Mind you, you're quite an
attractive looking guy.
What's your excuse?
- I don't want to talk about it.
- There's a surprise.
So we're here, sharing a meal.
You know, if I was
a few years older,
this would be a date.
- A few?
You're very generous.
- Mmm-hmm, I know
how the world works.
I give a little something,
you give a little something.
- All right, all right.
Both my parents are dead,
and I have one brother.
- That wasn't so hard!
- He hates me.
- Whoa there!
Nothing, and then
the floodgates open.
Go Alex, go Alex.
- We're completely different.
He's handsome and very fit.
Works at the stock exchange.
He's what you might
call a hot shot.
- A hot shot?
Well, you know what they say.
Behind every successful man
is a truly astonished woman.
- Is that what they say?
- Yeah, that's what they say.
- He's gay.
- That's my point exactly!
Oh, I did good!
And look at these.
Flashing balls that play music.
- Just what she's always wanted.
You do not know my
mother, Mr. Sarcastic.
She's gonna be beside
herself when she sees these.
I can't wait to see her face!
Oh, I love this song.
- Vivienne.
Are you okay?
Vivienne!
- Oh, fuck, fuck.
Are you okay?
Are you okay, just stay...
Don't get up.
You're okay, just...
- There's somebody
still in the car.
- Don't move.
- Get her out of the car.
- I'm sorry.
- Let's go.
- She's inside the car.
You have to get
her out of there.
- Mr. Hughes.
I'm going to have to ask you
to hang around for a while,
couple of days tops.
Just till we get all
the statements in.
Procedure, you understand?
- Clyde, that urgent
stuff has just arrived.
Do you want me to...
- Oh, okay, Meryl.
I'm sorry, Mr. Hughes, I'm
just going to have to...
My officer managed to
retrieve some of your things.
We can get the rest to you
once they've been released.
Anyway, I'd appreciate
if you'd just check
there's nothing of Miss
Freeman's in there.
And I'll see you out front.
- I'd like to speak
to her mother.
- I'm sorry?
- Vivienne's mother.
- It's always a difficult
time for the family.
- I realize that.
- Well, with respect,
sir, I don't think you do.
If your daughter was
killed in an accident,
would you want to
speak to the driver?
- I didn't kill Vivienne.
The driver of the
truck killed Vivienne.
- Yes, but it wouldn't be
very professional of me
to go giving out
personal information.
Would it?
- Goodbye, Florence.
Yes?
- I'd like to talk
to Mrs. Freeman.
- Why?
- Mrs Freeman, may I come in?
- Do I know you?
- No.
My name is Alex Hughes.
I just wanted to talk to
you for a couple of minutes.
- About what?
I'm very busy and
I don't do social.
- The police have
been, haven't they?
- Yes.
The police were here two
hours and 20 minutes ago.
- So you know what's happened?
- Yes, I know Vivienne is dead.
Is that it?
- I just wanted to explain.
I gave your daughter a lift.
It was an accident.
I'm so sorry.
- Okay.
- It's just that Vivienne
bought you something.
She said you'd like them.
- Sparklies?
She got me sparklies?
- Yeah.
Are you okay?
- Take off your outdoor shoes
and put them in the row.
Don't move any of the others.
Oh, I'm supposed to
offer you something.
Would you like an herbal tea?
I have 17 varieties.
- Yes, let me...
- No, don't come in my kitchen.
That's off limits.
I'm gonna give you
the liquorice one.
I can't stomach
the liquorice one.
It tastes like cat pee.
- Are you alone here?
- Yes.
- If anybody...
I could stay with you
for a couple of days.
- I have two parents.
They're hiking in Algonquin.
No one can get a signal.
- Maybe the police could put
you in touch with someone
to talk to.
Someone qualified.
- About what?
- About what's happened.
- Okay.
- I just came to explain.
I don't handle this sort
of thing well at all.
- Oh, give me your clothes.
- I'm sorry?
- Take off your clothes.
Give them to me.
I'll give them back.
I don't want the wet
contaminating my carpet.
Take off your clothes.
I'm getting you dry ones.
By the way, that's my
third favorite sweater,
so you can't keep it.
Don't look at me.
I'm doing my checking.
I check the kitchen
every time I use it.
And every time I don't use it.
- That must
take up a lot of time.
- Yes, it does.
That's Marilyn, Vivienne's dog.
I can't stand her.
- So did Vivienne live
here with you all the time?
- Yes.
Vivienne came on a short
stay three years ago
and didn't leave.
She lived with my
parents until then.
That's who she was visiting.
- Why was she hitchhiking?
- Vivienne wanted
to be a writer.
