Original subtitles

Good evening.

Has anyone seen a steeple run by here?

Horseback riding is an exhausting sport.

Actually, the riding isn't tiring.

It's getting up here.

The ladder broke twice.

As for getting down...

Everyone assures me that will be no problem. This horse has thrown its last

riders. While I continue the steeplechase, you shall witness a story

very strange type of resort hotel.

It offers a unique service to a very select clientele. But first we have

one -minute egg laid by the golden goose of television.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mr. Manner.

My card, sir.

I'm Mr. J. Smith of the Thanatos Palace Hotel.

How did you get in?

The door was unlocked.

I just walked in.

You'll be interested in what I have to tell you. I'm interested in nothing. Go

away. How's your leg?

Why do you ask?

I was afraid you might have broken it in your fall.

How dare you?

Leave my house. Your house?

Of course it's mine.

Isn't the bank foreclosing? No.

No. No.

Isn't the only reason they haven't foreclosed to give you a chance to

from your ill -fated suicide attempt?

Are you from the bank?

As I told you, my name is Jay Smith of the Thanatos Palace Hotel.

I've come to sell you a great service.

I'm not interested in vacations. Oh, we wouldn't offer anything so stupid as a

vacation to a man who's just trying to kill himself. Please go away. I haven't

the energy or the will to force you to leave, but in decency... In decency, I

come to you.

With decency, I offer you dignity and self -respect.

The return of your right to hold your head high.

To walk strong.

You're a salesman, nothing but a salesman.

You still want to die.

I will not discuss it. But not on a lonely windswept ledge like a freak with

the world agape at you.

I... I never... I never saw them.

With the painful agony of miscalculation. Please, stop.

But to die in repose.

To die in comfort and luxury.

To die with the soul at ease.

Unafraid.

With no chance of error.

You're from a cemetery.

Commercial cemetery. You're selling crypts and tombs.

I sell you an easy death.

There is no easy suicide.

You have only to lie in the sun and play golf. We will handle all the details of

your death.

You'd kill me?

Peacefully.

Painlessly.

Suicide is murder.

But it's my life.

It's still your life.

You can't turn a nightmare into a dream.

On cool evenings, after warm days, in gardens, in croquet courts, after

horseback riding, swimming, after you've relaxed, and don't fear it.

Fear it?

Do you think I was afraid?

I was on that ledge. I was ready to destroy myself.

But you hesitated. You waited.

Unsure. Uncertain.

In doubt.

Alone.

Dying alone.

But why?

Why would that place... The Thanatos Palace Hotel.

Why would you do that for me?

We're a public service.

There must be more.

Oh, for money, of course.

We have a fixed fee.

No extras.

All facilities come under one flat rate.

Sports, tennis court, pool, steam baths.

And, of course, your death.

For a flat thousand dollars.

My suicide note.

I had it pinned to my body. I had it there to tell the world why I wanted to

die.

A contract is required.

No one read it.

They didn't care what I wanted. And you will also sign a note absolving the

hotel of the consequences of any unfortunate accidents.

Did they?

I will leave this brochure for your inspection, sir.

When I wanted to live, no one cared if I died.

But when I wanted to die, everyone wanted me to live.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir. That's a controversial philosophical or

We don't take sides in controversial subjects. We're a hotel.

Now, if you wish our service, please have a check ready for me tomorrow.

Is it everything you say?

It's even more than the brochure claim.

We're modest.

There it is.

Thanatos.

Very good, Mrs. Shaw.

Very good.

Welcome to Thanatos.

My name is Boster.

General manager, maître d 'hôtel, maître de cuisine.

Delighted to see you.

I hope you like your room.

Since you didn't state a preference, we put...

Is she here for the same reason I am? Certainly.

Since you didn't state a preference, we put you on the side facing the golf

course. It's quite private.

So young, so much to look forward to.

Peaceful death is the most beautiful gift of life.

And that woman?

Mrs. Shaw.

What about her?

You never discuss one guest's personal life with another.

