May These Be The Worst of Our Days

In a letter to Alt in 1975, Michel wrote, 

“I am nothing; everything about me is vanity. 

What should I do? 

I have to improve. 

You pray for me” 

“I want to suffer for other people... but this is so cruel”.

Michel began talking increasingly about 

“dying to atone for the wayward youth of the day and the apostate priests of the modern church”, 

and she refused to eat towards the end.

STEP-MOTHER :

A lot of people would say praying is just talking to yourself in the dark.

FATHER :

I guess it could look like that, but, no, it's more just about connecting with yourself at the end of each day.

It takes a bit of effort, but --

SISTER :

Yes, yes, I completely agree.

Positive energy takes work.

In the last six months, I've excelled.

I take all the negative emotions and just bottle them and bury them and they never come out.

FATHER :

I'm not sure --

SISTER :

I've basically never been better.

Us neither.

I feel fantastic!

FATHER :

You're a very positive family, I must say.

SISTER :

Oh, absolutely.

I think it's all about positivity.

It takes real commitment to be this happy.

It's not just about eating and drinking well, either.

Putting pine nuts on your salad doesn't make you a grown-up.

BEATRICE :

Fucking does.

SISTER :

It's about --

Well, in Finland, we, um --

They have this saying, which I can't quite remember now --

It's, um — It's about opening yourself up to the people who want to love you.

GOBLIN :

And she is wide open lately.

FATHER :

What do you do?

SISTER :

Oh, I work in finance.

DAD :

What?

What?

SISTER :

Across two firms, one in Finland and one here.

STEP-MOTHER :

No, no, she's a lawyer.

I thought you were a lawyer?

SISTER :

No.

What? I work with lawyers, I'm not a lawyer.

DAD :

Darling, you are a solicitor.

SISTER :

I went to business school.

You're being so quiet! Why aren't you saying anything?

What do you want me to say?

SISTER :

Anything! What's that in your hand?

DAD :

She doesn't need to --

FLEABAG :

Birthday present from Dad.

STEP-MOTHER :

It's a good thing, Claire.

GOBLIN :

Chunk of change?

DAD :

No, it's, er --

SISTER :

What is it?

Don't know.

DAD :

You don't need to --

FATHER :

I love presents, I never get presents.

DAD :

Well, it's because you might --

FLEABAG :

It's a voucher - for a counselling session.

Thanks, Dad.

FATHER :

So thoughtful! 

I'd kill for one of those!

SISTER :

I don't believe you can pay your problems away,

I think you have to face who you are and suffer the consequences.

It's the only road to Happiness.