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FLEABAG
(to camera, strained)
This is a love story.
EXT. GRAVESIDE. DAY. 1 YEAR AND 37 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING
A crowd dressed in black is huddled beside a casket. In the center, a catholic priest stands, bible pressed to his chest. Beside him, GODMOTHER wails. PRIEST places a hand on her arm, but this only increases the intensity of her sobs. She is nearly shrieking. Funeral goers dab tissues under their eyes, a little performatively.
Someone in the crowd shifts, and the gap they leave reveals FLEABAG and CLAIRE on a bench. They stare straight ahead at the open grave. PRIEST gives the signal to lower the casket.
CLAIRE goes to reach for FLEABAG’s hand but thinks better of it. The two daughters sit stiffly as they watch their father’s casket sink into the ground.
FLEABAG
(whispering)
At least Mom will have company.
CLAIRE looks troubled. KLARE stands behind her, hand resting on her shoulder. There is no one behind FLEABAG.
PRIEST
Because God has chosen to call our brother from this life to himself, we commit his body to the earth, for we are dust and unto dust we shall return.
The prayer continues but fades to background as FLEABAG stares intently at the ground.
J-cut to:
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 INT. THE ATTIC
DAD
I think you know how to love better than any of us. That’s why you find it all so painful.
J-cut to:
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 INT. BEDROOM
FLEABAG
(tearful)
I don’t know what to do with it.
BOO
With what?
FLEABAG
With all the love—
J-cut to:
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 EXT. BUS STOP. NIGHT.
PRIEST
It will pass.
The scene lingers here for a moment.
Hard cut to:
FLASHBACK FROM START OF EPISODE EXT. GRAVESIDE.
FLEABAG
(to camera, strained)
This is a love story.
GODMOTHER’s wailing in the background continues. Funeral goers nod to FLEABAG and CLAIRE as they walk back toward the church, until only FLEABAG, CLAIRE, GODMOTHER, and PRIEST remain. PRIEST still has his hand gently on GODMOTHER’s arm.
PRIEST
I am truly sorry for your loss.
For a brief moment, FLEABAG and PRIEST make eye contact. PRIEST looks pained, and FLEABAG’s cheeks flush with emotion. She looks away first, and he follows suit. Neither says anything to the other. FLEABAG stands and looks to CLAIRE.
FLEABAG
You ready?
CLAIRE
(solemnly)
Yeah, let’s go.
TITLES: FLEABAG
INT. VESTRY. NIGHT. 1 YEAR AND 36 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING
PRIEST sits alone at the desk, head in his hands. There is an empty liquor glass on the table, and a mostly empty bottle beside it. He shifts and puts his head down on the table, arms crossed beneath it. We never see his face. The shot lingers for a moment. The PRIEST has fallen asleep.
INT. FLEABAG’S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 1 YEAR AND 36 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING.
FLEABAG and CLAIRE sit on the edge of the bed.
FLEABAG
I wish it didn’t have to be him tomorrow.
CLAIRE
I know. I’m sorry.
FLEABAG
No, don’t be sorry. I’m the one who should be sorry. Dad’s dead and I'm making it about me again.
FLEABAG turns to face CLAIRE.
FLEABAG
What do we do now that they’re both gone? We’re orphans now.
CLAIRE
I don’t think adults can be orphans.
FLEABAG
When it was mom, I held myself together. Dad was there, and as long as he was there I had to be okay. I thought if I didn’t, he would finally come undone, too. But now he’s not here, and there’s nothing holding me together anymore.
CLAIRE
It’s not like you haven’t fallen apart before—
FLASHBACK INT. BOO’S FLAT
FLEABAG is on her knees, curled up with her head in her hands, sitting in the middle of the living room. Her shoulders heave. There is no sound. CLAIRE looks panicked as she tries to soothe her sister.
INT. FLEABAG’S BEDROOM. CONT.
CLAIRE (CONT’D)
—and you’re still here.
FLEABAG pushes down the memory and turns back to CLAIRE.
FLEABAG
We should try to get some rest. Klare got the air mattress sorted out? You brought everything you need? I have spare toothbrushes.
CLAIRE
We have everything. We could’ve stayed in a hotel, you know. We wouldn’t have minded.
FLEABAG
Is that a thank you?
CLAIRE
(smiling slightly)
You’re impossible.
FLEABAG
Like father like daughter?
CLAIRE laughs lightly and leaves the room. FLEABAG is alone on the bed, back to the camera. She seems very small.
