"These are tough times." "Everybody says so." "I'll see if there's any more stewing steak." "Mike, have we got more stewing steak?" "Yes." "Vangenechten Butchers." "Hello." "Rudy?" "Yes, of course, yes." "No, lad, really not." "Yes." "Yes, okay." "No, don't worry." "Yes." "What's wrong?" " Nothing." "The meat." "This one is also for us." "We've got what we need." "One quick drink and we're off." "Just the one?" " You heard her." "Of Flesh And Blood" "When will he arrive?" " Soon." "He's on his way." "And André knows nothing?" " No." "Let's keep it that way." "Okay then, we'd better get started." "Shouldn't we talk to Luc first?" " Yes, let's do that first." "Luc, come here a moment." "You have to go to your Ma." "To Ma?" " Yes." "Why?" " She has to ask you something." "Leave this and go upstairs." "My water will get cold." " You can add more hot water later." "Why are you whispering?" "1 kilo 200." " 1 kilo 200." "And don't tell André." "He mustn't know." "And if he asks, you don't know anything." "I don't know anything." " Off you go." "Go on, off you go." "What are you doing?" " Packing mince." "I can see that." "What for?" " For our Ma." "So much?" " 1 kilo 200." "Is she making scotch eggs?" " Yes, with tomato sauce." "It's not your birthday." " I'm not to say anything." "How come?" " I can't say." "There's a party and I'm not told." "That's nice." "Ma said not to tell you anything." "Is it a party for me?" " I mustn't say anything." "Here you are, ladies: mince." "1 kilo 200 exactly, weighed by my assistant." "Ah, eggs." "That's a lot of potatoes." "You must be making mash." "Mince, eggs and potatoes..." "I wonder what we're eating this evening?" "Our Luc hasn't told him." " No, he doesn't know." "Good afternoon, everyone." "I'll lend a hand." "You're all alone, eh lass?" "I think Liliane is upstairs." " I know." "And she's very busy." "Next..." "Mrs Verspoor..." "You don't know either?" " Don't know what?" "We fancy a bit of a treat." "I'll have two chops." "Two chops..." "Luc, I'm taking Joepie for a walk." " Right." "Has he gone?" " Yes." "Then stop that and come upstairs." "But..." " Come on." "It can't be true..." "Goddamn..." "Goddamn, goddamn, goddamn, it's Rudy." "Hello, Herman." "Rudy, lad, your mother will be so pleased." "And Maria too." "Everybody." "It's been such a long time." "You're looking good." "You haven't changed." "You're looking good too." " Really?" "Thanks." "I'm feeling better." "That always shows, eh?" "Have you found work yet?" "No, these are tough times." "Everybody says so." "That bouquet must have cost you quite a bit?" "I'd better get it inside." "It needs a drink." " Yes." "And you probably do too." "But not water." "I haven't changed a bit, eh?" "Always up for a laugh." "I'm quite a guy, eh?" "It's me." "That's him." "It's getting cold." " Wait, Luc." "He's managing well." " Yes, he's been for a good run." "He's got a good life, eh?" "Joepie?" " He has, yes." "You'd better hurry inside." "I think they're waiting for you." "So you know about it too?" " You're in for a surprise." "It's me." "Looks who's here, André." "What a surprise, eh?" "Wait..." "It will be okay." "I'll be back in a moment." "Luc, wait 5 minutes." "You should eat them hot." " Wait, Luc." "Aren't you going to say anything?" "Is this a silent film?" "I don't know." " Ah, you don't know." "Then think about it." "Liliane, pour the wine." "I told you to wait!" "Ma, calm down." "Let him start." "We've been waiting so long." "We should have a toast first." "I've come back to..." "I've realised that I..." "I'd like to work in our butcher's again." " Again?" "But you've never worked here." "I'd like to work in the butchers' shop." "I know I've..." "You should have thought of that before. 