David Mayfair (Prequel)

## David Mayfair

* 2003-2006
* 2009-2010
* 2011
* 2019

"*We're lucky. There is no better time to be alive. The road has never been so vast...and I, for one, can't wait to see all of it. Cause I intend to see **all** of it. And I can...cause we're living at the perfect time. A **period of juvenile prosperity**. And I've got a lot of songs to sing about the things I'll see. [...] I was you once. Shivering in a boxcar, wondering where I'm going, not knowing how I'll get there. It's okay not to know. I didn't. Not for a **long time**. But I met people. People who **did** know where to go. And they showed me the way. Helped my new world make sense. They **saved** me. And I want to repay that debt. I **will**. I'm gonna do what they did for me. Save others, only if I can. [...] **Travis Rogers**, sweetheart,*"
—Travis to the girl on the train, as he decides to take on a new mission in life[src]

**David Mayfair** is the protagonist of *Juvenile Prosperity*. After running away from home at the age of 18, he left his old life behind as he drifted into the hippie punk scene and started travelling around the country, documenting his encounters as he went and eventually becoming the light-hearted singing vagabond **Travis Rogers**. Over the course of his journey, Travis becomes an inspiration to many other runaways seeking their own paths and truths, most of whom know him as the legendary vagabond **Mr Old Soul**.

## Biography

### Early Life and Background

David Andrew Mayfair was born sometime in June 1985 as the second and youngest child of Shaun and Hannah Mayfair, eight years after his older brother Ethan, into the prominent Mayfair Family. At a young age, David was selected to become the direct heir to the fortune of the family company, Mayfair Manufacturing, while his brother was selected to head up the company's oversees operations.

David grew up privileged yet detached from others, which only grew worse as he became older and developed yearnings for social outreach. His overbearing, abusive and controlling father prevented David from having any personal expression, forcing him to become a reflection of his own classist personality; as a result, he had very few friends. One of the few friends that he had, Bernard Robinson of the Robinson Family, gifted him a Walkman for his birthday, alongside a few tapes.

### Season 1

#### 'Brave New World'

In 2019, Travis Rogers wakes up from a nightmare, reaching for his bad shoulder as he does so. He breathes panically as he rubs his eyes, staring out the window of his motel room as he does. He walks over to the window and looks outside, paranoid, before going back to bed and hesitantly going to sleep.

In 2003, David Mayfair stands with his father while he makes a sizable donation to the local Whitehall Academy; David internally monologues that the donation was only made to secure his future place at the college. When the Mayfair family pose for a photo, David makes sure to cover the heavy bruising on his arms.

That evening, David is forced to eat dinner with his family, where he is berated by his father for asking the chef for a medium-well steak. Both he and Ethan are forced to listen to their father as he monologues about their duty as Mayfairs, and now that David is eighteen he will be expected to meet a partner and father more members of the Mayfair line. David retorts that he does not want an arranged marriage, but his father shouts at him, telling him that they tried to give Ethan a choice in his partner, and that only brought shame to the family.

That night, David wedges his door closed and takes out his hidden Walkman. He places a tape of "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" into the player and relaxes on his bed. As he becomes absorbed in the music, he turns the volume up too high and as a result does not hear his father knock on his bedroom door. Shaun Mayfair, angered at David's supposed insolence, forces his way into the room and catches David listening to his music. David tries to keep his Walkman away but his father gets a hold of it and crushes it beneath his foot before proceeding to further insult and ridicule his son before escalating to strike his son in the face. David is saved by his mother, who distracts his father long enough for David to reach for his lamp and smash it over his father's head.

While his mother, brother and nephew look on in horror, David grabs his wallet and rushes past them and downstairs. Ethan tries to stop him, but David slips on some shoes and rushes outside of the manor. David gives a final look at his family before sprinting down the road, crying. He makes his way into Lillian and, upon seeing a police car, catches a bus. He counts the money in his wallet to discover he now only has $350 and his debit card. He stays on the bus until only he remains; when he finally leaves he takes a grey overcoat left behind by another passenger. Finding himself on the outskirts of Lillian, he is found by police and chased into a nearby trainyard. David ducks beneath a train and waits for them to lose him, but is forced to reveal himself when the train starts to move. With no other option, he jumps into a boxcar, finally losing the police.

