Tired of being extraordinary

By Giuseppa Nastasi
z5019599

Enda Murray: Wed 11-2 Tute

LOG LINE
The story of an ordinary man with an extraordinary power
that tears him apart.
SYNOPSIS
Ben clicks on an pop up on his computer one night that is
seemingly innocent. Nothing seems different until the
morning after. He wakes up only to find an old woman in his
bedroom with he and his wife. He discovers later that it is
a physical manifestation of his wifes thoughts.
He does not know this however until later on in the day. He
walks down the street and thinks he is seeing things when he
is faced with people in pairs where one says what the other
is really thinking. He realizes what is going on at the
point where his wifes thoughts confess that she has had
an affair.
TREATMENT
Tired of being extraordinary is a short film that examines
the idea of reading peoples minds and the things that people
dont say. It follows a man who is given the gift to see and
hear what people are thinking; a power that every person has
desired at one point in their life. He however does not feel
this way. It makes us think, maybe some things should be
left unsaid, and our thoughts should remain private. We can
see this when his wifes secret tips him over the edge. The
fact that she has cheated was not the worst part however;
the way in which Ben finds out is what really gets him.
The opening sequence is set in Bens basement. The
atmosphere is quiet and dark, giving off a mysterious vibe.
Ben is sitting at his computer scrolling through a website
when an ad pops up. Like most ads its flashy and annoying
and like most people Ben immediately goes to close it. Only
it wont close.The ad says something cryptic: "Tired of
being ordinary?" Ben clicks on it and the ad asks for his
name. When he proceeds to type in a fake name, the ad
promptly tells him to try again, as if it knows that he is
not telling the truth. After a couple of tries with a fake
name, Ben ends up writing his real name and the ad accepts
it saying that it will see him soon.
The next morning, nothing seems different until Ben notices
an old lady sitting in the bedroom he and his wife Sarah
sleep in. He is shocked and confused. This becomes even
worse when he realizes that he is the only one that can see
this old woman. Just when he thought things couldnt get
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

worse than that, the old woman begins to say everything his
wife is thinking.
Still confused, Ben sets off down the street on his way to
work. He accidentally knocks into a man and another man
behind him reacts quite angrily. The man he actually knocked
into does not say a word. He finds this odd and is still in
disbelief, thinking he is seeing things. Two women at the
bus stop as well posses these same qualities. One woman
stands, scrolling through her phone and the other stares at
Ben. The second woman also makes a comment that she thinks
Ben is good looking.
Again, when Ben asks for her to repeat what she has said,
the woman scrolling through her phone is confused as to what
he is talking about. Only Ben can see and hear what these
people are thinking.
He reaches a point where he cannot take anymore. Ben decides
not to go to work, instead to go back home in hopes of
talking this through with Sarah. He arrives home to an empty
house and waits for Sarah to get home. When she arrives, of
course she is accompanied by the same old woman from this
morning.
Ben asks her where she has been and Sarah tells him she has
been at the grocery store. The old woman however elaborates
and says she has been with someone named Damian. Ben
pretends to ignore the woman and asks who she was there
with. Sarah is vague and pretends not to really know this
Damian man. The old woman continues and blurts out that
Sarah has actually slept with Damian. A this point Ben is
shocked. Sarah has no idea her secret has been revealed. He
cannot handle this anymore.
He leaves his wife and goes down to the basement to where it
all started. He turns on his computer and promptly opens the
email he received the night before. He clicks on the link
that is used to return your gift.
The page asks whether he is sure he wants to continue. He
clicks yes. He is then asked whether he wants to forget
everything the gift has given him or exit and continue life
as is. He stops and doesnt know what to do. On one hand
this gift has resulted in him finding out his wife is
having an affair.
On the other hand, if he forgets everything he has learned,
how long will he continue this life of being blissfully
unaware of his wifes escapades. He moves his mouse from
button to button trying to decided.

