diff --git a/src/base-environments/youth_room/interactive_sprite.gd b/src/base-environments/youth_room/interactive_sprite.gd
index 6299d78..80c86a1 100644
--- a/src/base-environments/youth_room/interactive_sprite.gd
+++ b/src/base-environments/youth_room/interactive_sprite.gd
@@ -31,6 +31,17 @@ var has_mouse: bool = false
 # Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
 func _ready():
 	mouse_entered.connect(_on_mouse_entered)
+	
+	# Wire up the CollectableUi with the CanvasLayer for story playback
+	var canvas = get_node_or_null("%CanvasLayer")
+	if canvas and ui:
+		ui.canvas_layer = canvas
+		# Find and wire the StoryPlayable if not already set
+		if ui.story_playable == null:
+			for child in canvas.get_children():
+				if child is StoryPlayable:
+					ui.story_playable = child
+					break
 
 func _on_mouse_entered():
 	if not State.focus_locked:
diff --git a/src/logic-scenes/collectable/collectable_ui.gd b/src/logic-scenes/collectable/collectable_ui.gd
index b980c2e..102ec91 100644
--- a/src/logic-scenes/collectable/collectable_ui.gd
+++ b/src/logic-scenes/collectable/collectable_ui.gd
@@ -2,9 +2,13 @@ extends CenterContainer
 class_name CollectableUi 
 
 ## The StoryPlayable to play when this memento is collected.
-## Should be a child node (typically inside a CanvasLayer for full-screen display).
+## Auto-discovered from the owner's %CanvasLayer, or can be set manually.
 @export var story_playable: StoryPlayable
 
+## Reference to the CanvasLayer containing the story_playable.
+## Auto-discovered in _ready() if not set.
+var canvas_layer: CanvasLayer
+
 @export var has_stage: bool = false:
 	set(focused):
 		if has_stage == focused: return
@@ -165,9 +169,22 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	State.settings_changed.connect(_on_context_updated)
 	%CollectButton.pressed.connect(collect_memento)
 	##TODO: add functions for remaining buttons
+	
+	# Auto-discover story_playable and canvas_layer from scene hierarchy
+	_discover_story_playable()
 
 	update_state()
 
+
+## Ensure canvas_layer is set if story_playable was set via export.
+## InteractiveSprite._ready() handles the main wiring for inherited scenes.
+func _discover_story_playable() -> void:
+	if story_playable != null and canvas_layer == null:
+		# story_playable set via export, find its parent CanvasLayer
+		var parent = story_playable.get_parent()
+		if parent is CanvasLayer:
+			canvas_layer = parent
+
 func _on_context_updated() -> void:
 	%SkipButton.visible = State.allow_skipping
 	%SummaryButton.visible = State.provide_summaries
@@ -242,22 +259,28 @@ func collect_memento() -> void:
 		is_collected = true
 		return
 	
-	# Take stage and mark sequence as starting
-	State.take_stage(self)
+	# Signal that a scene is starting (for music, etc.)
 	Scenes.begin_sequence(scene)
 	
-	# Hide mouse and collapse other interactables
+	# Hide mouse and collapse other interactables BEFORE showing canvas
 	get_tree().call_group("interactables", "collapse")
 	Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_HIDDEN
 	
-	# Play the story (StoryPlayable handles its own visibility via animations)
+	# Show the CanvasLayer so the story is visible full-screen
+	if canvas_layer:
+		canvas_layer.show()
+	
+	# Play the story
 	await story_playable.play()
 	
+	# Hide the CanvasLayer when done
+	if canvas_layer:
+		canvas_layer.hide()
+	
 	# Restore mouse
 	Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_VISIBLE
 	
-	# Leave stage and mark sequence as finished
-	State.leave_stage(self)
+	# Signal that the scene is finished
 	Scenes.end_sequence(scene)
 	
 	if was_skipped: 
diff --git a/src/singletons/scene_reference.gd b/src/singletons/scene_reference.gd
index daf4d7c..c91cee6 100644
--- a/src/singletons/scene_reference.gd
+++ b/src/singletons/scene_reference.gd
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ var enabled_sequences: int = 255:
 	set(stuff): pass
 var current_sequence: int = -1
 
+## Returns true if a scene is currently playing.
+var is_playing: bool:
+	get: return current_sequence != -1
+
 enum id {
 	YOUTH_DRAEVEN,
 	YOUTH_CHILDHOOD,