Lava Lockup — The Man Who Rode Out A Volcanic Eruption In His Cell

After Getting Blasted

In today’s world, Ludger would have been bombarded by messages from the marketing team of whatever booze he was crushing the night before his fight to become their new spokesman. I can see him now on Instagram, completing a CrossFit workout and immediately reaching for a glass of Wild Turkey that was just beneath the squat rack. Ludger was, however, lucky enough to become the turn of the century version of this kind of guy. 

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First, Ludger was pardoned for his crimes, which, honestly, seems more than fair. I’d say that if you shoplifted a pack of Starburst and were thrown into jail, only to see the entire town ravaged by a tornado, a tornado that you ended up leaping into and swirling about and riding within before touching down pillowy-soft onto the back of a horse that you immediately ride back into town to look for survivors, you should probably have that one wiped from your record. 

But, in a stroke of even more luck for one of the world’s luckiest men, he was invited to tour with Barnum & Bailey to share his story and become a roaming attraction. Because, I don’t know, if you went to the circus and someone told you that over beyond the lame elephant tricks, there’s a dude that laughed in the face of a volcano, you might at least go see what’s up.

via Wiki Commons

Just a touch more badass than any of us will ever be

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Ludger’s cell still stands on the island, and the volcano is still active, undoubtedly primed to erupt yet again. But, these days, people have wised up, and there are far fewer inhabitants of the town spitting in the face of obvious danger. 

I’m not entirely sure what to make of Ludger’s story because I wish it was something of a cautionary tale. That would be easy. A reminder of why we shouldn’t be assholes when we drink and how fighting is stupid and unnecessary. But, shit, you simply cannot say that in good faith here. I suppose the main takeaway is that if you are, truly, a real deal bad boy, maybe your own villain origin story where you get loaded, punch a police horse, and dive into a sinkhole to live in the core of the Earth with the oversized insects and dinosaurs for a while until you sober up and emerge to a million social media followers might be the right call for your life’s direction.

Top Image: PxFuel 

Lava Lockup — The Man Who Rode Out A Volcanic Eruption In His Cell
Source: Pinoy Daily News