Obsession (2025) – Transcript

Obsession (2025)
Director: Curry Barker
Writer: Curry Barker
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter
Release dates: September 5, 2025 (TIFF), May 15, 2026 (United States)

Plot: Baron “Bear” Bailey has romantic feelings for his friend Nikki Freeman, both of whom work at a music store with their friends, Ian and Sarah. He returns home to find that his cat, Sandy, has died after accidentally consuming oxycodone. Bear shops for a gift for Nikki at a crystal shop and buys her a “One Wish Willow”, a novelty toy that claims to grant one wish per person when broken. Later that night, after a group hangout, Nikki directly asks Bear if he likes her, which he nervously denies. Frustrated with himself, Bear breaks the One Wish Willow, wishing for Nikki to love him more than anyone in the world. Immediately after, Nikki reappears and asks to sleep at Bear’s house, confiding that her estranged father is dying of cancer. In bed, she kisses him but then abruptly screams and pulls back.

The next morning, Nikki creates a memorial with Sandy’s remains. She explains her erratic behavior as the result of taking MDMA, which Bear accepts, and the two begin dating. Suspicious, Ian calls Bear and informs him that Nikki told Sarah she saw Bear as her “little brother” shortly before they began dating, and that she lied about her father’s cancer. That night, Bear wakes up to see Nikki watching him sleep, and she cries hysterically, accusing him of not loving her, disturbing Bear. The next day, Bear discovers that she made him a sandwich using Sandy’s remains.

Bear calls the One Wish Willow’s customer support to alter his wish. The voice on the other end says the wish will only expire when he dies, then puts a hysterically screaming Nikki on the line, which Bear hangs up on in a panic.

Nikki accompanies Bear to a party at Ian’s house that night, despite the latter’s protests. During a Jenga drinking game, Nikki recites a violent, incestuous retelling of “Hansel and Gretel”. Bear draws a block, daring him to kiss the person to his left, who is Sarah. Nikki ousts Sarah from her seat and kisses Bear instead. Suddenly, Nikki starts screaming and stabs herself in the face with a broken bottle. Later, Sarah texts Bear to meet her at the park. As Bear attempts to leave, a lucid Nikki speaks, claiming that her obsessive persona is asleep, and begs Bear to kill her. Bear refuses, offended that she would rather die than be with him. Sarah reveals to Bear that Ian and Nikki had been casually hooking up for the past two years, and expresses concern that Nikki is using him to get back at Ian. After Sarah hints at her own attraction to Bear, Nikki suddenly bursts through the car window and murders her by repeatedly slamming her head into a brick. She instructs a traumatized Bear to return home while she disposes of the body.

Bear buys the remaining One Wish Willows from the crystal shop but is unable to break one to reverse the wish. He explains the situation to Ian and begs him to undo his wish. Ian, in disbelief, sarcastically wishes for a billion dollars instead, causing cash to rain from the ceiling.

Bear returns home with the last One Wish Willow to get Nikki to reverse his wish. He discovers Sarah’s mutilated corpse and finds Nikki wearing Sarah’s dress and scalp; she then threatens Bear and herself at gunpoint. Ian arrives and is immediately shot dead by Nikki. Bear locks himself in the bathroom and intends to shoot himself in the head. Unable to go through with it, he instead consumes the last of the oxycodone, but quickly changes his mind and tries to induce vomiting just as Nikki breaks the last One Wish Willow. Under the wish’s influence, Bear emerges from the bathroom and kisses Nikki before dying from the overdose. Heartbroken, Nikki prepares to shoot herself, but Bear’s death causes Nikki’s real personality to regain control just before she does. Horrified by the carnage surrounding her, Nikki wails hysterically.

* * *

Transcript

Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.

(grand orchestral fanfare playing)

♪♪

♪♪

Ever since we…

You’re the only person that I’ve ever…

Sorry, this is weird. I-I don’t talk like this.

WOMAN: No, it’s okay.

I feel like I’m coming apart.

I think about you all the time, Nikki.

I try not to… you’re in every song I listen to.

You were the only person who was nice to me when I moved here.

And at first, I thought maybe you…

Well, I realized who you are.

And then, after Nana passed, you were the one that called even when I didn’t have anything to say and we just sat there.

So I keep telling myself, “Don’t tell her.

“She’s too good.

And she’ll… you’ll lose her.”

But maybe you should know… that I would choose you over everything.

Aw. (chuckles)

That’s everything.

IAN: No, no. Stop.

Okay, th-th-that was cringey.

Oh, my God. I knew it.

IAN: Way too much.

I-I’m so sorry.

WOMAN: I thought that was sweet.

I thought it was gross.

BEAR: I-I should’ve…

Okay, this time I want you…

BEAR: No, I…

I’m not doing it again, dude.

That was so embarrassing.

IAN: Yeah, yeah.

That would freak… Th-Th-That freaked me out.

Okay? Nikki would vomit.

You told me to pour my heart out.

Do you know how vulnerable I just got?

I underestimated you.

What if you got her something nice?

IAN: No, no.

I’ll try that.

IAN: D-Don’t get her anything.

(stammers) Dude, you got to be less… way less sappy with Nikki, okay?

She doesn’t like that shit. She doesn’t.

Flowers, the candy that she said she likes?

IAN: Okay.

Thank you.

WOMAN: What?

Thank you.

WOMAN: You want me to go?

Yeah, if-if you want, yeah.

WOMAN: Oh, yeah, okay. Yeah.

I’m sorry that… I’m sorry I made you do that.

No. No, it’s okay. You’re okay.

No, it-it just…

It’s a fun break.

Just pretend like…

You’re good.

(chuckles) Oh, my God, dude, that was so embarrassing.

Can we leave?

Yeah, well, thank God I did it. That was… that was awful.

Thank you for that.

Have you ever actually, like, flirted with Nikki?

Invite romance.

Invite romance?

Tease her.

Be playfully mean with her.

Be mean to her?

Playfully mean, yeah, but bring up Freaky Nikki.

You want me to call her Freaky Nikki?

You know she’s sensitive about that.

Be like, “Hey, remember when you used to get bullied?

Everybody called you Freaky Nikki?”

She’ll be like, “Oh, my God.

“Oh, no, Bear, that was… that was so long ago.

Don’t. Please.”

And that will, like, take her breath away?

Just say, “Nikki, I think we should grab a drink sometime.”

Yeah, I’ve grabbed drinks sometimes.

She always invites you.

Yeah, exactly.

I asked you guys not to come to trivia for one night.

Y-You can’t ask her out at trivia, Bear.

You can’t. I-I’m not gonna let you.

It’s a good, organic time to ask.

I love trivia night.

It’s all I have.

I wake up every Wednesday rock hard, thinking about trivia.

God, I can’t get over how dumb I just looked.

Y-You can’t turn our weekly gathering of camaraderie and skill i-into your… your… your seven-year-late promposal, Bear.

Then when do I ask?

Any other time.

All you have is time.

♪♪

If she means this much to you… and I know she does… wait.

Do it at the right time.

Okay.

Okay, I’ll wait.

I’ll do it right.

Now say it with me.

All you have is time.

(indistinct chatter on TV)

(Door creaking)

BEAR: Oh, no.

Sandy?

Sandy?

(Bear breathing heavily)

(quietly) Oh, no.

(voice shaking) Sandy?

No.

No, no, no, no.

(sobbing) Oh, no, no. No, no!

Oh, shit.

How did you get into these?

Oh, man.

(Bear sobbing)

Why can’t she…

Just…

♪♪

(clock ticking)

(phone vibrating)

Hey.

NIKKI: Wow, you are so lucky.

Today was so busy.

(chuckles) Oh.

I needed a good day off.

Oh, yeah. Definitely. (chuckles)

You work so hard.

(Laughs)

You know I do.

Oh, uh, what time are you showing up tonight?

I want to secure the spot early.

Oh.

Um, I’ll…

I don’t think I’m gonna make it tonight, actually.

Aw, Bear, no.

I wanted to see you tonight.

We need your brain.

We got to beat the Rag Tags this week.

Uh, well, I mean…

I…

I-I don’t… I don’t think I can tonight.

