By Timothy S. Klugh

THE CAST:

Pleasantville

Founded years ago by Adicas Johnson, whose lineage still lives in the town.  The name Pleasantville was given to the town by Elizabeth Johnson, the wife of Adicas, who named it because of the serenity of the area and the charming spirit of the people.

Timothy Reye

Timothy Reye lost his parents at an early age and was flung into a life of foster care.  Throughout his childhood, he felt lost and alone.  He found life took a drastic turn for the worse when his last foster parent, Eric Gerris, decided to take out his angry wrath on Timothy.  The abuse was more than the boy could take.  One night he stole some money from his foster parents and ran away on his bicycle.  With a deep love of the countryside that he had acquired through books he had read, Timothy left the city and ventured out into it.  He was searching for his dream, a place where he could find a resolution for all the turmoil he had been through.  When Timothy rides through the town of Pleasantville, he is not anticipating anything eventful, but fate has different plans for him when he is stopped by a suspicious sheriff.

Through a turn of events, Timothy is placed in the care of Stephen and Sally Seneca, a farm family who feels compelled to shelter the teenager.  The couple tries to break through the barriers the mysterious young man has placed in front of him.  Carefully, the two warmly take him under their wings and find out what he is running away from.

But the two aren't the only ones.  Their daughter Olivia steals the young man's heart.  He is taken by her beauty but shaken by her untamed behavior.  But their relationship is not destined to become anything more than friends when he discovers that her heart already belongs to the charming, courteous and highly respected Iowa J. Johnson.

Timothy chooses not to like Iowa because of Timothy's interest in Olivia, but this situation he finds cannot be held together.  Iowa takes a liking to Timothy and becomes his best friend.  As the jealousy issue fades away, Timothy finds a new hope for himself as he gets involved with Iowa's life.  It seems everything Iowa does has purpose and meaning, and the country gentleman does everything he can to make Timothy a part of it.

The troubles don't end though once the secret is finally revealed.  Stephen and Sally find themselves at the crossroads of love and legality.  It is illegal to harbor Timothy because he is a runaway, but they do not want to send him back where he was miserable.  They let things stay as they are and keep the secret until circumstances causes the situation to come out in the open.  Timothy Reye is returned to Children's Services and the Seneca's must go to court to try to get him back.

Stephen, Sally and Olivia Kristeen Seneca

Stephen, Sally and Olivia Seneca were not without problems before Timothy Reye came into the picture.  All three were haunted by the memories of their son Keith who had been dead for some time.  Nevertheless, the family could not ignore the lingering issue.  No matter how pleasant they tried to make their lives, the sorrow for their lost son always lingered behind their smiles.

Timothy Reye became the first person to occupy Keith's bedroom.  As a guest in the Seneca home, Timothy stirred new life into the house.  Suddenly there were other matters to be concerned about.  Stephen began teaching Timothy about farming.  Olivia found a new friend.  Sally found a new child in need of her motherly care.

Iowa J. Johnson

He is probably the most popular and unforgettable character of the story.  Iowa J. Johnson came directly from the family line that founded Pleasantville.  He is bold, handsome, larger-than-life, and (above all else) a gentleman.  The good-hearted Iowa, who has long smitten Olivia Seneca, is a farmer first and foremost.  He is proud of his ancestry (who came from the state of Iowa) and loves to brag about them.  His family's farm is the largest in Pleasantville and resides just south of town.

Iowa is involved in 4-H and competes in contests with his horse, Wheatbread.  Although he does well in the point shows with his horse, he has never qualified for the state fair.  That is his wish, to qualify and win a blue ribbon at the Ohio State Fair.

What Iowa doesn't talk about a lot is the fact that his family is the wealthiest in the entire town.  Somehow Iowa doesn't let that fact stay a part of his conversations.  Also, he doesn't talk much about a darker issue that he and Olivia share.  Both of them had lost a sibling in their youth.  He had an older sister named Jacquelyn, who was raped and killed at the Old Mill on the east side of town.  The mill owner was arrested and imprisoned for the crime, but Iowa had his doubts that justice had been properly served.

Renee Lynn Howell

Olivia's friend Renee is a melancholy brunette whose unpredictable behavior confuses Timothy Reye, but he soon stumbles upon her secret when he finds her trapped by a local hoodlum (Karl Boothe) who is taking foul advances at the girl.  A fight occurs and Timothy and Renee are temporarily relieved of Karl's pursuance.

Renee is a broken-winged angel.  Always wanting to be the lady that Olivia is, Renee was tainted by a past of mistreatment and bad decisions.  Coming out of a horrible youth, the teenage girl had turned to Karl as a boyfriend.  Realizing later that this was a mistake, she broke the relationship off.  Karl wasn't willing to do the same though.  By the time Timothy enters town, Karl has taken to taunting and threatening Renee.  The girl, ever fearful of what the hoodlum was capable of, kept her situation a secret to everyone but Olivia.  When Timothy discovered the situation, she had to share it with him as well.