She said she would
always try and get a ride
with the most lonely
looking characters
because they had
the best stories.
- Mrs. Freeman.
This is all a bit
difficult for me.
I came here to apologize
because your daughter died
and it was my car.
- Did you do it on purpose?
- Of course not.
We'd just stopped at the--
- Sit down, then.
And I'm not a missus, I'm Linda.
I haven't got a
problem with you.
You must be all right because
you gave Vivienne a lift
and you brought me my sparklies.
Is there a problem with the tea?
- No, no, it's not the tea.
- Are you sad because
someone you didn't know died?
- This is guilt, Linda.
I feel guilty, okay?
- Right, because
you were driving.
- Yes, because I was driving.
- But he ran into you.
- Yes, he ran into me.
Right.
- Linda!
- What is she doing here again?
She's already been
here once today.
I'm not letting her in again.
- Linda!
- Go away, Florence.
Nobody wants you here!
Get lost!
- Linda,
I just want...
- Whatever it is,
I don't need it.
Go away!
Alex, tell her to go away.
Tell her.
- Oh.
Hello.
- Hello.
- I really think
Linda needs someone
to stay with her tonight.
- No, I don't.
You're stupid!
- It's all right, Linda.
I'm only here to help!
- Whatever it is,
I don't need it.
Leave me alone.
- I really don't think
she wants to talk about it
any more tonight.
- And you are?
- Alex Hughes.
- Goodbye, Florence.
- Are you staying?
- No, no, I...
- Yes, he's staying!
Alex Hughes is staying,
and if you come back,
I'm calling the police.
- Okay,
you have my number!
- Linda, I can't stay.
- Well, you'll have to
give me my sweater back.
- I should call a taxi.
- They won't pick
up from this house.
Not after last time.
- What about a bus?
- It's too late.
- Is there a hotel?
- Yes.
- Where is it?
- It's four miles
up the highway.
- I should get my clothes.
- They haven't
finished their cycle.
Do you want tea?
- No.
- Would you like
to go out and play?
I have a trampoline.
- I'll just get my things.
- I think you should
stay until Tuesday.
- I'm sorry?
- They collect
the garbage on Tuesday.
I don't do garbage.
- Linda, I appreciate
the offer, but...
- It was Vivienne's job.
I can't touch garbage.
So you'll have to
take the bags out now.
Do you want food?
- Linda, I'm sorry
but I can't do this.
I'll just get my clothes,
and then I have to leave.
- You can't...
Don't go in my kitchen!
I'll get your stupid clothes!
Now what are you doing?
- Fuck!
I'm sorry.
I didn't know this
was your room.
- Where are you going?
Stay still.
- I saw the bunk
beds and I thought...
- Vivienne says I'm
probably the only adult
in the entire world
who has a bunk bed.
But I've tried other beds,
and I don't like them.
I've slept in this
bed since I was three.
- I'll find somewhere
else to sleep.
- No, no.
Get back under here.
I need to know where you are.
I don't want you
pounding around my house.
Do you snore?
- I don't know.
- Well, lie down
and go to sleep.
I need my rest.
And if you try and touch
me, I'll shoot you.
I have a gun.
Can you see the stars?
- Linda, I hope you don't mind.
I ate a cracker.
- You what?
You went in my kitchen?
- Yes.
I'm sorry, I was a bit hungry.
- I don't care.
- I cleaned up afterwards.
- Hi,
this is the madhouse.
Leave us a message and we'll
probably get back to you.
Please speak slowly
and be precise.
- Linda.
The phone.
Linda?
You all right?
- I'm fine.
If you get your mouth
completely full of snow,
it all dissolves and
you can drink it.
- It's your...
Aren't you cold?
- I have an unusual body
temperature control.
It feels just right.
Have you ever had
an orgasm, Alex?
- It has been known.
- Vivienne once described
an orgasm to me.
It sounds like an
inferior version
of what I feel when I
have a mouth full of snow.
You should try it.
- Hi.
I heard about Vivienne.
I'm so sorry.
I really liked her.
She all right?
- I don't know.
What exactly is it?
- Autism.
But she's very verbal.
- I had noticed.
- Are you all right?
- I don't know.
- I'm Maggie.
And everybody's been saying
that it wasn't your fault.
- Alex.
- I know.
It's a very small town.
So has anyone been
feeding that dog?
- In a
manner of speaking.
- Well, if she needs
anything, I'm right here.
Not that she'll talk to me.
Bye.
- Alex.
Alex, we have to make a snowman.
- Do we?
- Vivienne came to
visit me every year,
and we always made a
crazy creature snowman.
We kept on doing it.
We haven't made one this year.
- Linda, there's a message on
the machine from your parents.
