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Obsession · written by Curry Barker · 2026
Scene 22 of 61 · ≈ 5 min on screen · Act two
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.
Bear needs Nicky to love him back, sharpened by trivia night's proximity to her and Ian, and the purchase of the willow as an almost-joke wish object.
Bear breaks the willow and makes the wish, crossing from wanting to actively, magically pursuing Nicky's love.
Bear discovers his cat's body laid out with flower petals; Nicky, now dressed for work, cheerfully asks if he wants to say a few words before she tosses it in the trash.
Arriving at Mandy's Music, Nicky reaches for Bear's hand and he pulls away, telling her not to do that right now.
Inside the store, Carter pulls Nicky aside about a broken outlet while Bear and Ian head for the break room.
This scene
A breakfast table, surrounded by a microwave, fridge, and coffee machine. Bear places his backpack on the table and makes a beeline for the coffee.
IAN
Bro, what the FUCK happened last
night?
BEAR
You wouldn't believe what a crazy
night I had.
IAN
You fucked Nicky. You dog.
BEAR
No, dude.
IAN
What did you say to her?
BEAR
No, I didn't fuck her.
IAN
I just saw you come in together.
Did she sleep over?
BEAR
Ian, listen to me.
IAN
(confused)
What?
Then, from across the store through the break room window, Bear sees Nicky watching him, a smile on her face.
IAN (CONT'D)
Did you kiss? What are you scared
of?! Sarah's going to hate this.
Bear's focused on Nicky, not listening anymore. Ian turns to see what captured his attention.
IAN (CONT'D)
(off Nicky)
What the fuck...
Bear smiles at Nicky genuinely and then turns around to hide his face.
BEAR
(to Ian laughing)
Laugh. Laugh.
Ian laughs.
BEAR (CONT'D)
Nicky's like... going through
something.
IAN
What?
BEAR
And she's acting super fucking
weird! Like she was...
IAN
(concerned)
Like, what? Is she ok?
BEAR
No.
IAN
Did she tell you what's wrong?
BEAR
Well, yeah kind of, but it seems
like more...
IAN
Well, what is it?
BEAR
It's not my place.
IAN
Dude, come on.
BEAR
Her dad has cancer.
This hits Ian ODDLY SPECIFIC.
IAN
Woah, what?
Ian looks shocked, like he knows something.
BEAR
That's what she told me.
IAN
(confused)
Her Dad in Washington that she
doesn't care about?
BEAR
It still hurts, Ian.
IAN
(pondering)
Yeah, yeah.
BEAR
But, it was more than that. I think
she's having a mental breakdown or
something. She would freak out...
and then act all happy... and she
was kissing me and then crying. It
was... weird.
Ian's face grows suspicious.
IAN
What the fuck? Are you joking?-
BEAR
No!
IAN
Was this after you told her how you
felt?
Bear hesitates.
BEAR
I didn't tell her.
A beat.
IAN
What?
BEAR
I didn't tell her.
Ian's confusion grows.
IAN
You... She was kissing you? How
exactly?
BEAR
I seriously think she needs help.
IAN
And she was crying?
BEAR
Yes! And then she would just snap
back to happy. It was terrifying,
psychotic... She wanted me to
cuddle and sleep with her.
IAN
Did you?!
BEAR
No, I-
IAN
Because if you did, that's fucked
up-
BEAR
No, I wouldn't.
IAN
Dude!
BEAR
I slept on the floor. She was
freaking me out.
IAN
Was she on molly again?
BEAR
No... Well, I don't know. I mean...
Bear's head tilts at the idea.
IAN
Yeah dude, sounds like she was on
molly.
BEAR
Yeah, maybe.
IAN
I'm going to go talk to her.
BEAR
Just... Is she still staring at me?
Ian darts his eyes to check.
IAN
Yes.
BEAR
Just don't be weird.
Ian leaves and Bear pretends to make coffee. Through the window, we see Ian and Nicky talking. Bear turns around, avoiding eye contact.
Quickly, his gaze lands on the unzipped backpack on the table, exposing the ONE WISH WILLOW.
Realization hits Bear as he looks back at Ian and Nicky. Ian talks, Nicky nods, yet her unsettling smile at Bear remains. Bear strides through the break room door.
INT - MANDY'S MUSIC - FRONT DESK AREA - CONTINUOUS
Bear walks straight over to the computer.
NICKY
Hey, Bear.
IAN
(playfully joining)
Hey, Bear.
Ian continues to talk to Nicky in the b.g. as Bear goes to a search engine.
He types: One Wish Willow 80s recall.
He skims the results and clicks keywords:
Collectible item, novelty, Mandela effect.
AS HE TYPES, THE CHAOS OF THE STORE INCREASES. HORNS PLAY OUT OF TUNE, STUDENTS CHATTER, AND LAUGHTER GROWING IN VOLUME.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
Here we go.
CARTER (O.S.)
Jason, go to guitars. Sarah honey,
stock up percussion.
He types: Does a One Wish Willow actually work?
No, a One Wish Willow is just an urban legend.
Yes, a One Wish Willow really does grant you one wish!
One Wish Willows never existed. This is a result of the Mandela effect.
Click.
When a large group of people remember something that never existed this is a phenomenon called the Mandela effect. If you find a One Wish Willow stay away.
Related searches: Big Foot, Skin-walkers, Fruit of the Loom logo.
We stay on Bear, curious.
THE CHAOS OF THE STORE ACTS AS A SOUNDTRACK. HORNS, FEEDBACK, AND CHATTER BUILD THE INTENSITY.
CARTER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Baron, I'm gonna need you to play
Moon River on the piano for the 14-
year-old shit-brick in keyboards.
BEAR
Yes, sir.
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