Really!? Is this phony bear plot twist the best Rivera could come up with? And why would these three stop for snacks (and maybe gas)!? They’re not driving to New Orleans! If we must have an abduction attempt, Rivera could at least make it more plausible. You know, like having Mark need to stop at a pharmacy to pick up some camera film because he never upgraded to digital. Then discover that he left his camera at home.

As for the phony bear, Rivera should know that Florida only has black bears, not brown bears.  Shouldn’t Skeeter and Rita know this, as well? Or the Whether Men? Rita and Skeeter should also know that bears don’t act like monsters in a 1950s horror movie.

I suppose this would be a good time for Mark to make good on his Two Fists O’ Justice boast …

… however, this could also be a classic diversion: If Mark moves to take on the phony bear, the rest of the gang jumps into the truck and steals away. Best choice: Let Skeeter and Rita take care of the “bear”.

Finally, a belated thumbs up to reader Downpuppy for making me aware of the Harry Potter source for the names of these two characters. I just plumb missed the connection, having seen the movies years ago, but without reading the books. And I’ve never been good with proper names.