INT. CHURCH BACK ROOM. MORNING. 1 YEAR AND 37 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING
FLEABAG stands in front of the same mirror she stood in the front of before her mother’s funeral. She is not looking at herself. Instead, she is looking at the space where BOO once stood. FLEABAG reaches up for her own face, remembering, dismayed. She looks beautiful.
CLAIRE walks in. She looks at FLEABAG with half-joking incredulity.
CLAIRE
What is wrong with you? Why do you always look so good at funerals?
FLEABAG
Cursed.
CLAIRE
Well come on, people are arriving.
CLAIRE notices FLEABAG’s hesitation.
CLAIRE
(softly)
He’s not here yet.
FLEABAG nods and leaves the room with her sister.
INT. CHURCH. MORNING.
FLEABAG and CLAIRE greet people as they enter the church. FLEABAG looks distant and keeps glancing towards the vestry. She snaps back to focus when GODMOTHER bursts in.
GODMOTHER
Oh, girls.
CLAIRE
(suppressing a grimace)
How are you faring?
GODMOTHER
(with uncharacteristic sincerity)
I don’t know what to do with myself.
FLEABAG
I’m sorry.
GODMOTHER looks surprised.
FLEABAG
I mean it. And thank you. For organizing this. It’s nice to see so many people here to celebrate Dad.
GODMOTHER
You— You’re welcome.
There is an awkward pause before another guest walks in and GODMOTHER busies herself with greetings and condolences.
EXT. GRAVESIDE. 1 YEAR AND 37 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING. CONT.
GODMOTHER, PRIEST, CLAIRE, and FLEABAG walk back toward the church after the burial has ended. FLEABAG stops, watching them go. CLAIRE turns to look at her, but FLEABAG gestures to keep going.
FLEABAG
(mouthing silently to CLAIRE)
I’ll catch up.
CLAIRE gives a solemn nod and continues. FLEABAG stands still until they are inside. She then turns and approaches the grave once again, now standing an arm’s reach from the edge.
FLEABAG
(to the grave)
Dad.
(to the headstone beside it)
Mom.
(beat)
Aunt Beatrice sent flowers.
There is no response.
FLEABAG
They’re horribly ugly. Mom, you would have hated them. There’s a flower in the middle that looks like a brain, and it smells like Nana's perfume. But it was a nice gesture. Dad would’ve appreciated it.
(beat)
I wish you were still alive.
She begins to cry.
FLEABAG
I don’t know where to put it. There’s no one left to take it. All of this love is rotting in me, and no one wants it. I wouldn’t want it either.
(beat)
How did you do it? How did you love each other for so long without slowly killing each other? Every time I find someone to love it feels like I’m dying.
FLEABAG sits on the bench and leans her elbows on her knees, letting her neck go limp.
FLEABAG
I hate this.
She sits there on the left side of the frame, the sky so large behind her. We can hear birds chirping and the faint sound of sobbing from FLEABAG. Eventually she stands, wipes the tears from her face, and walks inside as if nothing had happened.
INT. CHURCH. DAY.
CLAIRE is waiting with her coat on, FLEABAG’s coat draped over her arm. She is having a polite conversation with the PRIEST. When they see FLEABAG approach, PRIEST gives her a courteous smile and makes his exit, walking back toward the vestry. FLEABAG watches him for a moment.
CLAIRE
You alright?
FLEABAG
I’m alright. You?
CLAIRE
It went better than I expected. She wasn’t…
FLEABAG
(finishing her sentence)
Evil?
CLAIRE
Yes.
FLEABAG
It was kind of refreshing. All it took was Dad dying for us to finally get along.
CLAIRE
Silver linings?
FLEABAG
Something like that.
They walk out together toward the bus station.
FLEABAG
When is your train coming?
CLAIRE
Not until this evening. I’m sorry we can’t stay.
FLEABAG
It’s okay, really. I’m glad you’ve settled in so well.
CLAIRE
Klare has made it very easy.
FLEABAG
(smiling)
Good. I always said Finland would be good for you. I was right.
CLAIRE
(softly)
You were. Thank you.
FLEABAG looks at CLAIRE.
FLEABAG
You’re welcome.
The pair sit at the bus stop, looking out at the road together. Traffic is quiet. It’s almost peaceful.
