Ep. 151 “Kids on Bikes” One-Shot Chapter One

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Ep. 151 Eberron Renewed “Kids on Bikes” One-Shot Chapter One

—Alex

Rick wakes up in a cold sweat. He doesn't know it's related to the thing that fell from the sky, but he can't get back to sleep, and struggles through school the next day. The first period is History, which he happens to share with Stephanie and Duncan, where they happen to be randomly selected to do a project together. They're supposed to make a history video using some borrowed, expensive equipment. Rick suggests investigating the Viking runestone, and no one objects—why would they, when they know Rick will do the bunk of the work?

Duncan tries unsuccessfully to get out of the project and rejoins the group.

After class, they each head home before meeting back up at the runestone. Duncan runs into a kid bullying Alex, but the kid runs off when he sees Duncan.

Rick's grandfather is pleased to hear about the project and collects some books and maps for their research. Stephanie showers after cheerleading practice, and mouths off to her mom.

Stephanie picks up Rick, Duncan, and Alex, and they head to the runestone. Rick starts excitedly translating some of the runes for them as Duncan gets the camera ready. He pans over to them and sees a young woman, about five years older than them, who looks interested and angry. Suddenly, in the middle of talking, Rick vomits, and when Duncan pulls the camera away from his eyes the woman is gone.

## Synopsis

### History project

Rick wakes up from a cold sweat, and can't sleep for the rest of the night. He doesn't know why, but something feels wrong. As a result, he's has trouble staying awake the next day in school. During their first period history class, Mrs. Delancey brings in two videocameras. Rick is uncharacteristically not paying attention when the teacher looks to him, expecting him to be excited about the project. They're to make some sort of history video—a documentary, a new report, a reenactment, etc. While it doesn't necessarily have to be about Pineville itself, at the least about central Wisconsin. She pulls out some dice she just learned about—one that has more than six sides!—and puts them into groups. Duncan, Alex, and Stephanie make up one of the groups.

"*Remember, this is history, not historical fiction.*"
—Mrs. Delancey

Duncan goes to speak privately with her at her desk. He asks if he can be excused from this project, as he's been working a lot lately and doesn't think it can fit into his schedule. Mrs. Delancey would like him to at least be a part of it, and maybe shoot some B-roll. She offers to talk to his boss, Mr. Peters, but Duncan just says never mind and goes back to his desk.

Rick pulls out Book of Runes by Ralph Blum and shows them some of the Viking symbols. He wants to make their video about the runestone. Stephanie doesn't object as long as she gets to be the face of the video, and Duncan suggests that he and Rick write the script which Stephanie will do a voice over for. They are both very aware that if they go with the project Rick is enthusiastic about, he'll do most of the work.

Duncan doesn't have a shift after school, so he volunteers to film that day—only he doesn't remember where the runestone is, so Rick will have to go with him, and Stephanie is the only one with a car, so she'll have to drive them, which means they'll have to bring Alex, because no one will be around to watch him.

They turn in their proposal at the end of class, and Mrs. Delancey okays it. She stresses that while some speculation is okay, this is to be based on facts.

"*I promise we will get the exact date that rock showed up.*"
—Stephanie

In between classes Alex finds Stephanie with something important to tell her, and upon learning of their journey to the runestone, he objects; what about *ALF*? Duncan assures him that they can record it on their VCR.

At the end of the day, Alex is waiting around for Duncan to finish classes and, as little kids do, starts spinning absentmindedly and hits an older kid with his backpack. The kid, maybe a year younger than Duncan, grabs him and shoves him up against a locker, taunting him. Duncan comes into earshot just in time to hear the kid make a comment about their absent father, and Duncan sprints towards him. He swings at the side of his head, but misses and hits the locker behind him. Nonetheless, the kid is scared, and leaves when Duncan gives him a chance.

### After school

When Rick gets to the shop he stops to talk to his grandfather about the project. His granddad enthusiastically starts collecting books, maps, and any information on the ley lines. He hands it all over to Rick, but tells him to make sure he doesn't do all the work on the project—the other kids needs to learn about this, too. Rick says of course. He'll just have to sort out what stuff his teacher will accept as fact. They talk about Rick's restless night, and his grandfather tells him to makes sure he doesn't stay up all night reading. Rick takes everything up to his room to sort through while he waits to Stephanie to pick him up.

"*See you for **ALF**.*"
—Rick's grandfather
As soon as Stephanie gets home, she makes a beeline for her room, attempting to avoid her mom. This doesn't work. Her mom tries asking her about cheer practice, but Stephanie is impatient with her. She says she has to go meet Rich and Duncan to make their movie. Her mom doesn't like that the teacher is making her work with Duncan, and she's there to talk. Stephanie leaves to shower.

She picks up Duncan and Alex first. Despite it being the house of her ex-boyfriend, she's quite comfortable there from her time babysitting Alex. He's snacking on cookies when she gets there, and offers her some. When they're ready to go, Alex runs for the front seat. They pick Rick up and head to the runestone.

### The runestone

Rick is excited to show Alex the runestone, and tries to show him how awesome it is. He's translating the Viking symbols on it while Duncan gets out the camera and starts filming. He pans across the treeline, and gets to the runestone, with Rick and Alex near it. A feeling of shame washes over him; for seeing Alex finally being engaged and excited about something, and for the way he treats Rick. He lingers for a minute, and from over the hill a woman appears. She looks to be about twenty-one, and seems both interested and angry.

Rick is reading the rune to Alex, telling him the stories behind it, when without warning he vomits. Duncan pulls the camera away from his face, and the woman is gone.

End of episode.

## Locations

* Anomalies & Antiques
* Runestone
* School
* Stephanie's house

## Quotes

[0:15:56]

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## References and Footnotes

1. ↑ *The Book of Runes: A Handbook for the Use of an Ancient Oracle: The Viking Runes* by Ralph H. Blum, 1982
2. ↑ *ALF*(TV Series), 1986-1990