All language subtitles for The Sweet Hereafter (1)

Yes.

Collect call from Zoe,
would you accept the charges?

Yes, I accept the charges.

Daddy? It's me.
How are you doing?

Hi, fine.

That's great.

Where are you?
What's that sound?

I'm in a car wash.

I've never talked with
you on a car wash before!.

Make sure you got
all the windows rolled up.

Remember the time that
we were in the car wash.

And I started playing
with the automatic window.

How old was I, daddy?

Five or six?

I've got absolutely
soaked, remember?

Why are you calling me Zoe?

Why am I calling you?

You're my father.

What, I'm not
supposed to call you?

What's the matter with
wanting to talk with you daddy?

Nothing is wrong with
trying to talk with me, Zoe.

Then what's the problem?

The problem is...

...the problem is...

...I don't know with
who I'm talking right now!.

Oh! 'Cause you
think I'm stoned, daddy?

Is that what you're thinking?

You think I've got
a needle stuck in my arm?

Are you thinking that
I've scored, daddy?

That I'm humbling fo money?
That I'm begging?

God, I can't fucking believe this.

Daddy?

Are you listen to me? Daddy?

Daddy?

Yes?

Why can't you talk to me?

Because I need to know
what state you are in Zoe.

For I know how
to talk with you.

Let's go!

Daddy!

Speak a little softer

and look a little louder

And shoot less with more care

and sing a little sweeter

and look a little longer

and soon you will be there.

Here, all we
have here is sky.

How the sky is, is blue.

How the blue is, is
one more, more colour

one more colour,

one more colour.

Now.

- That was great.
- Really?

You're going to
blow everyone away.

- You mean it?
- Of course.

You don't sound Iike
you're completely sure.

I am, really. Really.

You was all some.

I'm so happy daddy.

Let's get some ice cream daddy.

Operator?

Can you hear me?

Yes, go ahead, please.

I seem to be in
a strange situation.

I'm calling from my car...

and I appeared to
be stuck in a car wash.

A car wash?

Right, a car wash.

Can you speak a
little louder, please Sr.

Sorry Sr. I'm losing you again.

Ok, here we are!
Everybody out!

Come on, quickly now.

T ogether around.

Come on, everybody.
Come on quickly!

We haven't got all day.

Now I want you
to Iisten to me.

What is it?

Just the way Dolores gets
so excited with the kids.

Rule number one...

It's Iike the
biggest thing on her Iife.

No sticking your
fingers in any other cages.

Heidy, this applies to you.

And Shane get
back here please.

I don't care how cute
some of this animals may be.

The fact is that they
don't Iike being here.

No matter how many
ribbons they may have won.

Rule number two...
Hey Sam, hey Nicole.

Rule number two: No kicking,
pushing, shoving or biting.

Rule number three: OIder kids,
you Iook after the younger kids.

If any of you get Iost
you come here to the red Iady.

I will find you!

Rule number four:
Winkle your nose and have fun.

Hello.

It's raining outside?

No...I had an accident.
Do you have a room?

Will you be spending
more than a night?

Hard to say,
I could have some visitors.

Are you a reporter?

No, Sr.

You're here about the accident?

Yes, I'm a Iawyer.

I realize this is
a awful time, but...

...it's important that we talk.

Kyle Lansdom is a drunk!

Nobody Iikes him,
he's a nasty piece of work.

In what way?

He's been drinking
since High School.

Fucked himself up.

Used to be smart enough.

Any criminal records?

Probably, at Ieast half
of a dozen traffic convictions.

Drunk driving.

Lost his Iicense, that's
why he don't work no more.

Can't get of that
shitty dump he Iives on.

Whenever the money
does come in goes the booze.

How is the family survive?

I don't know.

Church charity,
Well-Fare food bank.

They scrape the pot.

And...what about Dora?

Doreen, she was
a friend of mine.

When was that?

At school.

She fell for Kyle
just before we graduated.

She got pregnant.

Moved into a trailer,

up the wood Iot
Kyle's dad used to own.

Kyle started spending more and
more time at the "Spread Eagle".

That's the Iocal bar.

Coming home drunk, felling
trapped by his Iife, I guess and...

blaming her for that and...

And...

And...and he beat her!

He beat her?

Yes.

You see, to do this right,

to actually have
a chance of winning,

of getting some money,

to compensate you
for the Iost of your boy.

We need folks Iike you.

Sensitive, Ioving parents
with no criminal backgrounds.

No history of trouble in
the town. Do you understand?

Yes.

Now, this people
that you told me about,

those kids were killed.

Who do you consider to be
good upstanding neighbors?

People who will
help us in our cause.

There's the Hamiltons.

Joe and Shelley Hamilton.

Yeah right!

Everybody knows that Joey
steal antiques from some cottages

and sells them to
dealers in the city.

He's been doing
thatfor years.

That's great Wendell.

That's exactly
what I need to know,

so it won't come
back to haunt our case.

There is Mr. Prescott.

You know how much
money he owns to the bank?

He's about to Iose his house...

he's about to Iose his car...

Charlene...

Charlene is over
"Spread Eagle" every other night.

She sleeps with whoever
she can get her hands on.

She go down for a pad on her
head or a fistful of peanutts.