INT. FLEABAG’S ENTRYWAY. EVENING. 1 YEAR AND 37 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING
CLAIRE and KLARE are holding suitcases. KLARE hugs FLEABAG goodbye. CLAIRE looks at FLEABAG awkwardly before doing the same. Neither one of them seems quite comfortable with this development. CLAIRE looks especially relieved when it ends.
CLAIRE
See you soon, okay? And call me if you want to talk.
FLEABAG
I will.
CLAIRE
Will you really?
FLEABAG
I will.
CLAIRE is sated and steps outside. FLEABAG closes the door behind them. She watches them walk away through the door’s window and then leans her head against the glass, taking a shaky breath. The expression she wore at the graveside returns to her face.
INT. FLEABAG’S HOUSE. NIGHT. 1 YEAR AND 37 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING
FLEABAG is lying in bed staring at the ceiling. Her cheeks are ruddy from crying. She hears a shuffling outside. Putting on her slippers, she walks to the window and looks out. On the ground outside, a fox looks up at her and then skitters away.
FLEABAG
Hm.
FLEABAG approaches the front door. As she opens it, on the other side we see the PRIEST, who looks startled.
FLEABAG
How long have you been out here?
PRIEST
I, um. A few minutes. How did you know I was here?
FLEABAG
I didn’t.
PRIEST looks at her strangely but accepts this answer. FLEABAG moves back to let him in. He looks reluctant.
FLEABAG
Well?
PRIEST
I just— I’m not here to—
(takes a breath)
I thought you might need a friend.
FLEABAG’s face is inscrutable.
FLEABAG
(to camera)
I do.
The PRIEST notices this but says nothing.
FLEABAG
(to PRIEST)
Come in.
He does as asked. FLEABAG gestures for him to take a seat. FLEABAG reaches for a stack of glasses and a bottle of liquor.
FLEABAG
Drink?
PRIEST
I’m alright.
FLEABAG pours a glass for herself. She does not speak. They sit in silence as FLEABAG sips her drink, eyes far away.
FLEABAG
Why now?
PRIEST
It felt wrong not to.
FLEABAG
Did I really look that bad today?
PRIEST
You looked beautiful.
FLEABAG
That’s worse.
PRIEST
I know.
They take each other in for a moment. It is the first time in a long time they have been this close to each other.
FLEABAG
When was the last time you talked to your parents?
PRIEST
It’s been a while. Probably four, five years.
FLEABAG
Did you know it would be the last time?
PRIEST
With my dad, yes. He had been sick for a while. With my mom… I thought we might see each other again after the funeral, but it didn’t pan out.
FLEABAG
Do you remember the moment you realized you were really on your own? That there was no one to go back to?
PRIEST
I do. There was a while when I was very lost. I’ve always been a believer, but at the time I felt very distant from God. I felt like a child alone in a big empty house.
FLEABAG
Did that feeling ever go away?
PRIEST
Yes.
FLEABAG
Do you ever still feel that way?
PRIEST
Yes.
FLEABAG
(staring at the ceiling)
I’ve been alone in the house for a very long time.
PRIEST watches her.
PRIEST
Can I ask you a question?
FLEABAG
I might not answer.
The PRIEST can’t help but let out a laugh.
PRIEST
Good to know you’re still you.
FLEABAG’s gaze snaps back to his. She looks very tired.
PRIEST looks startled by her expression, but he does not back down.
PRIEST
What was she like?
FLEABAG
Who?
PRIEST
Your friend.
Fleabag sucks in a sharp breath. Her mind goes somewhere else:
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 1 EXT. SIDEWALK BY A BUSY ROAD
BOO stands on the curb, mascara running down her face. A car is coming towards her rapidly. She begins to take a step forward.
FLASHBACK INT. HILLARY’S CAFE.
BOO is wiping down the counter, swaying and singing. FLEABAG laughs, watching her. BOO takes her hand and twirls FLEABAG, and now FLEABAG is singing, too.
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 INT. HILLARY’S CAFE
BOO and FLEABAG sit across from each other, smoking. BOO has her hand on FLEABAG’s cheek, looking at her friend with sweet intensity.
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 INT. FLEABAG’S FLAT
FLEABAG and BOO are lying in bed facing each other, nearly pissing themselves laughing.
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 INT. BOO’S FLAT
FLEABAG and BOO peak out the front door toward the lobby, one head on top of the other. They’re giggling as they look out at BOO’s hot neighbor.
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 1 INT. FLEABAG’S BEDROOM
A woman’s hands unbuckle a man’s trousers.