As the night drags on and the temperature drops, David hides in the corner of the boxcar, shivering. He attempts to button up his overcoat, but his hands shake so much that he is only able to do up the top collar button before he gives up and hugs his chest. Suddenly, a gruff voice calls out from the other side of the boxcar, asking David for his reasons for running. David tries to ignore him, but the voice continues, revealing himself as an old man named "Gordon". The old man collapses to the floor and reveals that he is close to death. David asks if he wants to be taken to a hospital, but Gordon says he has lived on the road his whole life and definitely won't stop at the end of it. He gives some advice to the young David to never go back to what he is running from, and to literally become "someone else". He offers David his bag and supplies before dying in peace. David closes his eyes before taking the bag and finally falling asleep.

The next morning, David jumps off the train just as inspectors arrive and find Gordon's body. He rests on a rock on a grassy hill and looks through the bag, finding a battered journal reciting Gordon's experiences in the Vietnam War, alongside some food, water and a map of the U.S. He makes his way into a nearby town and buys some more food and a pair of black leather boots to replace his ruined shoes. Liking his new look, he notices a discount record store. He enters and looks around, saying hello to the Store Clerk.

David, unaware that the Clerk is approaching him, notices records by Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers, focussing on their last names. As the Clerk asks how he can help, David suddenly lightens up and answers in a thicker southern accent and stronger drawl. He appears suddenly more confident and articulate. He asks how much the records and headphones are, and hands the Clerk $15. The Clerk asks if he wants the headphones personalized, and David says he does; when the Clerk asks his name, David hesitates before finally answering: "Travis Rogers". He then slips the clerk a $20 bill and says that the clerk never saw him, to which the clerk nods. Leaving the store, he puts on the headphones and dances through the streets with a sense of glee he has never felt before, before going into a full sprint as the song quickens.

As he makes his way down a country lane, he spots a scratched black guitar half-buried in the dirt. He retrieves it and takes an instant liking to it, unaware that someone is watching him from a truck in the distance.

#### 'By No Means'

Over the course of several weeks, David slowly abandons his real name and instead uses his new alias, Travis Rogers. He heads further west by jumping on trains and hitchhiking, earning a few dollars by busking with his new guitar, which he has given the name "Gordie" - named after the homeless man he met in the previous episode. He has since gained a guitar case - which he uses as a seat - and a sleeping bag. He has continued to wear his grey overcoat, having kept the top button done up instead of doing up the other buttons, and spends his spare time reading Gordon's journal and further learning of his experiences in the Vietnam War.

Travis wakes up having slept beneath a water tower, wakened by the dripping water and having used his guitar case as a pillow. He heads into town and has soup with several other homeless men, including one named Terry. Travis expresses his wish to move on, and Terry warns Travis of a group of youths who often attacked homeless people on their way out of town.

Travis returns to his campsite and packs up the rest of his things before moving out of town. While walking past plains of corn, he is approached by a truck full of tatooed hippies, who invite Travis to a party. Remembering Terry's advice, Travis refuses. The strangers press the offer but eventually drive off. Soon after, however, Travis is approached by a second truck, who draw Travis in with weed and food.

Travis jumps in the truck and quickly becomes friendly with them. They drive to an abandoned farm, where a party is in full swing. Travis plays some guitar for the group before jumping into the party, drinking too much and falling unconscious.

When he awakens only a few people are left, smoking drugs around a fire. Travis joins them and quickly becomes uncomfortable as the talk amongst the group slowly becomes more violent and racist. Travis spots his open bag beside one of the men, and is threatened with knives when he tries to take it back. They force him into another room where one of the men tries to sexually assault him. Travis fights back by smashing his attacker around the head with a stone, grabs his guitar and rucksack and rushes into the cornfield. He evades capture long enough for him to escape back to the road, where he collapses from shock and exhaustion. He repeats to himself once more to "not go home" and continues walking along the road and past the cornfields.

