[BELL TOLLING]
MY NAME IS MELINDA GORDON.
I JUST GOT MARRIED,
JUST MOVED TO A SMALL TOWN,
JUST OPENED UP AN ANTIQUES SHOP.
I MIGHT BE JUST LIKE YOU.
EXCEPT FROM THE TIME THAT I WAS A LITTLE GIRL,
I KNEW THAT I COULD TALK TO THE DEAD.
Grandmother: IT'S ALL RIGHT, HONEY.
EARTHBOUND SPIRITS, MY GRANDMOTHER CALLED THEM,
THE ONES WHO HAVE NOT CROSSED OVER YET
BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH THE LIVING,
AND THEY COME TO ME FOR HELP.
TO TELL YOU MY STORY, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THEIRS.
[GASPS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
GUYS.
GIVE US A HAND.
1...2...3. 1...2...3. GO.
OK. BOBBY, I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
[SIREN]
EN ROUTE WITH A 25- TO 30-YEAR-OLD MALE,
JOHN DOE, VICTIM OF A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT.
ARRIVED ON SCENE AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING.
OBVIOUS RIGHT FEMUR FRACTURE.
NO DEFORMITIES. PUNCTURE FROM THE BROKEN BONE.
DISTINGUISHING MARKS-- TATTOOED FROM HEAD TO TOE.
BOBBY, WHAT'S OUR E.T.A.? WE'RE 15 OUT.
E.T.A. 15 MINUTES.
[SIREN]
BOBBY--
Woman: 911 OPERATOR.
MY NAME IS BRAD PAULSON. I'M ON FOREST ROAD,
ABOUT 2 MILES NORTH OF STONEYBROOK.
I JUST WITNESSED AN ACCIDENT.
JIMMY?
Operator: ARE YOU INJURED? NO, NO.
THERE'S AN AMBULANCE UPSIDE-DOWN IN A DITCH.
I DON'T KNOW HOW BAD ANYBODY'S HURT.
STAY PUT. WE'LL SEND YOU HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
COME ON, JIM!
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
Melinda: HELLO?
Woman: MELINDA GORDON, PLEASE.
YES?
THIS IS MERCY HOSPITAL.
YOUR HUSBAND'S BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT
AND WE NEED YOU TO COME DOWN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE WE'RE LOCATED?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
HONEY? CINNAMON.
OH!
OH, WOW.
I'M SORRY. [LAUGHS]
WOULD YOU HOLD?
OH. SORRY.
SORRY.
MORE?
[HORN BLARES]
MELINDA. BOBBY.
JIM'S OK.
HE'S GONNA BE OK.
OH. I WAS SO AFRAID. I THOUGHT--
I KNOW. I KNOW. HE'S OK.
HE'S GONNA BE FINE. HE'S GONNA BE JUST FINE.
WAIT A MINUTE. CAN YOU SEE ME?
I NEED YOUR HELP.
PLEASE. MY HUSBAND NEEDS YOUR HELP.
IS YOUR PARTNER GONNA BE OK?
YES. HE'LL BE FINE. THIS IS JIM'S CLANCY'S WIFE, MELINDA.
THIS IS BRAD PAULSON. HE CAME ACROSS THE ACCIDENT, CALLED 911, THANK GOD.
THANK YOU. NO PROBLEM.
OK, SEE? MY HUSBAND HELPED YOURS.
NOW YOU HAVE TO HELP HIM.
PLEASE.
I'M DESPERATE.
CAN YOU SEE US?
I WAS DRIVING.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
WE HAD A BLOWOUT.
I COULDN'T HOLD IT.
HEY!
WE WERE TRANSPORTING.
PATIENT DIDN'T MAKE IT.
OH, MY GOD. DOES JIM KNOW?
NO. GUY HAD A BROKEN LEG,
RUPTURED FEMORAL ARTERY.
DOC SAYS HE MIGHT'VE DIED ANYWAY.
HELLO! I NEED YOUR HELP!
I NEED TO BE WITH MY HUSBAND RIGHT NOW.
HEY, NO PROBLEM.
IF IT WASN'T FOR MINE, YOU MAY NOT HAVE A HUSBAND RIGHT NOW.
TELL JIM I'M SORRY.
OH, AM I DEAD?
NO.
HMM. YOU NEVER KNOW WITH YOU.