- Let's make a chipmunk!
We never made a chipmunk.
I love chipmunks!
From now on, every
time I miss Vivienne,
I'm going to make a
crazy creature snowman.
- Hi folks,
it's only Mom and Dad.
We're just ringing to
let you know we're fine.
- Hello!
- Your dad got
an icicle embedded
in his privates yesterday.
- Don't ask.
- But apart from
that we're A-okay.
Now, we hope everything's
fine with you,
and that Vivvy got
back all right.
We'll ring you again when we
can get to the next pit stop.
We're miles away from anywhere!
- Ellen, come on,
they get the message.
- All right, okay.
Now keep warm.
Love you both.
Bye, bye!
- You should really try
to get a hold of them.
They'd want to be here.
- I have to go identify
Vivienne's body today.
And tomorrow is work.
And Tuesday they
collect the garbage.
- Work?
- I work part-time
at the Valu-mart.
I stack shelves.
Will you come with me?
- To work?
I don't think they'll be
expecting you at work.
- No, to see Vivienne's body.
Will you come with me?
I have to work or
I won't get paid.
- Well...
If you want me to, yeah.
I have to go in to the
police station anyway
to pick up my stuff,
and then I should be on my way.
- I don't know why I have to go.
Everyone knows it's her.
- It's just procedure.
- I've seen it on TV.
They always let two people
come in the room with them.
So will you come in
the room with me?
- Yes, if you want me to.
- Do people like you, Alex?
- Not much, no.
- I'm not surprised.
It's because those glasses
don't look right on your face.
You have a long face,
and those glasses
make you look shifty.
- Really?
- Yes.
You need some new frames.
- I think it'll
take more than that.
- I know how you
neuro-typical people
are obsessed with
having friends.
I'm only trying to
help you get some.
- Well, I appreciate
your efforts,
but in my experience
friends can be overrated.
- There.
Now you look almost nice.
- Mrs. Freeman,
is this your daughter?
- Miss Freeman.
- I'm sorry, Miss Freeman.
Miss Freeman, is
this your daughter?
Linda, is this Vivienne?
- She looks different.
- I'm sorry, Linda.
I need a verbal identification.
Is this Vivienne Freeman?
- Yes.
Yes, it is.
Come on, let's get you home.
- Don't talk to me
now until I say so.
- Okay.
Linda.
Linda, oh, I was so sorry
to hear about Marianne.
- Vivienne.
- Vivienne.
Vivienne.
Oh, she was such a personality.
Diane.
Diane Wootten.
Why I keep that name
I'll never know.
Been divorced two years.
- Alex, Alex Hughes.
- Oh, now I know
you're not a native.
Not with that delectable accent.
- No.
- Linda, if there's
anything I can do for you.
Anything at all.
- Like what?
- Well, like anything.
It must be so awful
losing a child like that.
- I didn't lose her.
She's dead.
- Linda.
- What?
- It's perfectly all right.
I know all about autism.
I've seen that film.
Okay, well, you take
care of yourself, Linda.
I'll be keeping my eye on you.
Nice meeting you, Alex.
Sure it won't be the last time.
- Have you made up your mind
about the funeral, Linda?
You have to decide what to do.
The service, the
flowers, the people.
- It's not a wedding!
- No, but it takes a
lot of sorting out.
It's important to get it right.
- If we have the
funeral on Monday,
would you stay until Tuesday?
- To put the bins out?
- The garbage cans, yes.
I don't do garbage.
- Okay, here's what I'll do.
I'll stay and help
organize the funeral.
- And then you'll--
- Yes, then I'll
put the garbage out.
- On Tuesday.
- Yes.
- Perfectamundo.
- But then I have to go.
You better tell me about what
you think Vivienne would want.
- I know what
Vivienne would want.
She'd want to be alive.
What was she
pestering you about?
- Who?
- This morning.
That Maggie, from next door.
- I think she just wanted
to pay her respects.
- She's a prostitute, Alex.
I don't think she has
much respect to give.
- "I don't remember when
I noticed my eyebrows,
but I know that's
when it all started."
"What is the moment worth?"
"The past is only a memory,
the future a fantasy.
It's only in the present
that we truly live."
Okay, Vivienne.
- See you later.
Have a good one.
- Hello, again.
- Hello.
- I just came around to...
It's a bit of a clich, really.
To borrow some tea.
Normal tea.
- And that would be to
drink with the fruitcake?
- She's not mad.
- No, I know.
Vivienne explained it all to me.
High functioning,
can talk a glass eye to sleep
but can't tie her shoelaces.
- Don't you like her?
- She doesn't like
me, for some reason.
