Fridge Brilliance - Uplifting ending (SPOILER)

The plot by Billy involving seemingly everyone who cared about Virgil was an INTERVENTION.

And it worked!

The entire plot was not to ROB Virgil but to bring him out of the sad situation he had put himself in: a house that was not a home, no love-of-his life only cold women's faces to taunt him on what he had missed, facing imminent retirement (how old was he?) without a future to look forward to.

They took his paintings, yes, but he had got them on the cheap and they had served their purpose. The proceeds probably went on the shop and house rental and paying everyone for their time and trouble.

Virgil has plenty of money left and after recuperating he looks better and mentally stronger (no more gloves, no more hair dye, no more make-up).

I also think that, at the end, fake Claire DID love him and the sex wasn't in the script. So maybe someday she WILL turn up at the 'Night and Day' in Prague where he has started a new life with optimism for the future. Why else give him the specific details?

So, uplifting ending.