BOBBY?
HE WALKED AWAY WITHOUT A SCRATCH.
WH--THE PATIENT?
JIM...
LOOK...HEY...
NO. NO?
SORRY.
[TOILET FLUSHES]
NOBODY CAN SEE ME EXCEPT YOU.
WHY?
UH, IT'S A GIFT I HAVE.
CAN I JUST TELL YOU, YOU'RE A LITTLE PUSHY.
IF YOU WERE IN MY POSITION, YOU WOULD BE, TOO,
DON'T YOU THINK?
SORRY.
IT'S BEEN A LONG NIGHT. WHO ARE YOU?
MY NAME IS HOPE. PAULSON.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DEAD?
SINCE JULY 4th.
THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS GONNA BE FINE.
THEY TOLD ME I HAD AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I WAS PREGNANT.
I'M ONLY 26 YEARS OLD.
THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN TO ME.
NOT NOW.
I WAS GONNA BE A MOMMY. HOW IS THAT FAIR?
IT ISN'T.
SOMETIMES...
IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS AFTER PEOPLE HAVE PASSED AWAY,
I HELP THEM CROSS OVER.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?
YES.
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? NO.
NO, UM...
MY HUSBAND HASN'T BEEN THE SAME SINCE I...
HE BLAMES HIMSELF FOR WHAT HAPPENED.
THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO HELP HIM.
HAVE YOU BEEN WITH HIM SINCE...
YES. HE HASN'T BEEN SLEEPING OR ALL HE DOES IS SLEEP.
HE DOESN'T SEE HIS FRIENDS OR HIS PARENTS OR MINE.
HE HASN'T READ A BOOK OR GONE CAMPING.
SEE, I KNOW HIM. HE'S A WALLOWER.
HE COULD WALLOW IN THIS FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
AND I DON'T WANT THAT.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE HIM SEE THAT.
PLEASE.
I'LL TRY.
[AUSTRALIAN ACCENT] OH, HEY, WHOA. WHOA. I'M SORRY, LOVE.
THAT'S OK. I GOTTA GO. CALL YOU BACK.
I DIDN'T HURT YOU, DID I?
NO BUMPS? NO BRUISES?
I'M FINE, REALLY.
'CAUSE I WOULD HATE TO HAVE TO BUY YOU LUNCH.
OOH, YOU'RE TOO LATE. OH.
LOVE THE ACCENT, THOUGH.
GOOD LUCK IN THERE. SHE DRIVES A HARD BARGAIN.
MORNING.
HEY!
HOW'S JIM?
COMING HOME TODAY.
SEXY, SENSITIVE, AND INDESTRUCTIBLE.
I'VE GOTTA GET ME A MAN LIKE THAT.
OH, I THINK YOU JUST DID. TALL, AUSTRALIAN, HOT.
OH, YEAH, MATE.
THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS 14-KARAT YELLOW GOLD
OYSTER PERPETUAL WITH MATTE DIAL,
LUMINOUS MERCEDES HANDS,
CENTER SECOND SWEEP, AND SCREW-DOWN CROWN.
OOH. SCREW-DOWN CROWN, MY FAVORITE PART.
GUESS HOW MUCH I PAID FOR IT.
CAN I SEE IT?
$1,100.
AND HE WAS HAPPY TO GET IT.
OH. I THINK THAT'S WORTH A LITTLE SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE,
DON'T YOU? HMM...
WHAT? HMM...
WHAT?
IT'S A FAKE.
NO...NO. NO WAY!
VIETNAMESE, PROBABLY.
IF IT WAS REAL, YOU'D SEE THE MODEL NUMBER. SORRY.
OHH! GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE A GUY THAT CUTE IS A CROOK!
OH, AND I BET HIS STUPID ACCENT WAS FAKE, TOO.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE WATCH WAS FAKE.
I HAVE A FEELING HE'LL BE BACK.
OK. AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT?
HE FOUND A SUCKER HE COULD SELL TO.
AH, A SUCKER, HUH?
WHEN HE COMES BACK, WE'LL TELL HIM WE WANT OUR MONEY
OR WE CALL THE COPS.
GEE, THANK YOU.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD SAMARITAN.
OH, I...I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. ANYBODY WOULD'VE.
NO. NOT ANYBODY.
THANK YOU.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?
