Internal Choice vs External Influence

I want this to be reality, so i don't want extremes like the guy saves a baby or doesn't. I want a small, seemingly insignificant choice, where the outcome of the choice has far less weight then the choice itself.

eg. A Hypochondriac is afraid to go outside his apartment. Somone knocks on the door wanting in, he can either open the door or not, and though the person has the wrong address the fact that he opened the door was a big step.

HOWEVER, the man being a hypochondriac distances him from everyday people...so try again

but lemmme think of one...

okay, big choice but little reward for the external influences? is that going to be reversed, such as big reward, little choice for internal decision? is that how you spell decision?

anyhow, if that's what your going for, whihc doesn't sound half bad, i think you should first map out a plot line, something for the character to go through. i have many settings like this in my head, but i lack the plot to keep things together. i would suggest you think up a really good plot, and it doesn't have to be about decisions directly, and then just seam the two together. like a plot about a guy who's dad might be cheating on his mom, and it might be a good idea to find out, but maybe its better not knowing or something.

How about these...

--An alcoholic who always gives into temptation as a way of being social, politely declining the offer of a drink in some kind of social setting.
--A thief/criminal who hands a woman's purse back to her after she accidentally drops it.
--A hot-tempered brawler who is bumped into by someone, and instead of getting aggressive, just says "It's alright" and moves on.

That kind of storyline sounds pretty deep. Good luck.

those are all really great ideas, thanks alot to everyone.

SAFilms, I think you have a good point on developing the plot line. I was reading a book on writting a character driven script and the author said the exact same thing, that you often forget the story behind the character...you should write a book!

Skinned, thats a cool idea, I like the career/girlfriend line, thats good stuff.

E.Flask
those are all exactly what i was looking for but couldn't think of. the only concern i have is the description of the main character. Most people have trouble relating to alcoholics or purse theives, though i wish and hope whatever i decide people will take it to be more general then it litterally is. For instance, If i choose the Alcoholic approach, I would fear people may assume its an anti drinking theme, though it obviously is way deeper.

The difficulty I am having is finding a plot that most people can relate to, like fear of the future, putting it into a story about a typical person, and keeping it interesting, because in a nut shell it sounds boring, but i know it can work...

Any idea's on creative ways to hear characters thoughts?

as for hearing people's thoughts, i would try out a sort of thought bubble. Not a little bubble that appears over their head, but something liek this:

the theif stares at the woman as she drops her purse in slow motion. the bag hits the ground and everything freezes. the camera then zooms quickly into his head, where (with some dream like filter) we see the theif, in sped-up mode, run over and take the purse, hand it back to the woman, then they both smile at the camera and give a "thumbs up." then another, where the theif runs over (in fast mode), grabs the purse, holds it out for the lady, then takes off with it. the woman puts her hands in her face and sobs, the theife books down the block. the theif then trips over a cops foot as the cop walks out of a department store. the cops (still in fast mode) wave their billyclubs around, scaring the theif. then we zoom quickly from the head of the theif, who walks over and hands the purse to the old lady. eh?

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formerly known as Flemchuck