What was the point of make-out scene?

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2004)

Great film, lots of layers engagingly constructed, but one aspect kept annoying me: the make out scenes between the two Lacuna characters at Joels' apartment. Does that add anything to the film. To me it is so highly implausible, the guy getting brain work done and the two health technicians frolicking and getting stoned...is that supposed to convey that such treatment (in the future) will be totally routine or was it inserted for some cheap laughs. I suspect the latter.
Also, is Patrick's telephone call crucial to the film, it seems as though that is the trigger for Joel to start protecting his memories. If Patrick didn't take the call would we have had a film at all?