Riley

‘Riley’ came from fear. A parent’s fear for the safety of their child. Fear about what kind of world they will grow up in. Fear about how to protect them from present and future danger.

My fear.

The first draft of RILEY was written in February 2020. The US was navigating political uncertainty and growing conflict. The devastating bush fires in my homeland of Australia had just decimated a huge portion of our wildlife. As a parent I was racked with worry about the world my daughter would inherit. This inner turmoil inspired the birth of RILEY - my nightmare of a dystopian future where a small family is forced underground in isolation as life around them crumbles.

As my concept for RILEY evolved, so too did the unthinkable events around the world. The pandemic hit one month later. Food insecurity. Supply shortages. Untimely deaths. More political turmoil. Tyrannical leaders abroad waging wars, forcing families to literally hide underground. Increasing gun violence.

I hope the world of RILEY never eventuates. We have seen how easily a nightmare can turn into a reality when the actions of the few impact the many.

As the character Dutch advises his young daughter - “To understand the present…you have to study the past…so you don’t make the same mistakes in the future.”

Though RILEY was borne out of fear, to me it has also become a story of hope, resilience, and gratitude. We must be grateful every day for what we have, and protect that which is most precious to us. We must prepare future generations to do better than we have done, and learn from our mistakes.

Thank you for considering RILEY.