On the L

The Chicago L train was supposed to be empty at 1 a.m. 

but it wasn't.  Instead, Matt finds himself surrounded by the those that usually 

ride  with him during his day trips to the city.  Some know him, some don't care, 

some have motives he can't understand, especially the 12 year old boy who 

continually bounces a blue rubber ball in the back. 


   They know he had an abusive father, they know he was shunned after the 

divorce, but worst of all, they know the hurt that came when his eldest 

daughter left.  They were there when he turned to writing because the feelings 

would not be contained, and each is aware of the growing stack of rejection 

letters on his desk.  They know almost everything about him.


   But what they don't know is, he's brought a gun onto the L.


   Michelle just wants to be left alone and can't understand why it's she who 

gets the late night call informing her that her father lies in a coma in the ICU, 

a Chicago L train crash victim.


   At the hospital, when she sees her name in a story her father is writing on his 

laptop, she can't help but wonder if within his words is the key to why the L train 

crashed.   The more she reads, the more real the characters become until finally, 

she can reach out and touch those that were there, including her father!


   Michelle reads and is forced to face feelings she's buried deep while Matt must 

confront his own demons before he can carry out his plan.  Will she be able to 

overcome the past and change the future?  Does she even want to?


   Will the story of the L be Matt's final words in his attempt to stop the pain?

   Will the story of the L find Michelle’s heart  and allow her stop the tragedy?


   What Matt imagines is only the worst…what Michelle imagines, can only 

   happen On the L.