Dramatis Personae
Here, I will keep a running master list of the characters, their creator(s), and what's going on with them. As more users add their own characters and letters to the narrative, I will do my best to keep this post/list as frequently updated as possible.
The Rogers Family of Salem, Massachusetts, USA - Created by President_Lincoln
Roland Warren Rogers, Sr. (“Warren”) - B. February 2nd, 1920. The patriarch of the Rogers clan, Warren served as a USMC Sergeant in the Pacific during World War II. A Goldwater-ite conservative, Warren is a plumber by trade and a “rough love” sort of parent. He and his eldest son, Rowe, have a complicated relationship. Warren is 42 years old at the start of our story.
Rose Rogers, nee Walsh - B. March 13th, 1922. Warren’s high school sweetheart and wife, Rose married her husband in 1942, just before he shipped off to fight the Second World War. During the war, she worked in a textile factory, but retired to the role of homemaker when her husband returned. A quiet, sensitive woman, Rose is a nurturing mother and manages to see the “softer” side of her rough-and-ready husband. Rose is 40 years old.
Roland Warren Rogers, Jr. (“Rowe”) - B. September 5th, 1942. Roland Jr. or “Rowe” as he prefers to be called, was born only a week or so after his father shipped off to the Pacific. An overachieving, brilliant student academically, Rowe received a full ride scholarship to study English Literature at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst after graduating as Salutatorian of his high school class. Always smiling and buoyant, yet deeply sensitive like his mother, Rowe has always felt a rift between he and his father that dates back to their early years of separation because of the War and continues because of their differing politics. Rowe considers President John F. Kennedy to be one of his political heroes, for example. In his free time, Rowe enjoys fishing, hiking, writing for the college newspaper, and reading the works of Henry David Thoreau. He plans on becoming an English teacher, or maybe a journalist someday. He is 20 and a sophomore in college at the time of our PoD.
Walter Lee Rogers (“Walt”) - B. June 13th, 1946. Born of a happy reunion of husband and wife at the end of the Second World War, Walt is in many ways his father’s favorite child. Somewhat short, but well built and athletic, Walt spends most of his time playing third base on his school’s varsity baseball team and chasing girls, with whom he is perennially popular, at least, according to Walt. Tough, and hot tempered, Walt exhibits many of his father’s personality traits and shares his more conservative political leanings, but has a heart of gold he shares with those closest to him. He is protective of his sisters and younger brother, Tommy, but has something of a sibling rivalry with his older brother, Rowe. Walt is 16 at the start of our story.
Mary Anne Rogers - B. December 4th, 1947. The first of the Rogers’ twin girls, Mary is the self-professed family “prep”. Uptight, studious, and very image aware, Mary enjoys cheerleading and performing in plays and musicals with her high school drama club. She is perhaps the most outgoing of the Rogers siblings, and excels in Home Ec and serves on student council. She is also developing into quite the flirt, and already has the attention of many boys in her grade, which she also enjoys. She is 14 at the beginning of our story.
Victoria Rose Rogers (“Vic”) - B. December 4th, 1947. Victoria Rose, who prefers to go by “Vic” is unlike her twin sister in just about every imaginable way. They are identical in looks, but their personalities diverge wildly. Whereas Mary glories in the attention and company of others, Vic relishes solitude and time alone. Mary is a cheerleader and acts in plays. Vic helps her older brother, Walt and father, Warren, work on cars and reads her science textbooks for fun. While Mary has always had an easy time making friends, Vic struggles to connect with other people her age, and her older brother, Rowe, whom she is very close to, has diagnosed her with “an old soul”. Vic has also been experiencing strange feelings and desires lately, especially centering around her best friend, Cecilia, and she does not readily know what, if anything, to do about them. Vic is 14 when our story begins.
Thomas Edward Rogers (“Tommy”) - B. April 8th, 1950. Tommy is, like his older sister Victoria, a relatively quiet child. Deeply interested in both art and sports, Tommy spends his hours of freetime drawing, painting, and sculpting, when he isn’t out playing catch with Walt or trying out for his annual little league team. Though only 12 years old at the beginning of our tale, Tommy already shows a strong personality, and a desire to live up to the examples set by his father and two older brothers. He adores comic books, science fiction stories and TV shows, and is thinking about becoming a graphic designer when he gets older.