I’m just catching up on some stuff.

I was gonna tell you something.

What?

I mean, should I, like, tell you now?

Yeah.

What?

Yeah, so I’m putting in my two weeks.

Really?

How come?

I don’t know.

Yeah, we’re kind of running out of time, Bear, so, um… you know, might want to skip that stuff you’re working on. (chuckles)

BEAR: You’re right.

Tonight’s the night.

Shit!

Goddamn it!

Are you okay?

No, I just dropped my crystal necklace down the drain.

Oh, shit.

Ugh!

Sorry.

Why would she even say that?

(Bell chimes, door opens)

Hey, uh, we’re closing soon, so let me know if you need anything.

BEAR: Oh, o-okay.

(Indistinct chatter on phone)

Thank you.

Right. Yeah, I know.

Ryan was saying that, too, so I’m not the only one.

MAN: (on phone) Oh, you’re definitely not the only one.

I know.

BEAR: Hey, uh, sorry.

I-I do need help.

Um, do you have, uh, crystal necklaces?

Yeah. Yeah, here, let me show you.

No, honestly, ’cause that’s what I was saying before.

Like, what? What are you even talking about?

Oh, my God, that’s crazy.

What?

No.

Hold on a second.

Um, so this is all we have.

Yeah, each rock has its own kind of unique energy and whatever.

So, the amethyst is for calmness, clarity, and then the rose quartz attracts, like, love and shit.

What’s one that’s, like, good… energy or, like, good vibes?

Probably the citrine.

I mean, it’s basically sunshine in a rock.

Okay. Thanks.

Yeah. Let me know if you need anything else.

Sunshine in a rock.

Well, no, ’cause yesterday at lunch, Becca was being, like, such a… Yeah.

Nikki would hate that.

No, that’s what I’m saying.

And then her bringing Ryan with her?

I was like, “What are you even doing?”

♪♪

Like, really?

You know we don’t even like him.

Just so annoying.

Yeah.

Honestly, ’cause that’s what I was saying…

(chatter fades)

What, no crystal?

I like this.

Yeah, well, they’ve been pretty popular since we put them out.

You know, everybody wants a wish.

Well, it’s not for me, so…

Okay, well, don’t come back complaining. (chuckles)

Do people complain about these or…?

Well, they’re kind of like collectibles, so some people don’t open them, but the people who do, you know, come back and complain.

‘Cause it’s a scam or…?

Hey, man, we’re not scammers, okay?

No, no, I don’t mean that you’re a scammer, but just, like, why do they complain?

‘Cause they’re mad

’cause it doesn’t work?

Yeah, or whatever.

(laughing) Or it does work and it, like, ruins their lives?

Or they die or wish they were dead.

(Bear laughs)

You’re good, very good.

Yeah, you could write a review.

This is gonna be seven…

(Buttons clicking)

NIKKI: Have you ever even been into a Guitar Center?

SARAH: No.

NIKKI: They aren’t all tuned.

So, basically…

It’s not about the guitars,

and you know that.

Those teenagers are fucking slapping it like a bass, and the shitty demo strings… don’t even get me started.

IAN: Ladies, please.

He doesn’t expect them to be tuned all the time.

It’s…

(Ian groans)

If you’re working on your book or whatever…

IAN: Girls.

Or you’re on the clock,

it would give you something to do.

Oh, my God.

I never work on my book when there are customers in the store, so why does it matter?

I know, but look, I’m the one that has to go home and hear my dad complain about my friends all night.

I’m just asking you to pretend

like you’re working.

IAN: (whispers) What?

Just, like…

NIKKI: I mean, it’s easy for you to say…

No.

When you’re leaving for tattoo school.

SARAH: It’s art school, and I haven’t gotten in yet.

I thought you got into Luther.

SARAH: No, I said I want to go to Luther.

NIKKI: Sorry, I didn’t…

SARAH: Still have a shot.

NIKKI: Good. SARAH: Sorry.

(Whispers) Later.

I-I just don’t want you to get in trouble.

Later.

NIKKI: I know, babe.

I love you.

SARAH: I love you.

What the fuck are you guys doing?

IAN: Uh…

Ian’s just messing with me.

I look over, and these two are just… (mouthing)

(laughter)

IAN: Hey, cut the shit.

Hey, can we focus up? This is, uh, this is very serious to me.

I’m gonna go get some shots.

SARAH: Great idea, Nikki.

I’ll-I’ll come with you.

NIKKI: Thank you. Thank you.

SARAH: (laughs) What the fuck were you guys doing?

(whispers) After.

NIKKI: Four shots of tequila, please.

Um, and anything else?

I’ll get a piña colada.

A piña colada?

Don’t make fun of my drink.

(Nikki laughing)

What?

(Laughing) I like a man who’s in touch with his feminine side.

Why is that feminine?

It’s not.

I don’t like the taste of the alcohol.

Yeah, we’ll get you juice.

Wow.

Wait, so what was the important stuff

on the phone today?

A lot.

I did a lot of really important things.

That?

Cleaned.

Mm.

I did my taxes.

I did…

You watched TV all day.

Yeah, that’s all I did.

(Both laugh)

Bear.

Yeah.

So, uh, I was thinking…

BARTENDER: Got a card for the shots?

NIKKI: Uh, yes.

I got it.

Okay, fine. Yes.

You can… But I think…

Ah.

I said I got it.

Yeah, you got to be quicker than that.

Thank you.

You’re welcome.

Uh…

Anyway, um…

I went to the store…

BARTENDER: Open or closed?

Oh. Open, babe.

I was just trying to say that I… you said you dropped your necklace…

Guys, Sarah just told me that her dad keeps a gun in the break room safe.

Wow.

NIKKI: Are you serious?

Dead serious.

NIKKI: I feel like he, like, should’ve mentioned that or something.

Not if it’s locked away. It’s fine.

Oh, my God, I’m so sorry. Um, you were saying something.

Yeah, what were you saying?

I was just saying, um, I… I’ll just… I’ll tell you later.

It’s fine. I-I got… I went to this…

Didn’t realize we were all taking a field trip to the bar.

IAN: Ooh la la.

NIKKI: All right.

To… Okay.

Fine, yeah.

What are we cheers-ing to?

To Sandy.

(Patrons cheering)

HOST: Thanks for coming out tonight.

NIKKI and IAN: Oh.

HOST: It is trivia time.

IAN: Mm-mm. All right.

HOST: And as always…

Let’s get these fuckers, huh?

All right. Yeah, I’m looking at you, bitch.

Here we go.

HOST: Will win a $100 Visa.

Why to Sandy?

(Patrons shouting, cheering)

She died.

HOST: And tonight’s theme is going to be…

What?

Early film trivia.

Sandy died.

HOST: Okay, this first one’s a two-parter…

What?

Yeah.

HOST: And you have to answer both. Here we go.

Really?

HOST: This animated film features a blue genie

that can grant three wishes.

Bear, I’m so sorry.

Oh, it’s okay.

HOST: What is the name of this movie…?

(patrons clapping, chanting)

Guys, settle down.

NIKKI: Bear.

HOST: Settle down.

Okay, okay, guys…

Come on, douche bags. We’re going to Greedo’s.

No, please. I just want to go home.

You’re saying no to karaoke?

I’m saying no to bad singers and sticky tabletops when I just want to go home and sleep.

All right, so who’s gonna dance when I “Slim Shady” the whole joint?

(mocking) “Who’s gonna dance when I

‘Slim Shady’ the whole joint?”

(Bear laughing)

SARAH: (laughs) Wait, Ian, let’s do a duet.

IAN: Fuck that.

SARAH: High School Musical?

Sarah will sing. Give me a G.

(off-key) ♪ Ah. ♪

(Laughter)

What the fuck was that?

No, Sarah sucks.

SARAH: Shut the fuck up.

Can you just please take me home?

SARAH: Bro.

I just want to go to bed.

IAN: Nikki…

NIKKI: I had a long day. I don’t want to go to the next fucking bar with you guys.

IAN: My car’s headed to Greedo’s, Nikki.

SARAH: We could drop her off on the way.

NIKKI: Come on!

I could take you home.