3.
EXEGESIS
My script was based around the theme of "Not Real" and looks
at the story of a man named Ben that receives the ability to
see and hear what other people are thinking and feeling.
Writing this script was not a new experience for me. Taking
Working with Image and Sound last semester and a script
writing class over the summer gave me some insight as to
what was expected for this task. In saying that, it is not
to say that writing this script was not difficult at all,
rather the opposite. It was definitely an enjoyable
experience however, being able to bring this idea to the
page and be able to visualize how it would become a short
film.
Coming up with this idea was not difficult at all. It is a
concept that I have always wanted to delve into. Everyone at
some point or another dreams of being able to read another
persons mind but its interesting to think what would
actually happen it everyones secrets became public. Having
written a couple of scripts at this point in my degree was
also very helpful and saved lots of time in terms of script
formatting and idea processing - bringing an idea to the
page and developing it like a short film.
Some of the things I found a little difficult firstly was
the dialogue restriction. I understand that having only 10
lines of dialogue encourages me to describe things more in
depth. However, I found it hard to express certain aspects
of my story line that were crucial, solely in descriptions.
I think it would have been a little more convenient if the
dialogue limit was bumped up to maybe 20 or so lines, just
so that the story does not get lost in translation from idea
to script.
Another aspect that was a little confusing for me during
this task was getting information on the assessment itself.
Referring to the course outline seemed like the way to go
but most of the information was out of date. It was unclear
sometimes what was expected from us for this task as the
only real information was gathered via word of mouth through
the lectures and tutorials.
Overall, this scriptwriting assessment for me was definitely
worth while, getting an idea of the first steps towards
creating a film. Also, the script doctoring process was
extremely helpful. The feedback I received was concise and
addressed all the issues that needed to be dealt with. It
was good to have another set of eyes look over my work and
tell you what was working and what wasnt. Just as well,
reading and doctoring Alexandras script helped me to not
only identify and critique the things I thought needed work
but to notice the things that did work, and adapt these
techniques in my own writing.

4.

INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT

BEN, wears a Nike t-shirt with dry food stains all over it.
His dark brown, wildly long hair stands up in all
directions.
The basement is pitch black. Bens face is calm and his body
relaxed. The only light we see comes from the glow of a
computer screen. Ben is typing vigorously. Pages are
flashing across the screen as the light flickers in the
reflection of his eyes. His attention never leaves the
screen, carefully following each line of writing that
appears in front of him. He is glued to the computer and
doesnt notice anything else around him.
A loud chime noise is then heard and Bens eyes glance up in
the right hand corner of this computer screen. An ad flashes
in the corner of the screen with a bright yellow border and
large black writing. It reads: "Tired of being ordinary?".
Bens eyebrows arch with confusion. He grabs his mouse and
brings it up towards the X in the corner of the ad. He
clicks it. The same chime is heard but nothing happens. He
clicks it again. We hear the chime again and still nothing
happens.
The ad remains flashing, Bens eyes remain fixated on the
X and his eyebrows scrunch deeper and deeper as we hear
the same chime over and over 4 more times.
Ben lets out a sigh. He moves his mouse over to the middle
of the ad and clicks it. His computer screen immediately
turns black. Ben jumps. His mouth is slightly ajar now as he
looks at his blank screen with regret. Five seconds later
the screen turns back on.
The ad is gone. Instead there is a dialogue box that reads:
"Enter your name below"
Ben is skeptical, he again tries to close the box at the x
but nothing happens. Giving up, he exhales. He clicks on the
box and begins to type:
"John Smith"
He hits enter. The box wiggles and another, smaller dialogue
box appears in red:
"Wrong, Try again"
Ben begins to look around. He types "John Smith" once more.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

The same dialogue box appears again telling him to try

again.
Annoyed, he hits each key on the keyboard spelling out
another alias. Again, the dialogue does not accept it.
Ben exhales again, even louder now, then hits the keys on
the keyboard again as he types his actual name.
The dialogue box disappears and another replaces it:
"See you soon"
At that moment, Ben receives an email. The email chime rings
on his computer and a small pop up appears at the bottom of
his screen. It is from an unknown email address. He clicks
on it. It reads:
"Thank you for clicking on me. Click the link below if you
wish to view our returns policy."
Ben rolls his eyes and clicks the button prompting him to
move the email to his junk folder.
He closes his emails and turns off the computer.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
The morning sun blares through the curtain beside the bed.
The alarm clock next to the bed reads 7:29. It flicks over
to 7:30.
The piercing sound of the alarm clock ringing can then be
heard. Bens face scrunches as he struggles to wake up and
open his eyes. His arm reaches out from under the covers and
hits the clock until it stops ringing.
Slowly turning over, he makes a grunting noise, stretching
out his legs and arms. He turns over completely to face his
wife who is also half asleep, pillow curled around her head
to try and block out all the noise. Ben taps his finger on
the tip of her noise and her face scrunches up as she pulls
away. She too makes a groaning noise.
BEN
Good Morning! Whats on the menu for
breakfast?
SARAH lets out the air from her nostrils, her eyes still
closed.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