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The Plinski Family of Chicago, Illinois, USA - Created by President Earl Warren
John Plinski: A world war two vet and stolid Daley man working for the city government budget office. John is a Stern but kind father to his two children, Paul and Mary and a loving husband to his wife Martha. He backed Hubert Humphrey during the 72 Primaries for his stalwart Anti Communism and New Deal economics, (not to mention his boss telling him to) which puts him at odds with the rest of the family.
Martha Plinski: a nice house wife who is very active in the local community organizing food drives and other charity events not to mention serving on the PTA. She is much more soft on the kids than her husband. One interesting fact is that she is originally Irish, something which occasionally causes her problems in the dominantly Polish district. Personally a Rockefeller Republican who backed Margret Smith's campaign in 64 and Romney in 68, however she is not as intensely political as her children...
Paul Plinski: A young rebellious college student, affiliated with the YAF since 1968. Paul is a top student who has been affiliated with Conservative causes since protesting the White House over the Chinese diplomacy issue and playing a role in the Chicago Reagan campaign. He conflicts with his Dad for his Politics (which are decidedly anti Daley) but relations are getting better due to his recent decision to Join the Army.
Elizabeth Plinski: a Radical Peace advocate who has campaigned for Chisholm, as you can imagine things get very hot blooded when the family talks politics with her. Is involved with her mom's charity work. Currently hoping McCarthy runs.
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The Parker Family of Chicago, Illinois, USA -
Created by @King_Arthur
James Parker - Born on May 29th 1949, he joins the Marines in 1967 and is deployed to Cambodia from 1969-1970. He becomes a Scout Sniper in 1971 and is one of the first US personnel deployed to Rhodesia. He is awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for Rhodesia. He follows his father's example and votes Republican, but doesn't have any political opinions yet.
Lydia Johnson - Born on December 12th 1948, she is James' girlfriend and begins attending Washington State, majoring in Education. She graduates in 1971 and is working as a teacher as well as engaged to James when he goes to Rhodesia. She is a feminist and votes for Bush in '72 but isn't a partisan voter.
Michael Parker - Born on 1st March 1921, he attended the Naval Academy and was an marine engineer in the US Navy for 10 years, serving in World War 2 and Korea, rising to Lieutenant Commander. He then joined the Merchant Marine and was away often before leaving in 1963 and working on boats on Lake Michigan. He isn't hugely into politics but votes Republican.
Ann Parker - Born on 30th April 1923, she served as a naval nurse in WW2 before marrying Michael, who she met at VJ Day celebrations, in 1946. She works as a nurse at a hospital now, and has mothered two children - Jill and James. She votes Democrat because she likes their support for unions.
Jill Parker - Born on 16th October 1947, she attended Illinois State from 1966-1970 and majored in Communication. She is now working in Saigon for the Washington Post, covering Indochina. She voted for Bush out of dislike for LBJ and respect for the late President Romney, but admires the Kennedys.
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John Alexander and Veronica Mendes of Tennessee and New York, USA - Created by @historybuff
John Alexander.
Born: October 7, 1952.
Family: Robert, father, chef. Sherry, mother, nurse. Michael, younger brother by 2 years.
Born in Tennessee to parents originally from West Virginia. Despite being blind because of not having retinas after an eye surgery gone wrong, hasn't stopped him from wanting to become a diplomat, studying several languages in high school and a few in college as well, including Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Russian.
Carries a strong Southern drawl when speaking.
Politically conservative, and a strong GOP follower.
Backed Reagan for President, though is willing to give him a chance after hearing of the deal between him and Bush.
Veronica Mendes.
Born: August 19, 1954.
New York native. Comes from a rich family of Hispanic origins.
Meets John when his father and him attend a Chef event in New York that her father Hiram has organized. Both soon become pen-pals, actually meeting again in high school, and he attends NYU, same as she. Her family are strong Democrats, having backed LBJ in '72'
She and John have political differences, but they try not to let that, or his blindness effect their relationship. Until high school, was something of a queen bee, thinking being rich meant she could have whatever she wanted.
