Mr. Jealousy

Aspiring writer Lester Grimm's social circle expands when he starts dating Ramona Ray, introduced by friend Vince and his fiancée Lucretia. The sparks fly between the couple, but Ramona's casual mention of her ex-boyfriend, famous author Dashiell Frank, sets off a faintly jealous spark within Lester. This initial flutter of insecurity grows into full-blown fascination as Lester finds himself drawn to the charismatic writer.

One fateful day, Lester's curiosity gets the better of him, and he tracks down Dashiell on the streets, only to discover that the celebrated author is attending group therapy sessions under the guidance of Dr. Poke. In a bold move, Lester decides to join the group, posing as Vince's friend to avoid drawing attention to himself. As the sessions progress, Lester becomes an integral part of the group, earning the trust of both Dashiell and the other attendees.

However, it isn't long before Lester's true identity is revealed, and he bursts into a heated debate with Dashiell, stunning everyone in attendance. Despite initial reservations, Lester finds himself returning to the therapy sessions, much to Vince's dismay. The writer's critiques of Dashiell's work continue to spark lively discussions, even as Lester's own personal relationships begin to suffer.

In one particularly revealing session, Dashiell shares a tale about a character from his latest book, hinting that the inspiration came from a real person – leading many to speculate that this enigmatic figure is none other than Ramona. As Lester navigates these complex emotions and conflicting loyalties, he becomes embroiled in a series of intense confrontations with Dashiell.

As their therapy sessions come to a close, Dashiell extends an invitation for Lester to join him for a drink, and the writer agrees. This impromptu meeting marks the beginning of an unlikely friendship between the two men, one that will challenge their perceptions of themselves and each other. Meanwhile, Lester's relationship with Ramona remains on shaky ground, as he struggles to balance his growing affinity for Dashiell with his commitment to her.

The stage is set for a dramatic turn when Lester agrees to meet Dashiell at his residence, where they are joined by Irene, the writer's girlfriend. As the evening wears on, Lester finds himself drawn into Dashiell's inner circle, his feelings of insecurity and jealousy slowly giving way to a deeper appreciation for this complex individual. Little does he know that this newfound friendship will have far-reaching consequences for all involved.

As the evening unwinds, Lester and Ramona find themselves reclining on the bed, their conversation taking a candid turn as Ramona opens up about her past, revealing a fleeting encounter with Steven that had long since been left behind. She assures Lester that their tryst held no significance, mere collateral damage from a bygone era, before she and he became a serious item. The air is thick with intimacy as they lie there, the weight of their words hanging precariously between them.

Later, at Ramona's residence, over a dinner table laden with the fruits of her labor, Ramona unleashes a torrent of confessions about her sexual past, shattering the illusion that had previously defined their relationship. The revelation proves a potent catalyst for an argument that slowly simmers before finally boiling over.

In the next therapy session, a new participant joins the group, masquerading as "Leo" and adopting a British accent to conceal his true identity. Vince, now unmasked, proceeds to bare Lester's innermost struggles to the group, much to Lester's dismay. The tension builds until they exit the session, their disagreement escalating into a full-blown argument.

In a subsequent therapy session, Dashiel drops a bombshell, confessing that he had crossed paths with Ramona by pure coincidence and that their encounter had been more than just platonic. As if the truth couldn't get any more incendiary, Lester storms out of the room to confront Ramona, who is waiting patiently outside. Their argument spills into the street, drawing in the rest of the group as they gather to bear witness to the unraveling of their relationships.

The lies that had been carefully constructed begin to topple, and Dashiel's betrayal culminates with a punch to Lester's face. As the dust settles, Lester turns the tables, his voice firm as he declares Ramona to be his girlfriend before landing a counterpunch that sends Dashiel crashing to the ground.

Months pass, and Lester finds himself immersed in the world of writing at the Iowa Writer's Workshop, while back in New York, Ramona continues her own journey of self-discovery under the guidance of Dr. Poke. The scene shifts once more to Vince and Lucretia's wedding, where Lester and Ramona cross paths once again. With the air thick with nostalgia, Lester extends an olive branch, inviting Ramona to dance. Initially hesitant, she eventually accepts his offer, their movements a poignant testament to the power of forgiveness and the human capacity for growth.