When will it be done?

In your sleep.

I want it done, but I'm afraid I might never sleep.

Well, when you're relaxed and at ease, when you've lost your dread, you'll

sleep. And you'll trust us.

You'll sleep when you realize we wish you only the best.

You will sleep.

She's beautiful.

Tell me something about her.

And all I thought of on the ledge was that I wouldn't have to face another

But everything was wrong.

Why?

Because I meant it to be a solitary act.

And yet I picked a public place.

Whose chair have I taken at your table?

A man.

Do you think of him?

No.

Does anyone here miss anyone else when they leave?

I don't know.

It's a perfect world of detachment.

No obligations.

I suppose just making the decision to die is the difference.

You've made yours?

Why, yes.

Haven't you?

I've been here six months.

Six months?

That's impossible.

Borg just said that... Why, he hasn't set a time for me.

He never set the time until he feels the guest is truly at peace.

Until he welcomes death.

Then you've waited six months.

Well, the wine steward is a guest. He's been here three months.

He works here?

In exchange for his room and board.

He changed his mind after he arrived?

For Borgto, one cannot just want death.

It must be a kind of love, a passion.

You love life more than death.

No.

Now, why do you say that?

Six months and you can't make up your mind. You yourself say that one should

have a passion for death.

Yes.

Anything less means that you should return to life.

No one is allowed to leave here.

Do you want your freedom from Thanatos?

All I want is to be unafraid of death.

Now, why are we afraid? What is it?

We've come here to die.

It isn't the dying we fear.

It's the exact moment of death that terrifies us.

Yes, that's it. That exact... When is that moment?

I don't know.

Where? They don't tell you. How?

Please. We must find it. We must.

They don't tell you.

Now, in time, you'll lose your fear.

For some like me, it takes months.

For others, only days.

Let me help you.

Let's help each other.

I don't want dinner.

I've got to get out of this room. Wait for me outside.

I'll tell the maitre d' to cancel our dinner.

He'd like to cancel dinner.

A problem?

No, no.

I'm sure you'll be ready in three days at the most.

Are you certain?

Have I ever failed you before?

After talking a private place.

There's no one here.

Away from the hotel.

Out there.

You have a path?

For what?

To walk in the hills.

Why? A safety rule of Thanatos, sir.

I've walked in hills before. For the protection of our guests. I'm the judge

what protection I need.

These hills are particularly dangerous.

You're not going to stop me from... Please.

We're prisoners.

We are. We have to do something.

Don't struggle.

Don't fight them.

I came here of my own free will.

Orctor can keep the money. I have a right to leave of my own free will.

Do you really want to leave?

No one has the power of life or death over me unless I want it. No one.

But if you make too much trouble, if you... If they see you too agitated,

have methods to calm you down.

I thought they only killed a guest when he was content to die.

Yes. But sometimes they use drugs and sedatives for the person's own good.

Borkner knows what's best.

I want to save your life.

Weren't you trying to save mine?

Only because I knew what it would mean if you argued with the writers.

You drew me away. Weren't you trying to protect me?

You could have made it difficult for me.

All right, then we won't see each other anymore. No.

Such a quick and positive reaction.

Just... No.

You care.

Only... In a way.

But you do.

They'll wonder why we've stayed out so long.

You seem so eager to please them.

Only to avoid trouble.

To prove something.

Nothing. Nothing at all.

Are you the one?

The one?

What do you mean?

You're the one they've sent to kill me.

No.

No. But I'm not on guard without warning. Oh, please stop.

With a knife.

Not anyway.

A poison at a quiet meal talking of love and tenderness.

And then my dad.

I'm the same as you. I'm a prisoner.

John, tell me what you want. Tell me. I want you to stop caring for me.

Oh, what difference could that make?

Because...

Because... Because it makes me care.

And then?

Love can't stop our death.

Love can't save our lives.

But the promise of it makes us want to fight for our lives.

Other men only wanted me to love them until I made their death easier.

To ease their own pain.

I was a thing, not a person.