Forget the Atwaters and
Biladows they are all in breed.

The Ottos.

Tell me about the Ottos.

Wanda and Hartley.

They Iost "Bear",
He was their adopted son.

He was a beautiful boy.

He was Indian.

That's good. Judges
Iike adopted indian boys.

Tell me more about the Ottos.

They're smart,
they've been to college,

and moved here from the
city about a dozen years ago.

- What do they do?
- Crafts.

Wanda does this
photographic things.

That's one of hers,
right here on the wall.

- They probably smoke weed.
- You don't know that!

- They've been busted?
- No.

You don't know!
That's what it is.

You don't know.

I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Yes?!

Collect call from Zoe,
would you accept the charges?

Yes, I accept the charges.

Do you mind if I
step outside for a moment.

It's a private call.

Zoe? Where are you, darling?

Oh, shut up!

-Yes, I am Iistening.
-Shutyour big fat mouth.

No, of course
I'm being sincere.

I understand what you saying.

In fact... in fact
that you Iike the doctor.

It's half the battle.

- Shut up.
- PIease.

- I'm jealous of what?
- I am smarter than you.

Smarter than me?
Like the Ottos are smart too!

Did you hear what that man said?

- He said, good Wendell!
- I will do it in ten minutes.

Shut up.

Yes, Sr?

Hi, I can't get any sound.

Here, I get you another pair.

Here, you can have mine.

AIIison O'Donnell.

I was a friend of Zoe's.

We used to go to scholl together.
I used to come to your house.

AIIy. My nickname is AIIy.

AIIy? Right, right.

- How are you?
- I'm justfine.

How about you?

I'm fine.
I'm still working with my father.

Right.

What's he do again?

He use to work with you.
You guys used to be partners.

AIIison?

How is Mrs. Stevens?

She's justfine,
we're not together anymore.

Yeah, I heard that.
But she's well?

Yeah.

And Zoe? How is Zoe?

Oh, you bea me
to it, here we go.

Good morning Wanda! Hey Hartley.

- Hi Dolores!
- Good morning Dolores.

Beautiful snow we're
having ain't it Dolores?

Is just a flurry,
It's totally clear up ahead.

-That's good.
- Look!

- What's that you got there?
- What do you think?

It's certainly what
I call interesting.

You hated.

No, no I
didn't say that.

I could wrap it up
to protect the children.

I could just
strap it up to the roof.

There's an idea.

Come on give me a break
it's for the School bazaar.

It's bizarre alright.

Come on "Bear" Iets
get you out of here.

Go on "Bear", away
from your crazy mother.

That's right.

I see you Wanda! Bye Hartley.

The Ottos always waited
for the bus with "Bear".

They were the only
parents who did that.

Together...Iike that.

I guess they were what
you might call...

...hippies.

What do you mean
by that Mrs. Driscoll?

Dolores.

No one ever calls
me Mrs. Driscoll.

What do you
mean by that Dolores?

About the Ottos?

What exactly do
you mean by hippies?

I mean, the way they Iook.

Their hair and clothing.

Do they have any
reputation for drugs?

No, nothing like that.

The Ottos...are what
I will call...

...model citizens.

They are regular
at town meetings.

They give their opinion
in a respectful way.

They...help at various...

...fund raising bazaars.

They are...

...in church course.

And they Iove "Bear"?

Oh yes, It's Iike
he's their Iittle treasure.

He's such a beatiful boy.

There's a picture of him on the
wall over there, just beside Abbot.

Those were all taken
at the fair Iast year,

Abbot and me we were
judges at the Pet Shop.

For rabbits.

Abbot used to breed them
'till he had the stroke.

"Bear" won the first prize.

Just Iook at the
smile on his face.

He's one of those children who
bring out the best in people.

He would've made
a wonderful man.

Billy started honking at
us up around Upperhat Creek.

He always started to do that
when he caught up to the bus.

He would wave at
his kids Jessica and Mason.

They always sat in the back.

Billy loved to see
his kids in the bus.

Normaly, he would follow
us the whole distance...

passed the bridge
... towards the school.

Are you saying that Billy
was driving behind the bus...

...at the time of the accident?

Y eah.

It...comforted him.

From what?

From what?!

- I get the tray.
- Thank you.

Did he have any particular
problems that you knew of?

Financial pressures?
Runnings with the Iaw?

No..no...

No! Nothing Iike that!

Billy's wife
Lydia, God rest her.

She died of
cancer a few years back.

She was a wonderfull
woman, a great mom.

Warm, Ioving, she
had a beautiful voice.

She used to sing
in the church choir.

Anyway...

Billy took over
raising the kids by himself.

It was obvious how
much he missed Lydia.

Hello.

Hey Risa. Can you talk?

Yeah. Where are you?

- I was only on my way to work.
- Do you see the kids?

Yeah, I'm waving
to them right now.

What's that noise?

It's Wendel, his up the roof,
he thinks he's fixing a Ieak.

As far as I'm concerned he's
punching a few new holes.

Hey Iisten, Nicole is coming
over to Iook after the kids...

...tonight, she should
be there around six.

Oh Billy is to early.

She said she got
to be in home by nine.

Can't you make that Iater?

