· · ·
turning to page one
turning to page one
Obsession · written by Curry Barker · 2026
Scene 12 of 61 · ≈ 4 min on screen · Last scene of act one
Bear wishes the woman he loves would love him back. The wish comes true — and her devotion becomes a violence neither of them can stop.
Bear in his comfort zone of quiet, unspoken longing for Nicky, grieving his cat and coached by Ian to stay silent rather than confess.
Driving to trivia, Bear rehearses confessing his feelings to Nicky on speakerphone, but Ian talks him out of it and coaches him to tease her instead.
At trivia, Bear blurts out that his cat died as Nicky, Ian, and Sarah crowd the booth, and Nicky comforts him with an embrace that lingers past friendship.
In the parking lot, the group splits over going to karaoke; Nicky asks Bear to drive her home instead, brushing off Sarah's plea for him to stay.
This scene
In the smallness of the car, Nicky's intoxication becomes more obvious. She slurs her words, stares off, and her movements are abrupt.
NICKY
I'm sorry about your cat, Baron.
BEAR
It's okay. I mean, it's not, but I don't think it's hit me yet.
NICKY
Well, you know you can call me when it does.
BEAR
Yeah, I know.
NICKY
Why does Ian force everyone to drink so much?
A beat. Bear thinks about it.
BEAR
Maybe... maybe he thinks if he can force people to do things, they'll discover it's what they've always wanted.
NICKY
(blunt)
Profound.
BEAR
Don't let me forget, I got you something.
Nicky's mood shifts. She's apprehensive.
NICKY
Why am I nervous?
BEAR
(disappointed)
I don't know. That's an odd reaction.
NICKY
(a quick redirect)
Better get ready for tomorrow.
BEAR
Was it really that bad?
NICKY
Everyone was so needy. "Excuse me, there's a line." "We actually just have a question. We're looking for the woodwind mouthpieces." "Of course. If you just turn the fuck around, they're right behind you. Where it says woodwind."
They laugh together, Bear charmed by her humor. The conversation feels flirty.
BEAR
(awkward)
"Excuse me, sir, is there a code to the bathroom?" "No sir, just walk right the fuck in!"
Nicky grabs Bear's knee.
NICKY
God, were we that annoying?
BEAR
No.
(Nicky laughs)
I refuse to believe we were that annoying.
The car pulls into her driveway. A long, uncomfortable beat.
NICKY
BEAR
(realizing)
Oh... Why?
NICKY
I'm just not happy there.
BEAR
(he gets it)
Yeah...
NICKY
I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. I'm stuck.
BEAR
It's just a job, Nicky.
NICKY
I know, but I want to write.
BEAR
I mean... you are?
NICKY
I feel like I need to make a big change. I'm not feeling...love. I need my head in the right place to bring this to life.
BEAR
Love...? It's a romance?
NICKY
No, it's not a romance. It's a love story.
BEAR
(teasing)
Isn't that a romance?
NICKY
I don't think romance is real. I think love is real, but not romance. Romance makes life feel magical, like in movies. Then, your parents split, or they're so miserable you wish they would. People start telling you love fades, it's mirage. They're wrong. romance fades. Love is a different thing, and that's what I wanna write. The good, the bad, the ugly. Real shit.
Bear can't keep his eyes off of her. Her EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE is so attractive to him.
NICKY (CONT'D)
I don't want to promise anyone anything, I just want to show them what it could be.
A long beat. Bear keeps going back to her lips. He aches to kiss her.
NICKY (CONT'D)
Is that stupid?
BEAR
(startled back to the moment)
No, no, no! That's incredible.
Nicky is embarrassed.
BEAR (CONT'D)
You would definitely bring a unique voice to the genre.
Nicky giggles.
BEAR (CONT'D)
I'm serious. I agree, love has been so... overpromised.
NICKY
Yeah.
She seems impressed by his compassion and somewhat insulted by his "expertise."
BEAR
Is that all that's been bothering you?
Nicky gives Bear a look as if she wants to say more.
NICKY
You know you're the only person I can talk to about this stuff.
BEAR
You are, too.
NICKY
Even when things get crazy at work, you're a good listener. I don't feel like I'm talking to a brick wall.
BEAR
Yeah?
Bear's in his head, trying to figure out what to say to keep his good fortune going.
NICKY
You know, Sarah was asking about you all day today.
Bear doesn't like this subject change.
NICKY (CONT'D)
How do you feel about that?
BEAR
(disappointed, polite)
You want to know if I like Sarah?
NICKY
I'm asking you how you feel about Sarah. And if you were to have a crush on her... then that would be how you feel about her.
Bear doesn't respond.
BEAR
I like her as a friend.
NICKY
I figured, god she's so obvious.
BEAR
Yeah, she is.
NICKY
When I have a crush on a guy, no one knows.
Nicky and Bear lock eyes. Is she insinuating something?
BEAR
What do you mean?
NICKY
I'm really good at hiding my feelings for someone.
NICKY (CONT'D)
Okay. Bye, Bear. Thanks.
Nicky gets out of the car.