Wednesday 5 October 2011

The Treatment


GAVIN EMMERSON is a 25 year old college student who has one thing on his mind—girls.  BEN DINSON is a 23 year old socially awkward nerd who has never been in any sort of relationship with the opposite sex.  Despite this striking contrast, the two have been the best of friends since as long as either of them can remember.  They share a house not far from Seneca College where they go to school, and for the most part have never had any problems living together, at least not yet.  The story begins with Gavin waking up in the morning to find an attractive young lady running around his bedroom trying to find her clothes and collect her things so that she can make it to her class on time.  Shortly after she leaves, Ben too is in a mad rush to get to school on time.  In a brief morning conversation, Gavin notices that Ben appears sad, lonely, and dissatisfied.  Gavin tries to cheer him up by telling him how great a guy he is and how lucky any girl would be to have him.  Unconvinced, Ben leaves and so begins the day that would forever change his life.

As Ben catches his last bus from the corner stop and finds a seat, his eyes immediately catch a young couple kissing and looking very much in love.  This further depresses Ben, and he begins to think how great it would be if he were more like Gavin and less like a nerd interested in astrophysics.  Ben has always idolized Gavin.  He is his best friend and role model, but he is convinced that he is incapable of being in a relationship, or talking to a girl for that matter.  His unconfident shy nature stems back to his elementary days where he was constantly pushed around and the bud of everyone’s jokes.  Growing up on the same street, Gavin always took it upon himself to make sure Ben wasn't humiliated, acting in many ways like a big brother.  Over the last few years however, Gavin is beginning to show his frustration with Ben and his lack of social confidence—in particular with girls.

Inside the lecture hall of Ben's class, there are various shots of students taking notes.  Suddenly, Ben awkwardly barges into the lecture hall catching the attention of everybody in the hall.  A beautiful girl, ISABELLE, 21, chuckles at Ben's awkwardness.  The only available chair in the hall is in fact beside this stunning girl and Ben who under normal circumstances would never dream of sitting beside a pretty girl, had no other option.  As Ben gets settled, the girl attempts to get his attention.  She passes him a note that says "ur cute".  Once Ben realizes he is not dreaming, he manages to send her a note back and the two pass notes back and forth for the remainder of the class.  Ben is completely infatuated with this girl, and is convinced she is attracted to him and that is exactly what she's banking on.

After class, Isabelle asks Ben for help on some of the concepts gone over in class.  The two go to the  library where Isabelle begins subtly flirting with Ben while he is explaining concepts to her.  Ben feels a sense of masculinity, believing that his academic smarts have finally become useful with the opposite sex.  Isabelle, using her good looks and flirtatious personality to her advantage, has Ben wrapped around her finger and although she feels guilty over it, is more concerned with getting a passing grade in class without having to work for it.  As she leaves the library, Ben is fixated on her and is overwhelmed with happiness and he can't wait to tell Gavin.

For the remainder of his school day, Ben is in such an upbeat mood over Isabelle that the things that normally interest him take a back seat.  He day dreams through the rest of his classes before catching his bus home.  As he barges into the house and rushes to Gavin's room to tell him his great news, he is horrified at what he sees—Gavin in bed with Isabelle.  Emotionally crushed, Ben leaves leaves the house despite Isabelle's attempts to stop him.

Ben walks the streets more depressed than he's ever felt in his entire life.  As he walks he feels numb, as if the world around him has no idea he is even there.  He bumps into people who give him discriminating looks to which he gives no notice.  His life is put at risk when a car nearly hits him, and this close call seems to jolt him back into reality for the moment and he regains his bearings.

As he enters a coffee shop on the street corner to sit down and collect his thoughts, he bumps into a young girl who spills her coffee all over Ben's shirt.  The girl, Krista (20), is very apologetic and helps clean him up.  Ben notices she is reading one of his favourite science fiction novels.  He can't help but ask her about it, and their common interest turns into a half hour coffee date.  As they say goodbye to one another, Ben realizes he didn't get her number, let alone her name.  Panicking, he looks around to try and spot her, but to no avail.  Dejected, he turns to leave; as he does he notices that something is written on his coffee cup: Krista's name and number.  He leaves the coffee shop with a feeling of acknowledgement, knowing that despite how terribly his day had gone up until the present, it had all been worth it.  This was the best day of Ben's life.     

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