The Fear of 13 plot
"We are the stories we tell."
After 23 years on death row, Nick sent a letter to the judge requesting that all ongoing investigations into his case be discontinued and that he be granted his right to a speedy execution. Nick takes us on a journey through his life, marked by drug addiction, hopelessness and childhood trauma. He introduces the viewer to the prison system, where he ends up on 'death row' after a series of unfortunate incidents. As a death row inmate, Nick spends most of his days in his cell. After a while, a friendly guard grants him a few books. Despite the fact that he has learned to read poorly, he devours the books and spends days learning new, complicated words. He also discovers the word 'triskaidekaphobia', which means 'fear of the number 13'. The new language skills not only help him better articulate his past, it also gives him the tools to help determine his future.