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This is a musical, by me. It is very fluid right now, as I'm kinda planning it as I go along. This is the first three scenes.

RUNNING IN THE RAIN

CHARACTERS

RYKER YOUNG

LILY RAYSON

AVER

CADE

RYAN

TAYA

LEO

MRS YOUNG

MR YOUNG

CAROLYN

TARIK

ALEXEI

MIA

EMMA

ASHLEY

ENSEMBLE [SCHOOLMATES, WEREWOLVES ETC]

SETTING

MODERN DAY MILWAUKEE

MUSICAL NUMBERS

The Phoenix- Ryker

The Next Great Adventure- Tarik

Run- Ryker

A Night Like Tonight- Ryker and Lily

The Readiness Is All- Cade, Ryan, Aver, Taya, and Ryker

ACT I

Prologue

Curtain opens on an ambiguous outdoor scene. Reds, yellows and oranges dominate the scene. It could appear to be at sunset. The setting seems to suggest fire, but softly. Not all consuming fire. Warmer colors, less violent.

RYKER silently sits center stage, cross-legged, and absentmindedly plays with his shoes. All is quiet for a few moments. He appears agitated, but bored. He looks off into the horizon, as if looking for an escape. The music softly starts and he looks down again.

THE PHOENIX

RYKER.

As RYKER triumphantly sings the last chord, he suddenly comes back to reality. Looking crestfallen, he realizes that it was his imagination and he is still stuck in the mortal world. He trudges off stage slowly, but with a ghost of a smile remaining on his face in his few minutes of happines. Lights dim to a soft glow, then out completely.

Scene 1

Curtain opens on an outdoor scene. Students are entering and exiting joyfully. February, modern day. They have just all completed their ACT and feel relieved. TARIK and RYKER enter, and stay center stage.

TARIK. Ryker! It's over! That horrid horrid test is finally over! Ahhh...what a relief. No more studying for unknown subjects, no more stressing about the biggest test of our lives. (Looking at RYKER). Hey! Ryker! You alive over there? Those cosines and comma splices didn't slip you into a coma, did they?

RYKER. (Looking up) No...I'm just...sad. I guess.

TARIK. Sad?! What's there to be sad about?

RYKER. Well, I mean it's the test of our junior year. It's the most important one well ever take. If we failed this...but We only have one year left of high school after this! Soon we'll be off to college! Doesn't that seem weird to you, Tarik?

TARIK. Nah. See, for me, high school is just a stepping stone to the rest of life. I could care less about what happens here.

RYKER. Yeah, but it's what happens here that shapes the rest of our lives! Don't you always hear stories from adults of all their great high school days? We're almost done with that! This is supposed to be the best time in our lives! And I feel like we've done nothing!

TARIK. Now that's not true. You still have some good memories, I'm sure of it. Come on, you've got to think of something. Hmm...what about that time that we were at Lacey's? And her cat ran in, and, oh what was it...oh! with Monopoly! The cat and Monopoly? Remember? (RYKER smirks). Oh, I knew you did. See? These are the stories you'll tell your kids, and they'll tell their friends, and it keeps getting passed down until eventually it turns into a legend, or a new young adult book! Yes, I can see it now: Ryker Young is the Cat's Pajamas.

RYKER. There were no pajamas.

TARIK. You know how people are; things get lost in translation. RYKER laughs.

RYKER. You know, you really know how to make me laugh.

TARIK. That's why we're friends.

RYKER. But I still don't know how to deal with this...this feeling. Of time being fleeting.

TARIK. Okay, mister, you need to be taught a lesson. I know you're hell-bent on dreading the future, but the truth is, that's not all there is. Sure, high school was fun. But that's not all there is to life. The future can be just exciting as now.

RYKER. How though? I don't want to have to make all these choices. I just want to be carefree and naive. Like now.

TARIK. You are the naivest person I know, and that's saying something. Why exactly do you dread the future so much?

RYKER. I just-ugh. Because...because...I don't know. Maybe...I don't know what I'm doing?

TARIK. That's what an adventure is all about! Haven't you read any of the stories or seen any of the movies?! It's all about stumbling forward, into the darkness, as though you have a plan. Make it looks like you know what you're doing, and maybe the fog will ignore you. If it doesn't, well...good luck!

