Lacey sits at the table in the dance hall at the hotel in Stevens Point. It’s dark. Late. She sits mostly alone. A few Boomers sit near her. And yet she’s easily one of the most beautiful women in the country. Literally.
She’s wearing a silk, strapless, peplum dress. It’s 2011. She adds a strand of pearls and a velvet fitted jacket from J. Crew. She’s exquisite. Her highlighted blond hair is…stunning. Big, sexy brown eyes. She looks like Scotia with a Nordic German accent that allows the highlights to…make her look…Heavenly.
I’m…thrilled. Except I’m dead.
Eric walks up to her. Talks to her briefly. “You should…listen to the Holy Ghost more, Lacey.” he says out of time.
Hope Overture by Clint Mansell & The Kronos Quartet plays.
0:31
“I do.” says Lacey, sincerely hurt.
“You know, Matthew’s not your cousin.” says Eric. “Not…enough.”
1:40
She weeps, falls to the ground, and dies. And then instantly pops back up again. Because…you can’t get out of the Fallen World easily, at least, through just tears and fainting. As real as tears and crumbling may be. The Fallen World is that much of a festering, possessive cesspool. And always has been. It’s A FALLEN WORLD. …WAKE…UP.
It’s evil. And evil is real. Evil…is not…a joke.
1:45
2:04
“What do you want me to do!???” says Lacey, quietly.
2:17
“Whatever you want?” says Eric.
Lacey looks confused.
The song starts over.
“What do you want me to do!?” she says.
“ANYTHING!” says Eric. “Literally ANYTHING!”
Lacey thinks.
Everybody Got Their Something by Nikka Costa plays.
Lacey takes a deep breath.
Stands-up.
She walks over to Eric and pushes him. Not hard. Just pushes him. Then she smiles and walks-off, unsure of where she’s going.
The Green Mile by Thomas Newman plays.
Lacey walks out into the hallway of the Hotel. And strongly considers just killing herself as quickly as possible.
1:52
She falls to the ground in dry tears. Because she has no tears left to cry.
A random guest walks up to the counter of the hotel. They temporarily block the light from the overhead lights, cast in her direction.
She looks up. Squints. Blinks. Nobody is there. And the swallowing silence of the empty hall envelopes her. Comforts her, ultimately.
She stands up before anyone sees her. Takes another deep breath. Surely, as bad as things are…things would be so much worse if anyone saw her in this state. So she calms herself and takes yet another deep breath.
Makes a duck face.
Thinks.
“You should go back inside and say exactly what you want to say…to everyone!!!” says Scott Fitzgerald.
Circus Mouse by Thomas Newman plays.
Lacey dashes back into the dance hall.
Looks around the room.
Thinks.
She races up to Matthew.
0:34
“You’re damn good-looking.
I resent that…you’re marrying such a preening bitch.” says Lacey.
“You’re evil. Or you’re cold. Or you’re…baffling.” Lacey says to Kate.
Then she walks over to the Boomers at the Nesheim party.
“Why are you all so smug? What in the world are you all so smug about!?” she says.
Then she takes yet another deep breath, dashes over to the refreshments and knocks over table. It falls to the ground. She stands and stares at it happily.
“I have always wanted to do that.” she says.
Then she turns around to the stares of her entire Nesheim family.
0:54
She walks back out of the door. Into the hallway.
Zelda glares at her. Lacey rolls her eyes. Walks past several confused demons.
“I need a shot-gun.” says Lacey to God.
1:11
The song ends.
“Ahh…to kill yourself! Of course.” says God in a posh British accent to Lacey.
He understands.
Lithium by Nirvana plays.
“You aren’t going to let me shoot myself. Are you?” she says, walking through the parking lot.
1:04
“Not…necessarily.” says God.
She stands and thinks. “Alright.” she says. “Now what?”
God and Lacey think. “I’ll go nap.” she decides.
She walks back inside. Goes into her hotel room. Shuts the door. Locks it. Bolts it. And naps.
“That’s not what was supposed to have happened!” says a dead woman reading. 
“But that’s what would’ve really happened if her family had just let her do whatever she wanted. That’s possibly the scent of what she would do. That’s pretty much all she does is just say the truth maybe do something that no one can quite fathom that may have been a Biblical reference, it’s unclear. I’m not sure why she had such a strong desire to topple over the beverage table but that was some very sincere wish of hers that she kept secret, so I guess that’s about all. Put a few people in their place and took off.” says Michael Rockefeller laughing about the beverage table.