7 MONTHS.
3 YEARS NEXT MARCH FOR ME.
MY WIFE HOPE, SHE DIED LAST SUMMER.
SO...I KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GOING THROUGH LAST NIGHT.
YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?
I MEAN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO. JUST...
SOMETIMES IT HELPS.
IT WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY AND WE WERE AT A BARBECUE.
WE WERE HAVING A FIGHT.
I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER ABOUT WHAT.
SOMETHING STUPID.
SHE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING A STOMACHACHE.
SHE WANTED TO GO HOME.
I WAS HAVING TOO MUCH FUN TO GO HOME.
I THOUGHT, SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE HERE, SO SHE'S MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR ME.
TYPICAL, HUH?
SO WE STAYED.
PLAYED SOFTBALL LIKE WE DID EVERY YEAR.
SHE JUST FELL OVER.
I THOUGHT SHE WAS MESSING WITH ME, YOU KNOW?
SHE WASN'T.
SHE WAS REALLY HURTING.
SOMEONE SAID TO CALL 911.
SO WE DID.
SHE WAS REALLY HURTING.
WHEN WE GOT TO THE HOSPITAL, SHE WAS IN SHOCK.
THEN THEY TOLD US... SHE WAS PREGNANT.
AND I THOUGHT, THIS WILL BE A GOOD STORY TO TELL THE KID.
THERE'LL BE NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER. HMM?
THE DOCTOR TOLD US THE FALLOPIAN TUBE HAD RUPTURED.
SHE WAS HEMORRHAGING.
THAT'S WHY SHE HAD THE STOMACHACHE.
THEY WERE GONNA HAVE TO DO SURGERY.
AFTERWARDS, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE.
THE DOCTOR SAID EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY.
Doctor: SHE'LL BE FINE. JUST A LITTLE LOSS OF...
SO I SAT WITH HER FOR A LITTLE BIT.
SHE WAS STILL SO OUT OF IT...
SO I THOUGHT IT'D BE OK TO GO HOME...
TAKE A SHOWER AND CHANGE MY CLOTHES.
AND THAT'S WHEN I GOT THE CALL.
THERE WAS A NURSE THERE WHEN I GOT BACK.
HE HAD BEEN IN THE SURGERY WITH HER.
HE WAS CRYING.
WHEN I SAW THAT, I KNEW.
I JUST DIDN'T EXPECT THAT.
BUT IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT.
IT WAS MY FAULT.
I JUST LEFT HER THERE.
AND NOW SHE'S DEAD.
[SOBS]
[SIREN]
UH, I'M LOOKING FOR MY HUSBAND JIM CLANCY?
CAT SCAN. ROOM 133.
THANK YOU.
[GASPS] OH.
DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT?
SORRY. HAVE YOU TALKED TO BRAD?
YES. AND?
YOU TWO REALLY LOVED EACH OTHER, DIDN'T YOU?
YEAH. YES, VERY MUCH.
DID HE TELL YOU WE MET IN HIGH SCHOOL? NO.
DETENTION. I GOT CAUGHT...
YEAH. THERE ARE A LOT OF US HERE.
HOW'S JIM?
FINE.
YEAH. I GET TO TAKE HIM HOME TODAY.
OH, I'M SORRY. I'M A CRIER.
I CRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT, JUST LIKE MY MOTHER.
I LIED TO YOU BEFORE.
WHEN I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PREGNANT.
I DID.
I JUST HADN'T TOLD BRAD.
I KNEW THE MOMENT WE CONCEIVED HER.
AND I JUST KNEW IT WAS A GIRL.
HE WANTED A GIRL.
I HAD SUCH BIG PLANS.
WE HAD SO MANY PLANS.
WHERE WERE YOU?
OH, I, UH--
I KNOW. I FIGURED THE HOSPITAL...
YOU MUST BE IN HOG HEAVEN.
YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE.
WHO IS IT THIS TIME?
A YOUNG WOMAN ABOUT MY AGE.
OH, YEAH? WHAT'S HER DEAL?
HER DEAL I'D SAY IS SHE WILL NEVER GET TO ENJOY WITH HER HUSBAND
ALL THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU
AND WILL NEVER EVER TAKE FOR GRANTED.
GOOD ANSWER.
HEY...
