The Patricks

The wealthiest people in town. Lorraine’s parents are the very successful realtors and land developers, David and Melissa Patrick. They spoil Lorraine terribly, and always give her what she wants. She is precious to them, and they will use their wealth and influence to protect her. To them, Lorraine can do no wrong, and if they’re ever called to the principal’s office, they will deny that she’s capable of misbehavior, and then threaten to buy the school and have it leveled if they’re called up there again. Dave and Melissa share a common dislike for the old fashioned culture of Povey, and want to bring the town into the 20th century. This is where I want to highlight the divide between the blue collar middle class, and white collar middle class. A lot of period pieces seem to be a “greatest hits” of whatever decade they’re set in, as if the fact that their plot takes place in the past is the only reason for it existing, and I wanted to avoid that with Locals Only. The story is set in 1955, and most of the things that people know of as recognizably 50s happened in the latter half of the decade. When it comes to the music, cars, movies, and lingo, I’m limiting myself to what came before 1955. Most of Povey is blue collar: farmers, factory workers, miners, mechanics, etc. Of course they wouldn’t be up to date with all the new trends and probably only really care about what they remember liking when they were teenagers or kids, so a lot of families resemble the 1940s, or even the Dirty 30s in some cases. Then you have the upper-middle class, white collar families like the Lorraine’s, Darcy’s, and Ruby’s. They read the home magazines, listen to the newest music, own the latest appliances and the newest cars. Their lives are much more of the times. This is generally how culture changes with the decades, with the influence of the previous decade only dying off and becoming something else towards the middle. 1955 is right at the crossroads of change between the 1940s and the 1960s. It’s when the 50s is beginning to become something of its own, while the previous decades still cast a shadow on it.