Notes on The Empty Cage
	1. This screenplay picks up the climax and last act of the script. Before this, the story line is that Trace Cameron (TC), is a prison guard in his late 40's. He tries his best to be fair to all inmates. But he is human, and allows an Arabic inmate to be beaten, and he later finds out to death, after the September 11'th attack. A new kid, Jacob or Jake, comes to the prison and he is obviously too young. He is a victim of new laws making trying as an adult at a much earlier age. Jacob was caught dealing drugs to make money to try to make enough money to make a recording for his album. Jacob is a gorgeous singer, and immediately draws attention to himself in the prison. TC uses his power as a guard to protect Jacob and takes him under his wing. They become fast friends and TC brings entertainment magazines for Jacob to read, and Jacob sings for TC's enjoyment. The screenplay finishes the story from there. . 2. The whole story takes place over the time of about 2 months or so. The climax and conclusion take place in the matter of a night and a day. 3. My theme is very aligned with ideas about the nature of love and letting go. And also the ideas about pursuing your dreams and being pragmatic. I guess it has something to do with idealism and having the maturity to be okay with life. But that's very very muddled. And it's supposed to be like that. The lyrics of the Counting Crows song implies that there is a "crumbling difference between wrong and right." 4. TC wants to be like Jacob but is unwilling to admit what is wrong internally, and at the same time doesn't want to let go of Jacob. TC ends up killing off that which he loves and pushing himself into the abyss of moral depravity and callousness.  Jacob will not allow himself to succumb to the everyday pain of life, and clings to his idealism to a folly and dies for it. He does not change either. 5. TC and Jacob are fundamentally different in their views of the world and this causes them to clash and ruins their friendship. 6. TC has to overcome the disillusionment of his life not fulfilling his ideals. 7. Opening Scene: TC is working in the prison and has a mental dialogue working in the background. TC is a very vicious guard and hits the incoming inmates. He then begins to reminisce about the past. Plot Point 1: TC is a noble guard, but is so shocked by 9-11 he allows the prisoners to beat an Arabic inmate to death, and he can't believe that he is partially to blame for someone's death. Act Two: TC meets Jacob and sees this as a chance to redeem himself for his mistake. Halfway point: TC and Jacob become very very close friends. Plot Point 2: TC and Jacob get into fight and TC beats Jacob and rapes him. Climax: There is a riot and Jacob tries to escape. TC shoots Jacob to prevent his escape. Resolution/closing scene: TC walks away from Jacob's dead body. 8. The Arabic inmate's beating is the reference to September 11'th.
			BACK