Sammy Applewood

Sam's made some poor choices in his life. How else do you wind up working at the Buckwheat County Carnival? He graduated with high marks from acting school, but alas Hollywood rejected him. Now he's in the middle of nowhere dressed like a clown announcing Eating competitions. What a life, eh?   At least it pays the rent. 

 Sam's a charismatic figure, but it's a very hollow charisma. Deep down inside he's about as dead as a soul can be. He enjoys his job (kinda) but spends most of his time wondering what could have been. He enjoys classical music and old TV shows. 

Backstory: 

  Born in a barn near Moline, IL, Sammy Applewood was always looking to escape his doldrum life and see the world. Whether it was exploring the cornfields beyond his backyard or taking off to Hollywood in the dead of night to go to acting school, Sammy was never one to be in one place at one time. 

   Sammy's parents were nice but bland folks who insisted that Sammy find a nice steady job and settle down. But young Sammy was eager to see the world beyond Northern Illinois, so at age 18 off he went to sunny Los Angeles in a deadbeat van. He'd always had a penchant for acting and music, staring in local school plays and playing in a local string band. The bright lights of Hollywood seemed like a natural choice for the aspiring actor. 

    It took him awhile to reach L.A. due to having no money and his van constantly breaking down. Nevertheless, Sammy considered this the high point of his life. Free, on the open road, seeing the country and getting a taste of adventure. He got so much of it that he arrived at acting school a semester late. 

    Regardless, Sammy was actually a top student and graduated from acting school with high hopes of landing his breakout role. And yet, as the days turned into months... starring role after starring role turned him down. Apart from a few random commercials Sammy's face was stricken from the screen. He married during this time but his wife left him during their honeymoon (to San Diego; they couldn't afford to travel far) to run off with their scuba guide.  He was barely scraping by, and eventually the cost of rent forced him back out into the great unknown. Sammy was forced to travel around the country in a beater RV, traveling to random auditions desperately hoping for his breakout role. 

     And one day his dream opportunity came! A mid-size burger chain was looking for a spokesperson. A steady income, the opportunity for TV and live performance, and Sammy seemed to be just perfect for the role! Only problem, it's in the middle of Nebraska. The exact sort of place Sammy was trying to escape from. He's also a clown of course (there goes any remaining dignity)  

   Nowadays, Sammy's life is A-ok. He makes a decent living, he does what he loves, and is depressed as heck because he's stuck in Buckwheat County. He even remarried and has kids, but they're all boring. He's a loving father who takes care of his kids but he's dead inside. He despises the country bumpkins that surround him (despite them being his biggest fanbase). He hates the role he has to play. He hates cheeseburgers.  He spends days ruminating about his missed potential. His life is just... meh. 

  While personable and outgoing in his role as a spokesperson, he is very quiet and mild-mannered (and probably hiding untold amounts of hidden rage) off stage. He is responsible, dependable, and likes routine. The spark has long since gone.