Realistic or Modern The Arbys

[Freddie]

No one would ever accuse the Arbys of being the toughest, meanest gang. They're just a bunch of kids- street kids, runaways, hell, even those living at home. But these kids are bound by one thing: the art of graffiti. The Arbys aren't the least selective of the gangs either- you've got to fit in, be a great artist, and avoid getting caught. If you fulfill that criteria, congrats, you're in.


The ones without a home live together in an abandoned factory, where the walls are covered with artwork from current and previous members of the gang. The ones who have a home join them after school, on the weekends, and sometimes overnight. They call each other family and they don't take that word lightly.


Some people participate in Art Therapy... The Arbys take it to another level.

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[Freddie]

THE OVERVIEW

The Arbys are more than a gang- they're a family. Made up of misfits, this gang isn't too big or too tough, but they stick up for one another. The members of the Arbys are an eclectic group- they're like the breakfast club on speed. They come from all different walks of life, and their love of graffiti and one another is what binds the gang together. While their focus is art (they're the best in the area), their economy, like many other gangs', is based on the sale of illicit drugs. There's a dual importance to the Arby's focus on art- it acts as art therapy, sure, but it also acts as a marker for customers to find the best "merchandise."


All gangs have rival gangs, and the Arbys are no exception. Their rival gangs are the Mickey D's. Armed with crab tattoos, spray paint, and, well, weapons, the Mickey D's are more typical of a gang than the Arbys are. Created when one of the original Arbys members started making trouble and split, the gangs have been butting heads since the conception of the Mickey D's. The feud continues to this day, with the gangs trying to sell on each other's turf and paint over each other's tags.





THE PLOT

The original Arbys had these tattoos- a small paintbrush on the side of their middle finger, with the tip of the paintbrush being dyed that artist's signature color. With almost a entire new crew, save for Grimes (the Leader), the new Arbys lack this tattoo initially, and decide to get them. This is the start of the new Arbys, who are a force to be reckoned with. Now, if only the rival gang would stop trying to sell drugs on the Arbys' turf. Little do the Arbys know that there is a mole in their midst- the geek, Shayne. Shayne has been welcomed with open arms, and now he's starting to feel a little guilty, but remains loyal to the Mickey D's.


Meanwhile, the newly-inked Arbys are getting too cocky. Jessa tags a school building. Saskia's risk-taking nature puts her at risk of becoming arrested. Charlie disappears once more to a local drug den, and has to deal with the consequences. Alexander runs away from home. Shayne's parents come back and threaten to change his way of life forever. Damon has to deal with the fallout of the other members' risky choices, and it threatens to tear the gang apart forever.


The gang's disconnect couldn't have come at a worse time- an underground tagging competition is about to ensue, and it will require a lot of teamwork. That is, if Damon lets them go anyways. Something smells fishy, and Damon is hesitant to let them go.


Then Shayne is revealed as a mole. Damon's a good person, so Shayne isn't immediately kicked out of the gang, but he has a choice to make- will he remain loyal to the Mickey D's, or will he realize his family in the Arbys.


With all the turmoil, and the stress of the oncoming competition, will the Arbys survive- or will history repeat itself?