The protagonists of neo-noir either in The Kidnapper Bell and City of Commerce are characterized by:



     Male who put himself in dangerous situations; even, when it is not necessary.



     Moreover, the protagonists are married people where the wife's role is not clear. In one hand, The Kidnapper Bell, Jim's wife is not mention in the all story just towards the end of the story. In the other hand, City of Commerce, the wife persona is mentioned in the beginning of the tale. However, it does not clear that she is the wife until almost of the end of the story where he is worried for her life. Sex is involved in this type of story but does not have deep participation.

 

     In the novel of The Kidnapper Bell, written by Jim Pascoe, its protagonist, Jim, involves himself in a crime that he could prevent.Even though, Jim is a married guy, he looks for sex with somebody else rather than with his wife. Waiting for his date in a bar something is dancing in his head: how long has it been without sex? Moreover, he is pondering that this date it will be just sex. However, his thoughts are far away about what it will happen. His date arrives but only to takes him to crime scene. Although, he can can look for the right help, like calling the police, he decides to do foolish things. In the last scenario, he arrives at home where his wife is sleeping, with two murders behind them and wearing the clothes that belong to a death man.

 

     In City of Commerce tale, written by Neal Pollack, Nick is the protagonist, a man who enjoys gambling.
Nick plans to play at the casino that is at Commerce city by one hour, but after he is making profit he plays passed  2am. When he decides to retire from the game,the problems begin. He is knock down by somebody from the casino and later wakes up in a cheap hotel. Around with people that just are gambling, he is apparently force to play until the next day. Nick escapes from his kidnappers and in his way back home he realizes that he does not have his wallet. Worry that maybe them can hurt his wife.At the end of the story, Nick starts think about more money and gambling instead of his wife.