Malady

---

[groans]

Hi, darling, H.

[suspenseful music playing]

I want you...

to go out and find love.

[groans]

There is a chance...

[suspenseful music playing]

[rattling sound]

[hairdryer whirring]

[loud techno music playing]

[indistinct voices]

[fire roaring]

[distant screaming]

[suspenseful music playing]

Excuse me.

Take me somewhere.

[keys jingling]

[clears throat]

[sniffles]

[Holly] Thank you.

[sniffles]

[Holly clears throat]

You can turn around.

[breathing heavily]

[panting]

Is there enough fire?

[suspenseful music playing]

Good morning.

[eggs sizzling]

[chair creaking]

[Holly] Thank you.

I left some clothes out

by the fire.

Okay, thanks.

Hey.

[water rippling]

[shower running]

[wind blowing]

[Holly] I hope it's okay.

[Holly clears throat]

Thank you for bringing me here.

I don't think I've said it

before.

Who were in the photographs?

I hope you don't mind.

I saw them earlier.

Family.

I thought that girl might be

your girlfriend or something.

Sister.

[Holly] I don't know why

you didn't put the photos up.

They're never exactly

how they should be.

It's a nice substitute

for the real thing.

Is the old lady your mother?

Yeah.

[blowing into fire]

Upstairs. Lie down.

Just lie down.

[breathing heavily]

[panting]

Matthew...

What are your family like?

You're not close with them.

I always wanted a brother.

[Matthew] My sister...

used to let me

play with her hair.

They're good, those things.

Those bonds,

they keep you close.

You should try to fix this.

Whatever it is that's...

separated you all.

I'm sorry. Sorry,

I didn't mean to upset you.

It'll be okay, I promise.

I'm gonna have

to go home today.

Thank you.

I'm sure you've got work to do.

I gotta go home anyway.

Who's Mattew?

He's my boyfriend.

I didn't know

you had a boyfriend.

Why have you brought me here?

If you've got something to say,

then, I think,

you should just start talking.

I can't be around

that sort of thing, Holly.

I can't be around it

because it clings to me, Holly.

It clings to me.

And then... And then...

I think...

I'm gonna be next.

She needed you there

and you weren't.

That's why-- That's why she

was-- She was so lucky

to have you.

That doesn't mean anything.

She needed you.

Family are supposed

to be there

for one another.

Holly.

You're on your own now.

I don't want to see you

on your own.

I'll be fine. I've got Matthew.

This Matthew...

How long have you known him?

How many...

real boyfriends have

you had in your life?

Real boyfriends.

Yeah, exactly.

You don't know

what you found, Holly.

You just don't know

what you found.

All right?

I just want us to be a family.

That's the only thing I'm after.

I understand what

you're saying about family.

And...

If you're being genuine,

then I get it.

But...

you're not family to me.

So you can't just

come in now after everything.

Your anger's bugging me,

for not being there

for your mother.

I can see it deep down in you.

You're angry 'cause

you were there.

I don't want you

to contact me again.

Holly?

And I hope you never

have to go through what

mum and me had to go through.

Holly!

You watch out for

that boyfriend of yours.

[door closes]

[melancholic music playing]

[Matthew] Is it too

quiet for you?

No.

I missed you.

I'm sailing out

On the ocean

Out on a deep blue sea

If I get shot or drowned

There's no one to grieve

for me

Yes, I got a letter from

Mama

Yes, I got a letter from

Spain

I got a letter from mama

She told me to come home

Again

I'm sailing out on the

Ocean

Out on a deep blue sea

If I get shot or drowned

There's no one to grieve

For me

Yes, once I had a fortune

I laid it in my trunk

I lost it all on gambling

Last night while I lie

Drunk

"Oh, son, don't gamble

Oh, darling, don't gamble

No more"

For the times your mama's

Told you

She's taught you like a son

That drinking and gambling

Would finally be your end

I'm sailing out on the

Ocean

I'm sailing very high

If I get shot or drowned

There's no one to grieve or

Cry

You would have liked my mum.

She would have loved you.

She's really good with people,

you know,

and reading people.

This girl that made friends

with me in school...

And straight away,

Mum just didn't...

I don't know, she tried not to

tell me what to do,

but I could tell

she just didn't like her.

She tried to warn me.

At least I thought she was

just telling me

I can't make friends, and...

not to trust people, but...

All I wanted to do

was go to the fair

with this girl...

If you asked me, in that age,

"Isn't it cold?"

Yeah, she never came.

I should have just gone on

anyway.

Because I love the fair, but...

I didn't and I just had to wait

for them to come

and pick me up. And if...

I don't know, she just...

She just... knew.

I got in the car, and we both

just knew, and that was it.

And I just...

I don't know,

this just feels right.

I know that

she'd be really happy with you.

And she'd be so proud.

She could sing as well.

It's really gentle and..

Sort of like a lullaby, but...

Um...

[melancholic music playing]

[cellphone buzzing]

Why didn't you answer?

[cellphone buzzing]

Hello, who's this?

It's his girlfriend.

Matthew...

Matthew, your mum's dying.

I'm so sorry.

And she needs you

to go back with her.

She needs you, Matthew.

You need to, Matthew,

I'll go with you.

[Matthew] I can't.

[Holly] It'll be okay.

We'll be together.

[breathing heavily]

[gasping]

[Matthew crying]

[Matthew] Take it off.

But it's my mum's.

She won't like it.

This is Holly.

You'll need to clean.

Sit down.

Where do you come from?

I'm from Rains.

Near where Matthew lives.

I don't know where

Matthew lives.

Do you love Matthew?

Yes, I do.

Are you with child?

You look too fragile

to be with child.

I doubt you'd be capable.

What have you been cooking?

You wouldn't like it, dear.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Matthew] We can't share beds.

This food is poisoned.

It comes from slaves.

You should try to eat.

We kept animals.

We had a dog, a b*tch.

Then she got pregnant

without God's consent.

She left this house

and she got herself impregnated.

When the puppies came,

we took them to the river,

and drowned every one of them.

A small bag,

thrown in and weighed down, a

perfect and meticulous solution

to bring back order

to this household.

This household

is full and quiet.

Everyone up and left me.

We had a cat once.

I'll need washing, first thing.

[Holly] You did the

right thing in coming.

Your mum doesn't look

like her photo, does she?

Is that Matthew?

That photograph doesn't exist.

He needs mom here.

He's my healer.

Where is Matthew?

I'm sure he'll be up later.

Can I get you anything?

She was asking after you.

And she's missed you.

I think you should go up

and see her.

You need to spend

some time with her.

It's been a long time,

I think you need it.

[door closes]

[door creaking]

[door closes]

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