He packed his bag and gave a sorrowful look round the room he'd called home for the last six months. He hadn't a clue what he was going to do now. He had come to the city like any other potential actor and had fallen on hard times. His father had protested to his career choice and he could just see the reaction on his parents faces when he returned home, a failure.

No, going home was not a option. He was going to make his money and prove to his father that he was no failure. With this positive thought in his mind, he headed out into the busy LA streets to plan his next move.

He didn't get very far. Los Angeles by night was not the place to be visiting alone. Micky sat down on the curb to deliberate his possibilities, concluding in the fact he didn't have any. He wished he'd made more friends but being so shy he hadn't adapted to the hyperactive lifestyles of city folk. Instead he kept his head down at his job and worked his hardest. It was only in auditions did he shine, playing a part allowed Micky to forget reality and become another person. It was the only thing he loved doing.

Micky was aware that he wasn't alone. He could sense a presence creeping up behind him. Although frightened he turned round to see a gang of hoods approaching him on the street.

"Hey boy, what's a young thing like you doin' out so late, isn't it past ya bedtime."

"I was just goin'," replied Micky, getting up and walking away.

"Hey, Hey, don't you fuckin walk away from me."

Micky chose to ignore the shouts and darted into a nearby alleyway. He rested against the wall, breathing hard. He was gonna have to find somewhere to stay tonight, but where?

"You ok?" asked a voice from the darkness.

"Yeah fine."

"You don't look the sort to be out here alone, not in this neighbourhood anyway."

As the voice spoke, the owner revealed himself in the low street light. Micky was surprised to see how young the man was. Not much older than he, maybe even his age. His hair was a dirty blonde colour that was well past the need for a haircut, his eyes grey and tired and his face unshaven. He was tall too, even taller than Micky but muscular. He looked liked he had seen his fair share of problems in his life.

"I was just thinking," said Micky.

"Let me warn ya pal, this is not the place to stop and think. Have you got somewhere to go?"

Micky shook his head.

"Well ya best come with me then, name's Ty by the way." He extended his hand to Micky who shook it, his face breaking into a smile.

"Micky," he replied.

"Ok, Micky come on before that gang finds out where you've gone."

Mike stood staring at the mound of earth in front of him. He didn't know how long he had stood there, could have been an hour maybe two. The sky was turning grey as the rain began to fall down. Unusual for July but fitting for the occasion. Mike adored his father, whilst their relationship had never been close, he respected him and all that he had stood for.

A heart attack was the coroner's verdict but Mike knew what had killed his father. He had given up the fight within to continue with life. He had put his heart and soul into his factory as well as running the family farm. He epitomised his time into every project insisting on conducting all business deals himself. Then that steelworks open and he lost everything. Mike had seen his father changed from a success businessman into a lowly farmer overnight. He never once complained and poured all his efforts into making the small farm a success. But it was never going to bring the income to feed a whole family.

Mike's mother had stood by her husband performing her civic duties as the doting wife and mother, but even she couldn't make him slow down. Mike scuffed the ground with his foot as he fought back the tears. "Nesmiths never cry, crying is a sign of weakness and Nesmiths are never weak." His father had taught him that.

"Michael honey, are you ready to leave."

"Um…Sure Ma."

He knew what he had to do, he had to make the bastards that closed his father's plant pay for what they had done. He wanted revenge the only way he knew how.

"Ma, I was thinkin' that maybe I will go LA after all."

"I'm glad, it's what ya Pa would have wanted."

"But Ma whatta bout you? How will ya cope here alone?"

"Don't ya worry bout me, I have the farm hands, I'll be ok. You go fulfil you're dreams, that's what we've always wanted ya to do."

Mike gave his mother an affectionate hug. He could see how much this was killing her to let him go, it was like she was losing her whole family but he admired her spirit. As they walked away from the gravesite, Mike knew he'd made the right decision.

Micky followed his new friend not really sure if he was doing the right thing or not. He had quickly reasoned this doubt with the fact that he didn't have anywhere else to go and that if Ty was a mugger he would have robbed him there and then.

Ty stopped suddenly in the doorway of a large building, he pushed the door open and stepped in. A doorway that was almost invisible to the naked eye. Micky trailed behind him, his legs now tired from the long walk and the weight of his bag on his back. He adjusted his eyes to bright fluorescent lighting of the open spaced room. It had obviously been a deserted warehouse that had been converted by it's latest residents.