But you could be my will to live.

Mrs. Shaw.

Mr. Borkter asked me to look for you in Mr. Manners.

And say that if you wish to dance this evening, the orchestra will be leaving

an hour.

Thank Mr.

Borgter and tell him... Tell him that we appreciate his concern.

Can we get away from here?

Let's dance a little first.

I can't. Please.

Marianne, I've got to tell you. Wait.

I've got to tell you that you could be my will to live.

Don't say that.

Don't say that now.

Didn't you hear what I said? Yes, I heard you. I heard you.

Oh, there's so much more.

There's so much you don't know.

I only know what I see now.

I only know what I feel now.

Oh, we can't risk it.

What time we have.

We must take care.

I want to stay with you in a place that's alive.

I want to live with you to be alive.

The riders are in the hills day and night.

Don't you want to find a way?

Don't you want your life?

Yes.

Yes, I do.

You're spending more time with this one than you did with the others.

It's necessary.

I can't wait too long.

Well, maybe he has more money to buy his time. No.

No, he had to borrow the fee.

He squandered a fortune desperately trying to destroy himself long before he

arrived here.

I need one or two more days.

Are you becoming personally attached to him?

Of course not.

You'd be of no use to me if you were.

I said I wasn't. If you make them care too much, then they cause trouble.

If you let them cause trouble, you'll be of no value to Thanatos.

Give me one more day.

All right.

Otherwise, I'll have to turn it over to someone else.

And you'll lose that amount of credit towards your board and room.

Are you threatening me?

I've never forced anyone to do anything.

You know that.

I'm proud that even in what I offer people, they welcome the final act.

He used to ride horses a great deal.

I don't understand.

I mean, he saw the stable and asked if we could go horseback riding.

That it was something he loved to do, something he dearly loved.

It made him feel free and happy.

If it speeds up the process, the right will pass.

Thank you. It'll help.

All of us.

Arianne.

This room is reserved for another guest who arrives the day after tomorrow.

We have come to the halfway point.

Now we must turn around and go back.

We shall proceed with the second half of our journey after this word from our

stations local and otherwise.

Here's our pair

They've

just left You better go You have your instructions You don't want them to see

following them, do you? Of course not It'll take them a lot longer to get

they're going than it'll take us.

He's an odd man, this one.

I guess. He'll be trouble.

Not for me or my writers.

You enjoy your work, don't you?

The money's good.

And easy.

For both of us, Mr. Borg.

Why did you stop?

Because.

Yes?

Don't look at me. I can only tell you if you don't look at me.

A man like you, not all men, but a man like yourself, makes sharp and vivid

decisions. Right or wrong, good or bad.

Love or hate. Nothing between life or death.

But some of us wait for other things.

other people to make our decisions for us.

And I thought when I came here to this place that all my decisions would be

for me. There'd be no alternative, no choice to make. And then

I found out if you were in doubt,

Borkter would let you buy more time with money.

Or services.

If you didn't have the money.

I bought my life by being the companion to many men who were guests.

Bork, you would have me bring them happiness.

But you are the first man who brought happiness to me.

What do you expect now?

Whatever you want.

To kill you?

To love you.

The guards are all around us.

So far, they only know we're riding for pleasure.

No use. We need more of a plan.

They'll report us to Borkter.

And?

He might try to do away with you for this.

Why?

Well, people who want to come to Thanatos never mention the place to

people running away from it would report everything.

You think he might try to get rid of me tonight?

He might.

He could.

You too?

I don't think so.

How is it done?

A sedative is given to the person at night, a strong one, and then in his

a lethal gas comes in through the small vents along the baseboard.

The method never changes?

No, never.

But precisely where does your chest hurt?

There. I was injured there once playing polo.

That could also be referred pain from the back, a dislocated vertebrae.

When I wheeled the horse, I felt a sharp pull, like a tendon.

That's it.

And there?

Could it be a fractured rib? I doubt it.

Tape, please.

You should keep this on for... a few days.

If it's necessary.

Of course.