A friendship starts between Timothy and Renee, and soon Renee realizes that she has stronger feelings for Timothy than mere friendship.  Afraid to tell him, she suddenly finds it is too late when Timothy's heart is captured by the eccentric Mary Jane Wesleyan.  This throws Renee into an emotional tailspin, and she withdraws from everyone.  It isn't long before she realizes that her course of action has only lead her to a dangerous and deadly situation.

Mary Jane Wesleyan

She appears as a mysterious young woman to Timothy at first.  Several times their eyes would meet at different occasions, but Timothy would find himself too timid to talk to her.  On a footbridge on a path in the middle of the woods, the two of them finally meet.  The lively Mary Jane Wesleyan is a bit strange but very friendly.  Timothy finds a great fascination in her.

One of Mary Jane's favorite hangouts is the old abandoned Pleasantville Fairgrounds.  Unused and all but forgotten, the rides and structures of the fairgrounds maintain their integrity, although the rust and plants have nearly claimed them completely.  Still, Mary Jane seems oddly at ease on the secluded grounds, and Timothy and her find sanctuary together there.

Outside the fairgrounds is a different matter all together.  Mary Jane's father is unwilling to hide his concern about his daughter's interest in the teenage stranger.  It doesn't take long before he decides to step between the two teens in the matter.  This is not enough to stop the relationship as Timothy finds out.  Mary Jane simply won't have it that way.  The two decide to keep their reestablished relationship quiet and a secret, but secrets have a way of being revealed in a small town like Pleasantville.

Jack DeChamp, Barbara Susan and Fraun Sodier

The Pleasantville Gang is made up of seven close friends: Timothy Reye, Iowa J. Johnson, Olivia Seneca, Renee Howell, Jack DeChamp, Barbara Susan and Fraun Sodier.  Jack is the all-star athlete at Lincoln High School and Barbara is his cheerleader girlfriend.  Fraun is Jack's tag-along companion.  Together, the seven teenagers look after each other and are like an extended family.

The Pleasantville Gang adopts Timothy as soon as Olivia introduces them.  Actually Iowa and Jack make the adoption official when they make Timothy the victim of a snipe hunt.  To Jack, Barbara and Fraun, the stranger has an odd personality that they can't help but become curious about.  The gang goes along with several of Timothy's peculiar ideas which end up making magic happen.

Phillip Millington

Outside the Senecas home, Phillip Millington is the first person to befriend Timothy Reye.  Mr. Millington runs a general store in the middle of town.  Getting along in his old age, Mr. Millington decides that he could use some help at his store and offers Timothy a job.

Being a widower and never having children of his own, Mr. Millington took to Iowa J. Johnson as if he was his own.  As Timothy and he work at his store, Mr. Millington finds that he could handle two sons just as well.  He places a lot of trust into the mysterious teenage stranger.  He even lets Timothy run the store by himself from time to time.  When the store is not busy, Mr. Millington fills in he and his employee's time with a game of checkers or a fishing trip.

Mike Frazey and Karl Boothe

Every town has something to be ashamed of.  For Pleasantville, that shame is two hoodlums named Mike Frazey and Karl Boothe.  Mike Frazey gives a bad reputation to the municipality itself because he is the unruly son of the sheriff.  However, Mike Frazey is by no means the worse of the two.  He is merely a sidekick to Karl Boothe, an easily angered individual who is insanely jealous over Renee Howell.

Immediately after meeting Renee, Timothy is subject to Karl's wrath by being severely beaten by him and Mike.  When Timothy runs across Karl and Renee together, Timothy gets more than he expected.  Fearful that the police will find out about the incident, Karl backs off from both Timothy and Renee for a short while.  But Karl's jealousy can only withstand so much, and the slightest trigger is all that is needed to set him off again.  And this time, his wrath has a vengeance.

Sheriff Frazey and Wilbur

Sheriff Frazey is suspicious the night Timothy first rides his bicycle through Pleasantville.  He ends up stopping Timothy and taking him to the police station.  There the sheriff and his deputy, Wilbur, question the teenager who refuses to answer any questions.  Through a turn of events, Sheriff Frazey relinquishes Timothy to the care of the Senecas, but he keeps a watchful eye on the teenager.  It seems to the sheriff that it is only a matter of time before Timothy causes trouble in the town.

Wilbur leads a double-life in the town.  He is not only the town deputy, but he is also the most available bachelor in the town.  When he's not performing his duties as a deputy, he is hitting on the single woman of the town.  He is confident that he will win one over at some point.

Doc Howard

One of the last doctors to make house calls, the old doctor looks after Timothy's illness after he is taken in by the Senecas.  His bedside manner is charming but Doc Howard has a difficult time figuring out if Timothy is a troublemaker or not.