IAN: (chuckles) You’re a real piece of work, man.

Thank you.

IAN: Bear.

No, Bear, you have to come.

Fuck that.

I’m too tired.

SARAH: Fuck you.

Does anybody have cash?

Uh, I think I have a 20.

Oh, you’re an angel.

Okay.

I’ll pay you back!

SARAH: You can’t have it.

Great, just bought a guy’s heroin for the week.

IAN: You would know the street price.

♪ You don’t know love till you meet another one ♪

♪ Show you how to grow up ♪

♪ ‘Cause you know there’s no need to be someone ♪

(“There’s No Other” by Felly playing)

♪ Feeling so numb when I need somebody ♪

♪ Even though it’s not funny ♪

♪ Do you know what it’s like to need, need… ♪

All right, Bear, you ready?

Good night, guys.

Okay.

(Ian grunts)

NIKKI: Jesus, Ian.

Bye.

Get home safe, okay?

NIKKI: God, you’re so fucking annoying, you…

Ian.

Get your girl home safe.

Ew. Don’t say it like that.

SARAH: See you later, Bear.

NIKKI: All right, Bear, let’s get the fuck out of here.

All right. Let’s go.

IAN: Fuck these losers.

Let’s go get fucked up.

SARAH: Yeah, Bear, fuck you.

BEAR: Let’s go.

(music playing quietly over stereo)

NIKKI: Sorry about your cat, Baron.

It’s okay.

Well, it’s not, but…

I don’t think it’s, like, hit me yet.

You know you can always call me when it does.

I know.

It’s gonna be weird not seeing you every day.

Just, I’m not happy there.

I mean, it’s just a job, Nikki.

Yeah, well, I want to write.

I mean, you are.

No, I…

I feel like I need a big life change.

I’m not feeling love, and I want to feel love if I want to bring the story to life.

Love?

So it’s a romance.

No, it’s not a romance. It’s a love story.

(chuckling) Isn’t that the same thing?

You know, you’re the only person that I get to really talk to about this stuff.

You are, too.

Especially at work.

You’re not a complete brick wall.

Oh. Um, don’t let me forget.

I-I… I got you something.

What?

You’ll see.

Ew. No. That…

Why does that make me nervous?

I don’t know.

That’s an odd reaction.

(crickets chirping)

(car approaching)

(engine shuts off)

You know, Sarah was asking about you all day today.

How do you feel about that?

You’re asking if I have feelings for Sarah?

I’m asking how you feel about Sarah, and if how you feel about her is having a crush on her, then that would be how you feel about her.

I like her as a friend.

(chuckling) God. I figured.

She’s so fucking obvious.

(laughing) Yeah, she is.

When I have a crush on a guy, no one knows.

Good night.

(Door opens)

Nikki, wait.

(Door closes)

What?

I was gonna ask you, um…

Uh…

I-I lost my train of thought.

Good night.

(Laughs) Good night.

Wa… Oh.

Hey, do you remember in Mr. Lando’s class when, uh, I forgot my mouthpiece and he was, like, in a really pissy mood that day and you told me you had an extra one?

And then you gave me yours, but, like…

Bear, Lando liked me.

You were on thin ice, okay?

Good night.

BEAR: Good night, Freaky Nikki. (chuckles)

NIKKI: Ew. Don’t call me that.

I know. I was kidding.

You know I don’t like that.

Sorry.

I know. I’m sorry.

(sighs)

Do you like me?

(chuckles) What?

‘Cause if you do, now is the time to tell me.

♪♪

I…

I think we’re good friends.

Okay.

Good. Good night.

BEAR: Oh, fuck.

Why?

What the fuck?

(House door opens)

(door closes)

(scoffs)

Okay.

(mumbles)

“One Wish Willow.

Amaze your friends. You only get one wish.”

(ominous melody playing over tinny speakers)

(melody ends)

I wish Nikki Freeman loved me more than anyone in the fucking world.

(keys jingling)

(engine starts)

BEAR: What the fuck?

Oh, shit.

Um, hey.

Uh, I just had to pull up directions.

You said you had something for me?

Um…

Yeah.

Uh, I-I left it at home.

Okay.

(chuckling) Um, I can bring it to work tomorrow.

Oh, okay.

Okay. Good night.

Maybe you want to come inside?

I mean, I did just lose my cat, Bear.

You lost your cat?

Oh, wait.

Uh, I mean… I mean you lost your cat.

I’m so sorry.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Do you… Should we…

Do you want to come inside or…?

Nikki…

(chuckling) are you okay?

Are you okay?

Am I okay because of the cat?

Yeah.

Yeah, I’m fine.

Why don’t you come inside, and we can have some drinks and talk about your cat.

Yeah.

I’m sorry. Yeah.

(chuckling) Nikki, I’m confused.

I think you’re drunk.

No!

I’m not act…

Wait, what the fuck?

Nikki, what the fuck? Are you okay?

I’m acting so weird.

(laughing) This is so weird.

(laughing) What the fuck?

(Nikki laughing)

No.

Why are you…

No. No.

What are you do…

Come on.

Come on. Come on.

What the fuck?

NIKKI: Actually, no.

(laughing) What are you doing?

I know what you’re trying to do.

(Bear laughing)

(laughing) What the fuck?

(Nikki laughing)

Nikki, no. Why are you getting in my car?

Let’s go to your place.

You are honestly freaking me out.

Oh…

God, no.

I have never seen you act like this before.

What the fuck is wrong with you?

I must be… pretty fucked up.

Yes, I know, which is why I think you should go home…

(chuckling) and we’ll pick this up tomorrow.

Can’t do that.

Uh…

I just don’t know if I can be alone right now.

Why?

NIKKI: My dad’s dying.

(Nikki sobbing)

Nikki, no.

I’m so sorry.

(Crying) I just took one step inside my house, and I couldn’t.

(continues sobbing)

(sniffling)

Can we go, please?

Where do you want to go?

Wow.

Yep. (sighs)

This is it.

It’s, uh…

It’s bigger than your last place.

Yeah. Um, it was Grandma’s.

I got to keep it.

(sighing) Oh, my God.

♪♪

It smells like you.

What do you mean? Does it smell bad?

No. No, just you.

It’s nice.

I like it here.

BEAR: Let me know if you need, like, water or towels or, I don’t know, Advil or something, okay?

I’m sorry I was weird earlier.

No.

No need to apologize.

Just, um… take all the space or time that you need.

Okay?

Good night.

NIKKI: Wait.

♪♪

Yeah?

Can you sleep with me?

Please?

Um…

Please. I just…

I’ll get in my head all night and stare at the ceiling.

Please?

Y-Yeah.

Yeah.

(takes off shoes)

Are you okay?

Given the circumstances, yeah.

(“Televisions” by Current Joys playing)

♪ I just want to make you cry ♪

(Bear grunts softly)

(Nikki sighs)

♪ For all those times you made me cry ♪

God, I needed this.

♪ For all those times we used to know ♪

(sighs)

(Chuckles) Really?

Yeah.

♪ On those television shows ♪

Why?

Uh…

I’m really sorry about your cat, Bear.

I… I think you got me beat on that one.

♪ I’m having tele-visions ♪

Wait.

♪ I’m having tele-visions. ♪

(breathes heavily)

What the fuck?

What the fuck?! What the fuck?!

What? What? What?

Oh, my God.

I’m so sorry.

You kissed me.

I know. I-I… I thought I saw something.

What the fuck was that?

I don’t know.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

No, no, no, no, no.

Nikki, what the fuck was that?

I don’t know. I just…

Can we… Can we sleep?

I’m sorry.

You don’t have to be sorry. Just…

Shit, you made me feel like I did something

you didn’t like.

No.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just…

I thought I saw something.

Oh, my God.

You scared the shit out of me.

It was a panic attack.

What? (panting)

It was a panic attack.

Really?

Yeah.

(sobbing) I’m just so lost.

It’s okay.

(clock ticking)

♪♪

(taps keyboard)

(typing)

(tapping key)

(sighs)

(chuckling softly)

What were you doing?

I-I was just going to the bathroom.

Can you lay with me?

I don’t know, Nikki.

Please?