10 years ago." "André..." " I know that I've..." "We haven't heard from you for 3 years." "I know that I..." "Ma?" "Ma!" "Lay her on the floor." "Get a cushion." "See to her mouth..." "Ma!" "Rudy will stay with you." " Our Ma mustn't die." "I'm coming too." "No, lad, you can't." " I want to come." "We'll stay here together, uncle." "You and me." "Hello, André." " Maurice." "Liliane." "Isn't our Luc here?" " No, we left him at home." "He was extremely upset." "How did it happen?" "We were at the table, as usual..." " Not as usual." "Our Rudy is back." " Oh, I see..." "And maybe it all got a bit emotionally overheated." "What do you expect?" "We hear nothing from him for years." "And all of a sudden, he's back." "And he wants to work in the shop." "This isn't the place to discuss it, André." "And then our Ma had an attack." "An attack?" " An epileptic fit." "But she takes pills for that." "Ma?" "It's happened." " Ma?" "Don't leave us." "Don't leave us, Ma." "We've lost her." "She's gone." "The chaplain has to come." " Why?" "For extreme unction." "There's nothing wrong." "Her condition is stable." "You needn't worry." "Stable?" " Yes." "Can't we decide what happens to our mother?" "Of course, but..." " Enough." "The chaplain has to come immediately." "He can't." "On Fridays he has dinner in the rest home." "So people can't die on Friday evenings?" "She isn't dying." "I want the chaplain here in 5 minutes." "I'll see if I can reach him." "Okay?" "Incredible." "This is a Catholic hospital." "There has to be a priest available here 24 hours a day." "Ma?" "Ma, can you hear me?" "You give her extreme unction." "You know how." "The Sacrament of Extreme Unction can only be given by a priest." "Am I a priest?" " You come pretty close." "André!" "I can't reach the chaplain, but Dr Van Cauter will be with you in a moment." "Where are you going, uncle?" " Upstairs." "The night is almost over." "Shall I make you some hot milk?" " Yes, with honey." "And a piece of gingerbread." "I'll bring it in a moment." "Extreme Unction." "Our Ma." "When did you make this?" " A while ago." "What do you mean 'a while ago'?" " That it was a while ago." "Is that so odd?" "If the king dies, his obituary is in the next day's paper." "Do you think they..." " We're not from the paper." "And our Ma isn't dead." "Not yet, but..." " Maurice." "Have you made such a booklet for me?" "Have you made such a booklet for me?" "No." " Why not?" "Stop it." "Has he made you such a booklet?" "André, please, it was meant well." "Have you made one for yourself?" "I won't do it." "I asked have you made..." " Stop it!" "Here you are, uncle." "This will do you good." "She's not coming back this evening, eh?" "No, not this evening." "That's not enough honey." "It needs more." "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." "Beloved brothers and sisters, we are gathered here to give our Ma extreme unction..." "I haven't got any holy oil." "What do you mean?" " That I haven't got any holy oil." "I could ask the kitchen for some olive oil?" "I've got some udder cream." " Udder cream?" "Yes, udder cream." "I often have dry hands." "They get all chapped and cracked." "Udder cream is the ideal answer." "You'll have to make do with this." "Through this holy unction may the Lord pardon thee whatever sins or faults thou hast committed." "Amen." "Good evening." "All family, I assume?" " Yes." "Alright?" " Yes." "It's always a bit of a shock." " A bit, yes." "Will she pull through, doctor?" " Yes, absolutely." "The question is: in what state?" "But let's not jump to conclusions." "Her condition is currently stable." " Stable?" "Yes." "We'll do some tests and decide how to proceed on the basis of the results." "What is that ointment for?" " Ointment?" "That's udder cream." "Udder cream?" " Yes, it's udder cream." "He administered to her." " Administered?" "Anointed." "Why?" " I administered extreme unction." "Ah, you're a priest?" " No, this is my husband." "He's an inspector." " Inspector?" "Of what?" "Of schools." "Primary schools." "Catholic primary schools." "But I'm on early retirement." "Sir, wanted the chaplain, but..." " He was at the rest home." "No, I'm not a priest." "Yes, I did put udder cream on Ma's forehead and it should have been holy oil." "And yes, that makes the Sacrament of Extreme Unction invalid." "Invalid." "Darling..." "You're going to go to Rudy, shake his hand, and say:" "Welcome home, lad." "You heard." "You'll shake his hand and welcome him home." "No way." "It's his fault our Ma is in hospital." "I'll pretend I didn't hear that." "And I never want to hear it again." "Is she..." "Surely she isn't..." " Her condition is stable." "She