I'II be waiting at the run.

You just get over
as soon as you can. Ok?

Ok. I guess.

AII right, sexy!

Bye.

Bye.

I'm glad to hear
that Zoe is alright.

Are you still in touch?

Not really.

The Iast time I saw her was
when she was in that clinic.

That was a Iong time ago.

- Which one?
- Which one?!

Which clinic?

I don't remeber the name.

It was near a beach.

Sunny Ridge.

Yes. That was a Iong time ago.

So there were others?

Other clinics? Oh sure.

CIinics, halfway houses,
treatment centers, detox units.

So then, when she get better?

She didn't.

- Oh, I thought...
- That's why I'm going to see her now.

She's in trouble.

Yes. You find something
strange about this meat?

Excuse me?

Some more wine?

No. I think this meat
is a Iittle over done for me.

I'm sorry Mr. Stevens.
Would you Iike to try the fish plate?

- What is it?
- Poached salmon.

- No. Do you have a cold plate?
- We do!

- Is the shrimp on it?
- Yes.

Well if you take the shrimp
off as Iong as anything else...

...don't touches the
shrimp I'II be gratefull!

I'm not sure it's gonna
Ieave much on the plate.

Lets just see what
we get, shall we?

- Yes Sr.
- Thank you.

Do you excuse me?

Mrs. Otto. My name
is Mitchell Stevens.

The Walkers told me that
you might be able to talk with me.

I'm really sorry to
come unannounced Iike this.

But the Walkers said
that you would understand.

I know it's an awful time, but
it's important that we talk.

Who are you?

I'm a Iawyer.

Look. I'm sorry but
you can't come in here.

PIease Iet me explain. I'II
only take a moment of your time.

PIease!

Hartley...

...we have a guest.

What did you
say your name was?

Mitchell Stevens.

The Walkers send him by.

Would you Iike a
cup of tea or something?

A cup of tea would be nice.

Do you mind if I sit down
for a few minute Mrs. Otto?

I want to talk with you.

The Walkers spoke very highly of you.

You've been retained?

Their child died
and they got a Iawyer?

It should be settled that
my task is to represent...

the Walkers only in
the anger not the grief.

What do they getfor that?

You're angry,
aren't you Mrs. Otto?

That's why I'm here.

To give your anger a voice.

To be your weapon against
whoever cause that bus...

...to go off the road.

Dolores?

It's my belief that
Dolores was doing exactly what...

...she's done for years.

Besides, the School bus
insurance was minimum.

A few million at most.

Now the really deep
rockets are in the town,

or the company
that made the bus.

So you think someone else
cause the accident Mr. Stevens?

Mrs. Otto, there's no such
thing as an accident.

The word doesn't
mean anything to me.

As far as I'm
concerned somebody, somewhere,

made a decision to cut a corner.

Some corrupt
agency or corporation,

accounted to cost variance
between a 1 0 cent bolt

and a million dollar
at a out-of-court settlement.

They decided to sacrifice
a few Iifes for the difference.

That's what is done.

I've seen it happen
so many times before.

But Dolores said she
hitted a patch of ice,

and Iost control of the bus.

Mr. Otto how Iong is Dolores
being driving that bus?

How many times is she
still clear out of danger?

It won't happen that morning!

Somebody calculated
ahead of time,

what would cost
a sacrificed safety.

It's the duckiest most
cynical thing you can imagine,

but it's absolutely true.

And now...

It's up to me to insure moral
responsibility in this society

So you're just the thing we need.

Isn't that you want us
to believe in, Mr. Stevens?

That you know what's bestfor us.

You Iisten to me Mrs. Otto!

And you Iisten very carefully.

I do know what's
best. Believe me.

As we're seating here...talking,

the town, the Scholl board
or the manufacturer of that bus

are Iining up a battery
of their own Iawyers

to negociate with people as
grief streaking as yourselves.

And that makes
me very, very mad!

That's why I came
all the way up here.

If everybody had done
their job with integrity,

your son would be alive and
safely in School this morning.

I promisse that I will pursuit
and reveal who it was...

...that not did their job.
Who is responsible for this...

...tragedy.

And then in your name,
and in Walkers name...

and in the name of
whoever decides to join us,

I will suit.

I will suitfor negligence
'till they bleed.

I want this person to go to
jail for the rest of his Iife.

I want...I want him
to die there.

I don't want his money.

It's unlikely that anyone
goes to prison Mrs. Otto.

But he or his company
will pay in another ways.

And we must make them pay!

Notfor the money or the
compensation of the Iost of...

...your boy, that
can't be done.

Butfor the protection
of other inocent children.

You see, I'm not just here
to speak for your anger...

butfor the future as well.

Are you expensive?

If you agree to have me
represent you in the suit...

I will require no payment...
untill the case is won.

When I'II require one
third of the awarded amount.

Otherwise my services to you
will cost absolutely nothing.

That's my standard agreement.

Do you have this
agreement with you?

Yes, I do, it's in my car.

It won't be a minute.

Any case, you should have
time to discuss this without me...

...before you make a decision.

I did everything a loving
father to a drug addictic...

...is supossed to do.

I send her to
the best hospitals...

Saw the best doctors.
No matter, two weeks Iater...

