Face the Music

Tyler is sick of living in his small town. He feels like his whole life has been laid out for him, and he doesn't fit the mould. He follows along with angry, unpredictable Mason, who eggs him into committing petty crimes. When Mason decides that it's time to leave their hometown behind, Tyler doesn't think twice. But he should have—Mason forgot to fuel up their stolen car, and it runs out of petrol in no time.

By complete chance a car rolls past, driven by missing metal star Sean Dakota. After a strained first meeting, Sean reluctantly agrees to give the boys a ride to the city where he lives undercover, on the condition that they tell no one he's there. The first thing Mason does with his freedom is steal $57 from a busker, and Tyler goes along with it—like always. But this time, they get caught by the police straight away. Mason gives the police Sean's details, and he picks them up under sufferance. He then has to leave to visit his dying father. The second he is out of sight, Mason finds and steals all his cash and credit cards. This time, Tyler refuses to go along with it. Instead he waits and faces the music. When Sean returns, grief-stricken and unsurprised, he turns Tyler out.

It only takes a couple of days of living on the streets for Tyler to realise that he wants to turn his life around. He meets the violinist—Jacob—whose money Mason stole, and Jacob speaks up for Tyler at his court appearance. Sean helps Tyler get home and reconnect with his family. To their surprise, they both find themselves settling into the small-town life and rediscovering music.

A thought-provoking piece about second chances, bad influences, forgiveness, and turning your life around. Both Sean and Tyler are running away, but they can't truly move forward until they face the music. Themes of abuse, justice, responsibility and fitting in. Emphasis on finding and pursuing passions for the right reasons.

second chances, bad influences, forgiveness, choices, abuse, justice, responsibility, fitting in, finding passions, music 

1. Mention that Mason's father is physic (p. 5), burn scars (p. 34). Mild physical altercation (p. 12-13). Speculation on the internet that Dakota killed himself (p. 24). Mentioned that Dakota's father used to hit him (p. 29). Mason chokes Tyler (p. 67), and punches him out (p. 68). 2. F*ck (p. 11 x 2, 15, 22, 34, 49, 59, 101), shit x 24, asshole x 2, crap x 9, bloody x 1, bastard x 2, Jesus (p. 57). 3. Beer (p. 95). Mention of "bad dope" (p. 27). Mention of drunk people sobering up in holding cells (p. 49).