In the Court of the Crimson King (Martin Essay)

SE-74 In the Court of the Crimson King
of Nigel’s son, Alex, a representation of ego-centric,
passive youth in postmodern society, but who depicts
an essential group to societal balance that has the
ability to change for good. Dialogue begins as the
camera views an extreme close up of Alex’s hand,
which is wired up to a small video game. On his wrist
is the bracelet connected to the wires as well as his
personal identification bracelet. The audience can see
that his elegant plate of food has yet to be touched. The
camera then cuts to a side shot, revealing a small cross
tattooed on the back of his hand and the screen of the
video game responding to the boy’s moving fingers.
The camera then pans up to fix on a medium shot of
Alex, who is expressionless and fully concentrated on
his game. The frame cuts to a wide shot that shows the
entire dining table and room where everything is
painted in hopeless gray tones. Through the entire
conversation between Theo and Nigel, Alex never
looks up from his game, never speaks, and never even
acknowledges his uncle’s presence. He completely