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Obsession · written by Curry Barker · 2026
Scene 30 of 61 · ≈ 8 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.
Ian and Sarah's parallel concern for Bear — voiced first through Ian's suspicion at work — becomes the relationship thread that eventually exposes and pays for the wish.
Nicky shows up at Bear's door in a dress, confesses she 'likes him,' and the confession Ian warned him against never to make becomes suddenly, unnervingly real.
Montage: Nicky and Bear make breakfast together, laughing.
Montage: the new couple makes out in the break room while Ian looks on strangely and Sarah's hurt is visible.
Montage: Nicky and Bear look through yearbook photos on her bed, reminiscing about when they met.
This scene
A cozy, somewhat upscale spot with checkered tablecloths and candles, it's the town's go-to for "fancy." Bear and Nicky share a bread and butter platter.
BEAR
No it was homeroom.
NICKY
Are you sure?
BEAR
No, I specifically remember we were doing busy work for Ms. Crawford. She wanted us to write down what career we wanted after school, and you said "writer," and I said "In a Band," and the teacher made me change it. You leaned over to me and you said-
BEAR (CONT'D)
I'll be in your band.
NICKY
I'll be in your band.
They laugh.
BEAR (CONT'D)
Those were the first words you ever said to me.
NICKY
We never did start that band.
BEAR
Thank God.
Nicky folds over, laughing.
NICKY
(teasing)
You don't want to start one now?
BEAR
No thanks.
NICKY
(teasing)
Are you sure? I could call Ian. I know a drummer, too.
Bear gets a call from Ian and ignores it.
NICKY (CONT'D)
What do you really want to do? I've never asked.
BEAR
No, you haven't.
NICKY
I've known you for so long, and I'm just now realizing I don't even know that much about you.
BEAR
That's not all your fault. I'm kind of private, I guess.
NICKY
You guess?
BEAR
I've been told.
NICKY
By who?
BEAR
Ian... You actually... You told me that once.
NICKY
I did?
BEAR
You said I was a "closed book."
NICKY
I did.
(squinting in thought)
Well, the best part about a closed book, is now I get to read it from the start. A book not many people have read, since it's private.
A long, intimate beat.
BEAR
What do you want to know?
NICKY
(a smirk)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Bear looks at Nicky, love in his eyes.
BEAR
Well, my dad works at the Toyota in Mobile, so once I-
NICKY
(playful)
I didn't ask what you'll most likely end up doing.
Bear laughs.
NICKY (CONT'D)
I want to know what Baron Bailey would be the happiest doing for the rest of his life.
BEAR
I really don't want or need much. I think I want a house... maybe in Fairhope? A few kids...
NICKY
How many?
Nicky smiles. She's a good listener.
BEAR
Not too many. Three. So they grow up together. I'd be a food critic or something.
NICKY
(laughing)
A food critic? You put ketchup on your steak!
BEAR
I'd go in and they're like "Hey! you're that food guy! And I'm like "Please call me Three Bite Bailey." They bring me a four-course meal. I pull out my wallet and they say, "Oh no, tonight is on the house." And then get paid.
NICKY
(teasing)
Is that how that works?
BEAR
I don't actually know.
NICKY
Who pays the foodies?
BEAR
I'm not actually sure.
They laugh. The romance is palpable.
NICKY
Okay, Mister Food Critic. What's the verdict of this bread?
Bear picks up a piece of bread, smells it, licks it, and holds it to his eye for inspection.
BEAR
It's slightly stale, but the butter makes up for that shit.
NICKY
Profound.
BEAR
That'll be a hundred dollars.
Nicky laughs.
NICKY
(flirty)
Oh no, I don't have that much. Is there something we can work out?
Nicky flips her hair.
BEAR
Well, I don't know, Ma'am. I'm very serious about my collections.
Bear gets another incoming call from Ian.
BEAR (CONT'D)
Hold on. It's the second time he's called.
Bear walks away from the table.
