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As the dent decorated Metro wagon hatchback's engine turned over for what must have been the millionth time, the four boys peeled out of the parking lot. For the oldest boy, George, had just scored his driver's license early that afternoon.

No doubt showing the faith his parents had in him, whenever George got home, he found the vehicle just as bright and shinny as if it were brand new. The many dents and the 179,000 miles previously driven on it told another story. George, however, didn't care. Realizing that his parents did the best they could with the amount of money they had, he thanked them profusely as he went over every inch of the little car.

Sure, it smelled like smoke, and the interior was torn a little here and there, but the 17-year-old boy didn't care. The way George looked at it, having your own car, no matter how dilapidated, was a lot better than hitching a ride in the big yellow cheese wagon every morning at 7:30.

As the excited boy turned to thank his parents yet again, his father interrupted him by stuffing a twenty in his right breast pocket. "Your gonna need this tonight if your hangin' out with the guys."

"Just be careful and keep your eyes and your mind on the road."

It was against Mr. Griffen's better judgement to let his son hotrod around with his friends the very first day he got his license. In a way, he was just trying to add the excitement of the gift that he truly wished could have been nicer.

After 2 quick calls and a shower, George, along with his younger brother Jake, jumped in the car and headed out into the night. "I can already tell that this car is gonna hold up real well." Jake, being only 15 was every bit as excited about the little adventure as his older brother. Over the next ten miles of driving through the backroads of Oldtown, MD, the two boys tried to make their conversation seem more "grown up", like they have entered a new right of passage.

After 20 minutes of driving in third gear, George and Jake arrived at their' friend Doug's house, were both he and Dave were anxiously waiting. As George pulled slowly up beside the twosome, he rolled down the window and smoothly said, "Well…what do ya think?"

"Incredible!" Doug was amazed at the fact that he knew someone with a license and a car. To him, it was a raise in social status and that was all that mattered. Dave, however, tended to have a more negative outlook on things.

"This car is a piece of dog shit! The exhaust is forming a big blue cloud in front of the house." Dave then immediately opened the back door and climbed in. While George was a little upset on the inside, he quickly responded. "That cloud is from the inner sanctum of your asshole." Plenty of laughter followed and with that, the boys peeled out of the parking lot and started making their way to the Cumberland Theater to see the 10:00 PM showing of some 50's piece of sci-fi garbage.

"Shit!", Doug said suddenly. "Shit! Shit! Shit! I forgot my wallet!"

Never being one to miss out on an opportunity to make fun of another's misfortune, Dave piped up with "Nice one, dipshit! Why don't you just keep the money in your bra?"

Already getting visibly upset Doug was ready to snap any second. "Shut up, Dave! We gotta go back, guys! I don't have my I.D. card and there ain't no way they're gonna let me in!"

"Your penance will be to sit in the car while we watch the movie."

"Shut up, Dave! You're an asshole!"

Not missing a beat, Dave chimed "Ah yes, an asshole with I.D."

As the only driver of the group, George took it upon himself to be the leader and make the final decision. As he turned the little white car around to head back to the rural little spot called Oldtown, everyone but Jake accepted his call. "We are going to miss the beginning!"

"You're not even old enough to get in, turd."

"You might shoot that crap at Doug, but I will get out and kick your fat ass, Dave." Although he was younger than the rest of us, Jake was the biggest of the group. A natural athlete, he only hung out with these guys because they were his brother's friends and as far as brothers go, they got along great.

"We're not gonna miss the beginning, would you guys knock it off-

The combination of his lack of driving experience and the distraction of his friends mindless banter, George put the car into first instead of fifth. The high pitched screaming of the engine and the incredibly loud clicking sound was soon followed by the defining bang. As the car came out of a 360-degree spin, George quickly pulled the car off to the side of the dirt road before the momentum brought the car to a complete stop. The four boys just sat in silence for a few moments, glad that they weren't hurt. Doug was the first to speak. "What do we do now?", he said in a very low voice.

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