♪♪

(inhales deeply)

(bird calling in distance)

(Exhales)

♪♪

(floorboards creaking)

(sniffs)

(flies buzzing)

NIKKI: Oh, no.

No, you’re supposed to like it.

Nikki, you…

It’s a memorial. I…

BEAR: No, it’s fucked up.

NIKKI: Well, I don’t know if it’s fucked, Bear.

BEAR: No, it is.

NIKKI: Is that good?

BEAR: Why would that be good?

(music playing faintly over speakers)

(guitar strings tuning)

(entry bell chiming)

Oh, Nikki.

What?

Show me the plug-in keyboard that isn’t working, ’cause I don’t want to give some Karen an excuse to…

Carter. Don’t say “Karen.”

What?

CARTER: No, but isn’t that someone that says no?

NIKKI: No, Carter. You can’t say that.

CARTER: Oh. Why?

NIKKI: There’s people inside.

Just… Okay, let’s go.

Yes.

Go. Go.

(Muttering)

Okay. Okay.

What the fuck?

What the fuck happened last night?

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

You’re not gonna believe the crazy fucking night that I just had, dude.

You fucked Nikki, you dog.

No. No.

What did you say to her?

No, I didn’t fuck her, dude.

I just saw you come in together.

Yeah, well…

Did she sleep over?

By the way, you got to clock in.

Ian.

What-what are you afraid of?

Sarah?

Just pretend like we’re… Laugh.

(both forcing laughter)

Yeah.

I think Nikki is going through something.

What?

I don’t know, dude.

She was acting super fucking weird.

Like, she would, like…

Like, what? Is she okay?

No.

Did she tell you what’s wrong?

Like, sort of, but I think there’s more.

Well, what the fuck is it?

I’m gonna let her tell you.

Don’t fucking bring it up and then don’t tell me,

you fucking asshole.

Her dad has cancer.

Really?

That’s what she told me.

Her dad in Washington that she doesn’t care about?

It still hurts, I guess. I don’t know.

Yeah. Yeah.

But I think it’s more than that.

Like, I think she’s having, like, a mental breakdown or something.

Like, she would, like, freak out, and then she would, like, snap back to happy.

What the fuck? Are-are you joking?

She started kissing me and then crying.

It was really fucking weird.

Uh, so you told her how you felt, and then…

I didn’t tell her.

What?

I didn’t tell her.

You…

Sh-She was kissing you?

That’s what I’m saying.

And how exactly does that make fucking sense?

I don’t know, dude. I think she needs serious help.

And sh… and she was crying?

Yes, and then she would, like, snap back to normal.

It was terrifying. It was, like, psychotic.

I don’t know. And then… and then she wanted me to, like, cuddle and sleep with her.

Did you?

No.

‘Cause that’d be fucked up if you did, bro.

I didn’t.

I was sleeping on the fucking floor.

Don’t fuck with me.

She was freaking me out.

You think she was on Molly again?

I mean, I don’t think…

Maybe.

Yeah, dude.

It sounds like she was on fucking Molly.

(sighs) Yeah, maybe.

I’m gonna go talk to her.

Wait, wait.

Is she still looking?

Yep, totally. She’s looking.

Don’t be weird.

Can you just chill the fuck out and clock the fuck in?

CARTER: Baron, I’m gonna need you to play “Moon River”

on the piano for that…

NIKKI: Hey, Bear.

CARTER: 14-year-old shit brick in keyboards.

IAN: Hey, Bear.

CARTER: Sarah, honey, will you stock up percussion?

All right, come on, guys. Big day today.

We’re gonna have a rush.

(crickets chirping)

BEAR: Okay.

IAN: Dude, I need a fucking drink after that shit.

BEAR: That was insane.

NIKKI: Told you.

SARAH: I’m pouring myself a…

(Nikki yawns)

SARAH: I’m calling it a night.

BEAR: Um…

IAN: Have a good one.

SARAH: Thank you.

IAN: See ya.

SARAH: Get home safe. Bye.

Uh, Nikki, I don’t know if I can take you home today.

I know. I’m just grabbing my purse.

Oh.

IAN: Ready?

NIKKI: Yep.

Uh, excuse me.

Are you gonna take her?

Yeah.

I’m gonna take her.

Okay.

Good.

Trust me.

Bye, guys.

IAN: See ya.

(engine starts)

BEAR: I looked at, like, three different websites,

and, like…

IAN (over phone) Yeah.

BEAR: I think she was…

IAN: Yeah.

BEAR: Did you talk to her?

IAN: Yeah, I did.

BEAR: What did she say?

Uh, sh-she’s… she’s good.

Everything’s good.

She wasn’t, like, looking at you or anything.

She was staring at me, and…

Maybe, but I-I was just talking to her.

She was looking at both of us.

It looked like we were talking about her, so that explains it.

You guys walked in together.

I’m gonna just call her.

Uh, maybe don’t.

(knocking at door)

Don’t do that.

‘Cause, you know, we’re just… we’re chatting.

Just…

Hold on.

It sounds like you’re gonna talk to her.

Bear…

(Phone beeps)

NIKKI: Hey, Bear.

Oh.

(chuckles) Hey.

I had to shower, and I didn’t know what to wear.

For what?

So, I’m really sorry about last night. I, um…

No. Ian told me you were freaked out.

I’m just glad I could be there, I guess.

Yeah, um, so I probably shouldn’t have taken anything.

So…

I was on MDMA.

Right.

And… wasted.

(chuckles) That’s okay.

Do you… remember… stuff?

Some of it. I mean…

So, if I was weird, that’s why, and my dad made me a mess, and so I did things I probably wouldn’t have done otherwise.

And I’m not saying that you took advantage of me.

Nikki, I didn’t know you were on drugs.

That’s what I’m saying. I’m not saying that.

Not saying what?

You took advantage of me.

I don’t think… I didn’t.

I know. That’s why…

I’m saying you didn’t.

Okay.

Good.

I just, um, don’t like to…

I really like what we have, and I want to be honest about some things, and it’s really important for me.

It’s okay. Um, you know, I-I get it.

I get it.

I know you like me, Bear.

♪♪

(stammers)

No, I…

Why? Do you like me?

Would it freak you out if I said yes?

(chuckles softly)

How long have you felt that way?

It’s just happened over time.

Started during Christmas, and…

I don’t know, it just…

Then, last night, I saw what we could…

Do you have feelings for me?

Yeah, I do.

♪♪

(voices muted)

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

And I wrote, “In a band,” and then she made me change it.

Yeah.

Bitch. (laughs)

And then you leaned in, and you whispered…

BOTH: “I’ll be in your band.”

(both laugh)

Yeah.

How’s your dad doing?

Can we not talk about that?

(Cell phone vibrating)

Okay.

Um… so what do you want to do?

I mean, I never really asked.

Well, that’s not all your fault.

I mean, I’m kind of private, I guess.

You guess?

I’ve been told.

By who?

Ian.

You, actually.

You told me that once.

I did?

You called me a closed book.

Well, I guess the good thing about a closed book is

I get to read it from the start.

(chuckles)

Maybe a food critic or something.

You put ketchup on your steak.

I’ll come in, and they’ll be like, “Hey, aren’t you the food guy?”

And I’ll say, “Please, call me Three-Bite Bailey.”

And then they will serve me a four-course meal, and I’ll pull out my wallet, and they’ll say, “No, no, no, sir, please, tonight, on the house.”

And then I get paid.

Is that how that goes?

I actually don’t know.

(Both laughing)

Okay, my little food critic, what’s the verdict on this bread?

This bread?

Mm-hmm.

Oh.

Well…

Hmm. Slightly stale, but the butter makes up for that shit.

Profound.

That’ll be a hundred dollars.

(laughs) Well…

(cell phone vibrating)

Sorry.

It’s the second time he’s called.

I’ll be right back.

What is it, dude? I’m busy.

IAN: Oh, busy doing Nikki?

What do you want?

Okay, so, um…

What is it?

(Ian stammers)

I’m not gonna tell Sarah about this, because I don’t want to spread drama.

I looked into Nikki’s dad having cancer, and he’s healthy as a baby.