BEAR (CONT'D)
What dude, I'm busy.
IAN (V.O.)
Busy doing Nicky?
BEAR
What do you want?
IAN (V.O.)
Ok, so...
A beat.
BEAR
What is it?
IAN (V.O.)
I'm not gonna tell Sarah about this because I don't wanna spread drama, but I looked into Nicky's Dad having cancer, and he's healthy as a baby. He's been at work every day.
BEAR
How do you know?
IAN (V.O.)
I called the hospital Nicky told me about and they didn't even know who I was talking about. Something's going on, dude.
Bear looks back at Nicky in the distance and waves, then turns in the other direction.
IAN (V.O.)
Plus, Sarah told me today that Nicky always said you were like a brother, and the thought of being with you grosses her out. And hey man, take it with a grain of salt. People can change. But you should know, because this is all weird.
BEAR
What are you saying?
IAN (V.O)
You have to admit, this is strange.
BEAR
(defeated)
I'm not, not saying that.
IAN (V.O.)
Maybe Sarah is jealous and made that up, but even if you take that out of the equation...
Ian's voice fades away as Bear drops into a state of darkness. He slowly turns his head to Nicky as Ian talks.
IAN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
This is strange dude. It's like Nicky snapped into a different person.
Nicky is staring at Bear, smiling in an unnatural, creepy way.
IAN (V.O.)
I don't know what's going on with her... or you... but I think you should stay away, for a little at least, see if she still likes you.
Bear's mind goes to the ONE WISH WILLOW. He can't believe it, but he does. He understands now.
IAN (V.O) (CONT'D)
Hello? Bear?
Bear hangs up and slowly walks over to the dinner table. Total shock.
NICKY
Everything ok?
BEAR
Nicky, do you...
NICKY
What...?
BEAR
(deep in thought)
Nothing.
NICKY
I have something.
Nicky pulls out a small, old-looking box.
BEAR
What's this?
NICKY
(eerie)
Open it.
Bear hesitates but opens it. It's a silky, reddish-brown stone.
NICKY (CONT'D)
It's a Chatoyant Quartz, a Tiger's Eye.
A beat.
BEAR
Wow.
NICKY
It was my mom's, then it was mine. It's supposed to bring you confidence and willpower. So, now you can be a food critic.
BEAR
Why're you giving it to me?
NICKY
Bear, this stone's important to me. Well, you know, after my dad left...
A beat.
BEAR
So why are you giving it to me?
NICKY
Because... you're important to me.
Bear thinks. He grabs the stone and holds it against his chest.
BEAR
(testing)
So, you love me?
NICKY
Bear, I love you so much. I don't think I could live without you.
Nicky gives Bear an eerie, creepy smile. It could almost be interpreted as threatening.
BEAR
(testing)
So you would be kinda sad without me...?
NICKY
Yep.
They sit in silence. He turns the stone over in his hand.
BEAR
Nicky?
NICKY
Yeah?
BEAR
Does your dad really have cancer?
NICKY
(softly)
No, no, no, no, no, no.
Nicky abruptly gets up from the table.
BEAR
What?
NICKY
Noooooo don't do that!
The restaurant slips into a hushed, uneasy silence, all eyes on them, the air charged with discomfort.
BEAR
(calm)
What? Sit down, please.
NICKY
(angry)
Why does it matter, Bear?!
BEAR
What do you mean-
Bear looks around, embarrassed.
NICKY
I thought we were having a nice date?
BEAR
We are! We are...
A pause. Nicky sits, and the restaurant buzz resumes. Playfully, she grabs Bear's leg under the table, her eerie smile returning.
NICKY
Then why does it matter...?
Silence settles. Bear, lost in thought, realizes his yearning for her overshadows all. Her actions, her lies – it all fades, only her presence matters.
BEAR
(matter of fact)
Doesn't matter to me.
His response reveals a disregard for truth, showing a readiness to ignore darker realities for affection, hinting at a deeply flawed person.