- So did you really
come around for tea?
- Have you got any?
- Assam, Darjeeling.
- There is a God.
- No, there is FedEx.
An English friend of
mine sent it over.
Don't go inventing a deity to
thank for the small miracles.
They just happen.
- So you're a non-believer?
- I am.
Which makes me a bit of
a novelty around here.
Then again, so is Linda.
It's a judgemental town, this.
The emphasis being
on the mental.
- I assume
you're new to the area.
- Oh, no, I've lived
here for 12 years.
So how are you holding up?
- I keep seeing her face.
She was singing.
She had all this energy,
and I walked away
without a scratch.
- So are you planning on
staying here for a while?
- Apparently.
Until after the funeral.
- That's very sweet of you.
Listen, I...
I don't know what kind of plans
you have with my neighbor,
but I'm free tonight.
And, I don't know, I
could cook something.
We could have dinner, maybe.
- Thank you.
- What are you listening to?
- Just trying to find
something for Vivienne.
Stereophonics.
They're not bad.
- I prefer tinnitus.
- Linda, can I ask, if
you don't like people,
how did you manage
with Vivienne?
- I don't like normal
people, I like useful people.
And people who like doing
the things I like doing.
Vivienne was very helpful to me.
We had a lot of fun.
- I know how you
must be feeling.
I had a son...
- You don't know how I'm
feeling, because you're not me.
- Who died.
- Nobody knows how
I'm feeling because
half the time I
don't have a clue.
- Well, I know how
that feels, too.
When I found out about--
- Do you want to go out
and play on the trampoline?
- No. No, thank you.
- We could make a snowman.
- Well, I was gonna
tell you about my son,
but now I think I'll just sit
here, if it's okay with you.
- Did your son like the snow?
- No.
No, that was one of the
few things he didn't like.
- Oh.
Did you know that no two
snowflakes are alike?
Wilson Bentley photographed
2,354 snowflakes.
His best snowstorm
was on his birthday
on February 14th,
1928, when he was 63.
He called it a gift
from kind winter.
- Is it okay if I take
the dog out in a bit?
Don't let her pee on my snow.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Right on time.
- I didn't know... I'm
sure this isn't the norm,
but I brought you some tea bags.
Ginseng and fennel.
- I find the norm usually
involves chocolate,
or if I'm really lucky, perfume.
But ginseng and fennel, wow!
Come in.
And the dog comes too.
So, Mr. Snow Drifter,
what's your story?
- Me?
Oh, there's nothing
much to say, really.
- Oh, come on.
I can tell by
looking at your face
that you have some
interesting baggage.
- I don't have baggage.
I have haulage.
- See, I told you.
You just look so...
- Shifty?
- Huh uh, sad.
I hope you like shrimp cocktail.
It's what I normally serve
my gentleman callers.
I'm afraid it's
not very original
but I really hate to cook.
- After Linda's
specialized diet,
believe me, I'd eat grit.
Everything's gluten-free.
She has leaky gut syndrome.
As well as a
ringing in her ears.
- Wow!
- So what about you?
- What, disease wise?
- No.
You, generally.
- Oh, me.
I know, I like to keep an
air of mystery about me,
at least on the first date.
- Really?
- So how long are you
planning on staying?
- You are very beautiful.
I'm leaving after the funeral.
- I like you.
I really like you.
And I hate having sex
on a full stomach,
so should we just skip the
main course and go next door?
Oh, shit, I forgot about
the English reserve thing.
Okay, I'm sorry.
I've embarrassed you.
Let's just eat.
- No, no it's fine.
If I'm honest, it's
what I came round for.
- Well, good, I'm glad
we cleared that up.
- It's been a while.
Sorry if it was a bit quick.
I think the dog might
have put me off.
- It's okay.
We have all night.
So why are you
going to Winnipeg?
- You ask a lot of questions.
- Do I?
- I'm going to
meet an old friend.
- A friend friend
or a friend friend?
- I should go.
- I won't mention her again.
I promise.
Why didn't you just fly straight
there like a normal person?
- Well, I thought I'd try and
take in some of the lakes.
It didn't look far on the map.
- Would you even consider
driving from London to Moscow?
- Actually, I was
looking on a globe.
The scale was a bit off.
- I think you're
ready to try again.
- Hey.
- I should be going.
I haven't done this
kind of thing before.
I'm sorry.
How much do I owe you?
- What?
- For last night.
What do I...
- You want to pay me?
- Well, I thought...
Oh, God, you're not, are you?
It's just that Linda...
- Okay, yeah,
I have a few male
callers now and again,
and yes, I like sex,
But no, I am not a hooker.
- Oh, shit, I feel dreadful.
