The Night Logan Woke Up

It's 6:04 a.m., Thursday, September 26th.

Great day to tune in, welcome…

VAL-DES-CHUTES, QUEBEC FALL 2019

THE NIGHT MADELEINE DIED

Did you have a bad dream?

No.

Dear New Yorker…

QUEBECER HEADED TO GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON EMBALMING

MIREILLE LAROUCHE, A LOCAL WOMAN,

WILL GIVE THE OPENING SPEECH AT THE CONFERENCE.

Mom?

Mom?

Wind gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour,

so keep an eye on that patio furniture!

We can already feel the cold front coming in.

It will mostly affect southern regions this evening

and move north overnight.

So strong winds this evening and overnight.

Heavy rain for the Matagami, Chibougamau and Manicouagan corridor,

nearly 50 millimeters…

I'd say you're up early, but with this racket…

Oh, well…

Guess you're used to it.

How's Maddy handling being back home?

We didn't really get a chance to talk about it.

I think she's happy to have her photos and things around.

But coming home to Joe Blow renovating to sell the second you croak…

But what are you gonna do, right?

Right. I gotta pick up my brother's daughter.

-Hey, Denis. -Yeah?

The boys found this earlier.

What's that?

We didn't wanna throw it out, you know.

It was buried four feet deep!

I said: "Hold up! Could belong to Denis or his brothers."

"Even his sister, who knows?"

Think Mireille might've left this behind?

Never seen this before.

-Thanks. -You got it.

-Bye! -You got it.

Marie-Soleil!

Imma to throw that goddamn stereo out the window!

Turn it down!

Oh my God! Shut up.

What's with you this morning?

Goddammit!

So, a hate crime took place outside City Hall early this morning.

Authorities believe it was an act of retaliation,

as it happened at the base of a flagpole holding the Pride flag,

which was lit on fire around 5:00 a.m.

The flag had been raised less than 24 hours ago!

-Baptism by fire, or what! -Oh, Martin!

Now for the latest in sports…

Marie-Soleil! Final warning!

Turn it off and come drink your smoothie. Uncle Denis is on his way.

New look, princess?

-Ugh! Don't call me that. -Marie-Soleil, your smoothie!

-Good morning. -Good morning!

Jesus, it's cold!

-Between that and a slap in the face… -I'll take the slap, actually.

At least it stops there. No fighting.

-Give her this, will you? -Sure.

Don't worry, Chantal. You're not alone.

Sonia's in it too with the girls.

They eat shit all day long, then hurl it back on you.

How are the girls doing?

Good. I'm getting them soon!

Around Thanksgiving.

Yeah. Over there, though, so I'll have to drive.

To Moncton? She's nuts!

Nah, I'll enjoy it, actually. I like a long drive.

Listen, Chantal, I don't know how to say this.

You're the first person I've told.

I'll tell Julien myself, but…

the doctor came by yesterday, and Maddy…

It's a matter of days.

According to the results, so…

I'm sorry, Denis.

-Yep. No more miracles! -Yeah.

-I'm helping Elliot settle in later. -What?

Yeah, first apartment.

That's today?

Yeah, they're letting him out to see his mom.

That's great!

Now, that makes me happy.

See? It's gonna be a good day. I can feel it!

Fingers crossed!

It's gonna be a good one!

-One day at a time. Hang in there. -Yep!

So, she hasn't got much left?

What?

Time, Grandma.

She hasn't got much left?

Your dad will explain everything when he gets home tonight.

Okay, sweetie?

ENJOY YOUR CLASS, BABY. YOU'LL BE BACK FOR DINNER?

YES

Borduas calls for a world centered on disalienating creativity,

the only means of liberating

men annihilated by their oppressors.

So, this notion of liberation

through unrestrained creation,

almost anarchistic, violent,

is seen in these Borduas paintings.

It's defocalized, apolitical,

"all-over composition,"

as critic Clement Greenberg would say.

Yet, we don't quite believe Borduas' disengagement.

Look here.

These parallel red lines against a pure white background.

The left line…

Yes?

Mr. Larouche?

Mr. Larouche, do you have a question or comment?

You're standing.

Have I upset you, perhaps?

No, sorry. I'm fine.

Okay.

Well, I think this barbarity…

Happy birthday, Elliot

CONGRATULATIONS

How are you feeling this morning?

Good.

Good?

Well, Michel, good…

Proud? I'm definitely proud.

EXPRESS YOURSELF!

Well…

I didn't really think…

I'd get this far.

Actually,

I don't think I've ever felt this good.

No, this feeling of pride is…

I don't know.

I haven't done anything in life.

Haven't built anything, accomplished anything.

I mean, guy's 30 and still lives with his mom,

who pays for his clothes, groceries…

So the pride I'm feeling,

it's new for me.

Elliot…

You know Marcel and I recommended to grant you leave, not discharge.

But given the circumstances,

and because your brothers need your help,

we can't keep you from your family at a time like this.

Even though a time like this

is a risk, for you.

Just like Vanessa is one, too.

No, that's over. I'm done with that, trust me.

-For real. -These are tough times ahead, Elliot.

It's only human to think about someone like her,

who understands you, doesn't judge.

But…

knowing she's missed the last two meetings.

And with Maddy's death…

Well, impending death,

it's just a lot.

You're fragile, Elliot.

You can be strong, and fragile too.

How's Julien handling all this?

It's been…

what, five, six years since he's come to a meeting.

Julien's not drinking anymore. Or using. He's clean.

It's gonna be 12 years, actually.

Yeah.

He's gone back to school.

Think it gives him something to hold onto.

How's he dealing with your mother's illness?

Julien's always been her favorite, so…

It's hitting him hard, I guess.

But Chantal's there, as always.

Keeps him calm, levels with him.

I trust her. Everyone trusts Chantal, actually.

She's kind of like the backbone of the family.

Keeps us from collapsing.

Helps us…

walk straight.

But Denis is the one who keeps us all together.

Always there fixing something, making sure everyone gets along.

Denny, big Denis.

He's always taken care of me.

We're brothers, sure, but he's the father I never had.

A father to all of us, actually.

I think my mom…

I think she's gonna be proud to see me today.

And I'm grateful for that.

I'm thankful.

Thankful, because…

if I wasn't meant to leave today, I wouldn't.

What happens happens.

And we deal with the rest.

Fucking hell!

I'm having a smoke!

The fuck's with this wind!

Nicole?

Hello?

It's you, Mimi.

Mrs. Larouche, what are you doing?

What is it?

What is it?