Another truck - in fact the first one to have offered him a ride that evening - pulls up to him asking if he needs a ride. Travis, still in shock, refuses, but a girl reassures him and he jumps in. He snaps a photo of two of the women in the truck as the sun begins to rise. Now wise to how cruel his new life will be, Travis says goodbye to the group as he crosses the state line into Kansas, finally leaving Illinois behind.

#### 'Lost Boys'

Travis wakes up on a hillside early in the morning. Wiping his eyes, he watches the trainyard at the bottom of the hill. He retrieves "Gordie" from his guitar case and plays a simple tune in the peaceful morning mist. Eventually, a guy named Vince grabs Travis by the shoulder, complimenting him on his music. He then tells Travis to pack up as it is revealed that Travis has joined a group of youths, the Lost Boys, who slowly wake up and pack up to head into a nearby town. Before he leaves, Travis takes out his camera and photographs the yard.

#### 'Chaos Theory'

Immediately after meeting Pennywise, Travis heads into the city of Concordia with the con-artist with the promise of cash in exchange for protection.

[...]

One of the goons goes for Travis with a broken bottle, but he reacts fast enough to grab the goon's arm and swing the bottle into Douglas' abdomen, fatally injuring him. As Douglas starts to bleed out, Travis is attacked by the other goons, who kick and beat him before another begins to strangle him with a length of rope. Just as Travis begins to pass out, police sirens approach and the gang flees, leaving Travis alone in the alleyway.

Travis wakes up in a hospital bed in incredible pain. A nurse feeds him and gives him pain relief, before telling him a police officer is waiting to speak with him. The detective - a young Katherine Brannigan - reveals that the police have discovered his true identity as David Mayfair, and his family have been alerted and Ethan is on his way, due to arrive in the morning. Travis starts to panic, begging Brannigan to contact his family and tell them they made a mistake, but Brannigan refuses, due to his father Sean making a passionate plea for his son to return. Knowing that this plea is fake, Travis plans to escape.

That night, Travis spots Wise sneaking down the hallway and gets his attention, demanding that Wise help him escape for all the trouble he has caused him. Wise reluctantly agrees and together the two of them sneak past the hospital staff, recovering their gear. Their path is blocked by a security guard, and so the pair force their way through a staff exit and run from the hospital as the alarms blare. They escape into the parking lot and steal a car.

After several hours of driving, Travis asks Wise to let him out. The two say their reluctant goodbyes and Wise drives off. Travis starts walking, but Wise suddenly returns. He tells Travis that the few hours they have spent together have been fun, and with their combined skills - Wise's schemes and Travis' guitar and singing talent - they can make a lot of money. Travis gladly agrees and the two drive off for greener pastures.

#### 'Oh Dear Traveller'

For many weeks, Travis and Pennywise travel west towards California, pulling off scams along the way; their most successful crimes involve Travis busking and attracting a large crowd, while Wise pickpockets those present.

Travis and Wise eventually end up at the California coast and party at a gathering on the beach; Travis eventually ends up taking control of the entire stage, the crowd captured by Travis' simple yet captivating talent. Wise carries on as normal, pickpocketing anyone unaware enough for it to be easy until he is offered heroin. He appears terrified before fleeing the party.

Travis ends his performance much to the crowd's disappointment and walks over to his friend. He questions Wise on his nervousness, but he brushes it off. He then proclaims his admiration for Travis' control over such a large crowd and then has an idea: an official stage act, where they could charge audience members. Wise then thinks up a scheme to secretly overcharge their audiences, and the two of them can move on before anyone knows otherwise. Travis asks how that is even possible, but Wise says to trust him.

The two then spend the evening smoking pot as they try to come up with names for their act; Wise suggests "Old Soul and Pennywise", before Travis finally comes up with the much simpler "Rogers and Wise".