- Oh, it's okay.
It's okay.
- I have to say I'm
more than relieved.
- What, you're not a big
fan of ladies of the night?
- I don't think I'd
have enough money
to see you as much as I want to.
- Oh my God.
Linda, I booked the cars for
12:00, is that all right?
- I'm going to work.
- What do you think?
Okay.
What's the matter, Linda?
What is it?
- It's on the rug.
It's disgusting.
- No, it's okay, Linda.
- It's dog throw up!
From inside the dog's stomach.
It's gonna make an
unbelievably bad stain.
- Linda, it's okay.
- It's not okay.
It's not okay, I can't do this.
I can't do this!
I need Vivienne!
I need Vivienne!
- Well, I...
I'll sort it.
- Please!
Please don't let
it leave a stain.
If it leaves a stain,
I have to move!
- Linda!
I said I'll sort it.
- Oh, please don't
let it leave a stain!
And don't go in my kitchen!
- Alex?
- Oh, hello.
- Nice to see you.
- Nice to see you.
- I'm so glad.
- What's she been eating?
- Don't know.
Linda gives her bananas.
- Bananas?
She's not a monkey.
- I don't know much about dogs.
- You know about
dog vomit, right?
- Yeah.
- Keep her off the bananas.
I've heard you can get
this stuff in cans.
Dog food.
Controversial, I know.
- Yeah.
- Actually, this isn't
a social call today.
- Really?
- I just came to warn
you about Alex Hughes.
Several little
birds have told me
you and he are getting social.
- I don't think that's any
of your business, Clyde,
or anyone else's.
Honestly, this town is getting
so that you can't cough
without someone alerting
the authorities.
- Yeah, I looked him
up on our system.
He killed someone.
Did you know?
- No, he was driving the car,
but it wasn't his fault.
- I'm not talking
about Vivienne.
He killed a guy.
He just got out.
- I didn't know that.
- Thought you should.
- Now I do.
- And, to top it
all, he hit a cop.
Just ask yourself this, Maggie.
Is that normal?
Picking up young girls?
Staying with a mentally
challenged lady?
Killing people?
Hitting cops?
Well.
Oh, I've a spare
ticket for a magician
up at the Legion on Wednesday,
if you're interested.
- What's he gonna do, Clyde?
Make you disappear?
- B-A-A-N-G.
- You can't
have two A's in bang.
- In comic book word
Scrabble you can.
You can have three
A's if you want.
With a double letter score,
that makes 22 points.
- This game is ridiculous.
- No, it isn't.
It isn't, because you
get to say words like
Kerrang, Boing and
Cowabunga and Buttocks.
- What comic book
did that come out of?
- I don't know, I just
like saying buttocks.
Buttocks.
Okay, what's your word?
- I can make it up, right?
- Yes, that's the best bit.
- Okay.
Y-A-A
M-O-O-L.
That's four, five, six...
That's 24 points.
- Yaamool.
Yaamool, I like that.
Yaamool.
Okay, now you have to give an
example of it in a sentence.
Like I said, if
you make up a word,
you have to give an example.
- All right.
Spiderman.
- Spiderman?
- What's wrong with Spiderman?
- Well, it's a bit obvious.
Oh, all right.
Spiderman.
- Spiderman is about
to save the universe
from an evil thing.
And...
So he hits him
with a jet of web.
Yaamool!
And it stops him, it,
in its tracks.
- You are terrible at this game.
- I got two more
points than you.
- D-A-Zed
L-I-O-U-S.
Dazlious.
- I'm assuming that's
a made-up word.
- It is.
It's also 38 points
for the word,
and another 50 for
using up all my letters.
That makes 88 points.
- And your example?
- Mister Fantastic from
the Fantastic Four,
he's got arms made of
elastic so they can stretch
for two, maybe 300 miles.
He's been imprisoned in
a cave for seven days
with no food and no
water and no light.
And on the eighth day
he manages to loosen a rock
and push his way
up through the top.
- With his stretchy arms.
- And up into the daylight,
just as the sun is coming
up over the mountains,
and filling the sky with
this white-yellow light,
and there's a stillness.
And in the few minutes
he's got before his captor,
the evil Doctor Doom, returns,
he stops for one second.
And all he can hear
is his own breathing.
And he's totally overwhelmed
by how big the world is
and how small and
unimportant he is.
And as he turns around,
we see his face look to the sky,
and he says, very quietly,
so that no one can hear him.
He says, "Dazlious."
- Time to make some tea.
I can see if I'm going
to have any chance
of winning this game,
I'm going to really
need to focus.
You know where to find me.
- You know, I've
had a bit of a shady past.