I'M HAPPY THAT IT'S NOT YOU I'M HELPING.
ME, TOO.
OK, LET ME GET THE DOOR. I'M SORRY.
OH. [LAUGHS]
I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY. I CAN'T TIP YOU.
YEAH, RIGHT.
DON'T GET USED TO IT.
HEY. JIM GET HOME OK?
SAFE AND SOUND.
AND WHY AREN'T YOU THERE WITH HIM?
AS SOON AS I FINISH THIS, I'M GOING BACK AND MAKING HIM DINNER.
HE LIKES THIS SPECIAL PARMESAN YOU CAN ONLY GET AT BIANCHI'S.
WHAT?
WELL, WELL, WELL.
SPEAKING OF FOREIGN CHEESE.
ALL RIGHT. WAIT.
WAIT. LET ME DO IT.
WHAT, YOU THINK I CAN'T HANDLE IT?
I JUST THINK MAYBE WE SHOULD KEEP THE EMOTION OUT OF IT.
FINE.
HI.
OH, IT'S YOU.
CAN I HELP YOU? SO HOW LUCKY AM I?
YEAH. I DON'T GET OUT MUCH.
PITY. ISN'T IT?
LOOK, I WAS WONDERING IF I MIGHT INTEREST YOU IN SOMETHING.
ANTIQUE, ART DECO PLATINUM,
EUROPEAN-CUT DIAMOND AND PEARL NECKLACE.
MAY I?
ELEGANT, LUSTROUS SPHERES...
STRUNG BETWEEN DIAMOND CLUSTERS
WITH A PERFECTLY FORMED TEARDROP PEARL
JUST HANGING FROM THE STRAND.
IT'S LOVELY.
NOW, I CAN LET IT GO FOR, SAY, 2,800.
SUPPOSE I SELL YOU SOMETHING...
FOR, LET'S SAY, $1,100 AND NOBODY BUT YOU AND I KNOW THE TRUTH?
WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING, I SOLD YOU A BAD WATCH?
OH, I'M NOT SAYING IT'S BAD,
I MEAN, IT KEEPS VERY GOOD TIME FOR A FAKE.
SO YOU SAY. SO I SAY.
NOW, HOW DO I KNOW YOU DIDN'T REPLACE MY WATCH
WITH THAT PIECE OF JUNK?
HOW DO I KNOW YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO HIJACK ME?
THIS IS A SMALL TOWN, YOU KNOW.
WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CASTING ASPERSIONS?
AND HOW'D THAT GO DOWN?
MM-HMM.
IT'S BETTER WITH CHEESE.
I GOT THE KIND YOU LIKE FROM BIANCHI'S.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATE?
OR DO YOU BELIEVE WE'VE GOT SOME KIND OF CONTROL OVER OUR DESTINY?
IS THAT A TRICK QUESTION?
NOPE. SERIOUS.
OK, I GUESS I'D SAY I BELIEVE IN FREE WILL.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
I DON'T HAVE TO LOVE YOU. I WANT TO.
I CHOOSE TO, AND HOWEVER THAT AFFECTS MY DESTINY,
OR WHATEVER GOD, OR THE GODS HAVE IN STORE FOR ME,
SO BE IT.
WHAT ABOUT, UM, ACCIDENTS?
HEY, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?
I SHOULD'VE CHECKED THE TIRES ON THE RIG.
YES. TODAY YOU KNOW THAT.
I KNEW IT YESTERDAY.
IT'S WHAT I DO BEFORE EVERY SHIFT, YOU KNOW.
I CHECK THE MEDS, I CHECK THE SUPPLIES,
I CHECK THE GAS, THE OIL...
I CHECK THE TIRES, BUT I DIDN'T YESTERDAY
BECAUSE I WAS LATE FOR WORK.
BECAUSE I MADE YOU LATE, YOU MEAN.
NO, NO. I DIDN'T MEAN THAT.
I DIDN'T MEAN THAT AT ALL.
I LOVE THAT YOU, UH...
WANTED TO MAKE ME FRENCH TOAST
FOR BREAKFAST.
I LOVE THAT YOU WANTED TO DO THAT...
FOR ME.
JIM, IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.
IT COST SOMEONE HIS LIFE.
YES, IT DID. YOU DIDN'T.
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. THEY'RE A NECESSARY PART OF LIFE.
