FSTS: Treatment

Calling Ezra is a short story about a young scientist and a strange situation he finds himself in.

The story starts with Ezra, a scientist that works at a genetics lab, sitting outside a coffee shop with his friend, Sam. While the two relax, Ezra receives a phone call from one of his colleagues. Ezra is blamed for strange happenings going on at the lab; this confuses Ezra as he obviously isn't at the lab at that exact moment, when suddenly from phone comes a loud scream. This startles Ezra. As he asks if his colleague is alright he hears a voice that sounds exactly like himself. The voice demands a video call. Once Ezra does this his confusion turns to horror as a double of himself is on the phone screen. The double insists that Ezra come down to the lab and then hangs up the phone. Ezra hesitates and then rushes off to the lab. Sam is left there worried and confused.

When Ezra arrives at the lab, he finds it dark and almost completely empty, with the exception of a shadowy figure stareing at him from the other end of the main corridor. The figure tries to get Ezra to engage in banterfull conversation, but Ezra is having none of it. A little bit disappointed, the shadowed figure mentions that he has answers for what is going on and promptly leaves. Ezra, being naturally curious, cannot resist knowing what’s going on; so he gives chase. He follows the mysterious character into a room he hasn’t seen before. This room is completely pitch black, except for a blue, glowing terminal in the center of the room. Ezra cautiously moves towards this terminal and taps its screen. As he does that the light in the room suddenly becomes blinding. After a little adjustment, Ezra opens his eyes to see the room is lined with blue tanks with people inside them. This horrifies Ezra. He quickly notices that one of the tanks has his name written on it. He walks towards it. He stares at the empty vat, with disgust and confusion. While he contemplates to himself, his clone appears in the tanks reflection with a chuckle. Ezra’s face turns to one of terror. The camera cuts to black.

Back at the cafe, ‘Ezra’ walks back over to the table. He sits down and engages in conversation with Sam. They ask Ezra if everything is ok. With a chuckle he insists that everything’s fine, however while he says this the camera shows the real Ezra asleep in the cloning tank.

The short ends here with an open ending, leaving room for audience interpretation.