Ron, who's young, slight, and privileged, is sentenced to prison on marijuana charges. For whatever reason, he brings out paternal feelings in an 18-year prison veteran, Earl Copan, who takes Ron under his wing. The film explores the nature of that relationship, Ron's part in Earl's gang, and the way Ron deals with aggressive cons intent on assault and rape. There's casual racism, too, in the prisoners and the guards, a strike called by Black prisoners, and the nearly omnipresence of hard drugs. Ron's lawyer is working on getting Ron out quickly, Earl has a shot at parole, and death seems to be waiting in the next cell. Will prison turn Ron into an animal?

During the show scene, a vocalist is musically accompanied by a violinist and accordionist - the singer is Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons) and the song which he sings a version of is "Rapture" which can be found on the band's self-titled album from 2000.

Continuity: Ron's hair when he first meets Earl.

Written and Performed by Jake La Botz
Published by Under the El Music (BMI)
Administered by Bug Music Inc.