He’s been to work, like, every day.

Why would she lie about that, Ian?

I don’t know. For attention.

I called the hospital she told me about, and they didn’t even know who I was talking about.

Look, you know I always got your back on this stuff.

Apparently, Nikki and Sarah had a conversation about you that-that day you weren’t in, and, uh, Nikki said she just thought of you like her little brother or, you know, and she, like, friend-zoned you.

And-and-and look, that may suck to hear, but I just think you got to know because, I-I don’t know, I think she has some kind of ill intentions or something freaking mental is going on, man.

And maybe Sarah’s jealous and made that up, but, like, even if you take that out of the equation, this is strange, dude.

It’s like Nikki snapped into a different person.

Sh-She’s all of a sudden infatuated with you.

♪♪

Everything okay?

(voice trembling) Nikki, do you…

What?

Never mind.

I have something for you.

What is it?

Um…

What is it?

Open it.

It’s a… it’s a tiger’s eye.

Wow.

It was my mom’s, and then it was mine.

It’s supposed to bring you confidence and willpower, so… now you can be a food critic.

Why are you giving it to me?

Bear, I love you so, so, so, so, so much.

I don’t think I could live without you.

You love me more than anyone in the world?

(chuckling) Yes, more than anyone.

Nikki.

Yeah?

Does your dad really have cancer?

♪♪

No.

(chuckling) No, no, no.

What?

No, no, no,

no, no, no, no, no.

What?

Don’t do that!

Nikki. (stammers)

I thought we were having a nice date. (patrons murmuring)

We-we are. We are. Sit down.

Why does it matter?

I thought we were having a nice date.

We are. We are.

We are. We are.

(Nikki crying)

It’s okay.

We are. We are.

Then why does it matter?

It doesn’t matter to me.

(grunts) Oh, yeah.

(grunting, moaning)

(Bear grunting)

Yeah. Uh-huh.

(moaning)

(breathing heavily)

Oh, that was amazing, baby.

Yeah.

Yeah.

(takes deep breath)

Nikki?

NIKKI: Go back to sleep.

(Bear gasps)

BEAR: Nikki.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

(whispering) Watching you sleep.

You’re so cute when you sleep.

Wearing my sweater, huh?

Smells like you.

Can you come back to bed?

No, no.

Nikki.

No.

(crying) I don’t like my dreams.

(sobbing)

I feel like you don’t love me as much as I do.

Like it’s not mutual.

No, I… I do.

Just come back to bed.

(Sobbing continues)

Please?

(sobbing stops)

(crying) Go back to sleep.

(Nikki sobs softly)

Why don’t you love me?!

(Gasps)

Nikki? Nikki, where are you?

(rapid, trembling breaths)

What?

Nikki, what are you doing?

Nikki.

No, what-what do you want me to do?

For Sandy, okay?

♪♪

Stay!

(insects trilling)

(birds chirping)

What the fuck?

Morning.

NIKKI: Morning.

(clears throat)

Um…

Yeah?

Did you cut my hair?

Yeah.

Let’s not do that.

Okay.

Packed you a lunch.

Oh.

(Nikki laughs)

Oh, oh, can-can we talk about last night?

(sighs) I know.

I know. I know.

It was kind of weird.

Right? (chuckles)

Yeah. I’m so sorry.

Okay, good, ’cause if I’m being honest, it was kind of terrifying.

Oh, my God.

I’m so sorry.

I had a bad dream, and I just…

You what?

How’s this?

Not great.

Okay.

Listen, Nikki.

Come here.

I think…

Come here.

Listen.

(Bear’s breath trembling)

I love you.

I love you, too.

So, so, so, so…

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

Good. Good.

So, will you promise me something?

Yes.

No more weird stuff.

All right?

No more watching me while I sleep or, like, moving weird.

Okay.

All right?

I super promise, and I’m so sorry that it even happened.

Okay.

Okay.

So… we’re good.

We’re good.

(chuckles) We’re good.

Great.

(Laughing) Great.

(both laughing)

We’re good.

All right.

Oh, God, I’m gonna miss you.

I wish I was scheduled today.

(Nikki sighs)

No, no, just enjoy your day off.

(Nikki sighs)

Maybe I can pop by.

No, no, just make yourself at home.

NIKKI: Love you.

BEAR: Love you.

♪♪

(tape tearing slowly)

(grunts)

NIKKI: If you’re having trouble with the door, maybe you should just stay home.

No, I got it.

(grunts)

(Door creaks)

Bye, Bear.

(door closes)

(liquid trickling)

♪♪

(music playing quietly over speakers)

♪♪

SARAH: Why-why is everyone so entitled these days?

Like, people have no patience.

It’s… it was so clear I was busy, and they won’t stop pestering me.

What the fuck is that?

Inside joke.

SARAH: You going to Ian’s thing tonight?

First I’ve heard.

Well… (scoffs)

“Well,” what?

I heard what you told Ian.

About what?

About Nikki.

How she friend-zoned me.

I don’t know what Nikki said in the past, but…

I mean, we literally talked about it once.

I just think that it’s weird how you two are dating all of a sudden.

Like, super dating.

I don’t know, Sarah.

Look, I couldn’t care less whatever game Nikki is playing.

I just don’t want you to get hurt and…

What is your problem with Nikki? No, and if.

Ian’s gonna spread my shit, then you should know,

Ian and…

CARTER: Honey.

We got another one.

SARAH: God, I’m nervous.

(paper rustling)

Please, God.

Please.

(Carter and Sarah sigh)

SARAH: No.

CARTER: Well, you got to get in somewhere, or else…

SARAH: I know.

CARTER: You know?

Okay.

Get back to work.

(Sarah sighs)

(sighs)

This is what I get for being such a fucker in high school, huh?

Is that your… the last one?

No, one more.

Luther.

♪♪

You can give me a tattoo without a school.

Thanks.

It has to be small, in a hidden location.

(Sarah laughing)

Your lunch smells weird.

Oops. (laughs)

Jesus.

“My little food critic.”

What are you doing?

“My little food critic.”

(Sarah laughing)

Well, what’s the verdict on cat?

What?

What does that mean?

“What’s the verdict: Cat?”

(Sarah laughs)

Bear, what’s that mean?

That is so fucking weird.

(Sarah laughing)

Bear, what does that mean?

What?

Bear, what is it?

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Are-are-are you okay? Bear, what…

Oh, my God.

(Retching)

Bear, are you okay?

IAN: What’s going on?

SARAH: Oh, my God!

IAN: Bear, what the fuck?

SARAH: Dad!

IAN: No, I can’t do that.

I can’t look at that.

Bear, what does that mean?

BEAR: Inside joke.

Baron.

(Bear grunts)

Yo, can I get a… can I get a ride home?

Where’s your car?

Uh, I had to Uber today.

“Check engine” light.

I was gonna run some…

What, run some errands?

Come on, we’re neighbors.

IAN: So, uh… we gonna talk about you and Nikki?

BEAR: What about it?

You come to me saying Nikki’s having, like, some fucking crazy mental breakdown or something and that she needs to get help, and now you’re acting like, “Oh, no, no, we’re in love. She’s fucking fine.

Everything’s perfect.”

She was on drugs.

Nikki is literally fine.

Okay, can you just please break this down for me?

She’s lying about cancer.

I’m not gonna break this down for you.

And now she’s sleeping over all the time.

I don’t want to break down our relationship.

Lying about her dad.

I mean, you have to admit that’s crazy.

Oh, and by the way, I heard you’re having a party tonight.

Don’t change the subject.

Why didn’t you invite us?

Oh, oh, so now you’re an “us”?

Well, why didn’t you invite me to the party?

Don’t-don’t change the subject.

I’m not gonna invite you two to my place.

Why not?

Because.

It kind of looks like Nikki’s going through something, and… it kind of looks like you’re taking advantage of the situation.

Oh, fuck you, dude.

And I say it with love, bro.

I’m saying it with love.

Come on, she is all over me.

I’m on your side, but it’s a bad look.

What do you think this is gonna look like to other people?

Why-why are you trying to ruin something good?

Carter even said something. It’s a bad look, man.

That is so unfair, dude.

