Brief

Luke is an eleven year old boy who has to grow up fast. His fanatically religious father beats him regularly, and he's lucky enough to have learned some skills on a ranch that will help him get by on his own. He runs away, headed to Miami, where friends will take him away. During his cross-country journey, he gets in interesting and often life-threatening situations - and is forced to face the reality of America in the 60s - way too quickly.

What We Liked

- This is a long, often dangerous, always interesting journey with an empathetic and capable lead;
- There are interesting scenarios and supporting characters throughout;
- Adventure and discovery - a sense of wonder;
- Romance - good and bad;
- Ticking clock structure and few resources;
- Awards potential, talent bait.

Synopsis

1960s, rural Oregon. In the root cellar, LUKE, 11, is made to listen to scripture while his father beats him with a razor strap to get the devil out of him. His father JOSEPH is a preacher and he would also whip Luke at church in front of the congregation while worshipers sang and spoke in tongues. At the coast with his grandparents, Luke meets his new friend TONY, and his mom ALISSA, on their nice yacht. Tony is shocked by the cuts and scars on Luke’s back. Joseph takes Luke on a revival where they set tents up for two days and people come from all over. Luke is brought up on stage, stripped, and whipped for the grand finale. Back at the coast, Tony’s family sit him down and tell him that his father is a despicable man - as their boss - and for what he does to Luke. They tell Luke they’ll be sailing down through Panama to Miami, and eventually to St. Thomas. They tell Luke if he can find a way to Miami without his father finding him, he can live with them.

He finally makes his decision to leave for Florida, digs up his cash and gets his pre-packed duffle bag from under some hay. He’s raped by two Hobos on a train. He hitch-hikes and takes buses as far as they’ll take him. In San Fran, he meets a woman, VERA, who invites him to stay awhile, where he does a lot of drugs and has a lot of sex but it’s a wonderful time. He leaves, and works on a ranch where his skill with horses earns him money and respect. Then, his trip across country alternates between times where he’s eating from trash cans and things like having sex with a woman in a mansion. He’s kidnapped and taken to a large house by some religious fanatics where other children are kept - and forced to work and abused. Luke beats up all of the fanatics and takes the kids out of there, giving the kids all of his money for bus tickets home.

He makes it to Florida, but is worried his friends may have already left Miami. He makes his way down the state, taking two weeks work on a shrimp boat from an alcoholic named STEVE who treats him well and pays him. Luke takes the bus to Miami where he meets ENRIQUE, who hooks him up with a passport and also treats him well. Going through the phone book calling marinas, he finally finds his friend’s boat and is reunited - just in time for the trip down to the Caribbean.

About The Author

Marcus Miller has lived a long life since his adventurous youth. He has more stories to tell, and will have a sequel to his book that takes the reader on the dangerous high seas in foreign lands.