SO THIS HAPPENED TO ME FOR A REASON.
NOW A PERSON IS DEAD.
WHAT KIND OF REASON IS THAT?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN FOR 2 HOURS.
YEAH, I KNOW.
BUT I SHOULD GET THERE.
2 HOURS EARLY?
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?
HOPE PAULSON. RELATED TO BRAD?
HIS WIFE.
AW, MAN.
HE SAVED ME.
YOU SAVE HER.
NO. SHE'S ALREADY DEAD.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN CALL WHAT I'M DOING SAVING HER.
IT'S WEIRD HOW THINGS WORK SOMETIMES.
TRUE.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
BRAD MENTIONED A NURSE.
HIS NAME IS DERRIK LEE. HE WAS THERE DURING HOPE'S SURGERY.
AND IF I CAN GET HIM TO TELL BRAD EXACTLY WHY HIS WIFE DIED,
SPECIFICALLY THAT HE'S NOT RESPONSIBLE,
THEN MAYBE I CAN HELP GET HIM SOME CLOSURE.
HMM.
WHAT?
YOU REALIZE THIS ALL STARTED WITH YOU...
MAKING ME FRENCH TOAST?
YEAH. TRACK IT. IT LED TO THE ACCIDENT, WHICH LED TO BRAD,
WHICH LED TO THE HOSPITAL, WHICH LED TO HOPE.
I MEAN, ARE WE THE PUPPET MASTERS...
OR ARE WE JUST THE PUPPETS?
YOU KNOW, I LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO,
NEVER QUESTION THE COSMIC LAW OF FRENCH TOAST.
GOTTA GO. ALL RIGHT.
THE WHAT?
Hope: HE DOES THIS EVERY DAY,
HAMMERS THE SIGN INTO THE GROUND,
PULLS IT UP BEFORE HE GOES TO WORK.
HI. HI.
WANT TO BUY A HOUSE?
GOT ONE, THANKS. YOU MOVING?
YEAH. I HATE THIS HOUSE.
IT'S NICE. IT'S NICE.
THAT'S WHAT SHE USED TO SAY.
CAN I ASK YOU SOMETHING,
ABOUT HOPE'S SURGERY?
PUT ME IN A GOOD MOOD.
I KNOW IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS.
IT'S JUST YOU WERE SO HELPFUL TO JIM AND ME,
AND I'D LIKE TO RETURN THE FAVOR.
YOU WANT TO SET ME UP WITH SOMEONE.
NO. GOOD.
I HAVE THIS ABILITY TO HELP PEOPLE DURING EMOTIONAL CRISES.
I'M NOT A SHRINK OR ANYTHING OR A KOOK.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO DO,
AND I WOULD LOVE TO-- YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DON'T NEED ANY HELP.
I DON'T DESERVE ANY HELP.
BRAD, WAIT.
YOU KNOW HOW MANY HOUSES I'VE SOLD SINCE MY WIFE DIED?
EXACTLY NONE.
I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR YOU TO MAYBE
TALK TO SOMEONE WHO WAS ACTUALLY THERE WHEN HOPE DIED.
WHAT'S THE POINT?
BECAUSE I THINK WHAT'S CAUSING YOU SO MUCH PAIN
IS THE GUILT YOU'RE FEELING BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T THERE.
I ALREADY TALKED TO THE SURGEON
AND THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR.
I EVEN HIRED A LAWYER WHO CHARGED ME 5,500 BUCKS
TO TELL ME THAT WHATEVER WE ACCOMPLISHED WOULDN'T BRING MY WIFE BACK.
SO, YOU JUST WANT TO BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE
WHO TELLS ME TO GET ON WITH MY LIFE. WELL, FINE.
HOW ABOUT YOU GET ON WITH MY LIFE?
I'LL TAKE YOURS ANY DAY.
THERE. THAT'S DERRIK LEE.
MAY I?
MM, PLEASE.
THANKS. MELINDA GORDON.
DERRIK LEE.
I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU AROUND.
WHAT DEPARTMENT DO YOU WORK IN?
OH, I'M NOT WITH THE HOSPITAL.
OH.
I, UM... HOW SHOULD I SAY THIS?
I REPRESENT A FORMER PATIENT OF YOURS.
FORMER AS IN DISCHARGED?