“Have you ever really felt a part of the world even if there’s reincarnation or have you pretty much just always been looking for a righteous fight or a country to start?” says a Black woman. 
“No I’ve never had a great relationship with a mother possibly almost ever or they’ve always just died so no I don’t know that I’ve ever really felt all that attached. It’s…umm…in a way through my kids or through the beauty of certain places and people, but possibly through my ability to love, I mean, that’s the thing Lem is my everything so to speak. I’m not soulless. I just-I don’t really have much of an attachment to the Fallen World. It’s never really quite seemed like much of anything other than a place where people suffer ah…possibly. Outside of maybe a few things here and there umm…like Great Britain and tea and truly good things. That’s probably about it.” says Lacey.
“Yeah. I can see why suicides are up. GOOD GOD!” says Matt’s first cousin.
Later.
Nope. None of this happened.
“You were supposed to stay here, Lacey!” yells Geoffrey Hughes.
She feels restless. “It’s very hard for me to obey that. I’m sorry.”
“If there’s reincarnation, we wouldn’t have been keen on sharing you.” says the UK.
“When can I go home?” asks Lacey.
“In God’s good time and not until then.” says Geoffrey.
Later.
“I would like to have a conversation with Lacey taking into consideration that she maybe really is British. She’s not just passionately in love with them.” says Jan Hertel. 
“Oh yes, I’d be curious to see what you have to say!” says Lacey.
“You’re a huge bitch!” says Jan. 
Lacey smiles. “What-what do you mean by that?” says Lacey.
“Just…you’re so…difficult!” says Jan.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about entirely. I’m sorry. I know what you mean and yet I don’t. Go on.” says Lacey.
“Well Matthew is obviously in love with you-“ He says.
“Not necessarily. Possibly, but not necessarily.” says Lacey.
“How in Hell do you think he’s not in love with you?” says Jan.
“Oh my God! It’s incredibly complicated. I’m sorry for swearing, but I’m losing my fucking temper.
What right do you have to sit there like a prickish bitch yourself asking such fucking questions?” says Lacey.
“You’re extremely angry!” he says.
“Oh gee what a genius observation. Congratulations! You win the award!” says Lacey.
He laughs and then stops.
“Lacey, you’re confused!” says Jan.
“Gee you think! No I can’t fucking make heads or tails of fucking nothing, practically. …That’s not true, but I am definitely very confused, extraordinarily confused. I-I can’t fucking figure out what anyone is fucking saying. Well not really…but it’s a mess.” says Lacey.
“Why Royal Crown Derby?” asks Jan.
“Why not?
Why are you so offensive about everything British is it because you fucking lost the war and sucked shit?” says Lacey.
“Yes actually that probably is why, yes. Yes.” he says.
“Is it really that simple?” says Lacey.
“Yeah, I guess so.” he says.
“Why are you bitter about it though, because your country is doing a heck of a lot better, you’re well-off and I don’t understand why you’re so personally offended.” says Lacey.
“Because I feel-I feel this makes me sad.” says Jan.
“Well Jan I can’t fix the war for you. I’m sorry it’s too late.“ says Lacey.
“Oh wait, why didn’t you come back sooner?” he says.
“Why are you so fucking determined to crucify her. You’re not the only person like that, but it’s getting sick!” yells Marsie at Jan.
“Why didn’t I come back sooner? Because I didn’t think it was wise if there’s reincarnation, It just wasn’t wise. I was waiting and then it never worked out. If if there’s reincarnation it just never made sense it never made sense and actually I shouldn’t of come back at all, I wasn’t going to after Lem started using drugs. I assumed that all bets are off. It was just done. There was nothing that was good that was going to come from us coming back. It was just over, but then Honey Fitz really did trick me into coming back if there’s reincarnation. He really did. He tricked me into thinking I could be Tonnette Nesheim‘s daughter, seemingly. She was very beautiful. And she was my grandmother, I thought. But if there’s reincarnation, they promised me that she’d be my mother, and I had brain trauma when I died and as you’re reincarnating, if there is reincarnation, there might not be, but if there is, you start coming back through the same sort of physical body that you had. It’s-it’s sort of like you start delving into the past of yourself in the reincarnation process and so I had severe brain trauma. Severe brain damage when I died. And it’s kind of funny but it’s also not funny at all…so Fitz was confusing me. I was-I was sitting around waiting…thinking that maybe I was gonna have to reincarnate with Lem. Maybe we were gonna have to do it all over again…or something…if there is reincarnation. See he died in 1981 and I was born in 1983. …So I sat-I sat there waiting, thinking, ‘We will just have to go back.’ You know? And that didn’t work or something?