...she would be
out on the streets,

and next time I saw her...

A phone call is coming for
money, money for School...

money for some
new kind of therapist...

money for a plane ticket home.

"Oh daddy please Iet me come
home. I need to see you."

But she never came home!

I was always at the airport
but she was never there.

I Iive ten years of this.
Ten years of Iies...

I wonder what would happen
if I really send the money.

Kicking down doors...

Dragging her out of
rat infested apartments.

Explaining to somebody that
couldn't be possible...

...to be my daughter that
they saw in a porn flick.

Enough rage and helpless in your Iove
turns into something else.

What is it turns to?

It turns into steaming piss.

Hi Nicole!
They just have something!

Was it good?

Was it good?
Of course it was good.

I'II get back
before 9:00, ok?

- Good bye!
- Bye!

Let's go.

- Are you waiting Iong?
- A while.

Do you have to smoke?

Wendell can smell
if someone has been smoking.

What is all this?

Wendell put some fresh
enamel on that break on the tub.

Does it mean that
I can't have a shower?

No, it should be dry by now.

- When is he getting back?
- After the game, I guess?

"Hamelin's town in
Brunswick. By famous Hannover city,

the river Weeser, deep and
wide, washes it's walls on the...

...southern side."

A pleasant spot, you never
spied, but when begins my ditty."

What is a ditty?

It's Iike a song.

"AImostfive hundread years ago
to see the town folks suffer so,

from vermin was a pity."

Wha is a vermin?

Rats!

"They fought the dogs,
and kill the cats.

And bite the
babies on the cradles.

And ate the cheese
out of the vats.

And Iick the soup from
the cook on the Iadles.

Split open the
kegs of salted sprats.

Made nests inside
man's sunday hats.

And even spoiled
the women's chats.

By drowning their speaking,
with shrieking and squeaking,

in fifty different sharps and flats."

- Nicole.
- Yes Mason?

Can I seat beside
you on the bus tomorrow?

But I thought you Iiked to seat
in the back to wave at your dad?

I wanna seat
beside you tomorrow.

Nicole?

Did the Pied Piper
take the children away...

...because the people
in town didn't pay him?

That's right.

Well, if he knew magic...

If he could get
the kids in the mountain...

Why can he use his magic pipe
to make the people pay him...

for getting rid of the rats?

Because...

He wanted them to be punished.

So he was mean?

No, not mean...

Just very...very angry.

Should I keep reading?

What are you thinking?

Tomorrow I'm gonna put Sean on
the bus and he won't wanna go.

He never does.

He'II cry. He won't
wanna Iet go of me.

Because he misses you.

It's natural.

Your kids never cry?

It's probably 'cause they know
I will be following the...bus.

They can Iook foward to that.

Just Iike we
Iook foward to this.

You're Ieaving?

I better get back. Like I
said Nicole must be in home...

- Good night Billy!
- Good night Risa!

Are you sure?

It just seems...
kind of...weird.

- Why?
- I don't know?

Nicole, I'm just gonna
take this stuff and pack it.

Give it to the church
for charity. I mean...

Don'tfell bad unless you
fell strange about wearing it.

No!

No...I mean...I

I remember Mrs. Ansel
wearing some of this stuff but...

...I don'tfell
worried about that.

I really Iiked her.

She really Iiked you.

I think she probably would have
given you that stuff herself.

If she had not growing into a...

What do you mean
with "not growing"?

I'm not sure.

I ran through that tune
you guys are working on,

I came up with
a couple of ideas.

- See how the guys fell this.
- It's great, thank you.

"There was a rustling
that seemed like a bustling,

...of merrily crowds joustling
pitching and hustling. "

"Small feet were pattering
wooden shoes clattering. "

"Little hands clapping
and little tongues chatering. "

"And like fowls in a farmyard
when barley is scattering,

out came the children running. "

"All the little
boys and girls,

with rosy cheecks
and flaxen curls. "

"Sparkling eyes and
teeths like pearls. "

"Tripping and skipping,

were merrily after
the wonderful music...

... with shouting and laughter. "

"As they reached
the mountain side,

a wondrous portal opened wide. "

"As if a cavern was
sunddely hollowed. "

"And the piper advanced
and the children followed. "

"And when all were
into the very last,

the door in the
mountain side shuted fast. "

"Did I say all?"

"No! One was lame,

and could not dance
the whole of the way. "

"And after years if he
would be blamed in sadness,

He was used to say: "

"It's dull in our
town since my playmates left. "

"l can 't forget
that I'm bereft. "

"of all the pleasant
sights they've seen,

which the Piper
also promised me. "

"For he led us ", he
said, "To a joyous land. "

"Joinning the town
in just at hand. "

"Where waters gushed
and fruit trees grew. "

"And flowers
put forth a fairer hue. "

"And everything
was strange and new. "

By the time I've reached
the bottom of Bartlet Hill Road.

I had half of my load.

Let's see... twenty,
no, twenty-two kids aboard.

They 've...

They've walked to their
places on the main road.

From smaller lands and
private roadways that run of it.

Bright little clusters
of three and four children.

Like berries
waiting to be plucked.

That's the way I
thought of them sometimes.

Like berries?