FORMER AS IN DEARLY DEPARTED.
HOPE PAULSON.
YOU WERE HER SURGICAL NURSE, RIGHT?
ARE YOU HER LAWYER?
NO, NO, NO. UM, I'M HER ADVOCATE.
ACTUALLY, I'M HERE ABOUT HER HUSBAND BRAD.
I THINK YOU MET HIM. I HAVE A FAVOR TO ASK.
I'M SORRY, BUT I CAN'T HELP YOU.
OH, UH, MR. LEE.
MR. LEE?
MR. LEE, PLEASE.
DERRIK, HOW ARE YOU?
I'M GOOD, DOCTOR.
THAT'S THE DOCTOR WHO OPERATED ON ME.
HI, I'M MELINDA GORDON.
OH, HOW YOU DOING? I'M DR. DEVINE.
YOU KNOW, DERRIK WAS JUST TELLING ME WHAT A WONDERFUL SURGEON YOU ARE.
REALLY? WELL, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT HIS HELP,
I'D PROBABLY BE BAGGING GROCERIES DOWN AT THE SUPERMARKET.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN THEY PUT OLD CODGERS LIKE ME OUT TO PASTURE.
I DOUBT THAT VERY MUCH, DOCTOR.
HOPE TO SEE SOON AGAIN THERE, MS. GORDON.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
[SIGHS]
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
YOUR HELP. REALLY, THAT'S ALL.
BRAD PAULSON HASN'T BEEN DOING SO WELL SINCE HIS WIFE'S DEATH.
HE BLAMES HIMSELF. YOU WERE THERE.
I THOUGHT MAYBE YOU COULD JUST TALK TO HIM.
IT WON'T DO ANY GOOD.
WHY NOT? IT'S NOT LIKE I'M ASKING YOU TO--
HEY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.
I AM ASKING YOU TO HAVE A LITTLE EMPATHY
FOR SOMEONE WHOSE WIFE DIED, IN YOUR CARE.
OK.
OK, YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
I'LL BE IN THE HOSPITAL ARCHIVES AFTER MY SHIFT, 4:00.
I'LL SHOW YOU.
LONG TIME NO SEE.
YOU STALKING ME, SWEETHEART?
HARDLY.
IT'S A SMALL TOWN.
PERHAPS WE'RE JUST FATED TO MEET AGAIN.
HMM.
ALLOW ME.
7 BUCKS.
FATE IS CHEAP.
YOU'RE QUITE FUNNY.
YOU'RE EASY.
HAVE DINNER WITH ME.
I SAID YOU WERE EASY.
WHY NOT? ARE YOU MARRIED?
NO.
BOYFRIEND?
NOT AT PRESENT.
I'LL LET YOU CHOOSE THE RESTAURANT, THEN.
COME ON. I'M NOT THE BAD GUY
YOUR PARTNER THINKS I AM.
I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.
OK, THEN. LOVELY.
HELLO?
[CREAKING]
AAH!
WAIT A MINUTE. WHOA. ARE YOU CRAZY?
I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO SCARE YOU.
WELL, I JUST ABOUT HAD A HEART ATTACK.
OK, WELL, YOU WEREN'T IN THE ARCHIVES,
SO I CAME LOOKING FOR YOU.
I GOT LOST, OK?
YOU KNOW, THEY, UH, SAY THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED.
I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU. THEY'RE RIGHT.
NOW LET'S GO.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M GOING.
WHAT'S THIS?
YOU'LL SEE.
Doctor, on videotape: SUCTION. SUCTION.
DOCTOR, THE BACK OF THE TUBE...
DR. DEVINE CLOSED WITHOUT SUTURING UP THE BACKSIDE OF THE FALLOPIAN TUBE.
THAT'S WHAT I THINK KILLED HOPE PAULSON.
WHAT? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
EGO, INCOMPETENCE.
AN ACCIDENT.
THINGS HAPPEN.
BUT IF YOU'VE GOT IT ON TAPE,
WHY HASN'T ANYBODY DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
BECAUSE DR. DEVINE HAS BEEN HERE FOR 30 YEARS.
HE'S RESPECTED AND BELOVED,
SO HE'S DAMN NEAR UNTOUCHABLE.
SO NOBODY DID ANYTHING? YOU DIDN'T?
I TRIED. OK?
I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE REVIEW BOARD.