#### 'Wisdom'

One year after starting their Rogers and Wise stage act, Travis and Wise have earned several thousand dollars by ripping off people all across California, while also garnering a reputation among the bohemian culture of California.

#### 'Community'

Following Wise's tragic death, Travis has reverted back to the despondent David Mayfair, drifting around but never far from the beach where he buried Wise. He has regular hallucinations of Wise and cries himself to sleep most nights. He sets up camp on a hill overlooking a beach and finally decides to end his life, trying but failing to walk into the ocean. He remembers Vince's words about "dying in a place where you can't stop yourself" and steals a car. He says one last goodbye to Wise's grave, packs his gear and drives off.

Travis drives into the Nevada desert and stops at a gas station to smoke. Suddenly, a young woman with blue hair runs from the gas station and jumps into Travis' car, telling him to drive. Travis panics and complies, seeing the owner with a shotgun running outside in his rearview mirror. Travis asks the girl where she wants to be let out before recognising her from over a year before: one of the members of the other homeless group that the Lost Boys had encountered. The girl, in turn, recognises him and his guitar case. She tells him to drive east.

They eventually arrive at a dry lake. They stop for a rest, but Travis shows her how to hotwire the car and says it is now hers and she can leave. He then wanders out into the desert, deciding to end his life in the one place where he cannot be saved. He lays down on the desert floor, determined to die. Unexpectedly, the girl stands over him and throws him a water bottle, telling him to stand up and come with her. Completely despondent, Travis complies and sits in the car while the girl drives. She introduces herself as Athena.

A day later, they arrive in Fort Worth, Texas. Athena leads Travis through the streets and into a secluded, abandoned string of warehouses. Athena welcomes Travis to the Burrows, a community of homeless people. She runs the community's rules by Travis: everyone has a job, and everyone pulls their weight. She says she believes that Travis could fit in, but Travis does not answer.

That night, Travis wakes up from a nightmare and decides he cannot stay in one place anymore, haunted by hallucinations of Wise. Travis uses the cover of night to sneak out of the warehouse but is caught by a man named Isaac. He says that he cannot remember the last time that Athena recruited someone to the Burrows, and that must mean she truly believes in Travis. Travis refuses to stay and leaves.

That morning, Travis looks at train ticket times to head back to Illinois. As he waits in line, he hears a band playing outside the station. He heads outside and sees four homeless men playing a tune. After some hesitation, he approaches and sits down with them before playing the intro to "House of the Rising Sun". Slowly, the four men join in, and the five of them attract a large crowd. They then busk for several hours, after which Travis asks them if they have somewhere to stay.

Travis returns to the Burrows with the four men, and they introduce themselves as "Mr Old Soul and his Merry Men". They play a cover of Phil Collin's "On My Way", with Travis' skill and charm winning over the community. As he plays, he smiles and winks at Athena; she whispers to Isaac that she made the right choice.

#### 'Dew Drops and Fairy Tales'

Eighteen months after arriving at the Burrows, Travis has settled into the community well, having risen to become a popular figure. He has grown close to Isaac and Athena but is clearly still having trouble residing in the community, as he has been found sleeping on the streets by Isaac on several occasions.

#### 'Hell Is Full'

Continuing on immediately from the previous episode, Travis greets his brother Ethan, nonetheless shocked that he managed to find him. Ethan, for his part, is horrified at Travis' dirty, dishevelled appearance.

Ethan brings Travis back to his motel room but Travis refuses to shower. Ethan questions Travis on his abandonment of the Mayfair name, and Travis responds with their family's history of taking advantage of less-privileged folks, using their misfortune to build up their own power and fortune. Ethan shouts him down, saying that with his family's money Travis could help others; Travis, however, knows that the family's board will never let him do that. He then recites the adventures of his life on the road, particularly the idea of personal freedom that he has been granted for the first time in his life. Ethan cuts him off, asking whose blood is on Travis' coat; Travis stops and goes silent. Ethan sits down and hardens his stare, asking if the blood belonged to a hobo or a cop. Travis simply says "Both".