Like I was putting
them on my big basket,

clearing the hill
side of it's children.

Anyway, my next stop was
across from the "Bide-a-While "...

wich is owned and operated
by Risa and Wendell Walker.

Risa had walk Sean across
the road wich was costumary.

Sean, he has some kind
of Iearning disability.

He's behind the rest of his...

the kids his age in school.

He's too nervous
to play sports.

Strange Iittle guy.

But, you know, you
coudn't help to Iike him.

- Good morning Dolores.
- Hi Risa.

Aren't your feetfreezen?

- Yes they are.
- I wanna stay with you.

Come on honey, go on.

Come on Sean,
seat next to me.

- Is he Ok?
- I don't know?

- Temperature?
- He's not sick or anything.

Just one of those
mornings I guess. You know.

I never had those
mornings myself.

Not so long as
I have my school bus to drive.

Not so long as I have my children.

Hanging in there Sean?

You settle down
back there. I told you!

You're walking to the
School if you're not carefull.

You want that?
It's a cold day out there.

Ain't it "Bear"?

Oh Jesus...oh Jesus!

You know every time!
come in one of this flights

...to rescue Zoe?

I remember of a summer
we almost lost her.

She was three years old.

Happened one morning in
this cottage we used to rent.

We were all together
sleeping in bed.

Was a wonderfull
time in our lives.

Still felt that we
had a future together.

The three of us.

Did you ever
visited that cottage?

I don't think so.

I remember waking by the
sound of Zoe's breathing.

It was lavish.

I looked across and noticed,

she was sweating
and all swollen.

I grabbed her and
rushed into the kitchen.

Splashed some
water on her face.

- What happened?
- I didn't know.

I was in complete panic.

I guess she's been
bitten by some insect.

But there was no doctor.

The nearest hospital
was 40 miles away.

She was continuing to swell up.

Clara took her in her arms
trying to breastfeed her...

...while I dial the Hospital.

Finally we got a doctor.

He surmised that
there was a nest,

of baby black
widows in the matress.

He said they have to be babies.

Or else if Zoe's body faint,
she would be dead...

He said, I had to
rush her to the hospital.

He said:

"Mr. Stevens is a good
chance to we get a head...

...before her throat closes.

But it's very important
that you keep her calm."

Then he asked if
there was one of us

that was more
relaxed than the other.

I said yes, me, was
true enough, because...

at that particular
moment, Clara's eyes...

...were wild fear.
And fear is contagious.

I was better
actor, that's all.

And Zoe...

Loved us equally then,

just like she hates
us both equally now.

And when the doctor
said I had to hold her...

on my lap and let
Clara drive to the hospital,

he asked me to bring
a small sharp knife.

He said it had to be clean.

There was no time
to sterilise it properly.

He explained me how to
perform a emergency tracheotomy.

How to cut into her throat
without causing her to bleed...

...to death.

He said: "lt will
be a lot of blood."

I said, I don't
think I could do it.

He said: "Mr. Stevens...

If her throat closes
and her breathing stops,

you gonna have to."

"You will have about a minute
and a half, or possibly two minutes..

...and she will probably be
unconscious when you do it."

"But if you manage to
keep her calm and relaxed,

not letting her
little heart beat too fast,

and spread the poison around."

"You might just
get here first."

"Now you get going",
he said and hung up.

It was an
unforgetable drive.

I was...divided in two parts.

One part was daddy singing
lullabys to his little girl.

The other part was...
a surgeon, with a knife,

ready to cut into her throat.

I waited for the second...

to Zoe's breath stop
to make the incision.

What happened?!

What happened?

Nothing.

We got to the
hospital in time.

I did not have to go as
far as I was prepared to go.

But I was prepared
to go all the way.

I know you would be here.

- Are you going to the funeral?
- I stopped by the bus station...

...a while ago...
stared to the bus.

I almost heard
the kids inside.

There was a lawyer
there, and he said...

Got you signed
up, is that true?

Something may just happened,
Mr. Stevens said he's gonna...

...find out.

What you're talking
about Risa, was an accident.

Mr. Stevens said someone
didn't put a bolt on the bus.

I serviced the bus
Risa, at the garage.

It was nothing wrong with it.

And what if the guard rail
wasn't strong enough?

You believe that?

I have to.

- Why?
Because I have to.

Well, I don't.

Is it true you gave Nicole
one of Lydia's sweaters?

And she was wearing it
when the bus crashed?

Why did you do that Billy?

What? Do you think that
cause the accident, Risa?

That it brought bad luck?

You need more a witch
doctor than a lawyer.

Maybe you need the same thing.

You know what I miss,
more than making love?

The nights you couldn't
get away from Wendell.

The nights I just seat
on that chair for an hour.

Smoking a cigarette
remembering my life before.

Mind is kind.

You were so lucky.

Don't even try remembering.

You just think about getting
well, Nicole, that's all.

Wait 'till you see what we've
got waiting for you at home.

How do you like it, Nicole?

The ramp?

It's pretty slick.

Very slick.

Do you like the color?

It's ok.

I can paint it
different, if you like.

It'll be easy to do it.

I don't know about that green.

I'm not too sure
about that color.

I widened a few doors too.

Hello!