- Oh, really?
- I was
married for 15 years.
- Arrest this woman now.
He was a very nice man.
But I had affairs.
I like the candies
and the flowers,
the teabags bit.
I'm just not good at the
day-to-day stuff, you know.
I'm a selfish woman,
and I broke his heart.
Made a real mess
of it, actually.
- So someone said you
can drink this water.
- Yeah, it's supposed to
have healing properties.
Why don't you take a sip?
- I don't think so.
- What, you don't
want to be healed?
Set free of your demons?
- They keep me company.
I think we should be
getting Marilyn back.
- You know, Alex,
I think maybe your
dog's been getting
a little too much
exercise lately.
Perhaps, you could try
walking it at home.
In the privacy of
your own bathroom.
- What exactly is it
that you want to know?
- Everything.
- That's Ryan, my son.
- What?
You said you didn't
have any kids.
- I got a letter from Ryan.
His mom had finally
allowed him to see
his birth certificate,
and I was on it under father.
- And are you his real dad?
- Yes.
His mom's name's Rebecca.
She's the woman that I'm
going to see in Winnipeg.
We had a short fling.
I suppose she thought that
I was never that serious,
so she...
It was 22 years ago.
- What did he say to you?
- He wrote me a list of
all the things he liked
and all the things he hated.
- I mean, when you saw him.
- We arranged to
meet in a restaurant.
I sat in the restaurant
until closing time,
and he never showed up.
He was in an accident
on the way to meet me.
Got hit by a drunk driver,
and he died instantly.
- Oh, my God.
That is terrible.
- I never even met him.
So all I lost,
really, was a fantasy.
- Oh, my God.
- A fucking fantasy.
I spent the last four years
grieving over
someone I never knew,
and now I'm doing it all
over again with Vivienne.
- Come here.
Come here.
- Good
morning, I'm Mark Scott.
And I'm here every
morning, all morning...
- No, not those, dude.
Those are serial killer.
Getting warmer.
You know what, though?
Yeah, I think these
are the guys for you.
Oh, yeah.
Am I good or what?
- Actually, I think I'll
just stick to my old ones.
I was just browsing, really.
- Eye-browsing.
Right?
- Thanks for your time.
- It's cool.
Love the accent, by the way.
- Thank you.
- I, I came to talk to Linda.
She won't open the door.
I wanna say sorry.
So did I and I'm still here.
Mind you, I wasn't the
one ramming a 40-ton truck
into her daughter.
- Look, man,
I'm not a killer,
it was an accident.
I've lost my job...
- My heart bleeds.
- Well, haven't you ever
made a fucking mistake?
- I think you should go.
- I can't go.
Not until I've...
- Until you've what?
You lost your job?
She lost her fucking daughter,
and not just any daughter,
one who would have helped her
to make some sense
of all this shit!
You bought flowers,
you thick bastard.
- Come on, then.
- Just get out of here.
Come on, then!
Let me have it.
Let me have it!
Come on, come on!
- Just don't push me.
- What's the matter?
You can't finish the job?
Come on!
Don't you know
you can't hurt me?
Don't you know I'm
fucking indestructible?
- What are you doing?
- What does it look
like I'm doing?
I'm trampolining.
- Linda.
Could you stop
bouncing for a minute?
I want to tell you about
what happened with my son.
I went to prison.
I went to prison because--
- I want you to bounce me up.
- Not now, Linda.
- Is it because you had a
fight with the truck driver?
- Yes.
- I won't see Vivienne again,
you won't see Vivienne again,
and he won't see Vivienne again.
We all have to get over it.
Okay, now, bounce me up.
I'm not moving until
you play with me.
I'm gonna stay out
here all night long.
Please.
Please, Alex, please,
please, please bounce me.
- Promise to let everyone
come back tomorrow
after the funeral?
- Yippee, yes, yes, yes!
Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!
- You worried about tomorrow?
- I think it's done.
I'm worried about Linda.
- It must be weird not
wanting to be with other people.
Not needing anyone to,
you know, plug into.
- Don't you go worrying
about her on that account.
She's got quite enough going
on inside that head of hers.
- But she needs other
people to do things for her
if not necessarily with her.
Vivienne did all
the boring stuff.
What's she going to do now?
- You offering?
- Wouldn't get past the door.
- I'm beginning to like this.
- What's that?
- Being with you.
Being with Linda.
Being with myself, again.
Hey, and I'm having sex,
and these muffins are great.
That sort of thing.
- You be careful, Mr. Shifty.
- Sorry to call so early,
it's just we had a collection.
We got a wreath for the church,
but I also wanted to bring
a little something else
I had done.
- Oh, that's very kind.