[...]

David picks up "Gordie" and vows "one last time", before playing a slow cover of "Ooh la la" by the Faces. When he finishes, he turns around and sees Ethan in the doorway, a tear in his eye. He retreats for a few moments before returning with David's overcoat in hand. He throws it at David before giving him back his guitar case, and then leaves the motel. David cries ecstatically and he puts on his overcoat - buttoning up only the top collar - before retrieving his bag, putting Gordie in its case, takes his walkman and Gordon's journal, before leaving the motel and returning to the road.

Travis returns to Fort Worth and to the Burrows but finds it mostly abandoned and populated by drug addicts, disheartening him. He finds Athena's shack but finds no trace of her, aside from a letter addressed to him, saying that "the world is small" and that they will find each other again. Depressed, Travis makes his way up to the roof, where he and Athena first slept together. Remembering Isaac's words of wisdom - "You want to help, right? So help," - Travis smiles, filled with a new sense of purpose. He leaves Fort Worth behind and eventually tracks down Watson. He asks if their deal from over a year ago is still valid and hands Watson a set of lyrcis. Watson smiles and invites Travis into the recording studio.

Weeks later, on the New Year, Travis hops onto a train and finds a young girl shivering in the corner. Reminding him of his encounter with Gordon, Travis sits down and plays the girl a melody, echoing Gordon's advice about reinventing herself and never going back to what she is running from. He then gives her Gordon's journal, saying that "This was my friend's. Then it was mine. Now it is yours" before handing over the journal to the girl, as well as some supplies. In the melody, he vows to help other young runaways, giving them advice and guidance. He then performs "The Ballad of Travis Rogers", a tale about the past three years of his life and the people he met that transformed him from David Mayfair into Travis Rogers.

Before finishing his song, the girl asks Travis his name. With a final flourish of his guitar, he smiles and replies "Travis Rogers, sweetheart" as the episode ends.

### Season 2

#### 'King'

In 2009, three years after he met the girl on the train, Travis has remained committed to his mission to help other young runaways. His hair has darkened from dark blonde to brown, his face has aged and his body has thinned. He walks through the streets of Dallas to the beat of "*Stayin' Alive*" and gives change to a homeless man. As he does so, his sleeve lifts to reveal a series of track marks that he quickly covers up.

### Season 3

#### 'Wish You Were Here'

Just as the sun begins to rise in the Nevada desert, Travis wakes up with a cry, clutching his still-bleeding side. Reaching into his coat, he pulls out Matthew's canteen, which stopped the bullet but broke in the process, badly injuring him. Travis rolls over to Philip Young's body and tears off parts of his shirt before wrapping it around his body, using the fabric to apply pressure to his torso and slow the bleeding. Checking that all of Archibald's henchmen have left, Travis stands and begins limping across the desert. He stops at a small group of rocks, from which he retrieves his bag of essentials, including a bottle of water. Still bleeding heavily, Travis ties his coat around his waist an d sets off towards the road.

Travis walks for several miles along the road; the blood loss, exhaustion and dehydration eventually cause him to start hallucinating. He stops himself from heading to a mirage in the distance and sees a hallucination of Wise beckoning him into the desert. He catches some shade before realizing that he has reached a billboard. Knowing civilization is close, he presses onwards. Near death, he hears an engine nearby and hails the driver, collapsing as the vehicle stops to help him.

Hours later, Travis wakes up delirious and bedbound, his injuries cleaned, stitched and bandaged. He tries to sit up but cries out in pain, drawing the attention of his saviour, a young man with a punk asthetic. The man stops Travis from sitting up and gives him some water, introducing himself as Tommy. Travis asks how long he has been out, and Tommy tells him that it has been a day since he and his sister, Minerva, found him by the side of the road. He offers to take Travis to a hospital, but Travis begs him not to; Tommy continues to offer, but instead Travis asks him if he has been an RV with a blue stripe down the side. Tommy says he hasn't and asks if there is anyone that Travis can contact. From the driver's seat, Minerva says that she is driving to a motel where Travis can try to contact somebody.

