Eric Pancoast
Eng 111-49
Diagnostic Essay Revised
Dec. 3 2009
Who am I? Perhaps, by Chance, you’ve heard of me. I am the crime fighting protector of the Hampton Roads area, the masked hero of the people, and the sworn enemy of crime. I beat the bad guy’s butts from Virginia Beach to Chesapeake, and when I see the smiles on the faces of the innocents that live in my clean city, I know it’s worth it. Don’t go getting the wrong idea about me though; I’m not your typical super hero. Sure I’ve got a super attribute of sorts, but I can’t fly or shoot laser beams out of my eyes. I don’t have an indestructible alloy lining my skeleton, or any regenerative powers. No, my powers are quite unique, and I assure you that I didn’t gain my super attribute through any sort of freak accident or radioactive spider bite, And no, I am not really an alien from the planet krypton (last time I checked), and I unfortunatly cannot claim to be a guitar-hero. I know what you’re thinking; he can’t fly, or shoot laser beams out of his eyes? No super-human strength? Who am I, you ask? What is my so called “super power,” you ask? I am the one whose name is called out bringing hope and security by the mere mention of me alone. I am the one whose name is cursed by the law-breakers, and whose mention is accompanied by shaking fists. I am Charles Chance. And my super power? I claim the most amazing super power of all the super heroes and all of their lesser powers. In my super-arsenal I hold the most valuable weapon of all. My secret weapon, my Royal Flush, is luck.
How could simple luck be better than the ability to transform into a giant green hulk, with arms that can lift and smash cars with impunity, and skin as tough as a rhinoceros? The answer is quite simple, really. Of course my power is not simply mild luck; by Chance I can rely on the one element of any situation that cannot be calculated into an evil scheme. Where The Incredible Hulk is quite destructive in his little fit, I assure you that I have no need for such a power; where The Incredible Hulk has bulletproof skin; I have my own defenses against those senseless little peashooters the criminals seem to regard so highly. I have been cornered in a back ally, surrounded by bad men with automatic weapons and escaped unscathed, it sounds impossible, but remember this always: where there is a way, always, there is a Chance, Charles Chance that is. And of course in order to deploy my power I need not ruin a perfectly good pair of purple elastic pants, in fact I have only to throw myself into the situation head first, and by Chance, I will land on my feet in perfect balance. Indeed it is unfortunate to be in need of an alter ego; the woman of Clark Kent’s desire is in love with bold Superman, and could never fall in love with a geek like Clark Kent. What a drama, a drama I have no need for. Yes it is true, I do indeed wear a costume, yet admittedly the outfit is just for fun, I love the spotlight, and the humble double life just isn’t my thing. Everyone knows of the handsome face behind this mask, and that is fine with me, for I have nothing to hide!
Still unconvinced of the superiority of my super attribute? Perhaps you haven’t thought it out clearly enough. As a rule, every super hero has a nemesis. Yet perhaps by Chance, I may be an exception to this rule. Consider a hero with super strength; obviously where the hero’s martial might may be unrivaled, a nemesis must be resourceful, an evil genius type. Those are perhaps the most dangerous of all nemeses to super heroes, many a hero has a hard time with the cold, maniacal, and calculating evil genius type trying to slow their progress. Yet no matter how genius that nemesis may be, no matter how calculating and precise, Chance is the one factor that they cannot anticipate, that cannot be calculated and is completely spontaneous. How lucky am I, immune to the plans of those evil nerds! And of course there is no kryptonite for me, a mere rock will not slow the righteous justice that will be delivered by Chance. Following this logic, if my power were super speed it would only be fitting that my nemesis be efficient in weaving a web to catch me in. Yet I need not worry about that, be cause by Chance, I know that I would find a fault in any trap set before me by my enemies; what trap can be designed to hold Chance? What web can catch the wind? What web can catch the unpredictable flowing force of luck?
I am he who’s every move steps on the toes of evil, he whose unintentional actions are the bane of all criminals. I am Charles Chance. Charles Chance; the name inspires fear in the evil, and brings hope to their would be victims. All would do well to remember one thing always; where there is a way, there is a Chance, Charles Chance that is.
