The Ambition of Christopher Patrick

This passage is about the character, Christopher Patrick, developed from the same series as Evelyn Thorpe, or Evie. Please enjoy:

"Ambition drove Christopher Patrick, not talent. But, he knew enough to keep his mouth shut. It's the one thing his brother taught him. Perhaps, it was the one thing Chris remembered about his brother. Chris never did understand why his brother, James, was so successful. It must've been luck, just dumb, simple luck. James was lucky to get into all the best schools, to be given the highest marks, to know the right people. James was lucky enough to get a reprieve from the annual family vacation to Seacliff. He had to prepare for his MCATs instead. And Chris thought himself unlucky. He just wasn't quite smart enough to get into the major he wanted, and he wasn't quite old enough to find a way out of this trip. Instead, he was packing a van for his parents, and preparing to lug his 12-year-old brother, Joseph, up the coast.

Christopher never watched the sunsets, he never felt the sea breeze, he probably didn't enjoy the ocean either. When the waves weren't breaking, it was just too quiet for him. He always described the beach as a little too “nature-y”. The stars were not his kind of lights. Chris was an urban man. He liked neon, he liked hustle and bustle. And this summer was his first chance, since he had his own car, to get away from the beach and experience inland nightlife. Most people didn't like it, but Christopher told himself that he would.

The second night after the family's arrival at the rental house, Chris planned to say an early goodnight to his parents, William & Marian. He would then jump on the highway and head to the inland bars. They were rough, but Chris knew his ID wouldn't be checked. The roughness probably should have scared him more than it did. But, even if he didn't acknowledge it consciously, Christopher Patrick knew deep down in his spirit that his luck was about to change.

Once he met Jeremy McShane, the only question left to decide would be this: what aspect of Christopher's personality does luck ferment, ambition or lack of talent?"