Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor wakes to the rooster-crow sound of her alarm clock. She puts on a new outfit she’s recently bought and compares her recent purchases to “back-to school shopping” (305) with one of her former foster families. She eats breakfast and walks to the bus stop, noticing more details about the scenery than before. Near the bus stop, she sees a fox drinking out of a coffee cup and laughs out loud.

The previous week, Bob, her boss, called. He’d asked her when she would be back, and Eleanor had told him the following Monday. Bob was overjoyed to hear the news. Eleanor thanked him for his support, despite her lack of enthusiasm at work over the years. Bob had assured her that she’s an excellent employee.

Outside the office building, Eleanor wonders if she’ll remember how to do her work. Raymond surprises her with a big hug. Eleanor pauses to take in the moment, and the two head inside. Raymond assures her that the day will go by normally, as if she never left.

Eleanor enters Bob’s office for a human resources-mandated meeting. He asks her questions using a detailed form. Eleanor asks if the Christmas lunch has been planned in her absence and Bob realizes he forgot about it. Eleanor says she’ll be happy to make arrangements.

Waiting at her desk are flowers and a note from her coworkers. Her email inbox overflows. Raymond’s recent email bears the subject line “‘READ ME!!!’” (313), asking her to attend a classical music concert with him. Eleanor turns to find her coworkers in an awkward crowd behind her desk. A co-worker, Janey, says they’re glad she’s back. Eleanor thanks them for the gift and good-naturedly says she should return to work. Billy exclaims, “‘She’s back!’” (314). 

That Wednesday, Eleanor’s Mummy calls. She chides Eleanor for being insolent, and Eleanor replies that she doesn’t care what Mummy thinks anymore. Mummy protests, insulting her daughter and asking who has been lying about her, but Eleanor interrupts and says she won’t be speaking to her anymore.

Eleanor insists that it was wrong to insist that the Johnnie Lomond “project” would put Eleanor’s life back on track. Eleanor considers what it means to support someone and thinks of things Raymond has done for her, such as washing her sheets and buying a silly balloon for her. Eleanor flatly states her Mummy’s crime. She advises Eleanor to change her circumstances no matter the cost, just like she did with the fire.

Eleanor says, “‘Goodbye, Mummy’” (316) and hangs up.