"Super Hero" http://sojournproject.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/what-inspires-you/
Eng 111-49
Diagnostic Essay Revised
Dec. 3 2009
Who am I? Perhaps, by Chance, you’ve heard of me. I am the crime fighting protector of the Hampton Roads area, the masked hero of the people, and the sworn enemy of crime. I beat the bad guy’s butts from Virginia Beach to Chesapeake, and when I see the smiles on the faces of the innocents that live in my clean city, I know it’s worth it. Don’t go getting the wrong idea about me though; I’m not your typical super hero. Sure I’ve got a super attribute of sorts, but I can’t fly or shoot laser beams out of my eyes. I don’t have an indestructible alloy lining my skeleton, or any regenerative powers. No, my powers are quite unique, and I assure you that I didn’t gain my super attribute through any sort of freak accident or radioactive spider bite, And no, I am not really an alien from the planet krypton (last time I checked), and I unfortunatly cannot claim to be a guitar-hero. I know what you’re thinking; he can’t fly, or shoot laser beams out of his eyes? No super-human strength? Who am I, you ask? What is my so called “super power,” you ask? I am the one whose name is called out bringing hope and security by the mere mention of me alone. I am the one whose name is cursed by the law-breakers, and whose mention is accompanied by shaking fists. I am Charles Chance. And my super power? I claim the most amazing super power of all the super heroes and all of their lesser powers. In my super-arsenal I hold the most valuable weapon of all. My secret weapon, my Royal Flush, is luck.
How could simple luck be better than the ability to transform into a giant green hulk, with arms that can lift and smash cars with impunity, and skin as tough as a rhinoceros? The answer is quite simple, really. Of course my power is not simply mild luck; by Chance I can rely on the one element of any situation that cannot be calculated into an evil scheme. Where The Incredible Hulk is quite destructive in his little fit, I assure you that I have no need for such a power; where The Incredible Hulk has bulletproof skin; I have my own defenses against those senseless little peashooters the criminals seem to regard so highly. I have been cornered in a back ally, surrounded by bad men with automatic weapons and escaped unscathed, it sounds impossible, but remember this always: where there is a way, always, there is a Chance, Charles Chance that is. And of course in order to deploy my power I need not ruin a perfectly good pair of purple elastic pants, in fact I have only to throw myself into the situation head first, and by Chance, I will land on my feet in perfect balance. Indeed it is unfortunate to be in need of an alter ego; the woman of Clark Kent’s desire is in love with bold Superman, and could never fall in love with a geek like Clark Kent. What a drama, a drama I have no need for. Yes it is true, I do indeed wear a costume, yet admittedly the outfit is just for fun, I love the spotlight, and the humble double life just isn’t my thing. Everyone knows of the handsome face behind this mask, and that is fine with me, for I have nothing to hide!
Still unconvinced of the superiority of my super attribute? Perhaps you haven’t thought it out clearly enough. As a rule, every super hero has a nemesis. Yet perhaps by Chance, I may be an exception to this rule. Consider a hero with super strength; obviously where the hero’s martial might may be unrivaled, a nemesis must be resourceful, an evil genius type. Those are perhaps the most dangerous of all nemeses to super heroes, many a hero has a hard time with the cold, maniacal, and calculating evil genius type trying to slow their progress. Yet no matter how genius that nemesis may be, no matter how calculating and precise, Chance is the one factor that they cannot anticipate, that cannot be calculated and is completely spontaneous. How lucky am I, immune to the plans of those evil nerds! And of course there is no kryptonite for me, a mere rock will not slow the righteous justice that will be delivered by Chance. Following this logic, if my power were super speed it would only be fitting that my nemesis be efficient in weaving a web to catch me in. Yet I need not worry about that, be cause by Chance, I know that I would find a fault in any trap set before me by my enemies; what trap can be designed to hold Chance? What web can catch the wind? What web can catch the unpredictable flowing force of luck?
I am he who’s every move steps on the toes of evil, he whose unintentional actions are the bane of all criminals. I am Charles Chance. Charles Chance; the name inspires fear in the evil, and brings hope to their would be victims. All would do well to remember one thing always; where there is a way, there is a Chance, Charles Chance that is.
"Super Hero" http://sojournproject.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/what-inspires-you/
This is something I should add to the prompt. Think of telling the story from someone else's perspective. You've been an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYou've got great humor in both drafts when referring to the Marvel and DC characters and making a bit of fun at them and their weaknesses.
Keep writing!
OH I AM SO PROUD! WHAT A COMPLIMENT!!!
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteOne of my former students wants to know who your Mythology instructor was, since I mentioned one of my former students (you) really enjoyed the course.
Thanks,
Paul