A young married lawyer is having a hard time with his wife and finances and drives to a beach on the Mendocino Coast to be alone and clear his head. On the beach as the sun sets he is greeted by an apparently homeless old man who has lit a fire, engages him in conversation, and offers surprising advice. They are interrupted by a Park Ranger who says the beach is closed and the fire must be put out. The old man has his own agenda, refuses to leave and tells the two men the story of 'The Cage'. The young lawyer is affected by the old man's story and returns home with a fresh perspective.