RYKER. Nice analogy. Though that still doesn't help. I don't think it's the darkness I'm afraid of. I think it's the actual walking through it. I have no idea what awaits me in the future. So I have no idea what to expect while I'm getting there. I think that's what scares me.

TARIK. The adventure isn't in the destination, it's the journey. Haven't you ever heard that before? You've got to stop seeing growing up as a chore, or a fright, or a monstrous thing to surmount. High school was one adventure. And it was fun. But it's almost over. Now, you've got to give up the past and get older. You've got to accept the future as the next great adventure. [intro starts] Hear that? That's the beckon of your adventure. Everyone's is different. Go to yours!

NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE

Song ends.

RYKER. Thanks Tarik. I guess that helps.

TARIK. Oh come on! Adventure! Future! All that stuff!

RYKER. We just went through this. I heard the wonderfully and a little bit over zealous song about it, yeah.

TARIK. Oh... Well it's summer now! You go have fun. I know I will. What are your plans?

RYKER. I...don't really have any. Maybe hang out with you and Carolyn, stay home, play games...I really don't know. What are you doing?

TARIK. To be honest, I really don't know.

RYKER. Probably something "adventurous" knowing you.

TARIK. I haven't actually been on an adventure you know. I just like comparing it to things. I mean, my parents will probably take me camping once or twice or thrice or fifty times, but...I never actually go anywhere. I...I just wanna go somewhere, ya know? Do something! But I don't know where. I can't go anywhere. I can't do anything. But I'm just itching for something to do! Actually, I think that's why I'm so ready to get out of this place and go to college. You get to actually be your own person, do your own stuff, live on your own. Do you realize how excited I am for that?

RYKER. I can make a pretty good gue-

TARIK. No, sh! I'm onto something here! A breakthrough! I've never actually analyzed myself before. It's kinda fun. Okay, back to business. Where was I?

RYKER. Living on your own.

TARIK. Yes. Thank you, Ryker. Cause...you get to be on your own! You buy your own food, pay your own bills, do your own laundry...okay, that stuffs not fun. But you get to do what you want! I can drive, I can go on as many adventures as I want to! Here, all I'm really allowed to do is go camping to the same like four campsites we ever go to. And they're not even in Milwaukee! They're upstate. And that's a very long drive. Here, I'm trapped. All I can do is dream about what lies ahead and wish for it.

RYKER. As I learned firsthand.

TARIK. Yeah, but this is better. Trust me.

RYKER. For you or for me?

TARIK. I dunno, maybe you'll get something out of this too. I don't just want to dream it, I want to be it! I've heard that from somewhere...oh well, it doesn't matter. I actually realized what's at the core of my excitement...excitement! If that makes any sense. I'm excited to do my own thing, actually go on my own adventures. I'm excited to be on my own, and it won't be raining in this version! I'll go as many places as I want, meet whoever I wish, do whatever or how ever much or for long as I choose! I'll go on my own adventures! And I'll make them my own! Even if it kills me!

RYKER. That's a little drastic, don't you think?

TARIK. No, this is what my life's led up to. Okay, now what say you to that?

RYKER. To what, exactly?

TARIK. Um...being on your own. Like, future plans, careers, college stuff aside. What do you think of living on your own, by yourself, self-sustaining, no one to control you but you. What do you think of it?

RYKER. I've never actually thought about that. I guess I'd say...just that on its own is pretty enticing. I mean, I dread what comes along with it. But if I could suddenly live off myself, starting tomorrow, I do suppose I'd be okay. I guess.

TARIK. You guess a lot. Have I ever told you that?

RYKER. No- what?

TARIK. You say "I guess" a lot. And as one who's been your friend since like fourth grade, I keep track. And I tell you man, it's a lot. A hundred in the past week.

RYKER. You keep track of how much I say "I guess?"

TARIK. You betcha. Well, I've got to go plan some adventures and my future. Can't wait to get out from under my parents. And live on my own...wow that really is the next great adventure...and many more after that. See you around, Ryker!

(TARIK exits)

RYKER. (Standing). Maybe Tarik's right... (Long pause. Looks down) And maybe not at all. The next great adventure...more like being slain by the dragon. (He sits. A few seconds of silence pass. CAROLYN, RYKER'S friend, enters and sits by him)

RYKER. Oh...hi Carolyn.