may have had a small stroke." "But they're not really sure." "Go on..." "Welcome home, lad." " Louder." "Welcome home, lad." "Your room is a mess." "You can spend tonight in Ma's room." " In our Ma's room?" "He can sleep on the couch." "I'm going to bed." "Was it okay with your uncle?" " Yes, yes, it was okay." "He was pretty much in shock, but I gave him some hot milk and he went to sleep." "But he wanted to see Grandma." "You may have to take him to the hospital tomorrow." "Not while she's hooked up to those machines." "Our Luc couldn't bear to see that." "Was it my fault, what happened to Grandma?" "No, it wasn't your fault." "We're very glad you're back." " Yes, especially dad." "You have to give him time." "He'll come round." "It was a shock for me too." "Suddenly, there you were." "Where were you all that time?" "Come here..." "Welcome home, lad." "What are you doing?" "Liliane, stop it." "What's the matter?" " I want to..." "Now?" " Yes, now." "Liliane, please, not now." "It's already been quite a day." " That's exactly why." "They often say that people who've had a strange day feel like sex." "Like after a funeral and so on." "Our Ma isn't dead, let alone buried." "I never said that." "Turn over and go to sleep." "I'm going to tell you something else that you probably won't understand:" "I'm actually very happy." "Have you been drinking?" "Our Rudy is really back." "Not just for a few days, but for good." "He's come to his senses." "A mother can feel that." "Do you really think he's come home to work in the butcher's shop?" "He's run out of money." "He'll start talking about money tomorrow." "Money, that's all you can talk about." " Mark my words." "You don't know your son?" " No?" "We'll see tomorrow." "Morning." " They might not open today." "Why not?" " Of course, you don't know." "What's happened?" " The ambulance came last night." "They took Maria to hospital, as good as dead." "There was a party for Rudy and suddenly..." "Where is Liliane?" " I haven't seen her." "Why?" "Mike?" " Yes?" "You know Rudy is back?" " No." "Our Rudy is back." " That's nice." "No, that isn't nice." "Listen, Mike." "And remember this well." "You're my guy." "Right?" "I've always been happy with your work." "So don't start thinking:" "Rudy is back, I'm finished here." "Don't think that." "You're my guy." "Right?" "Okay." "You'd better get started." "God, he's here already." "And?" " Well it's not good, eh." "I didn't sleep a wink." "I kept playing it over in my head." "Almost dead, by god." "Such a strong woman." "I saw her whole life passing by in front of me." "Here's your salami." " I won't be having any salami today." "That would just upset my stomach." "I barely slept and that always upsets my stomach." "Give me some chicken, something that's easily digested." "If you want to visit her, I can manage the shop on my own." "Our Gerda and Maurice are staying with our Ma." "Or I could do some shopping?" "Whatever you want." "Our Rudy is here now." "He can help out." "Uncle?" "Where is our Ma?" "She's in hospital." "Still?" " Yes." "They didn't bring her home." " She has to stay a little longer." "I don't like that." "I have to go to the toilet, uncle." "On your right you have the sea and on your left a view of the city, both aspects with ample sunlight." "The perfect combination." "How much is it?" " 750,000." "We'll never be able to pay for a decent apartment with just our pensions." "No, but suppose..." "Suppose that your mother..." "What?" "Don't let anybody hear that." " It's only normal, Gerda." "When somebody dies, there's an inheritance for the immediate next of kin." "I'm not saying anything illegal." "I know that, but our mother isn't yet..." "That's why I said 'suppose'." "Suppose that your mother..." "She must have piles of money, such a butcher's shop..." "They all have black money." "Black money?" "That's illegal." "So we can't inherit it officially." "No, but that money must be in a bank account, or does she have a sock under her mattress?" "You can go back in now." "You know you have an appointment tomorrow at 9, with Dr Van Cauter?" "No." " Yes, it's at 9 a.m." "Hello, Mike." "Everything okay?" "Shall I start on the orders?" "I see they're