FLASHBACK FROM SERIES 2 INT. HILLARY’S CAFE
BOO is crying. She’s about to walk out into the street. Her eyes look so, so blue.
Cut back to:
INT. FLEABAG’S HOUSE. NIGHT. CONT.
FLEABAG
She loved guinea pigs. She collected fancy shampoo. She was odd, and she would always make me laugh, and I cry every time I eat strawberry ice cream because it was her favorite.
(beat)
I…
FLEABAG is crying now.
FLEABAG
I don’t like to talk about her.
PRIEST looks helpless, like he wants to hold her but is afraid to move. Her shoulders shake.
FLEABAG
Why did you ask me that?
PRIEST
I— I wanted to know.
FLEABAG takes in a jagged breath.
FLEABAG
Did you read about her?
PRIEST
(meekly)
I searched up the cafe. It was the top result.
FLEABAG
I know.
PRIEST
I’m sorry.
FLEABAG
(angrily)
Don’t say that.
PRIEST
I’m sorry, I don’t kn—
FLEABAG
That. I’m so sick of hearing people tell me they’re sorry. Especially about Boo.
FLEABAG deflates, shrinking into herself. She tries to speak but she’s crying too hard, the words don’t come.
PRIEST reaches out, his fingers grazing her arm. FLEABAG doesn’t react.
FLEABAG
(quietly, almost unintelligible)
It was my fault.
FLEABAG pulls her knees tight to her chest.
FLEABAG
(miserably)
It was my fault.
PRIEST moves suddenly toward her, scooping her into his arms. She cries, and he holds her, his face buried in her hair.
PRIEST
No it wasn’t.
FLEABAG pulls herself out of his arms to look him in the eyes. Their faces are inches apart.
FLEABAG
I shagged her boyfriend. Like hell it wasn’t my fault.
PRIEST looks shocked. He doesn’t know what to say. Seeing his expression only makes her feel worse. She hides her face behind her knees.
There is a long pause before either of them says anything more.
PRIEST
I forgive you.
FLEABAG looks up, surprised.
FLEABAG
What?
PRIEST
I forgive you. I’m not going to try to speak for God, I know that doesn’t matter to you. But I forgive you. I absolve you of it.
PRIEST reaches out and strokes her hair. She leans into his arm. She’s crying like a child.
PRIEST
It’s okay.
The two of them sit on the couch, leaning into each other, for a long time. Maybe all night. Maybe forever.
PRIEST looks up, eyes bleary, FLEABAG still tucked under his chin. He sees us. He’s staring right down the barrel of the camera. He doesn’t say anything. He just looks, and then returns his gaze to FLEABAG, and they fall asleep.
INT. FLEABAG’S HOUSE. MORNING.
PRIEST and FLEABAG are curled up together on the couch. Their clothes are still on. This time, it is PRIEST who is lying awake, studying FLEABAG’s face. She begins to wake up.
FLEABAG
(disoriented)
Hm?
FLEABAG registers the man beside her. Her eyes widen.
FLEABAG
Did we…?
PRIEST
No.
FLEABAG looks relieved. PRIEST gently brushes a strand of hair out of her face, running his fingers along her temple.
PRIEST
I’m sorry if I—
FLEABAG
No, don’t apologize.
FLEABAG takes in a long, deep breath.
FLEABAG (CONT’D)
I’ve been thinking a lot lately. Somebody told me once that people are all we have. I keep thinking… If that’s right, Father…
FLEABAG trails off.
PRIEST
If that’s right?
FLEABAG
(voice raw and empty)
Then I have nothing.
She turns away from him slightly, gathering her thoughts. She takes a minute to find the words.
FLEABAG
I have spent my whole life fucking things up. Believing I didn’t matter. When you tell yourself you don’t matter, you can excuse a lot of shit. But Boo made me feel like I mattered, and look what I did to her. I’m not a good person. With Boo, there was no excuse. I hurt her because it felt like hurting myself.
PRIEST pulls her into his arms.
FLEABAG
(voice shaking)
You’re the first person I’ve met since Boo who could see me. You terrified me. Because with you, I matter. And I am so scared of what that means.
PRIEST
You’ve always mattered. It comes free with existence.
FLEABAG
I didn’t believe that before I met you.
PRIEST
Do you believe it now?
FLEABAG
(whispering)
Yes.
There is a long pause. They look at each other with intensity, holding their breath. For a moment it looks like they are going to kiss, but then FLEABAG speaks.
FLEABAG
I don’t want to make you choose again.
