Notes for Finding a Way Out

Setting: Europe, traveling around a few of the countries. Train, dirt roads, rooms, the side of the road, river, and some other key places. Some in the US, in Washington D.C. and somewhere close by in Pennsylvania.

Characters: Jacob (early 20's) - the son of the President, at least 18 and in college. Tends to be moody (dark, depressive), tries to escape constantly from under the careful watch of the secret service.
John (late 20's) Littledyke - an agent for the secret service, but had been on probation for screwing up on an assignment. He hadn't initially wanted to be in the service but ended up in it anyways. In an assignment he had blown his cover, thus the probation.

Chapter 1 - Introduction to the characters, the President and his family prepare to fly over to Europe for his formal tour, particularly of allied nations. One agent, John Keen Littledyke, prepares to head over to Europe, as he must be within the protest groups to guarantee the safety of the President and his family.

Chapter 2 - In a different country, the President's first speech, John must be in the crowd of protestors. Jacob escapes, later on that evening, to go have fun with a foreign colleague. He almost gets into a fight with some men who were speaking rudely against his father, the President. The service men jump in just in time and keep Jacob from being involved in a fight. Jacob is angry that he is always being watched.

Chapter 3 - John rents a motor-bike thing for a few days to help aide in his travels, as he has to make it look like he is there to backpack around. Jacob tries to make a break for it and get away from the men that were watching him. John happens to be getting ready to leave for the next destination, since Jacob doesn't know him he hops a ride instructing John to loose the guys chasing him. Surprised at first, John just does as instructed. Small chase scene, spending the day together in France.

Chapter 4 - Spend the rest of the day around the city trying to not get caught. At a bar Jacob hides in the bathroom as the service men had found them but when John tries to hand him over his boss tells him that he will be escorting Jacob around, only he can't let Jacob know that he actually works for the service. The journey begins. Travel to a different city, starting to get to know each other.. sort of. John tells his real last name to Jacob, at work he goes by his middle name as his last name because his last name would cause much teasing. Jacob tries to lie, but ends up telling the truth about who he is. Things seem to be going okay, touring Europe.

Chapter 5 - Train ride. While on the train Jacob befriends another wayward traveler. They settle in for the long train ride in the same cabin. John is suspicious of the traveler but Jacob tells him not to worry about it. While John and Jacob sleep, the traveler manages to take one thing from the top of John's bag(he is sleeping on the bag so not much can be taken from it) and he takes Jacob's stuff and leaves the cabin. The two wake up, and it takes a few minutes before realizing Jacob's stuff is gone. A conductor(train worker) stops to check to make sure they have tickets for the train. The tickets had been in the pouch that the thief had managed to get out of John's bag. The two are kicked off the train at the next stop.

Chapter 6 - John and Jacob are now stuck walking, as they have no money and no other form of transportation. They come across a band of hippies/bohemians/type-people and they offer them food and such. However, there are some brownies(or some other method) they end up unknowingly getting high. The conversation afterward ends up a bit intimate and later awkward. They fall asleep on the ground.

Chapter 7 - Reaches a city, finally, after walking. Are both dirty and running out of clothes since the only ones they have are John's. He calls a friend (), that happens to be a photographer for a glbtq newspaper in said city. They visit his loft and converse while the laundry is done. The president happens to be in the same city, briefly, and Jacob wants to go to the press session. () gives them press passes, helps change their hair, and allows them both to go with to the conference. There Jacob asks his father, in disguise as a reporter, about his views on homosexuality. He even goes as far as to suggest the President's son (Jacob) is himself gay. There is conflict from that, and this eventually upsets Jacob.

Chapter 8 - In the same city but no longer with John's friend, there is tension between John and Jacob. Jacob acts out, as is common for him, but injures his ankle. They have to find a place that will help them, and find a way to earn a little bit of money to buy food. John finds a way, and Jacob starts to see John in a different light. The tension eases.

Chapter 9 - Make it to the city where John is eventually to hand Jacob back over to the other agents, even though Jacob isn't aware of it. At one point there is a close call with the press (paparazzi) and they end up in a river. Jacob had earlier mentioned his inability to swim, and John does his best to save him. On the shore of the river he starts to panic as it seems that Jacob isn't breathing. But it turns out that he is faking it. This irks John and an argument ensues.

Chapter 10 - Jacob and John attend a socialite's event, dance sort of. There is some uncomfortableness between them. Jacob tries to get John to dance with him and some girls, but John refuses and instead pardons himself to go to the bathroom. In the restroom another agent talks to him. John voices his desire to just tell Jacob the truth but the agent reminds him as to why he can't. Afterward, Jacob recognizes an agent and makes a fast exit. John must try to find him. Jacob runs into the guys from the beginning, and a fight ensues but John finds him in time. On the way back to the room(hotel) they stop outside a store where music is playing.

Chapter 11 - The next morning, secrets revealed. Home again. John is fired, by the President himself. A different agent, along with a news reporter, meets with Jacob to try to prove that John hadn't lied to him (except about his job). Eventually, he realizes the truth and the two help him do what needs to be done. Jacob comes out and leaves, only to wind up on the doorsteps of John's house(apartment, home...).