On the fourth floor in Jason Reynolds' novel, Long Way Down, the character who boarded the elevator was Mikey Holloman, the father of the protagonist, Will, and his brother Shawn. Will often referred to him as Pops.
The Encounter on Floor Four
As Will's intense elevator journey unfolds, each stop introduces a new, ghostly figure from his past. The elevator's pause on the fourth floor marks a particularly poignant moment, as it's there that Will's deceased father, Mikey Holloman, steps into the confined space. This interaction is especially impactful because Will has only faint memories of his father, who passed away when Will was just three years old.
The appearance of Mikey Holloman on the fourth floor is a pivotal part of the series of spectral encounters Will experiences throughout the elevator ride. These ghostly figures represent individuals who were connected to the cycle of violence that Will is contemplating engaging in. Each character who enters the elevator at different floors contributes to Will's internal struggle and his understanding of the profound repercussions of revenge. Mikey Holloman's presence forces Will to confront his legacy and the deep-seated grief and influence of his father, despite their very brief time together. During this stop, Uncle Mark begins to smoke a cigarette, further setting the scene for Mikey Holloman's arrival.
Key Details from the Fourth Floor Stop:
- Character: Mikey Holloman, also known as Pops, is identified as Will and Shawn's father.
- Significance: His appearance offers Will a unique opportunity to "meet" and reflect on a central figure in his family's history of loss and their entanglement in the cycle of violence.
- Will's Memory: Will struggles to recall much about his father, highlighting the early loss he experienced and the profound, though distant, impact it had on his life.
This significant encounter on floor four adds another crucial layer of complexity to Will's decision-making process as he descends towards his potential act of revenge, forcing him to consider the full weight of his actions.
