When a suicidal FBI agent is assigned to infiltrate a prison drug ring, his life is saved by two lifers and a bond forms, however, his new friendships soon thwart his mission.

30 words. A bit long. Lets consider this a working logline as I?m playing with the idea.

Admittedly – nothing very specific just yet so I might need to do a rough outline or something. I?m testing the concept – see if it excites anyone.

INTENTION: infiltrate and take down dangerous drug ring. (Admittedly, I don?t use ?dangerous? or ?take down? in the logline. Hopefully that?s innate.)

OBSTACLE: these two lifers whose lives are on the line – once they get entangled.

STAKES: hopefully – it?s clear it is life or death.

ARC: suicidal to appreciating life.

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Some notes on this:

1. The Sophie?s choice/dilemma should be innate. His duty and loyalty and mission (which should be corrupt) versus this new family/loyalty/unlikely friendships he finds in prison.

2. I think that loyalty is tested and the hero must make a decision when his superior orders him to make his friend into patsies in a cover-up – an idea.?

3. I figured the lifers would be murderers and this should make us question whether one is allowed a second chance or whether someone can redeem themselves.

4. I considered making the protagonist a cop but I want his superiors to have somewhat corrupt, ?means-to-an-end? ethics. The protagonist?s corrupt superior (who is also taking orders, just a worker bee) urges that these lifers/new friends are expendable to his mission.

5. Only in prison does this suicidal agent find a reason to live and begin to appreciate life.?

6. ?Suicidal? – I?m not sure whether to include. I hope it suggests his arc from suicidal to appreciates life.?

7. Lastly – the corrupt superior is not necessarily a bad guy. He too, is taking orders I think. A worker bee. Making those difficult decisions.

So?

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION meets THE DEPARTED, anyone?