- Ok.
- Oh, Hi Mitch!

We just brought her home.

She's doing fine.

Well, I don't know,
she hasn't seen it yet.

We haven't talked about it.

Great! Bye bye.

- What do you think?
- The door needs a lock.

Sure, I fix that right away.

Can I come and visit you here?

You better. You can sleep
with me in my bed too, ok?

It's too high,
I'll never reach it.

I'll better get some spackle.

So...do you like your new room?

It's interesting.

Your dad spent all
his spare time in here.

He wanted to be
absolutely perfect.

I fell like a princess.

What's that?

It is...

...a present.

From you?

No, from Mr. Stevens.

That was him on
the phone just now.

He was calling to
find out how you were.

- Who is Mr. Stevens?
- He's a lawyer.

-He's our lawyer.
-You and mom have a lawyer?

Well, yes, he's
your lawyer too.

- My lawyer?
- Why do I need a lawyer?

Maybe we shouldn't be
talking about this just now.

You're barely home.

Aren't you hungry honey? You
want me to fix you something?

What's this lawyer business?

He's a very kind man.

And he knew that you need a
computer for doing School work.

It's even got a program on it
to help you compose your songs.

"Fathers. Mothers. "

"Uncles. Cousins. "

"Families by ten and dozens. "

"Brothers, sisters. "

"Husbands. Wives. "

"Follow the piper
for their lives. "

Well Nicole. I've been
wanting to meet you for a long time.

Not just because of the good
things I heard about you,

but because...

Well, I'm the guy
who's representing you.

And your mom and dad.

And several
people in town.

We are trying to
generate however meager,

some compensation...

For what you suffered.

A the same time,

to make sure an accident
like this never happens again.

I don't like thinking
about the accident.

I don't even
remember it happening.

Besides...

It just makes people
fell sorry for me, and...

- You hate that.
- What she means is...

People can help, Nicole...

I mean, they see you
on this wheelchair...

and they're gonna
fell sorry for you.

I didn't know you,

nor how promising and exciting
your life was before the accident.

But listen, even
I feel sorry for you.

What is that you want me
to do for you Mr. Stevens?

They work for the
people we're trying to sue.

See, their job is to
minimize damages.

Ours is to try
maximamize them.

That's the way you have
to think of it, Nicole.

Is people doing their jobs.

There's no good
guys or bad guys.

It's just their
side or our side.

- I won't lie.
- I don't want you to lie.

No matter what I'm
asked, I'll tell the truth.

Of course. I need
you to tell the truth.

And I'll be right
there to advise you.

There'll be a court stenographer
who will record everything.

That's what is going to the
judge before the trial is set.

And this will be
the same for everyone.

They will be deposing the Ottos,
the Walkers, Dolores, your mom and dad.

But I make sure you go last.

Why?

So you can go in getting well.

So that you're able to
get up there and do this.

Because it's not
going to be easy, Nicole.

You do understand that?

When do they
award the damages?

That depends. It could
drag on for quit a while.

But we'll be there at the
end, Sam. Don't you worry.

I'm here about your
children, Mr. Ansel.

- My name...
- I don't wanna know your name.

I understand.

No, you don't. Get the
fuck away from the bus!

I can help you.

Not unless you
gonna raise the dead.

Here, you may
change your mind.

Mitchell Stevens esquire.

Tell me, would you sue me
if I was to beat you right now?

I mean, beat you so bad,

you'd piss blood and
couldn't walk for a month.

'Cause that's
what I'm about to do.

No Mr. Ansel!
I wouldn't sue you!

You leave us alone Stevens.

You leave the people
in this town alone.

You can't help.

You can help each other.

Several people on the town...

...have agreed to let
me represent them...

..in the negligence suit.

Now, your case is individual,

will be stronger if I'm
allowed to represent it...

...together, as a group.
- Case?

The Walkers have agreed,
the Ottos have agreed,

Nicole Burnell's parents.

It's important that we
iniciate proceedings right away.

Things get
covered up! People lie!

That's why we must begin
our investigation quickly.

Before the evidence disappears.

That's what I'm
doing out here.

Listen, I know Risa
and Wendell Walker.

They wouldn't hire
a god dam lawyer.

The Ottos, they
wouldn't deal with you.

We're not country bumpkins
you can put a big city hustle on.

You're angry Mr. Ansel, and
you owe it to yourself to feel that way.

All I'm saying is...
Let me direct your rage.

That's my daughter.

Or maybe the police to
tell me they found her dead.

She's a drug addict.

Why are you telling me this?

Why am I telling
you this Mr. Ansel?

Because we've all
lost our children.

They're dead to us.

They're killing each
other in the streets.

They wander comatose
in shopping malls.

Something terrible
is happening?

And It's taking
our children away.

It's too late.

They're gone.

Collect call from Zoe,
would you accept the charges?

Daddy?

Yes.

I'm calling because I've
got some news for you daddy.

Some big news.

- News?
- Don't you wanna hear?

Yes, give me the news Zoe.

You always think you
know I'm gonna say...

...before! say
it, don't you daddy?

You always think you
are one step ahead of me.

The lawyer!

Tell me your news Zoe.

Ok. Yesterday,
I went to sell my blood.

