Running Cage

Running Cage
Information
Appearances	Saw II: Flesh & Blood
Victims	Michael Tapp (passed) Solomon Bates (failed)
Created by	John Kramer

“	You like stories, don't you? Well, here's the first one: the tortoise and the hare.	”
	— Jigsaw mocks Michael and Solomon

The Running Cage is a trap from the Saw franchise, appearing in Saw II: Flesh & Blood.

Design and Function

This trap was designed for two test subjects. Each of them was trapped in a cage, which was big enough for them to stand upright. Both of these cages were connected to two separate tracks on the floor. Once the game began, the victims could shove the cages forward to reach the end of the track before their opponent. Additionally, the test subjects were barefoot and the floor was covered in broken glass shards. In fact, however, the key to winning the game was by letting the other person reach the end of the track first. (Saw II: Flesh & Blood)

History

Michael Tapp and Solomon Bates' Test

“	Hello. Rise and shine. Michael, Solomon - each of you have an opportunity to escape this room. The first one to move their cage to the door will be freed. However, there is no price for second place. Oh, and watch your step. The floor is covered in broken glass. You like stories, don't you? Well, here's the first one: the tortoise and the hare. Let the game begin.	”
	— Michael Tapp and Solomon Bates' tape

Michael in his cage

The victims of this trap were Michael Tapp, a dishonest reporter and son of Detective David Tapp, and Solomon Bates, a corrupt accountant involved in a drug cartel. Both of them were targeted by John Kramer, better known as the Jigsaw Killer, and abducted by Pighead II, one of Jigsaw's accomplices, who took them to an unknown location and trapped them in the cages. When they woke up again, a TV turned on in front of them. A mechanical ventriloquist puppet appeared on the screen and explained the rules of their game to Michael and Solomon. Each of them could have to try to reach the end of the track as soon as possible while walking over the broken glass. Jigsaw, however, told them about the fable of the tortoise and the hare by Aesop, and thereby hinted at the fact that the one, who reached the end of the track first, was actually the one who failed this test.

When the TV turned off again, two metal bars, which blocked the cages' paths were lifted. Solomon embraced the opportunity and immediately began to push the cage forward. Michael tried to move forward as well in his attempt to catch up with his opponent. However, Solomon reached the end of track first and was freed from cage. At the same time, another door was opened and Solomon fled the room. Afterwards, Michael made it to the end of his own track and was freed from the cage as well. The TV turned on again and the puppet told him that he had failed his test, but also offered him a second chance at survival by facing another game. (Saw II: Flesh & Blood)

Trivia

• In the instruction tape, Jigsaw refers to Aesop's fable "The Tortoise and the Hare" as a clue to how to win the game. The fable concerns a hare who ridicules a slow-moving tortoise. Tired of the hare's arrogant behavior, the tortoise challenges him to a race. The hare soon leaves the tortoise behind and, confident of winning, takes a nap midway through the race. When the hare awakes however, he finds that his competitor, crawling slowly but steadily, has arrived before him.