The Fourth Stall

Mac is a sixth grader who lives in a suburban neighborhood with his mother and father. He is the protagonist of the story and the point of view character. Mac does not comment on his feelings about or talent for academics or school activities; instead, the focus of his school day is the business he has grown since kindergarten. He introduces himself and his business in the story's opening lines, telling the reader directly that he can get what the reader wants or provide services the reader needs. Of course, these goods and services come with a price tag, but Mac is willing to arrange traded favors, IOUs, and pro bono work (especially when best friend and business manager Vince thinks a charitable act on Mac’s part is warranted and recommended). Consequently, Mac demonstrates a shrewd business intelligence and qualities of generosity and considerateness, which make him likable and sympathetic.

Mac explains that Vince consistently credits Mac for the ins and outs of their operation and that because Vince is not the type to seek the spotlight, the leadership role is Mac’s. Late in the story, Mac woefully reflects on how quickly his “empire” crumbles and how he went from being very important in his school to being just like everyone else. From these details, readers can surmise that Mac enjoys his secret popularity and is happy to take the leadership role working in a group. He demonstrates a host of positive traits that remain consistent throughout the novel, such as his obligation to fairly repay those who work for him and his desire to apologize and restitute a former employee whom he unfairly fired. These traits show that despite some similarities in their business models, he and Staples are different and strong dramatic foils in the novel.

Physically, Mac is on the small side, and while interested in sports (especially baseball), he does not give the impression that he focuses on athletics. He was never in a fight before the physical confrontations with Staples and his minions; the results of those give the impression that while scrappy, tough, and quick, Mac does not possess the physical strength, speed, endurance, or experience to outlast, outrun, or outfight those older than him. Consequently, when his friends arrive at the climactic scene to rescue him, he happily accepts their help.

Mac experiences twin character arcs in the novel. One arc shows his path of realization and new understanding about Staples (and by extension, any antagonistic force like Staples), whom he was quick to judge and insult and happy to defeat—only to realize that even cruel criminals like Staples might have valid motivations for their misdeeds and consequently need a break now and then. Mac’s other character arc occurs as his friendship with Vince is tested and falls apart. His doubts, suspicions, disbelief, and rage regarding Vince’s actions take Mac into unfamiliar emotional territory as he wallows in feelings of betrayal; he claims several times he cannot believe his best friend would turn on him. It takes a strong dose of truth and reality (learning the identity of the real snitch) to push Mac along his character arc and bring him to the realization that his reactions were not at all best friend-like; he never treated Vince with caring and understanding, nor did he ask questions or offer help. Mac changes his ways by the end of the story, repeatedly apologizing to Vince and developing into a character who can empathize with the needs of others, as proven when he lets Staples go. Mac is rewarded for his coming-of-age by the last pages of the novel as his business picks up and he returns to his place of importance in the inner, secret workings of his school.