Ben has a huge grin on his face, his wife opens her eyes and
begins smiling a forced smile. She closes her eyes once
more.
OLD WOMAN (O.S)
If he touches me one more time Im
going to punch him.
Bens smile instantly disappears when he hears this voice.
His head jerks up as his eyes scan the room and focus on the
couch over to the right of the bed.
Sitting on the couch is an older lady, mid 60s, short blond
hair. She is staring at Ben. Bens mouth is open with shock,
short breaths are coming out of his mouth as he tries to
talk but nothing comes out. Bens wife opens her eyes and
scrunches her eyebrows in confusion at Bens face.
SARAH
Whats wrong? Bad dream? (said with
little to no sympathy)
Ben, still staring at the old woman, nods his head. He then
rubs his eyes, holding them closed for a fraction longer.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he pinches his arm, just to make
sure this wasnt a dream. Opening them again and seeing the
old lady once more, Ben reassures Sarah he is fine - not
that she really cares - although he is far from fine at
this point. Ben thinks he is hallucinating.
The old woman is still sitting there with an annoyed look on
her face. She examines her cuticles and lets out a
sigh. Sarah, not phased at all, thinks Ben is still half
asleep. She looks over to where Ben is pointing but sees
nothing. She shakes her head.
Ben, now sitting upright in bed, is still staring at the old
woman on the couch. Sarah pulls the covers off her, sighing
in frustration, gets out of the bed and walks over to the
chest of draws to the right of the old woman. Sarah is
wearing an old baggy t-shirt and shorts. She opens her
underwear draw and pulls out a black lace bra and matching
underwear. She subtly hides them from Ben - who isnt even
paying attention to her - and walks over to the bathroom
door turning on the light.
OLD WOMAN
I had a nightmare 2 nights ago too
you know, you think he cares? Nope.
(looks up from her fingernails and
looks Ben in the eyes) At least
someone will get to see this
ensemble (referring to the bra and
underwear)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

Ben, now even more shocked, hides his face in his palms,
rubbing away at his eyes. Hands still over his eyes, he
waits for about 10 seconds. We hear the bathroom door slam
shut and the water from the shower begin to run.
Ben takes a deep breath and slowly removes his hands from
his face. His eyes reluctantly open, only to see the old
woman still sitting on the couch in front of him. She
doesnt say a word.
A couple of seconds pass, Ben and the old lady have not
stopped staring at each other. He is almost intrigued as to
what she is doing here but more confused and a little scared
as to how he is seeing her. The old woman begins talking
again, in a softer voice this time as if she was talking to
no one in particular. She trails off talking about what
colour lipstick will match the grey dress she ironed to wear
today, and what shoes would be appropriate. She also
mentions Ben a couple of times to which Ben is a little
shocked. She mentions how he probably wont notice that the
grey dress is new and that "everyone but him" will know. She
doesnt care however, that Ben has become less observant in
their relationship over the years. She is excited to go out
this morning.
Ben blinks hard. While the old woman is rambling on he gets
out of bed. He slowly walks over to the bathroom door, not
letting the old woman our of his sight, and ever so slightly
opens it. Sarah is inside showing. She is not saying a word
as the old woman goes on and on.
EXT. STREET - MORNING
Ben, is still agitated from his earlier encounter. His eyes
are darting from side to side, looking around vigorously and
nervously as he walks down the street towards the bus stop.
Briefcase in hand, he is wearing a dress shirt and pants.
Work clothes.
He turns to his right to look at 2 women walking a dog
across the street. He knocks into a man. The man looks at
Ben and apologizes just as Ben does. There is another man,
older, beside him who looks at Ben with anger. His hands in
fists and his body tensed up. He stands and stares at Ben as
the other man (who Ben hit into) continues to walk away. Ben
apologizes to the older man. The younger man turns around
with a confused look on his face, looking around trying to
look for the person Ben is talking to.
OLD MAN
Watch where youre going next time.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

