Iron Maiden

“	Move the metal cubes to the symbol and avoid the strikes. After six strikes the device will snap shut, and this place will be your tomb.	”
	— Tapp receives the instructions of how to save Melissa^[src]

The Iron Maiden is a trap from the Saw franchise, appearing in Saw: The Video Game.

Design and Function[]

The victim of this trap stood on a pedestal and was held in place by two boot-like contraptions. In the center of the pedestal was a large winch. Attached to it were two elongated plates, one behind and one in front of the victim. There were six circular saw blades mounted to each of the plates. To survive, the test subject had to rely on the help of a second person. Positioned around the trap were three large glass boxes containing magnetic cubes. The second subject had to move these cubes to the correct circuit in order to short circuit the saws. Failing to avoid shorting out the batteries holding the plates with the saws in place would have resulted in both plates slamming shut on the victim. (Saw: The Video Game)

History[]

David Tapp's Trial[]

The persons tested in this trap were David Tapp, a detective obsessed with apprehending John Kramer, better known as the Jigsaw Killer, and Melissa Sing, the widow of Tapp's partner, Steven Sing, who had died when Tapp convinced him to invade Jigsaw's hideout without a warrant or any reinforcements. When Melissa woke up in the trap in the chapel of the abandoned Whitehurst Insane Asylum, she was greeted by Jigsaw and immediately insulted and accused him for the death of her husband. Jigsaw however defended himself, stating that the trap, which had killed Steven, could've been disabled by police procedure if Tapp wouldn't have ignored it. This further fueled Melissa's hatred for her late husband's partner. When she demanded to see her son, Jigsaw reminded her of how she neglected him after Steven's death. She however accused Tapp again, expressing her hate and her desire for him to suffer. Jigsaw then told her that he was the only one who could save her.

“	Hello, Melissa. It's time to wake up and see what your life has become. You understood the risks of marrying an officer of the law. When he was killed, you let your vengeance for Detective Tapp consume you. Your life crumbled and you neglected your son. I now offer you a gift, a chance to break through the numbness and taste the life you buried with your husband. Will you forgive Detective Tapp or is your hatred too great to be satiated? You are in what might be called an Iron Maiden. Move the metal cubes to the symbols and avoid the strikes. After six strikes, the device will snap shut and this place will be your tomb.	”
	— Melissa Sing's tape^[src]

Some time later, Tapp reached the chapel where Melissa was trapped. Moments later, a TV turned on in front of them. Jigsaw's mechanical ventriloquist puppet appeared on the screen and once more confronted Melissa with her hatred and depression. Thereby, he also told her that the plates with the saws before and behind her would snap shut and kill her if Detective Tapp didn't save her. Therefore, he instructed the latter of how to do so.

When the tape ended and the TV turned off again, the saws were activated and began to spin. Melissa frantically yelled at Tapp to hurry up while he tried to shut off the machine. Eventually, he was able to do so in time and Melissa was freed from her restraints. As she was still afraid, Tapp tried to calm her down. She however told him not to touch her and once again accused him for Steven's death. Furthermore, she claimed that she wished he wouldn't have saved her. Tapp defended himself, stating that he wished to take Steven's place if it was possible, before he went on. (Saw: The Video Game)