What is a Protagonist?

The two main characters in “The Kidnapper Bell” and “City of Commerce” are very similar. They are both married men and lead double lives. So what is a protagonist in neo-noir? To me a protagonist in neo-noir is someone who is married. If they are not married, they are in a committed relationship. They lead a secret life that they keep hidden from their significant other. What they have waiting for them when they get home is not enough for them so they go out and form another life to get their fix. They tend to be into drugs, alcohol, sex, or a combination of those three. They do not like staying in one place for to long. Because of this they tend to leave when things get serious and abandon of way of life to start another. They lie to the person they are with. They tell them they are going to one place when in reality they are going to do something completely different. They answer to no one. They keep the things they did why they were away from there partner a secret from everybody else. They have moments of regret but they do not last for long. They have to stay focused on the task at hand. They can not dwell on what they did because they have to stay calm so that they do not get caught. Finally, they lie to themselves so they do not have to admit the truth of what they have done.