Running the Light

Running the Light, volume 1, is a work of literary fiction that follows Billy Ray Schafer, a ruined comedian traveling through the American Southwest. After arriving in Amarillo, Texas, in a state of drug-induced haze, Schafer navigates a series of grueling gigs. This narrative explores the psyche of a man stripped of his roles as a father, husband, and inmate, leaving him with only his failing career in comedy.

The story unfolds over seven chaotic days as Schafer confronts the wreckage of his life. This piece of literature and fiction examines themes of desperation and regret within a bleak, violent landscape. Through a sequence of professional failures and personal crises, the book examines the consequences of missed opportunities. Running the Light provides a raw, cinematic look at a man searching for a reason to survive.