CAROLYN. What's up, Ryker? It's over! Don't you see all these kids running out? You're done with that test! It was difficult, but you got it. Want some...hot chocolate?! (a la Polar Express)

RYKER. I get the reference, and no, sorry.

CAROLYN. So...that didn't cheer you up. What wrong?

RYKER. Oh, nothing, I'm just...I don't know. Sad, I guess.

CAROLYN. Why?

RYKER. Tarik just talked with me, about how I should be excited for the future and everything. But I just...don't feel it. He even did it in song. Though I think that helped him more than me...

CAROLYN. I'm not as pumped about everything as he is, but I do think he has a point. You can't just go denying everything. It's all going to happen, whether you want it to or not. Whether you plan or prepare for it or not.

RYKER. Carolyn, I just had this talk. Not now. Please.

CAROLYN. No, I think you need to hear this.

RYKER. (Standing). I just did! Why does no one listen to me?! Why can't anyone just let me live in the past?! Why can't I be like this forever?! And why don't I?! I hate this stupid system! I just want to be like this for all my life, just be a kid! It's the best! No preparing, no planning, no thinking of what's coming ahead. Just doing. Just living. Just being!

CAROLYN. Because, you unwilling idiot, that's not how it works. Life isn't just a wish. You have to work for it to make it work for you.

RYKER. I don't want to! I don't want it to! I want it to leave me alone!

CAROLYN. Fine. If you're so stubborn and unwilling to accept the future, then I won't stay here and force it on you. Toure being a child, which I know is what you want, but yre being a spoiled child. I will leave you with some advice a friend once told me. Remember the past, look to the future, but live in the now. Hear what that means? It says all of the parts are equal. What's ahead is just as important as what's behind us and what were in front of. Past present and future are all...together. You can't deny one without denying them all. Now if you're going to keep acting like a stubborn brat, then fine. Be the kid you're acting like. I'll see you on Monday. (She gets up and leaves, pauses at edge of stage, thinking)

RYKER. Carolyn...! Wait...ugh. Fine. Leave. See if I care. (Sits in silence as the rushing of kids thins out. Soon it's just him all alone. Pause. Calling to her:) Okay, Carolyn, come back. Please! I was...being dumb...

(CAROLYN turns and walks back to RYKER)

CAROLYN. I was a little harsh too. I'm sorry.

RYKER. It's just...I just had this with Tarik, and now you...I realize I need to hear this. Just maybe later. Okay?

CAROLYN. Understood. I'm sorry, just sometimes you can be so annoying with it...okay, forget it. Forget it all. Why don't we go get some shakes or ice cream or something? It's feisty cold today.

RYKER. What did you even just say...? Okay sure. Sounds good. Just two friends talking and having ice cream. Nothing future about that... (Stands) Let's go.

(THEY exit)

Scene 2

Lights come up on an indoor restaurant. CAROLYN and RYKER are taking their seats, drinking milkshakes.

CAROLYN. So, you feel better?

RYKER. Yeah, I guess. But we still have to go to school in two days.

CAROLYN. Yeah, that's true! (Pause) So...any...activities pla- for the-ah, the summer?

RYKER. (Unnoticing) Summer? No, not really...

CAROLYN. Me neither. We should hang out a lot then!

RYKER. Maybe I should get a part-time job or something...

CAROLYN. Summer's not a bad time to do it. A lot of free time.

RYKER. Yeah...don't you have one?

CAROLYN. Mhm. Saving up for-uh, a car.

RYKER. (Looks at her) Don't you have one?

CAROLYN. (Looking away) No, that's my dad's...

RYKER. Oh, okay...but summer's still months away...it's not even March yet...

CAROLYN. Wanna catch a movie or something?

RYKER. What would you wanna see?

CAROLYN. I dunno. Something funny? Kids' movies can be good.

RYKER. Some of 'em. (Perking up) Remember when we went to see Special Star?

CAROLYN. Yeah!

RYKER. That was so much fun. We talked the whole time!

CAROLYN. We were completely alone in the theater! We could talk as much as we wanted.

RYKER. Remember when the guy woke up?!

CAROLYN. In the hospital!