- Is she in?
- Oh, yes.
Linda!
Linda!
- I like your robe.
- Diane's brought you something.
- What is it?
- It's a bereavement cookie.
- I can't eat that.
- Oh?
- She's gluten free.
- Oh, right.
Well, waste not want not.
I'll take it back.
It's my nephew's fifth
birthday tomorrow.
So I'll scrape the icing off.
Put some new numbers on.
A nice new number five.
- I'll scrape it.
There.
- Well, I'll see you
both in church later.
- Thanks, Diane.
- Bye.
- You know, despite
both our faults, Linda,
I actually think we work quite
well together, don't you?
- Yes, I do.
Can you please take
the dog out now?
I don't want to talk
to you any more.
- Shall I come back
in about half an hour?
- I don't know how I'll
feel in half an hour.
I only know how I feel now.
- Hello.
You must be Alex.
I'm Dirk.
And this is Ellen.
- How do you do?
I'm sorry.
I told myself I
wasn't gonna cry.
Every time we go away,
it's always Linda
we're worried about.
Isn't it, Dirk?
We never even gave
Vivienne a second thought.
We never thought...
- Ellen's a bit upset.
We've been hiking.
We came straight here.
- Yeah.
- Is Linda inside?
- I'm half inside, half outside.
- Hi, sweetie.
- Hi.
- We've just been
meeting Alex, Linda.
- Your eyes are red.
- Yes, they are.
- Mommy, cheek.
- Yeah, that's my girl.
- I'll let you have some time.
- Yes.
Thank you, Alex.
- I thought Vivienne
would appreciate
something a bit unconventional.
- Perfectamundo.
Is it compulsory
to cry at funerals?
- No.
It's not compulsory.
- Good, because I don't
know if I will or not.
Wilson Bentley, the man who
photographed snowflakes,
died after walking
in a snowstorm.
- Is there anything you need?
- Yes.
I'd like you to put
your arms around me
and squeeze me really hard,
but don't touch me
with your hands.
- Say when.
Linda. Linda.
Please sit down.
Linda.
- For those who don't know,
I am Vivienne's grandad.
But as our daughter, Linda,
was unable to look after her,
my wife, Ellen, and I
raised Vivienne as our own
for 16 years.
Vivienne was a real one-off,
and the most gentle and
generous person I have ever met.
She had an amazing
ability, accepting people
for what they are,
embracing their differences.
Most of you are
probably aware that
Vivienne wanted to be a writer.
On her last visit to us,
only a week or so ago,
she gave me a
children's picture book
that she was working on.
I'd like to read it to you
because it says
more about Vivienne
than anything I
could put into words.
"My Little Brother.
My little brother,
James, is special.
My little brother is four,
and he can't talk yet.
He doesn't always understand
what I say to him,
and he's not a bit interested
in my wrestling toys.
Dad plays chasing games with him
and tries to get him interested
in rockets and football.
But my little brother really
only likes the alphabet.
He's very happy when we have
alphabet spaghetti for lunch,
but then, so am I.
Yesterday he took my
hands and danced with me.
Every time he does something
new, however small,
it's a brilliant feeling.
I wish everyone could
get to know someone
like my little brother.
He makes you look at
things in a brand new way.
Some people say that James
won't ever do the things I do,
but it doesn't matter.
He'll just do different things.
I love my little brother
so much,
and one day I know he'll
tell me he loves me, too.
Although he'll probably spell
it out in spaghetti first.
- Thank you, Dirk.
Now please stand
while we take a moment
to listen to one of
Vivienne's favorite records,
by the uh...
Super Furry Animals.
- Oh, hi.
Thank you so much.
Please take your shoes
off before entering.
- Excuse me.
- Why is that man still here?
- Oh, Linda, hand these around.
- All these people doing
social in my house.
- It's okay, Linda.
- It's not okay, it's horrible.
When are they gonna go?
- Well, they'll have a
sandwich and then they'll go.
- Just what do you
see in him, Maggie?
- You know, Clyde,
you have a superior
air about you.
Who ever told you
you were so special?
- Who ever told you you weren't?
- It's surprisingly clean, eh?
- That's the thing about autism.
They're neat freaks.
- Yeah?
You should take notes.
You could learn something.
- Why do you have to do that?
- What?
- Why do you have
to be like that?
- It's a joke.
- Try one of these.
They are gluten free.
- You know, Alex is
very fond of you.
He talks about you
all the time.
Maybe when he's gone,
I could come over and...
- Why would I want
you to come over?
They've had their sandwiches.
Why are they hanging around?
- Oh, thank--
Thank you so much for coming.
- It's a funny place, this.