IT WAS INVESTIGATED AND DISMISSED.
IT'S MY WORD AGAINST HIS, AND NOBODY'S GONNA TAKE MY WORD.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.
LOOK, MELINDA, I'M SORRY, BUT...
THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.
CAN I KEEP THIS?
YEAH, WHY NOT?
THIS CASE IS DEAD AND BURIED.
SO, HOW DID A NICE GIRL LIKE YOU END UP IN A SMALL TOWN LIKE THIS?
SHOULDN'T YOU BE OFF RUNNING THE WORLD SOMEWHERE?
[CHUCKLES] ACTUALLY, I ALREADY DID.
I WAS AN ASSISTANT D.A. IN NEW YORK.
FRAUD CASES, MOSTLY.
TOUGH GUYS.
YOU SOLD ME A COUNTERFEIT WATCH, DIDN'T YOU, ANTHONY?
HI. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR THE SPECIALS?
HOLD ON, JUNIOR.
YOU'RE GONNA DO THE RIGHT THING HERE, ANTHONY,
STARTING WITH PAYING ME BACK.
AND IF YOU DON'T,
I'M GONNA MAKE IT MY SINGULAR AMBITION TO PUT YOUR ASS IN JAIL.
I CAN JUST COME BACK. THAT'S NO PROBLEM.
DON'T BOTHER.
YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.
THANKS.
UH, JUST THE CHECK, THEN?
OK. SURE.
Woman: I LOVE YOU.
BYE-BYE.
DRIVE CAREFULLY.
SEE YOU TONIGHT.
COME IN.
MRS. DEVINE?
YES.
HI. I'M MELINDA GORDON.
YES?
I WAS JUST WONDERING IF I COULD TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND.
MY HUSBAND HAS AN ILLNESS.
EARLY-ONSET DEMENTIA.
I WAS IN DENIAL FOR YEARS.
ON ANY GIVEN DAY, HE STILL IS.
HE'S THIS BAD?
NOT YET.
BUT HE WILL BE.
I MADE THOSE CARDS FOR HIM.
IT'LL HELP IN THE HOUSE.
BUT I CAN'T PROTECT HIM OUT THERE.
AT WORK, FOR EXAMPLE.
IT MUST BE SO DEVASTATING TO SEE YOUR HUSBAND GOING THROUGH THIS.
I'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR SOMEBODY TO HELP ME HELP HIM.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU CAME FROM,
BUT YOU ARE A BLESSING.
I THINK MY HUSBAND MIGHT SAY IT'S FATE.
FATE OR NOT, MINE WON'T GO GENTLY.
NO.
BUT YOU'LL BE RIGHT THERE TO HOLD HIS HAND.
YES, I WILL.
DR. DEVINE'S LOSING HIS MIND?
LOSING HIS MIND WOULD BE A BLESSING.
IT'S DETERIORATING SLOWLY.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THEM AND ARE ABLE TO HIDE IT
UNTIL THEY CAN'T, AND THEN...
SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET HURT.
YOU MEAN LIKE ME.
YES, LIKE YOU.
BECAUSE OF HIS ILLNESS,
DR. DEVINE FORGOT TO PROPERLY SUTURE YOUR FALLOPIAN TUBE,
SOMETHING HE'S DONE A THOUSAND TIMES.
HE MADE A MISTAKE?
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME?
I'M SORRY.
AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL GOOD
THAT MY WIFE WAS THE VICTIM
OF A DOCTOR'S STUPID MISTAKE?
NO. BUT IF YOU'LL ALLOW YOURSELF, MAYBE RELIEVED.
AT LEAST NOW YOU KNOW THAT YOU WEREN'T TO BLAME.
BRAD, IF YOU COULD TALK TO HOPE RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
I CAN'T, SO WHAT'S THE POINT?
WHY CAN'T YOU?
SHE'S DEAD.
CAN YOU TALK TO THE DEAD?
HE ALWAYS WAS A KNOW-IT-ALL.
BRAD, IF YOU COULD SAY ANYTHING AT ALL,
ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I'D SAY...
GOOD-BYE.
BRAD, YOU SHOULD READ HER NOTE. I FOUND IT IN HER CHART.
I CAN'T.
YOU READ IT.
"BRAD...