Micky saw a group of lads of similar age to him standing around, some playing cards, others just talking aimlessly. They all stopped and looked up when Micky and Ty entered the room.

"Hey Ty, where d'ya get that pretty little thing from?" one boy asked breaking into a smile and causing a flutter of chuckles amidst his companions.

Micky dropped his eyes from view and stared at the floor. 'Pretty thing?' were they really talking about him? He wasn't sure whether to take that as a insult or a compliment.

"Shut up guys," said Ty ushering Micky towards an empty bed. "You can sleep here."

"Thanks."

Micky was grateful that Ty had stood up to the others. It was obvious that he had slight authority as the boys soon dulled their comments to low whispers.

"Try and get some sleep and tomorrow, I'll show ya where the best pitches are."

"Best pitches?" asked Micky slightly confused.

"Yah, if ya get the best pitch where all the rich guys cruise, then ya bound to make good money, especially with your looks."

It suddenly dawned on Micky what Ty was talking about. He was so stupid, he'd heard stories of the back alley boys but it had never been his scene. He had to get out of there and quick. He picked up his bag and turned to leave.

"Where ya goin?"

"I'm sorry, Ty but I can't do this. It's not me."

"Hey Mick, everyone is nervous at first but once you've been out a few times and got yourself some regulars, it becomes second nature."

The other boys could see Micky was upset and obediently left when Ty commanded that they did. It was completely dark out now and they were heading for work.

"I….I…know that this is easy for you, but I wouldn't even know what they wanted me to do." Micky felt almost ashamed of his naivety, but he had to be honest.

Ty struggled to hold in his smile. He liked this kid, he knew he would make a lot of money. The clients always went for the shy innocent face and Micky had the personality to match. He sat there for a moment thinking how to tackle this problem. He knew he had a growing attraction to Micky himself and he would hate to see his new friend leave. He would have to tread carefully with his next words.

"Um…I understand why you feel you can't do this Micky. Hell, the first time I did I was scared to death, but there really isn't any need to be worried. You do what they want, they usually have their own ways."

"I guess……But what if I do something wrong, I mean I never…..What I mean is I am…."

"Are you tryin' to tell me you're a virgin?"

"Um…Yes. Well I've had a girlfriend but to this, I am."

Ty approached Micky's bed sitting down next to him. He placed his sturdy arm round Micky's slender shoulder and moved him up close locking in a deep embrace with the bewildered boy.

"See, that wasn't so bad now was it."

"No, but that was just a kiss."

"I can show you more if ya want," replied Ty smiling.

"No, no I'm tired. Ok Ty, I guess I'll stay. After all I don't have many other job offers in the pipeline."

"Good," he said, satisfied that he had gotten the result he wanted. "Now try and get some sleep, ok?"

"Ok."

Micky settled his head down on the small pillow and pulled the worn blanket around him. Ty left to go to work, leaving Micky alone. That kiss had stirred something within him but he wasn't sure if he could pull this off. He began to sob quietly to himself before finally giving into sleep.

Mike groaned as the young girl came beneath him. LA sure had it's highlights and the blonde prostitute he had picked up on his way back to his motel was definitely one of them.

"Man, that was great." He rolled away from the blonde haired beauty and lay back on the bed breathing heavily. He noted the movements as she got up and began to get dressed.

"You goin'?"

"Unless you gotta another $20," she replied.

Mike reached over and pulled out his wallet - empty. He shook his head and lit a cigarette. He had been in LA for three weeks now and he soon found out that country music wasn't appreciated in the clubs around the city. He was broke and unemployed. He had recklessly spent all his money on drugs and sex. 'Hardly gonna make the old man proud' he thought as the girl kissed him on the forehead before leaving.

As he gazed out of the window into the dark street, a billboard notice caught his eye.

NEW THORKELSON PLANT COMING SOON

That name was familiar? Then he remembered, John Thorkelson, the bastard in charge of ruining his father. Mike had completely forgotten that he lived here, now he was getting an idea. Maybe, if he could get on the inside of the Thorkelson empire he could somehow get some information to bring him down. Mike spent the rest of the night planning his revenge until he came up with the perfect idea.