She’s the one who won’t leave me alone.

Fine.

You want to come over tonight?

I don’t know, maybe.

Nikki can’t come.

(chuckling) Dude.

No, Nikki can’t come.

It’s a boys’ night.

Great.

I’m sure she’ll be fine with it.

I’ll text Sarah not to come, and that should be completely fine, because if the relationship is healthy and it’s not built on some codependency, dad dying, not dying, what-the-fuck-ever, then she should be completely… she should have no fucking problem with you coming to a boys’ night.

I’m totally fine with it, too.

You are fine with it.

(engine shuts off)

Nikki, I’m very upset.

You can’t cook the cat.

You can’t cook the cat, okay?

I’m going to hang out with Ian tonight.

Gonna hang out with Ian alone.

(ominous melody playing over tinny speakers)

(melody ends)

(unzips bag)

(chuckles)

♪♪

Okay.

(line ringing)

MAN: (over phone) Hello?

Um…

(chuckles) Hello?

Hey.

What’s up?

Um, is this…

One Wish Willow?

Yeah.

Uh, o-okay. Um…

O-Okay, I-I was… calling to see if there’s a way I can… alter a wish.

You’d like to cancel your wish?

No. No, no, no.

Uh, it’s okay to keep the…

I-I just want to know if I can, like…

(chuckles) alter it a little.

I’m sorry. We don’t really do that.

No?

If you have any questions about how the wish works or if you read the back of the box…

I mean, is it even real?

Yeah, it’s real.

No, I-I know that the…

Is her love real?

Just because you chose this for her doesn’t make it less real.

Okay. Then I would like to cancel.

You’d like to file a cancel request?

Yes. Yeah, a-a cancel request.

We don’t really do that.

What?

We don’t really do that.

You were just making it sound like

I could put in a request.

I was just guessing your intention, man.

What the hell?

Well, what can I do, then?

Nothing, really.

So she’s just fucked forever?

Well, yeah. I mean, as long as you live.

As long as I live?

♪♪

I mean, when-when you die, the wish will go away.

You’re sure there’s nothing else I can do?

Yeah. I mean, as long as you live.

Sounds to me like you have a moral obligation to be there for her.

Okay, but w-wait.

Sh-She does this thing where she’s, like… freaks out.

Wh-What is that?

Do you want to talk to her?

What? Who?

(screaming over phone)

Do you want to talk to her?

Who is that?

Nikki.

(Nikki screaming over phone)

MAN: Do you want to speak to her?

(phone beeps)

(Screaming stops)

(trembling breaths)

(tape tearing)

(door creaking)

Oh, shit!

Bear.

Hi. Hi.

(Sloshing)

Hi.

Hi.

What happened?

What?

What the fuck happened?

I don’t know what to do.

Do you need, like, a…

Oh.

Um…

God, I…

It’s okay.

I’m disgusting.

Did you have a seizure or something?

What happened?

I… ate a bug or I have a stomach bug, I think.

Okay, um, I don’t know what to do. Um…

I was just waiting for you to come home.

Oh, my God, I’m disgusting.

Uh, maybe you should…

I… I’ll shower.

Let’s-let-let’s go to the shower, okay?

I-I’ll clean it up. I’ll clean it up.

It’s okay. You can…

I’ll go shower.

Or… Yeah.

And I’ll clean it up.

I promise.

Um, you can…

(door slams)

Oh, shit.

I’ll clean it up, baby!

(Shower curtain opening)

It’s okay.

(shower water running)

Um, Nikki?

We talked about this.

Did you cook the cat?

Nikki, you can’t do that.

I am very upset about that.

Okay, honey.

Hey, listen, um…

Ian invited me to a-a boys’ night tonight.

(loud metallic squeaking)

(Shower water stops)

(water draining)

Okay.

So I-I think I’m just gonna go to that, if that’s okay with you.

Go to the boys’ night?

Yeah.

I can get dressed and go with you.

Oh, man. That-that sounds great.

Yeah, let me finish showering,

and I’ll go with you.

It’s-it’s just that, um…

Ian said it was a boys’ night, so I think maybe I’ll just go.

(clattering)

(Nikki screaming)

Are you okay?

(screaming stops)

(Heavy, trembling breaths) (laughing) That’s so weird, ’cause…

Sarah was telling me that she’s going.

Really?

Okay, well, I’ll just stay here, then.

I mean, if-if Sarah’s going…

No, no, no.

If you wanted me to go, I…

No, you know what?

I-I think you should come. I-I really want you to come.

No!

(Gasping breaths) (sobbing) If you wanted me to go, you would tell me to go!

I knew you were gonna bring her.

I fucking knew it. She-she guilt you?

BEAR: She didn’t guilt me. Shut the fuck up.

You couldn’t be without her for three fucking hours?

Sarah invited her.

What was I supposed to do?

Sure.

You told me you weren’t going to invite Sarah.

Sarah did nothing wrong.

Neither did we.

♪ Yeah, I think I played it pretty cool with you, babe… ♪

No weird shit.

Hey. Keep your fucking hands off my mom’s china, asshole.

Hey.

Okay, it’s my turn. My turn.

Ooh, someone’s getting fucked up.

Okay. “Choose someone to drink every time you do for the next three rounds.”

Ah, yeah, you’re going down with this ship.

Man, here we go. Cheers.

(Sighs)

Uh, “Switch seats with anyone.”

Baron, I want to sit next to Nikki.

GROUP: Ooh.

No.

Uh-oh.

It’s okay, baby.

Oh. No, it’s okay.

I showered, baby.

Geez, Bear, what kind of spell did you put on her?

(laughter)

(Nikki laughing loudly)

(Other laughter dies down)

NIKKI: So true. (laughs)

SARAH: Nikki, it’s your turn.

Oh.

“The air was charged by the distinct call of a night bird.

“His face was obscured, “but I knew he was looking at my chest, “each side stretching, recently mature, “to different sizes.

“‘And so, come lie with me “like the old woman taught us when we were children, ‘ I said.

“He closed the door and leaned against it.

“‘You’re not my wife, Gretel, ‘ he said.

“‘I’m more than your wife.

“I am your sister.’

“Hansel flinched and reached for the door handle.

“I knew he would not leave this place.

“He would relent and choose to be inside me “like he had many nights before.

“If not, I would fillet his meaty forearm, “roll it like a stick of licorice “and insert the flesh between my legs.

“Hansel is my soul.

“A love only the branch of a willow tree could conjure.

Brother, you will be inside me tonight.”

New book I’m working on. I don’t have to drink.

(sighs)

REGGIE: It’s your turn, Joe.

I switched spots with Baron, so it’s his turn now.

Oh, shit. Okay.

Um…

“Kiss the person on your left.”

♪♪

(loud thud)

(Wood creaking)

(quiet chatter)

(footsteps)

(chair scraping loudly)

(Nikki sighs softly)

(softly) No one on this earth will ever comprehend what it feels like to love someone as much as I love you.

(sighs)

(loudly) And everyone in this room will die never feeling the strength of connection

I have felt with my Bear.

Nikki… are you okay?

I’m just kidding, guys.

(chuckles)

I’m just kidding.

(laughing)

Come on, it’s a joke.

I’m just joking.

Okay, fine. I’m not joking.

Deal with it.

IAN: Anybody, uh, want any, uh, Jell-O shots?

I’ll take one.

Thank you, Reggie. Yep, cool.

IAN: Any other takers?

(Nikki gasps)

(Nikki screams)

It’s not me! It’s not me!

(frantic chatter)

It’s not me!

(partygoers screaming)

(frantic chatter)

Bear, she needs your help! Bear, help her!

No, no, no. You got to… Bear, get her to the hospital.

(frantic chatter)

I’m so sorry. (laughs)

IAN: Bear, she needs to go to the hospital.

Just stand still for a second. Bear.

SARAH: She needs to go to the hospital.

God, Ian.

IAN: Bear.

Bear, are you fucking listening to me? Get up.

NIKKI: Bear, let’s go!

IAN: Get up, asshole!

♪♪

(voices muted)

♪♪

♪♪

(Bear takes deep breath)

Where you going?

