When Dan Ross wrote the story Always A Motive, he developed the character of Joe Manetti to fit the profile of "a hopeless victim". The word hopeless literally means "one without hope"(86), one who's present situation is so bleak that he has no emotions regarding his future, and the definition of victim is "One hurt or adversely affected by an action beyond his control"(219). The author has accomplished an amazing feat, because when we examine Joe Manetti more closely we see that everything about him, from his physical actions and appearance, to the emotions that he displays to the events that have orchestrated his life exemplify these characteristics.