Ricky
Ricky is Sunnyvale’s dumbest resident. Like many in the park, he’s had a hard life – his mother Tammy left him and his dad Ray when Ricky was a kid, and his lack of book learning skills prevented him from getting on in life. He only learned to read by deciphering labels on frozen food packets.
Ricky’s best friend is Julian, who has helped him through his roughest times. Once, when the pair had been released from jail and Ricky had nowhere to go, Julian allowed him to sleep in his grandmother’s old car, the Shitmobile. It was only supposed to be for two days, but Ricky ended up making the old New Yorker his permanent home. As long as he has a blanket, liquor and dope, and a toaster oven full of chicken fingers (the $8 good kind) Ricky is happy.
But Ricky never stays happy for long. His explosive temper gets him into trouble with everyone, from trailer park supervisor Jim Lahey, cops, hospital receptionists, doctors and librarians… in fact anyone in a position of authority. And don’t ever, ever compare him to bouffant-haired hypnotist Reveen the Impossibilist. REVEEEEEN!
Apart from dope, pepperoni, and free smokes, the loves of Ricky’s life are his beloved daughter, Trinity, and his grandson, Mo, who is ‘gettin’ learnt’ on some dubious life lessons by his grandpappy. Now smokes, let’s go.
Julian
Julian is king of Sunnyvale Trailer Park. With his tight black t-shirt and muscular build, Julian looks tough. He can handle a gun and knows how to hustle. But he also has a heart of gold, and looks out for Bubbles and Ricky like a big brother.
Julian’s upbringing was rough – abandoned by his parents, he was brought up by his grandmother in her trailer. Grandma was fond of a little drink or two, and would drive around the trailer park in her battered old New Yorker in a state of intoxication. Little Julian followed Grandma down the path of the Liquor, and became hooked on rum and coke at the age of six or seven. Nowadays he’s rarely seen without a glass of it in his hand.
It was Julian’s idea to invite the documentary crew to Sunnyvale. Convinced he was going to die after consulting a greasy phone physic, Julian decided to document his life in the hope people might learn from his example. The cameras have been around ever since.
Julian’s biggest passion is business – and money. His various money-making schemes have had varying degrees of success. Julian has sold propane to park residents, operated a casino, strip club and a “Rub ‘n Tiz’zug” massage parlour, bootlegged dirty old Russian vodka, and has orchestrated various robberies, thefts, and extortions – even stealing kiddies’ Christmas presents from mall parking lots.
Julian’s dreams of “Freedom 35” and retiring early have yet to materialize. But don’t worry, he’s been doing some reading, and has come up with a new business plan. It’s not gonna fail this time, boys…
Bubbles
Bubbles has lived in Sunnyvale Trailer Park his whole life. Abandoned by his parents when he was a little fella, his best friend Julian promised to look after him. Julian even let Bubbles move into his shed, which he’s called home ever since. According to Bubbles, living in a shed is pretty decent – there’s a bunk bed for himself and his kitties, indoor plumbing, lots of space to hang kitty pictures, and even has a cordless telephone!
Big-hearted Bubbles cares for all the abandoned kitties around the park, and has had a fine collection of felines over the years – Sgt. Meowensteen, Gary Laser Eyes, Ronnie Pumpkin, and his favourite kitty, Vince the Pince, who even did some jail time with him. Bubbles once combined his love of cats with a money-making scheme, creating the “Kittyland Love Centre” play area for cats. The venture would have been a big success, if his TV interview with Channel 10 hadn’t been sabotaged by Ricky, and that drunk idiot Jim Lahey.
Bubbles has many talents – he’s the smartest guy in the park! He can quote ancient Greek philosopher Plato, fixes up shopping carts better than anyone, and kicks ass as a guitar player and songwriter, composing tunes such as Liquor and Whores and Kitties Are So Nice. He even started his own band, Bubbles & The Shitrockers!
Apart from being a country music star, Bubbles’ biggest ambition is to become an astronaut . He even flew the space shuttle with Canadian space hero Chris Hadfield! Well, not quite… it was only a simulator. Until he gets the call from NASA to command a real rocket ship, he’ll have to make do playing space in the street with Ricky and Julian. If only Ricky could use some real space words, instead of talking about space weed and flying to Juniper!