Marcus (The Laughing Man)

Hero.

In my eyes, a hero is someone who has the ability to "save" another person. In any situation or trouble that may come upon them, they will always have their hero to count on.

Always There To Catch Me When I Fall.

I feel like it is very important to have a hero. To have someone you can look up to, and to always be there for you. Someone that you might want to be like when you are older. And, whether you want a hero or not, you will always have one. Someone out there will be there to catch you when you fall, and I believe that's a very important key to life.

Homeless Savior.

In this book, there were several "heroes". But out of them all, one stood out the most for his amazing acts of heroism. That person was Marcus A.K.A. The Laughing Man. Miranda, the main character in the story, stated that he was the "magic thread" (Stead 189). His way of heroism was strange, but it led up to something great. "Suddenly, the laughing man was in the street, his right leg flying out in a mighty kick" (Stead 160). This was his great act, but it was somewhat from the future. Marcus witnessed himself, the laughing man, save someone's life. "Marcus is here, and when he reads the letter, he'll realize that he has seen himself arrive, before he left" (Stead 189). Marcus was living in the present, but the laughing man who lived under the mailbox, was from the future. He saved someone, while at the same time, he was the reason the boy needed saved.

Hero Hall of Fame.

I believe this man or boy deserves to be in the Hero Hall of Fame for many reasons. But most importantly, his heroism is so unique compared to others. The fact that he witnessed himself save someone's life is incredible. But at the same time, he was the reason he needed saved. His story suggests that he set up his future, by living the life he did everyday. If it wasn't for his childhood, he would have never saved the boy in the future. He deserves to be in the Hero Hall of Fame because of his unique, unexpected and spontaneous way of saving this boy's life.

Interview.

I interviewed Marcus.
Marcus, who would you say is your personal hero?
"To be honest, I don't really have a hero. I'm not much of a hero myself. I keep to myself, and bully people."
Why did you try to save the boy you hit?
"I wasn't just going to let him run into the street to get hit by that truck. I don't have a problem with him, I was trying to say sorry."
Would you risk your life to save someone like the laughing man?
"People who are very important or close to me yes. Depending on the situation, I probably would try to save anyone, if I could."
Can you see yourself saving someone's life in the future?
"After what happened today I truly can. I never wanted that kid to get hurt, and I don't want to see anyone else get hurt, knowing I could have saved them."
What is your definition of a hero?
"Someone who has enough courage to save someones life."
Thank you for your time Marcus.
"Anytime."

I interviewed the laughing man.
Laughing man, who do you believe is the ideal hero?
"There aren't ideal heroes. Anyone can be a hero, from any age. I'm the prime example, I'm an old hobo."
Why did you save that boy?
"It was my point in life, from the time I was a boy, to when I grew up to be a hobo. I knew what I had to do."
What do you think it means to be a hero?
"To be a hero, you have to do something heroic. For example, be the hobo on the street who saves a boy from dying."
Why would you risk your life to save that boy?
"I am an old hobo, I was bound to die sooner or later. So I figured I should die doing something good, or heroic."
Do you believe having a hero is important?
"I do believe that. And having a hero isn't really something you control, it just happens. But when it does happen, its a great thing.
Thank you for your time.
"You're welcome."