Anyway…if it’s real…I didn’t-I did not see him. I skipped forward. They really did a horrible thing to us if there’s reincarnation. His family is ghastly. I’m sorry God bless them but they’re ghastly people in their own…ahh…way. Ghastly. And God bless them regardless, but I sat there in 1982 waiting for Lem…and they told me that Tonette would be my mother. Tonette Nesheim. And I wanted her to be my mother…because if there’s reincarnation she’s Nefertiti. So I wanted her to be my mother. But she was in her 60s or something? Maybe 50s or 60s? In the early 1980’s and she couldn’t have kids…but they guaranteed me that she was going to be my mom and being as brain damaged and ditzy as I am, I-I-I believed them. They were…very,!very pushy about it. He said, ‘Come on! Come on! Tonette agreed to be your mother! We gotta go!’ And so I went for it if there’s reincarnation. That’s what happened. I went for it and I got stuck.
I don’t know if I was Tom’s daughter and that was how they tricked me because he was so old? I don’t know if that was the trick…that they used? Like…it’s just that she’s old and he’s old? My brain was too damaged and I’m ditzy possibly so…ah…it really didn’t make any sense but I didn’t notice. I also could’ve been subconsciously thinking of Sarah in the Bible and Abraham…but anyway, it made sense to me and I think I thought, ‘This is fine! That’ll work. If there’s reincarnation! I’ll be Tonette’s daughter!’ No…Tonette was very beautiful very, very beautiful and no I’m not her daughter. I was never her daughter but I think I wanted to be and if there’s reincarnation no I wanted to be her daughter possibly…umm…so, so that’s just it. It just didn’t quite work out. And so now I’m stuck if there’s reincarnation. I’m stuck for the time being, in the Lord’s will.” says Lacey.
“Do you realize what Royal Crown Derby looks like?” he says.
“What do you mean exactly?” says Lacey.
“It’s just-It’s so-It’s so fancy.” he says.
“We’ll OK Jan if you’re trying to be a bitch about it.
There’s a difference between Lenox China. That’s too shiny and Royal Crown Derby. Royal Crown Derby is not as shiny.” says Lacey.
“OK?” he says.
“Lenox China? It’s too shiny for my taste. The kind of food that I make tends to be very British or Jewish. I make briskets. I make pot pies. I make roasted chicken. I make lasagna. I make French Beef Stew. I make things that are hearty! Baked salmon, Indian dishes, curries…and that is not appetizing…on an overly shiny plate. ….Royal Crown Derby is perfect. It’s very well-made. I think it’s actually still made in Great Britain and it’s a little more expensive but if you get the right pattern it’s actually really not too fancy for an average decent dinner in a family.” says Lacey.
“You think Lenox is too expensive?” he says.
“What do you mean?” says Lacey.
“Like you think it’s- You think it’s too costly!?” he says.
“And this is exactly what I was just saying a while ago!
I have no fucking clue where you’re going with this conversation…and you used to do things like this to me all the fucking time in conversation. You sound exactly like how you used to sound when I’d talk to you on Instagram and over email. I don’t know where you’re going right now with what you’re saying! Royal Crown Derby is more expensive than Lenox China. And based on what I just said it’s freaking obvious that I can afford both…so where the fuck are you going in this conversation…other than trying to do what? Insult me? What’s your fucking problem?” yells Lacey.
“I faked being rich.” says Jan.
“Well, congratulations that’s terrible! Do you want to have a conversation or just sit there and bitch at me?” says Lacey.
“I don’t understand Royal Crown Derby. It feels way above my price range and it intimidates me and yeah I know it’s not necessarily any more expensive necessarily than Royal Copenhagen, I know it’s a little nicer than Royal Copenhagen and so I get intimidated and then I lash out in a narcissistic way.” says Jan.