That's how it is.

I'm in this fucking city...
and I'm selling my blood.

That's not news Zoe.

No but this is. They
wouldn't take my blood.

Do you know what that
means, daddy? Does it register?

I've tested positive.

Yes.

Welcome to hard times daddy.

What do you
want me to do Zoe?

I do whatever you want.

- I need money!
- What for?

No, you can not ask
me that! Not anymore!

You ask me what I wanted,
not what I wanted for...

...I want money.

Do you have a blood test?

You don't believe me?

You don't
fucking believe me?!

Of course I believe you.

I just tought I would
get you another test...

...in case the one
you've got is wrong.

I like you when you
don't believe me, daddy.

It's better when you don't
believe me but has to act like you do.

I can her you
breathing, daddy.

Yes, I can hear
you breathing too.

God! I'm scared!

I love you Zoe.
I'll soon be there.

I'll take care of you.

No matter what happens,
I'll take care of you.

I have a question
for you Mr. Stevens?

Yes Dolores, what is it?

I told you that...

I was doing 50 miles an
hour when the bus run over.

And that's how I remembered.

But how can I prove that?

Billy Ansel would insist that
you're doing 50 miles an hour...

...just like you've done it every
morning for the pastfifteen years.

He knows that? Billy?

- Yes he does.
- He said that?

- You've talked to Billy?
- I did.

And he told you
that he would say that?

Mrs. Driscoll...

If Billy does not volunteer
to say so in court then...

I will subpoena
him and oblige him...

...to testify to that effect.

But in order to do that,

you have to let me
bring a suit in your name...

...charging negligent
infliction of emotional harm.

Because what is so obvious
to me and to other people,

is the magnitude, the sheer
magnitude of your suffering.

- What other people?
- Excuse me?

Who has been talking to
you about what I'm felling?

Who should care
about what I'm feeling?

Dolores, people have to
know about your suffering.

And they won't understand
untill I can clear your name.

Your good name,
once and for all.

Now will you let me do this?

Will you let me do my duty?!

Dolores...Did not!

You've heard what Abbot said.

Abbot said, the true
jury of a person's pierce...

...is the people of her town.

Only they.

The people who have
know her all her life.

And not twelve strangers can
decide her guilty or innocence.

That's what he said, isn't?

Abbot understand this things.

I remember...

wrenching the steering
wheel to my left,

and slaping my foot
against the break pedal.

I wasn't the driver anymore.

The bus was laneless.

A huge wave...about
to break over us.

"Bear" Otto.

The Lambstom kids.

The Hamiltons...

...the Prescotts.

The teenage boys and
girls from Bartlet Hill road.

Pete...Suzie...

...Laurel.

Rick...Sean Walker...

...Nicole Burnell.

Billy Ansel's twins,
Jessica and Mason.

All the children of my town.

Then what happened?

Hey Billy, come on in!

Would you like a
cup of tea, Billy?

There's a piece
of cake for you.

No, no, thanks.

So, what brings
you out tonight?

I might as well
say the truth, Sam...

It's about this lawsuit...

...that you got
yourselves involved with.

I want you to
drop the damn thing.

It doesn't concearn you Billy.

Well, it does concern me.

I don't know in what share.

A lot of people in this
town got involved in lawsuits.

We're hardly unique.

I mean. I can
understand how you fell.

How?

Well...It's being
so depressive at all.

That's reality. Can't just
turn this up cause you...

...happened to think
that's a bad idea.

Why not?

Because is
what we have to do.

I don't want a damn
thing to do with it.

Ok fine. So stay out of it.

I tried to stay out of it.

Sam, turns up
that's not so easy.

You got yourselves this
lawyer, Mitchell Stevens.

So? Lots of
folks got lawyers.

But he's the one who's
gonna subpoena me, Sam.

He's gonna force me
to testify in court.

Came buy the
garage this afternoon.

Gave me that slippery paper.

Why would he do that? I mean
you don't have anything to...

...do with the accident.

Because I was
driving behind the bus.

I saw when it happened.

Now, this sun of a bitch
subpoena me and forces me...

...to go over all this again.

Then all those other lawyers
are gonna line up behind him,

and try to do the same thing.

That's not going to happen.

Mitch Steven's case is small if
compared to some of these guys.

The way he told me.

All he needs is for you to
say what you saw that day...

...driving behind the bus.

I know it's a
painfull thing to do.

There's lawyers suing
lawyers because some people,

...were stupid enough to
sign on with more than...

...one of the bastards.

There's people
pointing fingers...

...making side deals,

...dickering over porcentages.

You know if you
two drop the case,

the others will gonna
come to their good senses and...

...know, you're good, sensible
parents, you and Mary.

People respect you.

No Billy, we can't
drop the law suit.

You know how much
we need the money.

Why? You've got
the money from...

...Dolores insurance,
with the School board.

We all did.

It's not enough. We have
the hospital bill to Nicole.

I can pay for Nicole
if is that what you're...

...talking about.

I even give you the
money I've gotfor my kids.

That's what we
used to do, remember?

Help each other.

Because this was a community.

I'm sorry!

How is Nicole?

She's resting in her room.

Say hello for me.

We're getting on
with our lives, Billy!

