Meet The Characters of THE DEAD CIRCUS

ALICE McMILLAN

Age: 47

Occupation: Matriarch of the Manson Family

Last Seen: Three months ago, employed as a daycare worker in the Midwest using the alias “Linda Cooper.”

Favorite Quote: “My boyfriend says I should use my pussy to make new friends. What do you think he meant by that?”

RAY BURK

Age: Hard to say from the years of writing under the influence… Could be 35, could be 45.

Occupation: Hollywood screenwriter turned amateur detective

Last Seen: February 1971 by District Attorney Ted Babcock

Favorite Quote:  ”If it’s not for a movie, why else would I be here?”

CHRIS LONG

Age: 36

Occupation: Scam artist, underground journalist, obscure band manager

Last Seen: Unknown; one has to reach him by calling certain payphones at prearranged times

Favorite Quote:  ”I manage Fiddlefuck.”

CHARLES MANSON

Age: 34

Occupation: Cult leader and founder of the Manson Family; Aspiring musician and Hollywood player; Pimp and drug dealer

Last Seen: In prison, convicted in January 1971 for conspiracy associated with the Tate-Labianca murders of August 1969

Favorite Quote:  ”Helter Skelter is comin’ down. It’s the niggers versus the whites, and it’s all gonna happen soon. That’s what the Beatles are saying, if you listen carefully… John Lennon’s asking me for my own personal advice on the matter.”

BOBBY FULLER

Age: 23

Occupation: Lead singer of the Bobby Fuller Four, whose “I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)” became a Top Ten Hit in July 1966

Last Seen: Found dead by his mother Lorraine in his car bruised with lungs drenched in gasoline on Monday, July 18, 1966

Favorite Quote: ”You know, we’ve been playing this for years. I mean, Texas rock n’roll.. it’s nothing new. It’s the same thing that the Beatles have been trying to play, but can’t. They come close, but they aren’t from West Texas.”

MELANIE NOVAK

Age: 42

Occupation: Script typist, waitress at the Clown’s Den

Last Seen: In an A.A. meeting at the First Methodist Church in Watts in January or February 1971

Favorite Quote: ”And this is when you’re supposed to ask me if I let him fuck me.”

GENE BURK

Age: 46

Occupation: Homicide detective for the L.A.P.D.

Last Seen: Bailing out his brother Ray from jail

Favorite Quote: “I’m telling you what the word is. If you don’t like what I’m saying, talk to the coroner, alright? In the meanwhile, I’d appreciate it if you stepped out of my crime scene.”