SOCIETY OF PROMETHEUS - a synopsis

 

 

      THE SOCIETY OF PROMETHEUS tells the story of an insurance man who becomes involved with an underground organization devoted to making men free by eliminating their fears. It's not long before his life crumbles apart around him, and he's on the run for murder he may or may not have committed.

      Nathan Friedman, an insurance company executive, receives a note from an organization by the name of the Society of Prometheus. He attends a meeting and discovers that the organization encourages its members to confront their fears and gain control of their lives. The speaker addresses Nathan, despite Nathan's attempts not to be noticed, and warns him not to run from the truth. Nathan slips out.

      We now see Nathan in the humdrum setting of the insurance offices; and he's confronted by his secretary, Eve, who wants to discuss their relationship. Apparently, they've had an affair, but Nathan, put out by her emotional demands, explains that he'd rather not talk about it.  They argue but Nathan still manages to avoid the issue.

      Nathan speaks to his boss, Walter, who tells Nathan that he's concerned about the imprudence of having an affair with a secretary. He also expresses concern that Nathan no longer cares about the work he does. Nathan knows this to be true.

      We observe Nathan contemplating suicide before a bathroom mirror ; and we are soon transported back to the Society of Prometheus. Nathan is almost irresistably drawn to the organization; but he still feels comfortable in the role of the observer.  The speaker officially inducts a young woman, Aurora, into the Society. When she's asked to choose a partner for her journey, she points to Nathan, and he's led toward the stage to join her. She draws him to the labyrinth of rooms behind the stage and explains to him that she wants to conceive a child who would become a god among men. Nathan runs away, pursued by Aurora. Aurora tells him he can't run away anymore.

      Eve doesn't show up for work; so Nathan visits her at home. He then reveals his feelings and he explains that he doesn't care that their co-workers might gossip about them. He confesses his fear of losing her; they embrace.

      Later, a boy delivers Nathan a note from a man - Ariel - Nathan met at the Society.  Ariel is the same man who has been following Nathan. The note is an invitation to his initiation into the organization. He tosses it aside. But, late in the evening, Ariel comes for him and persuades him to attend. At the Society, a mysterious man drugs him and he's presented to the Speaker who initiates him. Aurora takes him to a back room and appears to engage in sexual intercourse with him.

      Nathan arrives late to work only to find Aurora waiting for him in his office. He orders her to leave; which she does willingly. Eve is clearly upset by the betrayal. Walter urges Nathan to get his act together.

      On the way home, Nathan confronts Ariel; but he learns relatively little from him. He finds Aurora at home and he can't understand how she got inside. She tells him that they are linked  but his refusal to have anything more to do with her has hurt her. He pursues her to the Society where she turns the tables on him and reveals to him that she's underage. She suggests that she might go to the cops. She provokes him and he hits her head against the wall. She's unconscious but it's not clear if she's dead or not.

      Nathan receives anonymous phone calls from a man who accuses Nathan of murder; the man wants hush money but Nathan refuses. Nathan believes Ariel to be the caller and he confronts him about it. But Ariel claims innocence; but he promises to look into things.

      A detective visits Nathan at work and asks him about his connection with Aurora. Nathan plays innocent and the detective leaves. Walter then notifies Nathan that he's placing him on suspension considering recent events which don't reflect well upon the organization. Nathan goes home only to discover he's been followed by the detective who probes him with more questions. Nathan continues to play innocent. Nathan packs and has one of many fainting spells on the subway (due to claustrophobic condition); he's been taken to Eve by a mystery man. When Nathan spots the detective outside of her home he escapes out  back and looks for Ariel at the Society.  He spots a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Aurora; he pursues her but he can't find her.

       Nathan meets the Speaker/Lucien who reveals to Nathan that Aurora is alive and well and consorting with one of their members by the name of Alfonso.  They give him Alfonso's address; there he finds Aurora and he confronts her about the treachery.   She panics, explaining that Alfonso will get angry because he'll think she lured Nathan to him and accuse her of sabotaging their plans to extort a little money from Nathan. Alfonso arrives; it's the Detective. Upon sighting Nathan, Alfonso flees; Aurora becomes delirious and pleads with Nathan not to let Alfonso hurt her.

      Alfonso confronts Nathan at Nathan's apartment, which has been trashed by Alfonso while he was away. He reveals to Nathan that Aurora is dead but he transfers blame for her murder from himself to Nathan. Alfonso reveals his passionate feelings for Aurora and holds Nathan at gunpoint. He surprises Nathan by placing Nathan's fingers over the trigger and holding the gun to his own head. There's a struggle and the gun fires. Alfonso gets killed. Nathan drops the gun and runs.

      Nathan tells Ariel what happened and Ariel offers to help him. Nathan flees to Eve's home. The following morning Ariel and Lucien arrive to explain that the law enforcement are on their way and that if he wants to run that he'd better leave right away. Nathan decides to hold his ground and confront the inevitable, rather then spend the rest of his days living in fear. Eve wants to stay with him until the cops arrive.