BOTH. Ashleigh! (They laugh. Other customers give strange looks)

RYKER. Oh that was fun. When was that?

CAROLYN. Last year, I think. August.

RYKER. And then we went to your house and watched tv...last year...wow.

CAROLYN. We used to hang out so much more sophomore year.

RYKER. We used to watch Paranormal like every day. You liked that angel so much. It was kinda annoying. (Smiles)

CAROLYN. Yeah...I had a phase. Problem?

RYKER. Why can't we be like that again...

CAROLYN. (Seeing her chance) We can! Don't you see? We can!

RYKER. No...we can't. I mean- we could try...

CAROLYN. We can!

RYKER. I...we can try...

CAROLYN. Good! Now, you wanna go see that movie? We can decide on what to see when we get there.

(They rise to leave. TARIK enters excitedly, and seeing them, sits by them. All sit back down)

CAROLYN. Tarik! What a nice surprise! Ryker and I were just about to go see a movie...

TARIK. Oh, well I can leave-

CAROLYN. No, no, we can wait. We don't even know what we're seeing. We can wait. Right Ryker?

RYKER. (Avoids looking at TARIK) Huh?... Oh sure...

TARIK. Ryker, are you okay? If it's about this morning, I'm sorry. I was...just nervous, too. Like you. (Looking remorseful) I guess...I guess I just felt like you did. I just reacted to it differently. (RYKER still sulks) If you've been like this all day, I'm sorry! I really am!

CAROLYN. Ryker, he said he's sorry.

RYKER. Okay...it's okay, Tarik...(HE looks up at TARIK. TARIK smiles. RYKER, after a moments hesitation, smiles broadly back) I can never not smile with you!

TARIK. Good!

CAROLYN. Now that you two dorks have made up, do you wanna to see a movie with us, Tarik?

TARIK. I dunno...my schedule's pretty packed...

RYKER. What could you possibly have going on today?

TARIK. I got a pretty solid plan of playing Starcraft for nine hours. Gonna be hard to squeeze outta that.

CAROLYN. Can't you cut it down to five or six?

TARIK. I don't know... (CAROLYN looks mock-pleading) Okay, if only for your pretty face.

RYKER. Thank you.

TARIK. (Winks) Glad you got the hint!

CAROLYN. Oh, shut up! Come on, let's go. (They rise to leave again) So, what movie d'you wanna see?

RYKER. I don't know, what's playing? Wait! (Goes back and picks up his forgotten shake) Okay, we can go!

(ALL laugh as they exit the door and lights dim)

Scene 3

Lights up on Ryker's front porch. He sits, alone, occasionally whistling to himself. He looks content.

RYKER. (Begins to talk, more so reflecting to himself than to anyone in particular) Well that was fun. I haven't done that in a while...hang out with them. I enjoyed the movie, but...(realization) did...Carolyn seem like she was a little...hesitant to say anything? About anything? Like she's so worried that if she mentions my future or anything I'll just break down and run away? Well no. I'm stronger than that. (PARENTS arrive)

MRS YOUNG. Hello dear, how was your ACT?

RYKER. Hm? Oh, fine...

MR YOUNG. Are you sure, son?

RYKER. Yes, dad. Just...it's over.

MRS YOUNG. ...If you need us, honey, we'll be inside.

(They exit into the house.)

RYKER (again alone. Rain begins to fall) I don't need them talking to me right now. The last thing I need is them. I can do it on my own!They're always talking about my future and college and everything...but the truth is I don't care! I mean, sure, I'd like to have a plan for myself. But it's not all that important. I just took the freaking ACT, that's enough planning for now. (He shivers) it's a bit cold...

(Rustling sound comes from the bushes.)

RYKER. What was that? Anyone there? Hello? No, I guess there's no one there. There wouldn't be...

(More rustling.)

RYKER. (Stands up.) Okay, this is creepy. (He starts walking away. Music starts.) Maybe it's just a rabbit or something. In Milwaukee? Do we see those often here? I don't even know. Rabbits... (The rustling gets louder and low growling can be heard. The rain increases and he begins to back away.)

RUN

He screams. The bass line suddenly stops, the lights black out. Sounds of a scuffle continue for at least twenty seconds, accompanied by growls and yells. The rain continues through the scuffle.