After.life Page #2

preparing her.

So sorry.

What's the point

of preserving the body

if the soul has already left?

No, the soul is still here.

It's we who suffer.

We who are left behind.

Who's going to take care

of me now?

Did you think about that?

I'll confirm the date

with Father Graham this afternoon:

Friday, as you requested.

Just do what you think is best.

It's just details.

Oh, there is one thing.

- Yes?

- Her hair.

She was a brunette.

I'd like it back to that color.

Of course.

Mom, you were supposed to pick

me up from school yesterday.

I waited.

Tv:
I'll take a look at the clock,

see how many seconds you have

to find the two Easter eggs.

You have 30 seconds.

You understand the problem?

And of course the usual catch

is on "Beat the Clock" is

you can't use your hands.

You have to go after these

with your teeth.

I must be in shock.

I'm just in shock.

It's okay.

Father Graham,

thanks for calling back.

Yes, I'd like to confirm

the burial service for Friday.

The deceased is Anna Taylor.

T- A-Y-L-O-R.

Yes, she's downstairs.

Hello? Hello!

Let me out!

Let me out!

May I help you?

- Eliot Deacon?

- Yes.

Paul Coleman.

Of course, the lawyer.

It's a small town.

In my line of work you get

to know everyone eventually.

I'm Anna Taylor's fianc.

That's strange. She wasn't

wearing an engagement ring.

Well, not quite fianc.

Mr. Coleman,

I am so sorry for your loss.

- I'd like to see her.

- I'm afraid

the viewing isn't

until Thursday evening.

I need to see her right now,

please, if that's possible.

I'm sorry it's not possible.

You're not family.

- Please give me five minutes.

- I do understand, Mr. Cole...

You don't understand!

You don't understand.

Paul?

- Paul, Paul!

- Paul:
It's my fault.

I'm down here.

Please,

please let me just see her.

There really is nothing I can do.

I'm so sorry.

Let me out!

Paul!

Who was that?

No one.

No one?

- It was Paul.

- I know.

I heard you talking to him.

Why wouldn't you

let him see me?

Did you love him?

That's none of your business.

You weren't gonna tell me

he was here, were you?

No.

- Why?

- Because it would only hurt you.

You have to let go of the living

just as they have to let go of you.

Anna:

I don't believe you.

Why are you doing this to me?

You're all the same.

You all blame me for your death

- as if it were my fault.

- No,

you drugged me so my mother...

Others, they just see you

as a dead body on the slab.

Only I can see you as you really are.

You're a lunatic.

You're crazy.

You're completely crazy.

I don't have time for this.

I'm a busy man.

Oh, I nearly forgot.

How tall are you?

Why?

I need to know your height

for your coffin.

Let's say 5'3" then.

Wait. No.

Mr. Coleman, I heard

about your girlfriend.

I'm sorry.

Is Tom in?

The captain just stepped out.

He won't be long.

You can wait in his office

if you want.

Um, no, thanks.

I'll just grab a drink.

Piece of sh*t.

Are you okay?

Yeah. No, I'm fine.

I'm fine.

I just found out.

I'm so sorry, man. Look,

if there's anything you need at all...

- I need to see Anna.

- What do you mean?

The funeral director said I couldn't

see her because I wasn't family.

Please talk to him, Tom.

You know, pull some strings

or show him your badge

or something.

I can't do that, Paul.

I f***ed up, man.

Are you sure you're okay?

Huh? Yeah.

I always f*** everything up.

Oh God.

I don't want to die.

Who was she?

Mrs. Whitehall.

You shouldn't be afraid of her.

The dead can't harm the dead.

But I'm not dead!

Stay where you are.

Give me the scissors.

I only want to help you.

I'll kill you.

I swear to God I will kill you.

Go ahead.

Go on.

What are you waiting for?

Look,

I'm breathing.

I'm breathing.

Maybe I was in some kind of coma

- and the doctors made a mistake...

- You died, Anna.

Everyone dies.

How can I be dead

if I'm talking to you?

You're talking

not because you're alive,

but because I have a gift.

I can talk to those

between life and death.

Why?

To help them

make the transition.

So am I a ghost?

Is that why I'm here?

You're here so I can bury you.

Come.

No, please, I don't want...

You're a corpse, Anna.

Your opinion doesn't count anymore.

But I'm breathing.

I must still be alive.

Oh, you people!

You think because you breathe,

piss, sh*t you're alive?

You clutch onto life as if

your life was worth clutching onto.

Was your life worth

clutching onto, Anna? Was it?

Maybe you died a long time ago.

I'm surprised you're

still arguing with me.

You don't have much time left.

Your funeral's in two days.

Soon you're going to be enclosed

in a coffin and buried in the ground.

No one can hear you then.

No one can speak to you there.

Are you scared?

You're not ready.

You're not ready.

...struggling,

you don't have much time left.

There's nothing.

He's right.

What have you done

with your life?

Maybe you did die

a long time ago.

Maybe you did

die a long time ago.

- I'm disappointed with you.

- Who are you?

I am you.

Maybe you are better off dead.

Paul!

Can I help you?

Then perhaps

you can help me.

Could you throw these

away for me, please?

There's no life left in them.

They belong in the garbage.

Did you know Mrs. Whitehall?

I thought this was

Ms. Taylor's funeral.

Ah, Ms. Taylor, no.

Her funeral is not until Friday.

Where is she now?

Um, she's downstairs.

Why?

Why? Because she's not ready.

Is the flower for her?

- She was my teacher.

- Aha.

- And you are?

- Jack.

Well, Jack, what did you think?

- About what?

- About Mrs. Whitehall's funeral.

You find it interesting?

It was okay, I guess.

I see.

Are all funerals the same?

No, Jack.

They're never the same.

Each one is special.

The dead always speak to us

in different ways.

What do you mean?

It was a pleasure

talking to you, Jack.

Why did you do this?

Why did you do this?!

Is this the afterlife?

Because it feels more like hell.

Paul.

Paul...

Anna?

Paul:
No.

Anna.

Anna.

No!

- What is that?

- It's your dress

- for your funeral.

- My funeral dress?

Your mother brought it

around this morning.

I'm not ready to die.

Not yet.

There's nothing

out there for you anymore.

I'll be back soon.

Oh, come on.

Sh*t!

F***.

One more key, come on.

Thank you.

Sir, your change.

Oh.

Please be there.

Please be there.

Please pick up.

Please pick up.

Oh, come on,

answer the phone.

Yeah?

I'm here. It's me.

Paul, I need you.

Hello?

Are you there?

Paul, help me.

- Paul.

- Please stop.

Oh...

I'm the only one

who can hear you now.

I'd be very careful

if I were you.

The dead have such a hold

over the living.

- What do you mean?

- He still feels your presence.

You're only causing him

more pain.

If you really loved him, you would

accept your death and let him go.

Then prove to me

that I'm really dead.

Oh, you people.

You always need proof.

Why do I

look like a corpse?

Because you are a corpse.

It's time you finally

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