"I KNOW YOU FEEL LIKE THIS IS YOUR FAULT,
"BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I DON'T BLAME YOU.
"YOU'VE ALWAYS TAKEN BETTER CARE OF ME THAN I HAVE MYSELF,
FROM THE DAY I FIRST LAID EYES ON YOU..."
Hope: ...LAID EYES ON YOU IN DETENTION.
AND THAT HASN'T CHANGED TODAY.
I NEVER FELT MORE IN LOVE WITH YOU
THAN WHEN I WATCHED YOU ALL WORRIED AND SWEATY AND CAREWORN,
RUNNING BESIDE THE GURNEY WHEN THEY WHEELED ME IN HERE.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE...
DON'T WALLOW.
OH, AND IF I'M NOT AWAKE WHEN YOU GET BACK...
DON'T FORGET TO FEED DAISY AND WALK HER.
SEE YOU TOMORROW.
I LOVE YOU.
"HOPE."
WELL...
I GUESS WE'RE EVEN.
THANK YOU.
OH. HEH.
CAN I HELP YOU? UM, DO YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT?
NO. NO, BUT I'D LIKE TO HELP YOU IF YOU'LL LET ME.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I DON'T, UH...
I KNOW ABOUT YOUR CONDITION.
WHAT CONDITION?
I TALKED TO YOUR WIFE.
MARGARET? YES.
I'VE BEEN TO YOUR HOUSE. I'VE SEEN THE CARDS.
SHE TOLD ME EVERYTHING.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU. SHE WOULD NEVER...
YOUR WIFE HAS BEEN DEAD FOR 2 YEARS.
MARGARET?
FOR GOD'S SAKE.
YOU HAVE TO STOP PRACTICING MEDICINE, MATTHEW.
THAT'S WHY I STAYED.
THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I STAYED, TO HELP YOU DO THAT.
SHE SAYS YOU HAVE TO STOP PRACTICING MEDICINE.
SHE STAYED TO HELP YOU.
YOU HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL CAREER.
YOU'VE ACHIEVED EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO.
IT'S TIME TO LET GO.
I'M CALLING SECURITY.
WAIT. WAIT.
THERE WAS A PROVERB HE USED TO QUOTE. HE'LL REMEMBER.
SHE SAYS THAT YOU USED TO QUOTE A PROVERB.
"WHO IS THIS SKILLED PHYSICIAN BUT HE WHO PREVENTS ILLNESS?"
SHE SAYS, "WHO IS THIS SKILLED PHYSICIAN...
BUT HE"--
IT'S, "HE... WHO CAN PREVENT...
ILLNESS." YES.
YOU'RE NOT THAT MAN ANYMORE, MY LOVE.
I THINK YOU KNOW THAT.
BUT HOW?
HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY HAVE KNOWN?
SHE SAYS IT BREAKS HER HEART,
BUT YOU'RE NOT THAT DOCTOR ANYMORE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO ON PRETENDING.
SHE'S GIVING YOU PERMISSION NOT TO.
HEY, GUESS WHAT MIRACLE HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE OUT.
CAN'T IMAGINE.
THE WATCH GUY SHOWED UP.
APPARENTLY, HE JUST COULDN'T LIVE WITH HIMSELF
KNOWING HE'D RIPPED US OFF.
HUH...
I GUESS THE GLASS REALLY IS HALF FULL TODAY.
THANKS, BOBBY.
Bobby: HEY, NO PROBLEM.
THAT WAS BOBBY.
YOU TOLD HIM NO SOFTBALL TONIGHT, RIGHT?
MM. THE POLICE I.D.'d MY JOHN DOE.
TURNS OUT HE WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON LAST WEEK IN OHIO.
7 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER.
GOD.
TOLD HIS CELLMATE THAT WHEN HE GOT OUT
HE WAS GONNA FIND HIS OLD LADY AND "FIX HER FOR GOOD."
HE WAS 2 MILES FROM HER HOUSE WHEN HE CRASHED THE MOTORCYCLE.
SO...IF I HADN'T PICKED HIM UP
OR IF HE'D RECOVERED...
HE MIGHT HAVE COME BACK AND KILLED HIS WIFE.
WELL...
ONCE AGAIN, COSMIC LAW OF FRENCH TOAST.
[SIGHS]
[LAUGHING]
COME IN.
OH, YOU.