character :: Bentley Hale
Everyone knows Bentley Hale - the famous child actor, the 'playful little scoundrel of American TV', the train wreck that was on the 'Breaking Celebrity News' at least once a week for his latest suicide attempt or attack on the photographers that tracked his every move. And yet, although everyone knows Bentley and his 'breakdowns' are put on display on the front page of every gossip magazine in the U.S, no one seems to notice or even care that he's spiraling out of control.
Bentley grew up beneath the stage lights as a beloved child actor, his sweet, innocent face stealing the hearts of millions all over the world. He was the big name, the child who played the same re-used and repeated role of a spunky young boy in all the famous films that called for one and everyone loved him: especially his aunt and uncle, the caretakers and agents of the inspired young talent who reaped all of the benefits of his success. But as Bentley grew older, interest in him began to wane and his 'parents' did all they could to keep him relevant and interesting, even at the cost of Bentley's mental health.
It was during his mid-teenage years that Bentley began to feel wound tight, sinking into deep ruts of depression followed by recklessly impulsive decisions that his family chalked up to be nothing more than teenage angst, a waste of their time and of his talent. But Bentley refused to let it go, demanding help for the 'craziness' he felt which came in the form of another assistant (the previous of which had quit, as had so many others before) named Kurt, who would become Bentley's 'handler'...and unfortunately, for the both of them, Bentley's problems only worsened. At only sixteen years old, Bentley Hale attempted suicide for the first time and ultimately, much to his displeasure, failed.
Money began to run dry, a fact that Bentley was reminded about daily by his aunt and uncle, as he became a young adult and the acting jobs were limited to only the best. This, combined with Bentley's own internal struggles, caused him to lash out at everyone around him, from hitting the paparazzi with his car to one broken relationship after another, everything in Bentley's life felt as though it was falling apart. Numerous suicide attempts proved fruitless, given Kurt's proactive nature and despite those around him pushing him to seek help, Bentley was allowed to walk free in the days following his attempts without the mental help he so desperately needed. Years had passed and Bentley, now 24, had managed to keep himself out of the public's eye - so when Kurt passes along a message that a model would like to meet with him for a photoshoot, Bentley initially declines. But the bold model, an albino man from Germany by the name of Alex, approaches his door and demands the two be photographed together, Bentley is both impressed and intrigued by his nerve and agrees, for old times' sake. Maybe it would reignite his love of being in front of a camera. But, instead, it triggers a new kind of love...with Alex.
Their relationship was loving, natural even, what with Alex pushing Bentley to find his inner confidence but Bentley could still feel the anger rising and the anxiousness growing day by day so after nearly two years of a steady relationship, and Alex returning back to Germany, Bentley had a decision to make: leave his life, his fame, his legacy behind and follow Alex to greener pastures or stay and hope that he would no longer be hounded by the media and he could just live in quiet tranquility...his choice was clear. Bentley followed Alex to Germany, leaving his condo and his money with Kurt to pursue what he believed to be his only shot at happiness but things with Bentley are never simple. Less than a year after his stay in Germany, Bentley realizes the old feelings are beginning to creep back in and despite the much needed mental health retreat, he's not 'cured'. And a drunken phone call from Kurt only makes it more complicated. Ultimately, following a confession of love from his former handler, Bentley leaves a letter for Alex detailing their break-up and returns to California to be with him.If you were to ask his doctors about Bentley's sporadic actions and scattered thinking, most would blame his symptoms on his severe bipolar disorder. But if you were to ask Bentley, he'd simply shrug and tell you:
But it's the not knowing that,
for the first time in my life,
makes me feel pretty damn happy.