Maybe it's time
you ge on with yours.

Are you sleeping?

Nicole, tomorrow Mr. Stevens
wants you to make your...

...deposition,
at the community center.

I thought to take you over.

Great.

You seem...

I don't know.

Distant I guess.

Hard to talk to you.

We're not used to
talk a lot, do we daddy?

What do you mean?

I mean...I'm a
wheelchair girl now.

And it's hard to pretend
that I'm a beautiful rock star.

Remember, daddy?

The beautiful stage
you would build for me.

You would light it with
nothing but candles.

I'll take you about
9:30h in the morning.

It's ok with you?

Great.

"As they reached
the mountain side,

a wondrous portal opened wide. "

"As if a cavern was
suddenly hollowed. "

"And the piper advanced
and the children followed. "

"And when all were
into the very last,

the door in the
mountain side shuted fast. "

"Did! say all?"

"One was lame. "

"And could not dance
the whole of the way. "

Nicole, if we can continue.

On that morning, did they come on
time when you left your parents house.

What time in the
morning was this?

About 8:30h in the morning.

Was anyone waiting
for the bus with you?

No, I was alone.

My sister Jane was sick and
just stayed home that day.

Was there anything
unusual about the driver,

Mrs. Driscoll?

Or the bus, in that
particular morning?

Like what? I mean
I don't remember a lot.

I objectfor that
question. Note that please.

Was the bus on time?

Yes.

Where did you seat in
that particular morning?

My usual place.

The first seat
at the right side.

And according to
your recollection,

it was nothing unusual
in the driver that morning.

Untill the accident? No.

Yes!

There was a brown dog that
ran across the road up there.

Dolores slowed down
so she wouldn't hit it.

And he ran into the woods.

And then Dolores drove on
into Marlowe Road as usual.

I remember that.

I'm remembering pretty clearly.

- You are?
- Yes!

Note that she said
"pretty clearly" not "clearly".

How was the weather
like at this time?

It was snowing...

Unless the reportfor the
international weather bureau...

...for the district,

on December 6 goes in to the
record. I object to that question.

I will offer that report.

Well then. Now that your
memory seems to be clearing,

can't you tell us what else
did you observed that time?

"It's dull in our
town since my playmates left. "

"I can't forget
that I'm the bereft. "

"Of all the pleasant
sights they've seen,

which the piper
also promised me... "

Nicole?

I was scared!

Why were you scared?

This is before the accident
Nicole, you understand...

...what I'm asking?

Yes, I understand.

Why were you scared?

Dolores was driving to fast.

Mrs. Driscoll
was driving too fast?

What made you
think that? Nicole?

The speedometer.

It was down hill there.

You could see
the speedometer?

Yes.

I looked...
I remember clearly now.

Seem that we're going
to fast down the hill.

And I was scared.

How fast would you say
Mrs. Driscoll was going?

To the best of your recollection.

72 miles an hour.

72 miles an hour?

- You're sure of this?
- Positive.

So you believe the bus
driven by Mrs. Driscoll...

..was traveling at 72
miles an hour at this time?

I told you I was positive.

The speedometer was large and
easy to see from were I was.

You saw the speedometer?

Yes.

Did you say
anything to Mrs. Driscoll?

No.

Why not?

Because I was scared.

And there wasn't time.

There wasn't time?

No.

Because the bus run
off the road and crashed.

You remember this?

Yes...

..I do now.

Now that I'm telling you.

Do you have any
questions Mr. Stevens?

And why I lied, he only knew.

But from my lie,
this did come true.

Those lips from
what he "drew" his tune,

were frozen
as a winter moon.

Mr. Stevens?

I have no question.

I have...

...no question.

Thank you Nicole.

You would make a
great poker player kid.

Thanks.

Let's go now dad.

I don't know what
she was doing in there...

- She's...Iying.
- Doesn't matter if she's...

...Iying or not.

The lawsuit is dead.
Everyone's lawsuit is dead.

Forget it. Tell the
others to forget it.

It's over.

Right now, Sam, the thing
you've got to worry about is:

- Why she lied?!

Now, any kid that
would do that to a father...

...it's not normal, Sam!

Do you think they would
let us keep the computer?

Well...

...It was nice meeting
you again, Mr. Stevens.

It was nice to
meeting you again, Ally!

- Allison.
- Allison.

Tell Zoe I said Hi.

I will.

I hope she gets better.

Now, you watch your step
now. Thank you very much.

What's that?

Good morning.

How you're doing?
Watch your step now.

Good morning. You need
any help with that case?

No? Ok. Thank you very much.

Good morning. Watch
your step. That's it.

Thank you very much. Mind
your step as you walk there, now.

Thank you. Can I help
you with the case, Mam?

No?
Ok, thank you very much.

As he see her...

Two years later...

I wonder if you
realized something?

I wonder ifyou understand?

That all of us...

Dolores, me...

the children who survived.

The children who didn't...

They were all citizens
of a different town now.

A place with it's
own special rules.

And it's own special laws.

A town of people
living in a sweet hereafter.

"Where waters gushed
and fruit trees grew. "

"And flowers
put forth a fairer hue. "

"And everything...
was strange and new. "

"Everything was
strange and new. "