The old man walks away, scurrying after the younger man. Ben
continues to walk down the street. His fingers running
through his hair as he holds his head.
He reaches the bus stop. Standing to the left of him are two
young women. One of them is scrolling through her phone, the
other (a little older than the first) is just standing and
staring out across the street. The woman (woman 1) with her
phone looks up and sees Ben as he approaches the bus stop.
She side glances at him for 5 seconds and smiles. The other
woman (woman 2) looks over at Ben too just as he smiles
back.
WOMAN 2
Wow, boy you are delicious.
Bens head jerks towards the woman talking. His eyebrows are
raised and mouth open.
BEN
What did you say?
The first woman looks up from her phone confused. She begins
looking around and all she sees is her and Ben, not the
other woman. She is freaked out, since she has not said
anything and Ben has been talking to himself.
Ben again starts rubbing his eyes. He can still see woman 2
standing beside woman 1 staring at him but not saying a
word. He turns around so they are no longer facing each
other and he can no longer see woman 2 in his line of
vision.
He can see the bus turning the corner towards the bus stop
in the distance. Ben turns around and begins power walking
back home.
INT. BENS HOUSE- MIDDAY
Ben walks into his house, down the hallway and into the
lounge room.He is looking around for his wife. She is
nowhere to be seen.
Ben slumps down on the lounge, pulls out his phone and opens
his messages with Sarah. He types:
"where are you? we need to talk."
He then locks his phone and turns on the TV. Time passes as
he sits. Ben is flicking through the channels but is finding
it hard to focus. He sits up on the lounge and throws the
remote beside him. He holds his face in his hands as he
breaths out heavily.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

We hear the sound of the front door open and his wife call
from the other room. Bens head jerks up. Sarah walks into
the lounge room, wearing the grey dress mentioned
previously. Behind her is the old woman. They both sit down
next to Ben.
BEN
Where have you been? I thought
youd be home.
SARAH
Just at the grocer, I really felt
like making those dried mangoes my
mum always makes (looking own at
her empty hands) Unfortunately they
didnt have any and I got your text
before I could try looking anywhere
else.... (trails off when she sees
Ben is only half paying attention
to her - she snots when she
realizes this)
OLD WOMAN
Actually HONEY, I was with Damian.
Ben looks at the old woman. Shocked. He pretends to ignore
her.
BEN
See anyone there?
SARAH
Not really, I saw our neighbour
there... whats his name again?
Damian?
OLD WOMAN
I know his name, Ben, but I know
you dont know about us. How could
you? You never pay attention to
anything in my life. At least
Damian cares. In the 6 months we
have been seeing each other, not
once has he ignored me!
Sarah is silent, not phased by what she has chosen to tell
Ben. Ben however cannot hide the shock on his face. His
mouth flies open as he stares at the old woman, then back at
Sarah. He hits his hands on his head and rubs his fingers
through his head. He is shocked and confused. He doesnt
understand what is happening. Sarah looks a little scared as
Ben paces around the living room.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

Ben he stops suddenly. Shaking his head in disbelief. He

walks fast towards the basement and slams the door closed.
Walking past them, he opens the door to the basement and
walks down the stairs, turning on the faint light above him
as he descends.
He walks across the room and sees that his computer is on.
Hurrying to the seat, he sits down and opens his emails,
clicking vigorously. He opens his junk folder and searches
for the email he received the night before.
He reads the email again:
"Click the link below if you wish to view our returns
policy."
He clicks it. Sweat is beginning to build up on his forehead
and he is breathing heavily. The email links to a white
website page. The only thing written on the page is:
"Are you sure?"
with two small buttons, yes and no.
He hovers over the yes button, then clicks it.
The page refreshes. This time it reads:
"Clicking proceed means you will forget everything you
have discovered today. Or, click cancel to exit"
Ben stops. His mouse hovering over the back button. He is
still breathing heavily. He moves his mouse to the return
button. We see Bens eyes are blood shot.
FADE TO BLACK - WE HEAR THE SOUND OF A MOUSE CLICK.