HARRY & CHARLOTTE
Married. Parents of Suzie. Together they own and operate the Downtown Diner in the heart of Fairvale. Open 24-hours, the diner is the place everyone stops in when they’re on their way somewhere, on their way back, or just want to get out of the house. With an original 78 RPM Wurlitzer juke box at one end, a cigarette machine at the other, and an endless supply of hot coffee in between, there’s always a good reason to visit. Garrulous with the customers, even-handed with their staff, and conscientious in their duties, Harry and Charlotte together provide the diner with a warm and welcome atmosphere.Off the job it is a somewhat different story. While both Harry and Charlotte are highly, and equally, supportive of each other, and both are totally committed to their marriage and to the raising of their child, the strains and pressures of running the diner are very real and a greater burden than, perhaps, any of its patrons realize and have led the couple to experience some trying times. Suzie is the light of their life and should either one of them ever find themselves experiencing a moment of angst-ridden doubt, all that is needed is for them to spend some time in her company for it to be realized that there really isnít any other choice than to just keep on going.
The structure of their relationship is classic yin-yang. Harry is a willfully driven individual, but also a moody dreamer who often questions his decision to remain in Fairvale and catches himself manufacturing imaginary scenarios of his life had he left town and chosen a more adventurous career path. Charlotte, on the other hand, is a tough but compassionate realist. As far as she herself is concerned, hopes and dreams are considered nothing but a waste of time and energy. Do a good job and keep a clean house, buy fruits and vegetables in season: life has its moments, enjoy them when you find them. The capacity to hope and dream, which Charlotte does in fact possess, she keeps in reserve for her daughter.