mostly for cold cuts." "Whatever you want." "Have you got permission?" " Permission?" "Does your dad know you're here?" " Yes, my dad knows I'm here." "So he knows you're in the prep room?" "So you don't have permission." "It had to be in yesterday, at the latest." " That nonsense." "It's not in order, André." "If I didn't ask..." "All that paperwork." "You need seven documents if you want to fart." "What do you want?" " Permission." "Yes, to work in the prep room." "Mike says I need your permission." "Permission?" " I didn't say that." "Don't start." "Rudy is helping." "There's work enough." "Really?" " Yes, he can deliver orders." "You can't." "You'll be doing all the paperwork, you should have done last week." "You can pop in to see our Ma." "What will people think if somebody else delivers?" "Rudy can say you gave him your permission." "He'd better be careful with the car." "There's one thing you should know about me, Luc:" "You're my guy." "Yes, I've always been very happy with you, Luc." "You work hard." "You keep everything clean." "You could eat off the floor here." "I'm very happy with you." "Really happy." "I'm happy with you too, Mike." "When I'm boss here, you needn't think:" "Mike's boss here now, a new boss means new rules, or maybe new people." "No, you're my guy." "Is André stopping being a butcher?" "That's always a possibility, eh, Luc." "Nothing much would change for you, but for me..." "And if I go for something, I go for it 100 percent." "Yes, Luc, that's just the way I am." "We could talk to André this evening..." "What?" "Some coma patients can hear." " I've not said anything wrong." "Besides, if we talk about her money, she might wake up." "What?" "You never know." "It's worth a try." "What's the problem?" "Did you make a will, Ma?" " Maurice!" "She's seriously comatose." "You should have seen his face." "Let him drive round a bit, so he doesn't bother us." "Because it's very simple, Mike." "Once our Ma's out of hospital, he can pack his bags." "Really?" " What does he expect?" "We haven't got a bedroom for him." "Add the ice now." "That's good eh?" " Perfect." "It's working again." " Well done, Luc." "Grandma?" "Grandma?" "It's me, eh." "Our Rudy." "Come on..." "Look at you lying here." "This wasn't meant to happen." "I just wanted to come home." "If I'd known this would happen..." "Over the past few years, it's mainly you and our mum..." "You know... with our dad... it simply wasn't possible anymore..." "The prodigal son." " Rudy, it's been such a long time." "Yes." "Hello, Aunt Gerda." "Uncle Maurice." "You must have imagined a different homecoming." "That's true." "And I'm sure André says it's your fault our Ma is lying here." "Is he saying that?" " We all know what he is like." "Our Ma is in a deep coma." " Yes, I know." "Oh, I heard you chatting to her." " No, no." "We've been to get a coffee from the machine in the corridor." "That's another thing:" "You have to pay for coffee here." "It's not free." "That's scandalous, eh?" "I think it's odd." "Surely it isn't odd that we discuss it?" " I don't see what there is to discuss." "Right." "But it's only normal that we should discuss a fair division." "Maybe our Ma has provided for that." " She's not your Ma." "André, you know what our Maurice means." "A fair division?" "What do you mean by that?" "I'm asking Maurice." "I told you he'd get aggressive." " Aggressive?" "Me?" "Who started it?" "Calm down." "Carry on, Gerda." "We were wondering what our Ma's financial situation is." "I'm sure it's very rosy." "She's worked hard enough for it." "Has our Ma made a will?" "I don't know." "André?" " I don't know either." "And I don't care." "All that interests me now is that our Ma recovers." "And if she recovers, she may well be paralysed." "We mustn't even think of that." "But suppose she wakes from her coma and it turns out she is paralysed?" "Yes..." " What then?" "Then we'll have a problem." "You'll have to alter the house." " That's just the start, Gerda." "Who's going to nurse her?" " She'll have to live with you." "We've got the shop." "And you've both retired." "Is our Ma going to move?" " No, our Ma will be staying here." "I want to go to our Ma." " You can't, lad." "Suppose