简介：FourstoriesthatexaminetheeverydaylivesofordinaryLosAngelenos:"ISLANDINTHERIVER"introducesHappy,awithdrawnteenagegirlwithapassionforspraypaintandHipHop.OntheconcretebanksoftheLosAngelesriver,hergraffitimasterpieceisbeingcreated,avisionofPayasa,theweepingclown.Athome,hermomandmom'sboyfriendfightovermoney.Atschool,sheischasedhomebyboyswhohateherotherness.Butintheriver,thereisyetanother"other",SalMarinohomelessandsodisconnectedfromnormallifethatshecannothearhimwhileshepaintsherprivatevision.Thatis,untilitistoolate."AWARMPLACE"introducesAvoandhiswifeAllegrawholivedwiththeirdaughteracrosstheriverontheEastBank."Lived"becausetheirdaughterrecentlydrownedintheriver,andwithittheverysparkthatmadetheirmarriedlifepossible.Together,theymustfindawaybackto"awarmplace.""THEHEALER"introducesRidleywhoiscalledhometoLosAngelestoattendhisdyingmotherinahospice,withhisjazzbluesguitarplaying.Feelingabandonedbyhissiblingwiththeresponsibilityofseeingtohismother,Ridleyissurprisedbyanenigmaticvoiceofcomfortthatpermeateshissingle-room-onlywalkup."HUMPHREY"introducesHumphreyanagingpensionerlivingalonewiththememoriesofhiswifeEthel.HisdailywalkalwaysbringshimtoEthel'sgraveforlunchandanap,andletsthelivesofHappyandAvocrosshispath.…