Just going to the bathroom, Nikki.

Okay?

Okay?

Can I stand outside?

Why did you do this?

I know.

Why did you act like that tonight? Sarah’s dirty.

You… Nikki.

You’re scaring everyone.

Bear…

I don’t know why I did it.

I just get nervous.

You hurt yourself.

I’m sorry.

Look at your face.

I know Sarah likes you.

That… That’s…

What?

That’s just…

God, fucking everything was normal!

Everything was good.

You were so… I’m sorry.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

Look, you’re so beautiful, and you were… and you-you are normal, but this is not… this isn’t okay, Nikki.

Do you like me?

What? I…

Bear, I love you.

No, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Do you… do you like me? Do you even like me at all?

Is-is Nik… is Nikki happy?

Does Nikki like me?

Yeah.

I’m your Freaky Nikki.

No, no.

No, no, no. Nope.

No, no.

Where are you going?

I’m going to the bathroom, Nikki.

Can I do that?

Can you tell me you love me?

This is all I’ve ever wanted.

Me, too.

No, it’s not.

Yes, it is.

Yes, it is, Bear. It’s always been you.

I want this to work so bad.

It can. It can.

No, no. No, it can’t.

Yes, it can.

Okay. Okay.

Then, uh, you need to go home for one night or… a-aand we need to, like, take some space from each other.

Okay, w-we have to…

(Wailing) No…

God, Nikki, no!

I don’t want space.

We have to take space from each other, Nikki!

It’s normal for couples to have some fucking space

from each other!

I don’t want space! Please.

Just tell me what I can do.

Just be normal like…

I can be normal!

I just…

God, I just want you to be Nikki.

(sobbing) I can be Nikki.

Just be Nikki.

I can. I can.

I can.

I’ll be anything you want me to be.

No, don’t say that.

Anything you want me to be.

No, no. You won’t listen.

Nikki wouldn’t say that.

I just want you to act like Nikki.

I’ll be… Let me be Nikki.

You’re not being like Nikki.

I can be Nikki!

♪♪

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

(voice trembling) I’m sorry.

I can be Nikki. I can be Nikki.

I love you. I’m sorry.

It’s not real.

What do you mean?

(crying) It’s not real.

I love you in every reality, Bear.

(sighs)

I love you, too.

(indistinct, distorted speech)

Whoa, whoa.

What the fuck?

Nikki, stop.

(Indistinct, distorted speech)

No, please. Nikki, you’re scaring me!

Don’t be scared, baby. Don’t be scared.

I-I would never hurt you.

(Bear breathing heavily)

I’m sorry.

Stop!

Nikki, you’re scaring me!

Okay.

Hey. Hey. Hey.

Why don’t you take the bed for yourself tonight, and I’ll just go sleep at Ian’s, and I’ll come back right in the morning?

Okay.

(Bear breathing heavily)

(clattering)

Nikki, what are you doing?

I don’t need your attention.

(Nikki groans)

Nikki, what are you doing?

(clattering stops)

Well, if I have the bed all to myself tonight, I’ll lay there warm, until slowly I feel cold, like I walked into a freezer.

My hands will feel like they’re full of sand, like when you lay on them wrong.

And that feeling will slowly spread across my entire body.

You’re still in my heart, but you’re slipping.

Any thought of pain or regret will slip away like a chemical switch.

And even though it’s quiet in the room, somehow it gets even quieter.

(shuddering)

It’s not painful.

You just let go of everything you once were.

And then there’s nothing.

It’s not darkness.

No, sweetie.

Darkness is a color.

There’s just nothing.

Or you could stay.

(trembling breaths)

Yeah.

(crickets chirping)

(cell phone dings, vibrates)

(clock ticking quietly)

(whispers) Nikki.

(clock ticking quietly)

♪♪

♪♪

NIKKI: Bear.

(Gasps)

I’m just getting water.

Kill me, please.

What?

She’s sleeping.

It’s me.

You are you, Nikki.

Shh.

(whispers) Please don’t wake her up.

(voice trembling) Just kill me.

What would be so bad?

What’s so bad about being with me?

I’ve never been with you, Bear.

Just kill me, please.

(crying) Please, please, please, please.

(knocks on window)

Hey.

(sighs)

I didn’t know you still did this.

Did what?

Parked at Franklin and chilled.

Oh. (chuckles)

I don’t really do this anymore.

So, what the fuck is up with Nikki?

Well…

She hasn’t really told many people this, but… her dad is dying.

So, you know, it’s pretty…

Isn’t she, like, not close with him at all?

No, they’re close now, so… it’s, you know, painful.

I thought she hated her dad.

No, she doesn’t.

I really do hope she figures it out.

Uh, she seems pretty fucked up.

And I-I also don’t think it’s right that she’s leaning on you, especially since her and…

I don’t mind being there for her.

No, but that’s not your responsibility, Bear.

She needs therapy. It’s-it’s not right.

And I don’t think it’s okay that she’s taking advantage of you.

I don’t think she’s… taking advantage of me.

(scoffs softly)

Hey, so I, um…

I got my letter.

Your letter from Luther?

Yeah. My last chance.

Figured we could open it together.

(chuckling) Oh, shit.

Maybe my dad will let me tattoo “successful daughter” where his hairline’s supposed to start.

(both laughing)

Um, can I pay you to do that?

We can take him in his sleep.

Well, I have sleeping pills in my pocket.

We can literally take him tonight.

(“Kids” by Current Joys playing quietly)

Do you want to open this thing or…?

I-I need to tell you some things.

What?

Fuck. I promised Ian

I wouldn’t tell you this.

Tell me what?

Bear, Ian and Nikki have been hooking up on and off for like two years.

It’s super casual and not romantic.

He thinks that she’s dating you to get back at him.

But even if she’s not… it’s kind of a shame, you know?

I think you need someone… more chill.

Like you?

Well… (chuckles softly)

I mean…

I was to your left.

You-you were what?

In the game.

Oh.

I was to your left. (laughs)

You were supposed to kiss me.

(Sarah screams)

(Rhythmic thudding)

(Nikki grunting viciously)

(Horn honking)

(gasping)

(thudding and honking continue)

(thudding and honking stop)

(trembling breaths)

(Nikki panting)

(Bear grunts)

NIKKI: I’m so sorry you had to see that, baby.

But it is kind of your fault.

Just remember that you wanted this.

But I’m so happy you did.

I’m so happy you did, baby.

Oh, no.

No. No, no, no, no, no.

Oh.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Honey, breathe, breathe.

It’s okay. It’s okay, honey.

I’ve got you. We need each other.

(Bear whimpers)

We need each other.

But you’re gonna have to help me get rid of her body.

No. No. No.

Yes. Yes, honey.

Honey, I know. I know, I know, I know, I know.

Listen.

This is all your fault.

Sarah’s your fault.

You wanted this. You wished for this.

But, baby, we can fix this.

I’ll fix this with you. I’m not going anywhere.

I’m not going anywhere.

(both grunting)

(soft clattering in other room)

She’s ready, baby.

Why don’t you go home? I’ll take it from here.

(engine idling)

(engine shuts off)

♪♪

(bird calling in distance)

(paper rustling)

♪♪

(screams)

(breathing heavily)

(screams)

(sobbing)

♪♪

PATRON: Jesus, dude.

What the fuck?

No, no, no. Oh, no.

Oh, shit.

Um, uh, excuse me.

Where are the, um, One Wish Willows?

CLERK: What?

It looks like this, but it’s like a… (stammers)

It’s like you make a wish and you break it.

They were right there.

They were over there in the corner.

The One Wish Willows!

What’s a One Wish Willow?

(voice trembling) No.

No.

First of all, sir, don’t come in here with this.

It is too early.

And second of all, I’m fucking with you.

They’re right here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You made a shitty wish, and now you want to reverse it, but you can’t come in here with this energy, man.

Did you call the number on the back?

What the fuck is wrong with you?

(scoffs) Me?

How could you sell this to people?

The box is full of warnings, man.

Fuck you!

Hey, fuck you, man.

But you don’t storm in here with this energy, man.

I’m sorry.

(crying) I-I… Nobody would buy it if they…

I’m sorry.

