THE BOYS!
By Martin Dean
 
If Spike Lee morphed with J. R. R. Tolkien the result would be The Boys.


  Only eight days after his fourteenth birthday, Martin Anthony Dean, a very shy African American teen who suffers from a server case of pessimism has come to the bitter conclusion that his life is meaningless and that he is utterly and totally inept in every sense of the word.
  And why shouldn’t Martin picture himself as well his life in this grave view?  Especially when compared to hi ... more »

THE BOYS!
By Martin Dean
 
If Spike Lee morphed with J. R. R. Tolkien the result would be The Boys.


  Only eight days after his fourteenth birthday, Martin Anthony Dean, a very shy African American teen who suffers from a server case of pessimism has come to the bitter conclusion that his life is meaningless and that he is utterly and totally inept in every sense of the word.
  And why shouldn’t Martin picture himself as well his life in this grave view?  Especially when compared to his very athletic, macho and hunk of an older brother, Richard, who gobbles up one award after another on their Middle School Track and Field Team. Or his super smart elder sister Grace, who, as well as being the bane of his existence, is also thee star on her High School debate team which is going to the Nationals for the first time, in, well, forever.  Compared to his siblings, Martin not only confirms that his life is utterly meaningless but also concludes that he is nothing more than an utter and total loser. 
  But one faithful morning Martin’s very mediocre and purposeless life takes a drastic turn. In an attempt to waddle in his self pity Martin decides to play hooky from school. In doing so Martin crosses paths with an old decrepit home that has been abandoned for several years.
  While standing directly outside a mare few feet away from the withering home, Martin suddenly hears the voice of a child shouting desperately from inside the house, for “Help!”  Martin now immediately leaps into action, blazing up the trail of crumbling cement stairs then bursting wildly through the already unsecured large, dark double Oak doors. 
  But not long after entering into the home the decaying floor beneath Martin suddenly buckles and gives way sending Martin collapsing into what appears to be an endless abyss of darkness below.
  Countless hours later Martin wakes to discover that not only has he survived the fall but that he has in fact been transported to a parallel world ruled by teens and young adults of various ethnic backgrounds.
  During his introduction into this parallel world Martin soon meets up with other young and colorful African American teens that quickly take him under their wing.  Teens like Runaway, aptly named because of his common knack for running away when confronted with tough situations.  And Bear, who is just as big and as strong as a real to life bear.  And Giggles, whose witty comments and wacky sense of off-beat humor is the constant life of the party. And finally, but not nearly least, Banner, the elder but yet also, hesitant leader of the group of young men, whose silent demeanor, Adonis like physique and legendary battles demands him universal admiration and respect throughout the city and beyond. 
  Not long after meeting these teens who collectively call themselves “The Boys”, Martin soon has the misfortune of crossing paths with Redline, a young Caucasian boy about Martin’s same age, whose name is derived from his fiery red retinas as well his very volatile and ill-temperament.  Martin later learns that Redline is also the leader of another organization of young Caucasian males called “The Rulers”, aptly named due to their being the largest and most powerful organization in the city. 
  Martin’s initial meeting with Redline severely offends the hot headed leader and inadvertently instigates a war between these two very influential ethnic groups as well begins a chain reaction of events that threatens to uproot the peaceful treaty made between all of the young ethnic organizations residing within, as well, outside the city’s limits.
  Now armed with only his book bag which contains his schoolbooks, school lunch, a change of gym clothes and a pocket sized Bible, Martin is now faced with the daunting task of bridging the gap between the rivaling ethnic groups, all while trying to discover meaning and purpose in his own life, as well, trying desperately to find his way back home to his own world and to his family.  Less