People from West Allis are often perceived as underdogs.
Sources:
- "The underdog plot is a form of rivalry plot...in the underdog plot, the strengths aren't equally matched. The protagonist is at a disadvantage and is faced with overwhelming odds." "This plot is near and dear to our hearts because it represents the ability of the one over the many, the small over the large, the weak over the powerful, the 'stupid' over the 'smart.'" "If you want your reader to feel empathy for your protagonist, make sure that her emotional and/or intellectual plane is equal to or lower than the reader's. ..."http://www.mit.edu/~mbarker/exercises/exer970523.txt
- The underdog plot is similar to rivalry, but where one person (usually the hero) has less advantage and might normally be expected to lose. The underdog usually wins through greater tenacity and determination (and perhaps with the help of friendly others). http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/plots/tobias_plots.htm
- Plot involves a Protagonist competing for an object or goal that is at a great disadvantage and is faced with overwhelming odds.http://www.tennscreen.com/plots.htm
from The Ballad of Chigger Thompson
The world is full of them. Full. Heroes riding their black Harleys like white stallions, dreaming of the day that they’ll walk into an Open Pantry, spot the trailer-trash junkie with a cheap .22 waiting to knock off poor Omar trying to make a decent living. One quick, boot-kick to the chest and it’s free slushies for life. The world doesn’t need more dream heroes. The world needs more Chiggers.
In the land without real heroes, one man stood alone
From the seed of Sally and Chadwick, West Allis was his home
Chadwick Jr. was his birth name, Chad and C.J. were too plain
So this is the ballad of Chigger Thompson, a man who had no kin
Yet a brother to all, who aren’t too callous
For he is the guardian of the land known as Stallis.
You might call them a dirty-dozen. Hell, that’s probably because they showered only 2-3 times a week cuz it cut into their drinking time. And their drinking time was right here at Sal’s Nickel Saloon. Home of the $4 ‘Ball Buster’, the greasiest, hottest jalapeno burger this side of the Mississip. Yep, so hot your stomach made you shat so much your balls started to ache. Hemorrhoids be damned. Anyway, we’re not here to talk about that wicked enema. We’re here to listen in as these dozen hombres regale us with stories of a real hero, a West Allis hero: Chigger Thompson. Let’s take a listen and hear what tales the soft June breeze blows our way.
“Stan!” The half-in-the-bag chorus sang out as late-evening sunshine burst through Sal’s swinging doors, spilling around the hairy shoulders of Stan Shirpkee, the thin straps of his pale gray tank suffocating like a fly in spider’s web......