PRIEST looks pained. She lifts a hand to his cheek. He takes her open palm and presses it to his lips, his eyebrows furrowed.
FLEABAG
You’ve built a life for yourself. I can’t ask you to— I won’t make you choose.
PRIEST says nothing. There is nothing to say.
FLEABAG
I’m making a choice. I love you. And it hasn’t passed. Being apart hasn’t helped. I… I want to try something else.
(beat)
Father, will you be my friend? For real this time.
Long pause. For a split second, he looks grief-stricken, but he locks that part of himself away.
PRIEST
Yes. I would like that.
He means it.
They fold into each other. FLEABAG lets out a sob.
FLEABAG
I’ve been alone in the house for so long.
PRIEST
(barely a whisper)
Me too. Me too.
The pair lie there, and the camera cuts.
TITLE CARD: THE WEDDING
INT. CHURCH. DAY. 1 YEAR AND 354 DAYS SINCE THE WEDDING
People mingle and take their seats in the large stone church. There is an air of excitement. We see FLEABAG poke her head out from the wings to look out to the crowd. She smiles as she sees former ‘Best Woman in Business’ BELINDA in the pews.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
How does everyone look?
FLEABAG
Blonde.
CLAIRE
(exasperated)
Besides that.
FLEABAG
Good, happy. Aggressively happy, even. The last time I saw this many smiling faces, Margaret Thatcher had just died.
The shot shifts so we can see CLAIRE getting ready in front of a mirror. She is in a white gown. She turns around, holding her veil in her hands, looking stressed.
CLAIRE
Could you help me with this?
FLEABAG takes the veil and carefully pins it to CLAIRE’s hair, which has grown out to a long angled bob. Her brows are furrowed, and her whole body is rigid.
FLEABAG
(to camera)
This is the happiest I’ve seen her. Ever.
PRIEST (O.S.)
You almost ready?
CLAIRE
Yes. I’m ready.
PRIEST walks into frame. He’s smiling from ear to ear.
PRIEST
You both look amazing.
CLAIRE
How is Klare? Is he ready?
PRIEST
He’s ready.
A look of relief washes over CLAIRE. FLEABAG and PRIEST make eye contact, and it’s warm and familiar.
FLEABAG
(to CLAIRE)
Come on, it’s time. He’s going to start weeping as soon as he sees you.
CLAIRE rolls her eyes and smiles, and they walk out together.
INT. CHURCH.
Everyone besides the wedding party is seated. PRIEST stands in the chancel in his vestments, ready to give the homily.
PRIEST
In my profession, we talk a lot about love. Love for god, love for our neighbors, love for each other. But we talk about it as if it’s neat and tidy, and it isn’t. Love grows in places you wouldn’t expect. Sometimes love grows between two business partners with the same name.
He gestures to CLAIRE and KLARE, smiling.
PRIEST
When we find love in these strange and confusing moments, often our instinct is to run. But sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself running in the same direction.
(beat)
I remember my first wedding homily well, because I watched Claire take off running in the middle of it. She was, I later learned, running to Klare. Literally. All the way through Heathrow. She ran because she knew the love she found — messy and unexpected as it was — was worth chasing.
PRIEST looks at FLEABAG.
PRIEST
Love will change you. Love will open you up and jumble you around until you can’t remember the order your life took before. To run to love with open arms the way Claire and Klare have takes faith. Faith in yourselves, and faith in the people you will become. And in light of this love, I encourage you all to follow their lead. May we all chase love that will change us. May we find love that endures our every iteration.
PRIEST lets the speech hang in the air for a moment, and then he looks to CLAIRE and KLARE.
PRIEST
And with that out of the way…
EXT. CHURCH GARDEN. DAY.
Wedding guests are slowly trickling out towards their cars. Of the remaining few, we see FLEABAG and PRIEST.
FLEABAG
Beautiful homily you gave today.
PRIEST
Thank you.
Their eyes meet, and they share a bittersweet look. FLEABAG reaches for his hand and gives it a squeeze before picking up her purse and turning toward the exit. She looks back at PRIEST.
FLEABAG
See you soon?
PRIEST
See you soon.
FLEABAG walks away, and as she goes, we see a fox dart through the grass in the background. It stops for a second and looks back. There is something heavy and golden in its mouth. It scurries away.
PRIEST watches it go. He looks at the camera with a sad smile, and he raises a hand as if to say goodbye. And then he walks into the church, leaving us behind.
[END OF EPISODE]