Alexander R. and Rebecca Johnson

The prominent couple of the town and the proud parents of Iowa J., Alexander R. Johnson and his wife Rebecca operate the largest farm in the area, which is just south of Pleasantville.  Like their son Iowa, Alexander and Rebecca are very proud of their heritage and look forward to Iowa taking over things once he gets his head straight and marries Olivia Seneca.

Iowa's parents are excited to meet Timothy Reye and welcomes him into their lives.  If their son likes Timothy, he's got to be a good individual.

Stephanie Owens

Timothy's caseworker is the last person he wants to see, but Stephanie Owens is looking for him regardless.  Timothy Reye avoids her for good reason.  He does not want to return back to Children's Services.  There is a large mess that needs to be faced if she ever tracks him down.

Peter Richards and Paul Lyndell

Timothy is not the only one hurting in Children's Services.  Everyone wants the dream of a good family even though some don't admit to it.  Peter is one who does.  He hears Timothy's tales of life in Pleasantville, and Peter soaks them up like a sponge.  He would do anything to have the chance Timothy got.  Paul, on the other hand, is a bitter teen who would prefer it if Timothy never spoke at all.  Paul has given up hope of the possibility that he will ever find happiness.

Therese Wesleyan

Older sister to Mary Jane, Therese carries many of the same eccentric attributes.  Therese has odd and whimsical tastes.  She may love something at one point and later wonder why she ever liked it at all.  She is loyal to her sister though, and keeps Mary Jane's relationship with Timothy a secret.

Jason Remey

Jason runs the Farm and Feed store in town.  He is a friend of every farmer in the town and the uncle of Therese and Mary Jane Wesleyan.

Michael O'Brien, Adelina McNeal, Jesse and Bill

In Pleasantville, the barbershop is the social congregation hall for the men.  Patrons come to visit even if they don't need a haircut.  Old man Jesse runs the place.  Michael O'Brien is an Irish barber who works for him.  Michael is a very knowledgeable person and doesn't mind sharing his intellect with others.

The three barbers in the shop are also a part of a barbershop quartet.  Phillip Millington, who's store is right across the street, makes up the forth member of the quartet.

Angelina McNeal works at the clothing store Lenora's, which is just down the road from the barbershop.  She has a beautiful voice and loves to sing with the quartet on occasion.  Angelina is also single and is seeking a life companion when one can be found.

Bill is not an employee of the barbershop although he hangs out there a lot.  Bill is a friend with Phillip Millington and goes fishing with Bob Farthing and him.  Bill is stubborn to accept Timothy Reye, but eventually has to when Mr. Millington decides to take Timothy under his wing.

Mr. Thompson

Timothy Reye can't be trusted any further than one can throw him.  This is the philosophy of Mr. Thompson, the elderly fellow who runs the ice cream shop.  It's actually a wonder that Mr. Thompson runs the business he does, because he takes a great pleasure in telling horrifying ghost stories and coming across as generally grumpy.

Mayor Benjamin Theadore Smythe

Proud Mayor of Pleasantville, Ben Smythe takes part in all community events.  He comes with some surprises as well when he wields his power to help his town citizens when necessary.

Bob Farthing

Better known for his small sleeping disorder, Bob Farthing is the fire chief in Pleasantville.  He is also a fishing buddy of Phillip Millington.

Judge Katherine Clarey

As a judge, Katherine Clarey comes across as one of the strictest.  She gets the chance to balance justice and mercy in a case that leaves the entire town of Pleasantville up in arms.

Farmer George P. and Emily Susan

The parents of Barbara Susan, Emily and her humble, farmer husband take a great loss when their barn catches on fire during a thunderstorm and burns to the ground.  Timothy Reye discovers the true compassion that neighbors ought to have for one another, when the Pleasantvillians come out to raise a new barn for the Susan family.

Mr. and Mrs. Wesleyan

They are the parents of Therese and Mary Jane.  Both show much concern when they find out that their youngest daughter has become infatuated with the nomad teenager, Timothy Reye.  Mr. Wesleyan decides that he must do something about it and forces the two to break-off their budding relationship.

It isn't long though until he rediscovers that Mary Jane and Timothy are continuing to see each other secretly.  When Mr. Wesleyan confronts the teenagers again, he is shocked to see that his wife has changed her mind about the relationship.

Mrs. Wesleyan finds something curiously interesting about Timothy, just like Therese and Mary Jane.  She loves the way he plays songs she knows on her piano.  She takes a fondness for the young man when she sees how well he treats her youngest daughter.

Mrs. Howell

Not all the guardians like Timothy Reye, especially Mrs. Howell.  She is the frail mother of Renee Howell.  Mrs. Howell refuses to trust the teenage stranger even when others in the town do.

Coach Dale

Coach at Lincoln High, he is the one people turn to to lead all sporting events.  Coach Dale may be good at playing great athletes like Jack DeChamp, but sometimes he can't tell the potential of ragged-looking teenagers.

And Others...

Well, you'll just have to read the novel to find out.