Never felt at home here.
But Linda always liked it.
We bought it for her because
she wanted to be independent.
Especially after
Vivienne was born.
- How did that happen?
- We still don't know.
She was very close...
Well, relatively close to a
boy who went to the Center.
We all assumed it
was an experiment.
She didn't seem
remotely upset at first.
But she might have been forced.
We asked and we asked.
Anyhow, she was six months
gone before anyone noticed.
It's like everything with Linda.
You have to accept her totally.
And somehow Vivienne understood
that from very early on.
Oh, she would have
loved the service.
And this, too.
She loved a party.
You know, I don't
think there's ever been
more than five
people in this house.
I don't know how
you persuaded her.
But anyway, I just
wanted to say thanks.
For staying, you didn't have to.
- Actually, to be honest,
the elements were against me.
I didn't really
have an alternative.
- There's always
an alternative, Alex.
- This house is getting
nasty, nasty, nasty!
Linda,
I think...
It's all right.
It's nothing.
- She's fine.
- But this is a wake
for heaven's sake!
- She's fine, just
let her dance.
Please!
It's like getting
back on your bike.
You'll be fine.
There's no point in
worrying it'll happen again.
Nothing you can do.
If it's coming, it's coming.
- Thank you, Clyde,
that's very reassuring.
- Can't say I'm
sad to see you go.
- Don't tell me, Maggie?
- Yep.
- Do you think she'll ever...
- No.
Drive safely, then.
- Hi!
- I am never having that many
people in my house ever again.
- Where are your parents?
- I told them to go.
I had to clean the house.
They'll be back tomorrow.
- Oh, right.
I'd liked to have said goodbye.
I'm going to take
Marilyn for a walk.
- Don't forget about the--
- Garbage, I know.
12:00.
- Hi.
- We've just come
to say goodbye.
- We?
- Any chance you'll
keep an eye on her?
She'd be dead in
a week, otherwise.
- Who, Linda or the dog?
- She didn't take
long to settle in.
Maybe I should do the same.
Saw this house in the real
estate window in town.
It's by the lake.
Kind of tempting.
Stupid idea.
- I told you I was selfish.
- You did.
- I hope you find what you're
looking for in Winnipeg.
- Hmm, wonder what that is?
Good luck to me.
Maggie, I killed a man.
The driver who ran into my son.
I found out his
name, where he lived.
I went there and I hit him.
Hard.
He fell.
He fell onto this stone floor.
He cracked his head open.
- I know.
Clyde told me.
- Why didn't you--
- I was waiting for
you to mention it.
I'm glad you did.
You know, mostly he's
upset that you hit a cop.
- Thanks.
- I think you're gonna find
peace when you get there.
You'll probably end up staying.
But if you're ever passing
through here again, I...
I've had a really nice time.
Gotta do the garbage.
Gotta do the garbage.
Garbage, garbage,
gotta do the garbage.
Gotta do the garbage.
Garbage...
- They're already
two hours late.
Maybe they're not coming today.
What if we do what everybody
else in the street does,
what everybody else in the world
does, and put the bags out?
Then if they don't
turn up today,
you can leave them
out until they do.
- No, no we're not
going to do that.
The bags will split, and
that's when raccoons come.
Raccoons have rabies and
they mess up the snow.
- I'm sorry, Linda, I don't
know what else I can do.
I've got to get going.
I've already made arrangements.
- You are a very selfish man.
- No, I'm not, you're
just unreasonable.
- I'm autistic!
- That's the same thing.
- Apart from today you have
been very helpful, Alex,
and I wanna say thank you.
You're not as interesting
as Vivienne was,
but you have some quite
good characteristics.
- Don't go overboard with
the praise there, Linda.
So, Linda,
I'm really going to have to go
very soon.
You have been very annoying.
But you've also been a friend.
I'm going to miss you.
I didn't think it'd be
so hard to say goodbye.
It's been a real pleasure.
You are the only
person I have ever met
who I didn't have to explain
or even justify myself to.
- Perfectamundo.
- Sorry about the trash.
- Hmm.
- Can I send you a postcard?
- What for?
- Okay, I'll give
you a ring, then.
I've got your number.
- When will you ring me?
- Do you know, I think Vivienne
would have liked our story.
- Well, she's not here
to see it, is she?
- Right, then.
I'm so sorry about
your daughter.
I'm off.
Um, I left something for you.
It's in the freezer.
- Snow cake.
Now that is interesting.
Oh, no.
- And he's
totally overwhelmed
by how big the world is
and how small and
unimportant he is.
And as he turns around, we
see his face look to the sky,
and he says, very quietly,
so that no one can hear him,
"Dazlious."