Novocaine

Nathan Caine is introduced as a mild-mannered introvert with congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis. He works as an assistant manager at a trust credit union in San Diego, where he struggles with social interactions and relationships, particularly with his co-worker, Sherry Margrave, who is romantically interested in him.

While out at a bar with Sherry, Nathan unexpectedly encounters his middle school bully, who taunts him by calling him 'Novocaine.' In a moment of camaraderie, Sherry takes action to help Nathan, leading to an amusing incident where she gets him to drink a shot of hot sauce.

On Christmas Eve, the tranquility of the credit union is shattered when a gang of robbers, dressed as Santa, storms in. Led by Simon Greenly, they take Sherry hostage, thrusting Nathan into a dangerous situation as he realizes he must act quickly to save her.

In a panic, Nathan steals a cop car in an attempt to follow the robbers. However, he accidentally pursues the wrong vehicle, leading to an unexpected confrontation in a restaurant kitchen with a robber named Ben Clark, where he is forced to fight for his life.

Nathan finds himself in a life-or-death confrontation with Ben after a fierce struggle. He manages to shoot Ben dead but suffers severe burns on his hand while trying to reclaim Ben's weapon from a deep fryer, setting the stage for his quest to find Sherry.

With a tattoo as his clue, Nathan tracks down Ben's tattoo artist, Zeno. After a violent confrontation, Nathan succeeds in extracting Ben's last name from Zeno, intensifying his mission to locate Sherry and save her from grave danger.

Nathan arrives at Ben's house only to find it is booby-trapped. He becomes ensnared in a trap, and in desperation, he calls his only friend Roscoe for help as he faces imminent danger from Ben's brother, Andre, who begins to torture him.

Roscoe arrives just in time to assist Nathan, and together they confront Andre. In a tense struggle, they overpower Andre, resulting in a brutal confrontation that leads to Andre's death just as police officers arrive, complicating Nathan's situation.

Nathan tracks down Sherry, only to discover she is Simon's sister and part of the robbery plot. Initially intending to seduce Nathan for the bank vault code, Sherry develops real feelings for him, leading to a complicated scenario during a face-off with Simon.

As Nathan confronts Simon, tensions escalate with Simon attempting to kill him despite Sherry's protests. The scenario culminates in a violent clash where Coltraine arrives, but chaos erupts when Simon shoots him and escapes with Nathan in an ambulance.

As the ambulance speeds away, Sherry manages to free herself from her handcuffs and chases after it. Despite the odds, her determination reflects the depth of her feelings for Nathan, showcasing her bravery amidst the unfolding chaos.

Regaining consciousness in the ambulance, Nathan breaks free and engages in a final struggle with Simon. Using adrenaline to muster the strength he needs, he manages a desperate move that culminates in Simon's ultimate demise, after which Nathan collapses from exhaustion.

After an agonizing two weeks, Nathan awakens in a hospital bed, learning that his fate has taken a turn for the better. Instead of a lengthy prison sentence, he is sentenced to six months of house arrest, thanks in some part to his heroic actions during the incident.

One year after the harrowing events, Nathan visits Sherry, who is close to completing her short sentence for her role in the robbery. They share a cherry pie, symbolizing the beginning of their relationship, and this moment highlights Nathan's growth and the bond they've formed.

As guards escort Sherry back to her cell, Nathan savors the cherry pie, marking a poignant moment of reflection on his journey. The experience has transformed him from a timid introvert into someone who has faced extraordinary challenges and found a connection with Sherry.