Oh, shit.

Oh, God.

What did you do?

She’s obsessed with me.

Oh.

Well, that’s not so bad.

No, something bad happened.

(sobbing)

I’m sorry.

I… I need to reverse it.

No.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I need to reverse it.

Y-You can make a wish.

I already used my wish, man.

Oh, please.

Wh-What the fuck do I do?

Well, maybe… maybe if someone else made a wish that contradicts your wish…

I mean, maybe you could ask her.

I mean, since it’s for you, she just might do it.

Oh, o-or you could die.

I mean, you could kill yourself.

You know, I’m just spitballing here.

(fading) If you ever want to jump in with any ideas…

(breathing heavily)

♪♪

Fuck.

(ominous melody playing over tinny speakers)

I wish Nikki Freeman only loved me as a friend.

(melody ends)

(straining)

Fuck!

(straining)

Fuck. Oh, what the fuck?

(straining)

God! Fuck! Fuck.

(breathing heavily)

(engine starts)

Ian?

(knocking)

BEAR: I texted you 50 times.

Jesus Christ, Bear, what the…

So, you know how Nikki all of a sudden started…

Oh, no. Oh, sh… Is she okay?

Yes. She’s-she’s gonna be okay.

Why-why’s Sarah texting me, man?

She wants me to come over to your place.

What?

She texted me over and over, like, all this weird shit.

Fuck.

What’s happening?

Oh, fuck.

What the fuck is happening?

Okay, just stay here.

(Stammers) Is Nikki okay?

Do not… do not come over.

Okay. Bear! Bear, tell me what the fuck

is happening right now!

Fuck!

Fuck. Okay, okay, okay, so Nikki… she started liking me out of nowhere, all of a sudden, and then acting weird.

Yes or no?

Bear, what the fuck are you gonna tell me right now, man?

No. Ian, Ian.

Is she okay?

I…

I made a wish.

I broke this piece of wood. At first,

I didn’t think it was real.

(Sighs, mutters)

Okay? I was confused, but this is real.

This is fucking real.

What? What?

(sighs)

Okay, okay, okay.

You can make a wish, any…

You… you can make one wish, and it is real and it will work.

I made a wish. I-I didn’t think it would work.

I wished that Nikki would love me, but it worked.

Think about it, dude.

Think about how she’s been acting lately.

Think about how drastically she changed.

Okay, what… what did you take her to?

Like, a-aa psychic?

What?

What?

What did… What, did you do a fucking…

Uh, what program?

No, no.

Fuck, there’s not a fucking program, Ian.

You know, I don’t know. It’s God fucking magic.

Is this a joke to you?

No! This is real.

This? This?

Yes. Be careful.

Yes, it’s real. It’s fucking real, Ian.

I made a wish, and it’s fucking horrible.

Then make another fucking wish, man.

No, you can’t. You can’t.

Because you only get one wish.

Oh, you only get one.

Oh, okay, yeah.

That makes sense.

One wish.

You only get one wish, Ian, but it’s real.

It’s real, Ian.

So I need you to make a wish.

I need you to wish that I never made a wish.

Okay? And then you can be with Nikki.

(laughs)

Oh. Oh, so… so… so that…

No, no, no. Dude, no.

That’s what this is about?

I don’t even give a fuck about that, dude.

I was gonna tell you.

Seriously, just open the box, and then just be careful about how you word it.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

(Ominous melody playing)

Dude, stop. Okay, um, I need you to say, uh, uh, “I-I wish for my friend Baron…”

I wish for a billion dollars.

(melody ends)

(Screaming) No!

♪♪

BEAR: Nikki?

I need you to do something for me.

(quiet, jazzy music playing)

♪ I do miss you ♪

♪ I do miss you, I do miss you… ♪

Nikki, you’ll do anything for me, right?

(ominous melody playing over tinny speakers)

I need you…

(Melody ends)

♪♪

NIKKI: I’ll do everything for you, baby.

You like me better now?

(taking deep, sharp breaths)

Nikki, I need you… I need you to do something for me, okay?

Why can’t you love me?!

Stop.

Why don’t you love me?!

Stop! Stop!

(Nikki yells)

Oh, God.

God, I want to eat you up.

Nikki.

(knocking at door)

IAN: Bear, open the door.

I got, like, a billion dollars, dude. It’s real.

(Nikki whimpering, muttering)

(Knocking continues)

Stop! Stop!

BEAR: Nikki.

IAN: Bear, what’s going on?

BEAR: Oh, God.

I want to smell like you.

BEAR: Nikki! No!

IAN: I’m coming in.

You guys better not be doing some weird shit!

I just need you…

IAN: I’m coming in!

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa, Nikki.

I’ll kill myself, Bear!

What the… what the fuck?

I’ll kill myself

right in front of you!

Nikki, what the fuck?

IAN: Nikki!

(Gunshot)

NIKKI: I’ll rip my eyes out of my fucking skull and shove the barrel in my pussy, Bear!

(Nikki retching)

(panting) I love you. I love you.

Scream it!

I love you. I love you!

(panting)

I knew you did.

Oh, I knew you did.

I love you so much, baby.

(Breathing heavily)

You owe me that.

It’s okay, baby.

We’re gonna make this work.

You owe me that.

I’ll make this work.

You have to, baby.

I will, baby.

I’m gonna heal.

I’m gonna make this work.

You have to.

I will.

I’m sorry for the theatrics.

I don’t know why I do that.

It’s okay, sweetie.

I love you.

I love you so much.

I’m gonna heal.

Uh-huh. Oh, I’m sorry.

It’s okay, baby.

(crying) I’m gonna be pretty again.

You’re so beautiful.

(Whimpers)

You’re the most beautiful girl in the entire world.

Yeah?

Yeah, baby.

Oh, we are gonna be together forever and ever… and ever and ever.

(Bear’s breath trembling)

What?

What’s wrong, baby?

You shook your head.

No, I didn’t.

Why’d you shake your head?

I was just thinking that, uh, we should freshen up, maybe.

Okay?

Okay.

Let’s go. Come on.

I know what you want.

NIKKI: No! Fuck you!

(Banging at door)

Fuck you!

(Bear breathing heavily)

No!

(Banging at door continues)

Just give me a second to freshen up.

Let me in!

I’m sorry!

No! No!

Babe, I just need a second!

Fuck you, Bear! Let me in!

(Doorknob rattling)

(banging at door continues)

Bear, what are you doing?

Just one second!

Okay. Thank you.

(banging stops)

(Bear panting, whimpering)

Oh, shit.

Hey, baby?

NIKKI: I was thinking maybe we should break up.

♪♪

Oh, shit.

You hear that?

Fuck. Fuck.

Baby, maybe we should take some space.

If space is what we need, then take it.

(panting) Oh, fuck. Fuck.

NIKKI: It’s gonna be okay.

You hear that?

♪♪

We can take space.

We can take space.

Baby?

(gags quietly)

You hear that?

(breathing heavily)

♪♪ (ominous melody playing over tinny speakers)

(wood snaps)

(Melody ends)

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

(Bear’s breath trembling)

NIKKI: No, honey.

Honey, honey.

No, no, no.

Bear! No.

(Labored breathing)

What did you do, Bear? No!

Baby, what did you do? Baby, what did you do?

No!

(sobbing) No, no, no, no, no, no!

(wailing cry)

Baby.

Baby.

(stops crying, gasps)

(gun drops to floor)

(whimpers)

(sobbing)

(body thuds on floor)

(whimpering)

(“Forever” by The Little Dippers playing)

(sobbing)

(sobbing continues)

(sobbing) What did you do?

♪ Hold me ♪

♪ Kiss me ♪

♪ Whisper ♪

♪ Sweetly ♪

♪ That you ♪

♪ Love me ♪

♪ Forever ♪

(sobbing continues)

(singers vocalizing)

(sobbing continues)

(singers continue vocalizing)

♪ Forever ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Hold me ♪

♪ Kiss me ♪

♪ Whisper ♪

♪ Sweetly ♪

♪ That you ♪

♪ Love me ♪

♪ Forever. ♪

(song ends)

♪♪

♪♪

(music fades)