It hurts when you move? Very much.

I can give you some pills to relieve the pain so that it won't interfere with

your daily activities.

Oh, the tape is enough.

But sleep will be difficult.

Yes, muscular pain does increase at night, doesn't it? Why suffer discomfort

when it's unnecessary?

I would like Mr. Manners to have a sedative tonight.

One moment

Your sedative the doctor ordered, sir?

Good morning, Mr. Borcher.

You needn't have taped up these vents if you weren't ready.

I didn't realize it until the sleeping pill was given to me.

And you awakened after you took it?

Shall I return the pill to the infirmary?

That won't be necessary.

If we'd known, or if you'd let me know you were so unresolved, I would never

have given the instructions.

present day.

He knows.

He found the tape?

Yes.

Then he'll try to kill me tonight.

We've got to get out.

We tried.

There must be others who feel the way we do.

Well, I don't know.

What other guests are there who've been here longer than the usual time?

Well, there's Devereaux, the wine steward.

Yes, who else?

What do you want them for?

To overpower the writers.

One at a time.

Would it be a little party?

Going for a barbecue in the hills?

Porter would never let you.

No, he's caught by his own devices.

He wants even me to receive his happiness and kindness until the end.

He's sure of his system. He has never failed.

Very interesting colors.

hills. When we are innocently cooking dinner over an open fire, a Thanatos

will approach.

He'll be killed.

And we'll put out our fire and move to another place closer to the rim.

Each new fire will bring a rider.

The death of each Thanatos rider will bring us closer to life.

What if it fails?

Just get me the right people.

Love me, trust me. It cannot fail.

But if it fails?

It would be better than this pathetic whimper of life you live here.

This pathetic death I've picked for myself.

If it fails, the decision will be made for us in the hills. A violent one, but

with dignity.

Quickly, but at least with a last sweet taste of fighting for life.

There's Devereaux.

We'll need him and five or six others.

When?

Towards sunset. The darkness will help us.

Barbecue in the mountains is a wonderful idea.

I should have thought of it.

It's only good if everyone enjoys it. I'm sure they will.

I hear it's beautiful.

A lovely idea, Mr. Barton. Thank you.

A lovely spot.

Hadn't been in the woods since I was a kid.

The first man I ever knew.

The only man I ever loved.

We met in some woods like this.

Why do they go on with these things?

Why don't they just do it and get it over with?

You don't have to pretend anymore. No one can hear us. Hear us?

Yes, the Thanatos riders.

You don't have to make it seem like nothing has changed.

Seem?

What do you mean?

Set up the fire.

You didn't tell them the real reason they're here?

I just...

Why not?

I thought it would be better to get them here and then you could tell them.

I'm sorry.

I'm not very strong. I told you that. You know that.

I helped in the way I could.

Listen. Come closer.

There isn't much time.

You're a pick for this trip because all of you have one strong belief.

That you made a terrible mistake coming to the Thanatos Palace Hotel.

Mistake? That you're all unhappy with your decision. That you want to live. To

be alive.

Silence. Shut up.

Coming to Thanatos is the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me.

Greater than the love I lost.

What's that?

How dare you outrage our decency. How dare you defile what is pure.

They're hopeless.

Come quickly.

Let's go.

Let's go, Ariane.

Death makes even an ugly soul beautiful.

You mustn't feel bad, Mrs. Shaw.

This is what he really wanted.

I promised him he'd die only when he was no longer afraid of death.

As long as I let him fight for life, he wasn't afraid.

Oh, I'd rather have done it my way.

Well, some people are like that.

The operators of the Palace Hotel were ultimately arrested and charged with

homicide and failure to pay their gas bill. They all received substantial

sentences. There was an unhappy climax to my riding experience.

My horse had an accident.

He fell on me, broke my leg.

There was a doctor present, but unfortunately he was the horses, not

his only recommendation was that they shoot me.

Now, for those of you who are too busy to spend an hour watching our next show,

we shall give you a capsule version.

It follows this uncut commercial.