Dill is a Sackboy, and he has been surrounded by real people his entire life. Being different caused Dill to become very cautious and scared of most things. For as long as he can remember he has been told that he needs to “get a backbone.” Another way of calling someone a coward and also literal in Dill’s case because he does not have a backbone. This makes him unable to fully stand up straight without help. Dill always tried to think up many ways he could prove that they were all wrong. When a new mall in town opens up Dill gets a crazy idea to go streaking at the grand opening to prove that he does not need a backbone. Dill must face the challenge of running through the crowd fast enough to keep his upper body off the ground and balanced while security guards chase him.