“You know if there’s reincarnation I don’t think we’re supposed to be talking to each other like this. You seem like a potentially nice person in some part of your heart and I’m not trying to be obnoxious to you I-I-I-I just don’t think the way you do. I’m sorry.” says Lacey.
“Why not Royal Copenhagen?” he says.
“Because it’s blue. I’ve decorated with some Royal Copenhagen. I bought a few things and it’s just too depressing to look at while you’re eating. It’s beautiful to have on a wall but I can’t look at it while I’m eating. The blue! I think blue supposedly suppresses your appetite…and I just I cannot psychologically look at the color blue while I’m eating. It’s beautiful but I genuinely can’t stand it.
You asked, I’m sorry.” says Lacey.
He looks at her confused. “So you just eat off of white plates?” he says. 
“Yes, and cream. Wedgewood is cream but Royal Crown Derby make some decent plates that I think should work. But-but no I prefer white or cream, really…because it’s just so much more easy to enjoy your food when there’s nothing in the background distracting you from eating it.” says Lacey.
“ so you make gourmet dishes Lacey or you make food that’s very appetizing the smell, the color, the consistency the plating is extraordinarily superior to most people and you don’t want the dish to distract from the food is that correct?” says Dmitry.
“Yes, my mother used Pfaltzgraff stuff! The one who raised me. Maybe stoneware. I think it was umm…
And that was years ago, before when it wasn’t made in China. I think hers was made probably, I don’t know where, maybe in the US. I don’t know. But it was I think a wedding present to them in the early 80’s? They still sell the pattern but it’s probably made in China, but I grew-up with her making food and serving it on those plates and it got in my head that that really looked good and so I just do the same thing now.” says Lacey.
“That’s very well-bred.” says Dmitry.
“You know it is, but I didn’t think we were still having that discussion. I mean I would just use Pfaltzgraff except for the fact that it’s made in China but Royal Copenhagen or rather Royal Crown Derby is still made in Great Britain. So…” says Lacey.
“I fucked-up! I really fucked-up!” says Matt.
“Now Matthew when you say that you fucked-up are you saying that when you fucked your wife Kate you were socio-economically fucking up? Like you really you really were fucking-up like you did well. Or did how you come to this conclusion? Did you research her family history or are you talking about something else?” says Lacey.
“I mean that I screwed- I mean that-“ says Matt. “I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
“Do you mean you shouldn’t have put me in the position at your wedding that I was in or what?” says Lacey.
“Yes, I shouldn’t have put you in a position where you were angry at anyone who I was going to marry.” he says.
“How did I get in my head that you were so attractive? I barely saw you.” says Lacey.
“I thought of you and I was not honest about it.” he says.
“It’s very hard for me to believe that our thoughts are that powerful.” says Lacey.
“Well they are!” he says.
“What was I supposed to do?” says Lacey.
“What brands of plates do you recommend or do you use?” says Jan.
“Royal Copenhagen is an excellent, beautiful maker of China. I absolutely adore that pattern. I just personally can’t eat off of it.
Homer Laughlin. You have to be careful on Homer Laughlin? I did a lead test on some Homer Laughlin that I have and I think it’s safe but I wouldn’t guarantee everything made by them is safe but I think it might be but no I like Homer Laughlin a lot. I love Homer Laughlin.
Are used to love Lenox. But now it’s made in China. I used to love Lenox.
Royal Crown Derby.
Meakin? I think it’s J. G. Meakin? The ironstone! The the china with the patterns on them isn’t a safe necessarily, but I think the ironstone is. 
Wedgwood. I love my old Wedgwood! I Wedgwood, again, is made in china. No…but I love old Wedgwood. It probably is dangerous but no I love Wedgwood.” says Lacey.
“I should have said to you, ‘You look very pretty tonight.’” says Matthew.
“Before or after you stared into my eyes?” says Lacey.
“Before!” he says.
“Why have you all ganged up on her? It is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen.” says God.
“That would’ve definitely made it less sexual. You want to play that scene out?” says Lacey.
“Yes.” he says.
“Alright then let’s do it!” says Lacey.
“You look awfully pretty tonight!” says Matthew
“Oh thank you! I dye-Well I bleach my hair blonde. It’s actually sort of a mousy brown but I think it looks nice lighter.” says Lacey.
