Charm City Kings

In the sweltering Baltimore summer, 14-year-old Mouse navigates the gritty streets of his hometown, torn between his passion for motorbikes and the memories of his older brother Stro, who lost his life in a biking accident when he was just 17. Mouse's mother remains vigilant, disapproving of her son's fascination with the very same activity that took his sibling's life. Yet, Mouse finds himself drawn to The Ride, a weekly spectacle where daredevils showcase their skills on custom-built bikes.

Despite his mother's strict warnings, Mouse sneaks out to join his friends Lamont and Sweartagawd at The Ride, where he purchases a dilapidated four-wheeler. His impromptu joyride attracts the attention of the authorities, leading to a confrontation with police detective Rivers, who has known Mouse since his youth through a community outreach program at school. Rivers offers Mouse guidance and encourages him to steer clear of trouble, but the young teenager is more interested in exploring the thrill of The Ride.

Mouse meets Nicki, a newcomer to the neighborhood with a passion for photography, and invites her to join him and his friends at The Ride. As they watch in awe, a biker gang known as the Midnight Clique puts on a spectacular display of stunts, only to lead the police on a high-speed chase before making their escape. One member of the group, the notorious Blax, has recently been released from prison, leaving a lasting impression on Mouse.

The trio visits the Midnight Clique's hangout spot that night, where they're told to leave; however, Mouse later runs into Blax at a local bike repair shop, where he works as part of his parole program. Blax reveals a connection to Mouse's brother Stro, who was once a member of the Clique, and offers Mouse a box of scraps to build his own bike. Mouse asks if Blax would extend the same opportunity to his friends Lamont and Sweartagawd; impressed by Mouse's loyalty, Blax agrees.

As the summer wears on, Mouse finds himself increasingly drawn to the world of motorbikes, spending more time at Blax's auto shop and neglecting his job at the local animal hospital. With each passing day, Mouse becomes more embroiled in the thrilling culture of The Ride, but will he be able to balance his newfound passion with the responsibilities of growing up?

As Mouse (actor name) is entrusted with the task of delivering a high-end bike to a customer across town on behalf of Blax, he instead decides to take the opportunity for a joyride with Nicki. The impromptu adventure takes an unexpected turn when they encounter Derrick, an old acquaintance of Stro's, who requests a quick spin around the block. Unable to resist the offer, Mouse hands over the bike, and Derrick makes off with it. Feeling guilty about his actions, Mouse turns to Lamont and Sweartagawd for guidance, only to learn that Derrick is notorious for disassembling bikes and selling their parts. The trio confronts Derrick at his chop shop, where they discover him in possession of the stolen bike. Derrick pulls a gun on them, ordering them to leave, but Blax arrives with the Midnight Clique, putting an end to the situation by warning Derrick never to steal from them again.

Mouse's actions do not go unnoticed, and Blax is left feeling betrayed and upset. He takes away Mouse's privilege of working on his own bike and instead forces him to work hard in the shop to regain his respect. However, Mouse has more pressing concerns, namely the mounting bills his mother is facing, and he asks Blax to put him on the payroll at the auto shop. When Blax refuses, Mouse quits his job at the shop and joins Lamont and Sweartagawd in the Midnight Clique's lucrative drug delivery operation. The trio is equipped with brand-new bikes and paid generously for their services.

As tensions between Mouse and Blax continue to escalate, Nicki approaches Mouse in a park, hoping to patch things up by giving him a photograph she took of him. However, Mouse appears uninterested, instead choosing to ride off into the sunset with another young woman. Meanwhile, Rivers continues to tail Mouse around town, pressuring him about his newfound activities and warning Blax to stay away from the teenager.

Mouse's mother discovers her son's hidden stash of hundred-dollar bills and, despite his refusal to explain where the money came from, she kicks him out of the house. With nowhere else to turn, Mouse moves in with Sweartagawd. Lamont concocts a plan to rob a local convenience store as a means of proving their worth to the Clique; Mouse and a hesitant Sweartagawd agree to participate. The trio requests a gun from the Clique, which they provide, but Blax notices and demands that the group leave Mouse alone, citing his growing involvement in their illicit activities.

As Blax's unease becomes palpable, he summons Mouse to the garage, only to be confronted by a pressing concern: Blax's aging dog is in dire need of medical attention. Mouse, ever the astute observer, senses something amiss and insists they seek immediate veterinary care. The diagnosis delivered by the veterinarian paints a sobering picture - surgery poses significant risks for the elderly canine, but ultimately leaves the decision to either operate or euthanize in Blax's hands. With a heavy heart, Blax decides to put his loyal companion out of its misery, entrusting Mouse with the heartbreaking task of carrying out the mercy killing. As Mouse grapples with the weight of this somber responsibility, Blax reveals the truth surrounding Stro's untimely demise: a botched job offer from Blax himself had led to the tragic outcome. The revelation leaves Mouse reeling and he departs abruptly.

Meanwhile, as Mouse and his cohorts prepare for a convenience store heist, Lamont's impulsiveness gets the better of him - he seizes the gun, but Mouse vehemently opposes firing it. However, their plan quickly unravels when Lamont inadvertently discharges the weapon, prompting the owner's wife to return fire, resulting in Sweartagawd's tragic demise. As chaos erupts, Mouse and Lamont scatter, pursued by Detective Rivers, who had been tracking Mouse's movements all along. Mouse seeks refuge at Blax's shop, where he confides in his friend about the events that transpired. With backup arriving on the scene, Rivers pulls up to the shop, where Blax takes one for the team, allowing himself to be arrested for the crime. As Mouse watches Blax take the fall, Detective Rivers offers him a ride home, where he's able to reconcile with his mother.

A year has passed since the events unfolded, and Mouse has returned to his former life at the veterinary clinic. He's adopted Blax's dog, finding solace in the companionship. Reconnecting with Nicki, Mouse apologizes for past transgressions and earns her forgiveness. A chance encounter with Lamont on the street serves as a poignant reminder of their shared experiences, but they've drifted apart since then. As Mouse returns home to surprise his mother with fresh groceries, he's able to find closure and start anew.