· · ·
turning to page one
turning to page one
Obsession · written by Curry Barker · 2026
Scene 8 of 61 · ≈ 2 min on screen · 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 slouched before the TV's idealized love speech, a dead cat where his coffee table should be — grief and longing established in one image.
Bear calls Nicky back after her garbled voicemail, and she deflects that Ian is meeting her early at trivia, needling Bear's jealousy before he can confess anything.
Bear sits alone on his bed, crying over the cat, or Nicky, or his whole life.
Browsing the crystal shop for a gift, Bear spots a shelf of recalled "One Wish Willow" novelty wish-sticks and grabs one for Nicky.
This scene
Bear approaches Viola.
VIOLA
No crystal?
BEAR
I like this.
VIOLA
Yeah, those have been popular since we brought 'em out. Everybody wants a wish.
Bear waits for a laugh. Nothing.
BEAR
(uncomfortable laugh)
Well, it's not for me.
VIOLA
Don't come back here complaining.
An awkward beat.
BEAR
Yeah, I wouldn't— what do you mean? People complain about these?
VIOLA
Well, they're kind of a collectible. Some people don't open them. The people who open them complain.
Nothing more.
BEAR
Because it's a scam and-
VIOLA
Hey man, we're not a scam!
BEAR
(confused)
No, I mean, why're they mad? Because it doesn't work, and they're like... angry at you?
VIOLA
Or whatever.
A long beat. Bear doesn't get the joke.
BEAR
(teasing)
Or it works, and they ruin their lives?
VIOLA
(deadpan)
Or they die, or they wish they were dead.
Bear laughs.
BEAR
(nervous)
Wow, you're good.
The clerk laughs for the first time while she rings him up.
VIOLA
That's ten seventy-six.
BEAR
And I'm guessing these "just came in this morning? Mysteriously?"
VIOLA
No, we've had them.
BEAR
(egging on)
They've "been here forever? No idea who supplied them?"
Bear's having fun jabbing. The hipster is not having it.
VIOLA
They were recalled in the 80's. We've held on to them.
BEAR
(smug)
Perfect.
VIOLA
Do you want to buy two? There aren't many left.
Bear picks up his bag, walking off.
BEAR
(teasing)
And there's the up-sale! No, I'm good.
VIOLA
As you wish.
BEAR
She's on fire! Let me guess, "Be careful what you wish"-
VIOLA
(playful)
That's no fun.
Bear turns around to look at the clerk. She smiles very still; Eerie.
BEAR.
(nervous laughter)
Alrighty. You need a raise.