I'll let Wikipedia do most of the work for me.

Here's some info Daniel Knauf (the series creator) provided for pre-show canon:
( Pre-Show History )

I never knew a time when my Ma wasn't off her nut.

After my father left, after I was born- guess all that did something to her. She was a religious crazy. Did things like keep me in the house for days, readin' bible verses like it'd chase something out of me. Didn't really get the chance to make many friends, on account of that. Also on account of havin' to work to survive.

I guess I was lonely back then. Never thought of it that way- in words. Still, I felt it.

You know what's funny?

I'm free now, I get to make my own decisions. And I'm still kinda alone. I ain't good with talkin'. Ain't good with people. When you're raised like that, I guess you forget what it's like to not be by yourself.

There's two kinds of loneliness: one, where you got people around you, but you're still separated. The other, where you actually got no one.

[ The soft buzz of an open connection. Silence sits on his tongue. ]

Anybody lookin' for a place to live?

Don't get why one door in, don't mean one door out. Don't get why people come in spades one weekend, just to leave in a flash, either.

But I reckon I have an idea why we're here: they're tryin' to stop us from going back home and doing things that are important. Things that we need to do, that we gotta do.

[ooc: Backdated to... earlier today. Hi LJ, you really suck.

ANYONE is welcome, especially Carnivale canonmates, and even doubles if it tickles your fancy. &herats; ]

[ Ben stands at the side of the road. Behind him are the words CHING'S CHINESE FOOD in red letters painted on the side of a white plaster building. ]

Any folks lookin' for an extra hand? Don't got no specialized skills, but I'm pretty good at physical labor. Carrying heavy loads, settin' things up, doing delivery and pick-up. Could be decent help on a construction site, I'd bet.

[ He stares at the camera a moment. An awkward pause ensues. ]

But I sure as hell won't be doin' anything obscene. Even if I got only a few clams and a pocket full of lint.

I can't do a damn thing to fix it.

I tried. Goddammit, I tried. The same way I brought it down.

[ Quieter now. ]

Was there anyone hurt?

Whole lot of folks in this place tonight.

[ The subsequent pause is abrupt, his voice suddenly urgent. ]

Is the barrier down? Is that way folks are comin' in spades?

[ ooc: Anyone except doubles please. ♥ Carnivale characters of any size or shape are very very welcomed. ]

Right, I'm not gonna say this again.

Whoever's the sunvabitch who stole from me yesterday, you best confess.

S'important to me, what you took. [ Which is said rather awkwardly, as if the words don't fit in his mouth. ] A medal, pretty fancy, got a cross on it. Ain't worth much, not real silver. [The slightest pause ]  It's my father's.

[ Once again, the words are awkward. ]

Also got the words "by this sign we conquer" on the front, in Latin.

Return it and we're dutch. Won't make a fuss, won't press no charges.

( ooc )

[ The screen snaps on, revealing one magnified blue eye. It snaps off for a minute, then turns on once again to reveal a dirt-stained face at a far enough distance to catch his whole visage. He looks annoyed, to say the least. Brow furrowed, lip curled in mild frustration.

Then the screen shuts off again.

But the blank screen is suddenly accompanied by a harsh SCREECH, followed by the loud two-beat thump of someone hitting the side of the device. There's another loud screech, as the device is pushed away in frustration, accidentally turning on once more to reveal a clear picture of Ben Hawkins, looking down at the device. ]

—— Future ain't nothing but a goddamn piece of shit.

[ooc: i've been out sick with the flu/cold?? the entire day, but backtags will come! ]