our Ma doesn't recover." "Shut up about that." "It's as if you are just waiting for our Ma to be dead." "How dare you say that!" "No, we're not waiting for that." "The point is: when our Ma dies, everything has to be divided by three." "A third for us..." "I mean for Gerda..." "a third for our Luc and a third for you." "The shop, the butchery, the house." "Everything." "Naturally, everything." "Because everything is in our Ma's name." "But if you don't want to discuss it, that's fine by me." "I want to go to our Ma now." "We were going to discuss Ma's money calmly, but you have to go and start a row." "That's not true, Gerda." "There's no talking to him." "I said he'd get aggressive." "How did you know everything was in our Ma's name?" "Strategy." "I didn't know, I just had a hunch." "And I used that hunch to provoke a reaction." "Did you see his face, when I said everything is in our Ma's name?" "It's like he said, everything is still in our Ma's name." "Goddamnit." "We should have arranged all of this much sooner." "We?" " Yes, there's no talking to our Ma." "So that's who you get it from." "Are you going to sit there long?" "I've got cramps." "Good morning." " Good morning, Anke." "I slept a bit better last night." "Because it's constantly on your mind, eh?" "That's normal." "You sympathise." "You see it all happening." "Yesterday evening I thought:" "I'll go to bed early." "But then I saw Maurice and Gerda's car." "It's not true, I thought." "Surely it hasn't happened?" "Why are they here so late?" "That's unusual." "And then that all starts churning around in my head." "And you can't ring the bell and ask." "You don't want to be too pushy." "But it's on your mind." " Definitely." "So. 100 grams of salami." "I couldn't eat salami yesterday." " No?" "My nerves affect my stomach and then..." "I thought you were the cheerful type." " But I'm not." "That surprises you, eh, Anke?" "But I am rather special, eh?" " That's true." "Where is our Luc?" "He'll be too late to clean up properly." "André, Gerda just phoned." "We have to be at the hospital at 9." "Why?" " To see Dr Van Cauter about our Ma." "They forgot to mention it yesterday." "Impossible." "That's in half an hour." "Mike can't do all the orders on his own." "Our Rudy is here too." "And where is our Luc?" " I don't know." "Where can he be?" "Luc!" "You go, André." "I'll do this." "Can you manage?" " I'm a born manager." "If you need him, let our Rudy help you." " Rudy?" "You'll be the boss, Mike." " Ah, I see." "André, we have to go." " Okay." "At last." "This place is a maze." "Sorry, this appointment slipped my mind yesterday." "You came too?" " Of course." "That wasn't necessary." "He'll only see the children." "Couldn't you have said that before?" " We've got a business to run." "If we don't have to sell up." "The Vangenechtens?" "Only the children, please." "Eggs and bread." "Milk." "Seasoning." "Her condition is beyond the help of medication." "The only option left is an operation." "We're going to perform deep brain stimulation." "Using electrodes, we are going to stimulate the nerves that cause the epilepsy." "How is our Luc?" " Oh, I still have to phone." "And André has got the mobile." "Have you got your phone?" "Yes..." "But you can't phone here." " A quick call won't hurt." "No, Liliane, it's forbidden." "It interferes with the apparatus." "No visible injuries." "The patient is conscious, but unresponsive." "We drill two holes, here and here." "That's where we introduce the electrodes." "And they are connected to this battery." "As you can see here." "What?" "I can't hear you very well." "Are you sure he's not in his room?" "In phase 2, the wires and the battery will naturally be subcutaneous." "But before we can operate, your mother has to come out of her coma." "And is Joepie there?" "Perhaps he's taken Joepie for a walk?" "You'll be fine." "I'm afraid all we can do is wait." "I'll be right there." "I'll be back in just a moment." "So here we are..." "And?" " He was suddenly called away." "What did he say?" " They want to drill into our Ma's head." "Drill?" "Our Luc is missing!" "He's unresponsive." "Age?" " About 40." "Ma?" "Ma!" "Ma..." "What are you doing here?"