He stares at her.
“You don’t look the same as I remember you looking.” he says.
Lacey goes into shock. As she’s writing this. But for the better.
“You know you don’t look the same either. You look different too.” says Lacey. 
“Why did you come to my wedding?” he says.
“You don’t want me here?” says Lacey.
“I do want you here.” he says.
“You wouldn’t rather I leave? I’m mean I could but it would probably be pretty challenging.” says Lacey.
“Let’s talk!” he says.
Let’s go talk and so we do and then we talk. 
Later.
Phantom Thread by Jonny Greenwood plays.
Turns out Lacey and Matt would have run off. If they’d talked. Lacey is in shock about it.
The song ends.
The Hem by Jonny Greenwood plays.
“So we’re gone. Yes. Gone. …And I’m texting my parents.” says Matt.
1:50
“Mom and dad…I’m gone. I left. We’re fine. Karrie is with me. I’m sorry I left you all there. Please don’t worry. Karrie is sorry too. Please keep us informed of any issues.” says Matt. “Love you.”
And then what?
2:09
Sandalwood I plays.
The song plays.
“Where are they!??” asks Matt’s mom.
Moments later.
2:31
“I guess we have to tell Kate.” says his mom.
Everybody Got Their Something by Nikka Costa plays.
She walks off. Silently. Sits in her room. And begins texting him.
But Matt has his phone turned-off.
And hours later…he calls his mom. “How’s Kate?”
“Have you read the messages I’m sure she’s sent you?” she says.
“No.” he says.
“She’s gone home with her parents.” says his mom.
“Okay. Well…we’ll see you later.” says Matt.
The Nesheims meet for breakfast:
Mark…laughs. Mark can’t stop laughing. “Yeah!!” he says.
Matt’s father cries.
Maria is in shock.
Stephen says, “Are they…married?”
“Of course they are!!” says Mark.
“Yeah. Probably.” says Maria.
“Becca is in her room, crying with Tessa.” says Terese. “I was up there this morning too.” she says suddenly crying.
De-Tuned Quartet by Jonny Greenwood plays.
Maria screamed. And then almost fainted. When she first heard.
And if we’re understanding correctly…Kate’s parents would have thrown her a pizza party.
But of course…none of this happened.
2:27
The song ends.
HW/ Hope of New Fields by Jonny Greenwood plays.
Instead Matt starred her in the eyes. Lacey felt bad. And the next day Matt and Kate got married.
And then last January…13 years after they got married…he killed himself.
“Oh, that’s a good number. This is a great sign. Wonderful omen!” says JD Rockefeller.
Proven Lands by Jonny Greenwood plays.
0:51
“Do you know that part of the reason-Part of the reason why she didn’t see me is because of all of you!? She assumed that I was just as snotty and heartless and disinterested in her, as most of you have been!” yells Matt at his family, the Nesheims.
“Why didn’t you just run off?” yells Kate.
“BECAUSE WE BOTH LOVED YOU!!
BECAUSE! BECAUSE YOU MATTER!” says Matt to Kate.
She closes her eyes and sighs and nods
“Matt what made you think of Karrie?” asks his father-in-law.
“Aging. Life. Regret. …A lot.” says Matt.
“So her neighbors know Tim Walz?” he says.
“We go way back. Yes!” says her neighbors.
“What’s the point of bringing that up?” asks Matt’s aunt.
“I AGREE!!!” yells Lacey’s father-in-law.
Lacey’s step-mother-in-law Jill rolls her eyes and walks-off.
“HER NAME IS JILL!??” screams Matt’s mom.
“Yes. Why!?” asks Lacey’s father-in-law.
“THAT’S MY NAME!” says Jill.
“HOLD ON!!” yells the UK. “Who was your grandfather named after?”
“King Edward.” says Matt.
“Of GREAT BRITAIN!?” asks the UK.
“Yes!! Of COURSE!” yells Grandpa Pantell.
“There’s comfort in all this.” says the UK.
“That’s true.” says Lacey.
“I’m sorry.” says Lem to Lacey. “This is a brutal thing to analyze.”
“It’s almost nightmare. Because I can’t seem to wrap my mind around it. …What do I do?” says Lacey.
Keen to Cross the Pond 