### 2019

A year after leaving Finn's Commune, Travis has continued travelling around the country for an unknown purpose. He stays in a motel in the middle of the desert, finding it difficult to sleep due to paranoia and his bad shoulder. He wakes up early morning after a nightmare, and checks outside his window, seemingly terrified, before going back to sleep.

## Overview

### Physical Appearance

Already skinny with a mild build before his life on the road, David significantly thins out over the course of his journey, but he also becomes heavier-built as his fitness greatens from extensive travelling. Over the years, his hair grows out, leading to him keeping it back with a metal circlet, before abandoning it upon beginning his travels with Pennywise. At first he sweeps his hair to the right side of his head, but as his hair grows longer he begins to tie it back. Six years into his life on the road, his hair has darkened to a lighter shade of brown. He also now has track marks on both of his arms, reminders of his own struggles with addiction. The fingertips of his left hand have become completely calloused from extensive guitar playing.

In the present day, Travis' body has become scarred, calloused and thin thanks to his rough life. His hair has completely darkened to brown and he has permanent dark bags under his eyes. He has also grown a messy beard.

### Personality

David Mayfair is a depressed and restless young man who takes advantage of his family's wealth, all while idolizing the stories and tales of the men of the road. He believes his family takes advantage of those that they see as beneath them and that this is the source of their wealth, and that he is a product and heir of their selfishness. David has few social skills due to his father preventing him from interacting with poorer children, embedding the same snobbish and classist behaviour in his son. David also suffers from depression and a severe lack of social skills.

After finally running away from home, David retreats into his new identity of Travis Rogers: a charismatic, calm, light-hearted and charitable personality that is an amalgamation of the numerous country and vagabond tales he listened to and read about throughout his childhood, as well as the many people he meets on his journey. At first, Travis was a shield for David's traumatic experiences, as well as an alias to keep his true identity hidden in fear of discovery. However, over the course of David's adventure, Travis gradually becomes his dominant persona - a more cheerful, cunning, sociable, pragmatic and carefree version of his true self. David's true self typically emerges whenever he faces a dangerous or uncomfortable situation, most notably when he was attacked by Douglas's goons; whenever he believes he is at risk of discovery; and following Wise's unfortunate death. As Athena helps him come to terms with the brutal things he has seen, Travis begins to demonstrate an almost troubling departure from the rules and norms of society, including condoning defending the Burrows by any means necessary, even murder.

Travis Rogers finally becomes the full and true version of David Mayfair after his older brother Ethan - who had spent several years tracking his brother - allowed him to leave and live his life as he decides. Now knowing he is completely free, all negative aspects of David have gone from Travis, with him now deciding to improve the lives of others, especially other teenage runaways, the same way that the many people he encountered on his journey had, in his own words, saved him.

By 2009, Travis has become a veteran of the road, having largely abandoned his past identity as David Mayfair and stayed committed to helping other runaways. However, his relative apathy has evolved into a streak of narcissism, stylizing himself as the "King of the Bums". He continues to be haunted by the death of Pennywise and is recovering from his own year-long struggle with addiction, which has heightened his depression and his detachment from society. Upon meeting Melody, Travis decides to rededicate himself to his mission and forms the Fr8ers both to keep Melody safe from those who want to use her unique powers and also to fulfil his mission. In the process, he rediscovers much of his more light-hearted old self and becomes Melody's guardian and father-figure.

Nonetheless, for the majority of his first year with the Fr8ers he appears to be very out of his depth as a leader; while extremely committed to guiding and protecting his group, he acts more like another member rather than their leader and an example to follow. His leadership skills improve as the Fr8ers begin their return to the west as they flee from the Robinson Family and their enforcers, stepping up to offer true guidance for their personal issues and traumas, becoming the example that he intended to become when he first committed himself to his mission.

During the Fr8ers' conflict with Archibald Robinson, Travis' dark side becomes much more apparent.

## Powers, Equipment and Abilities

### Powers

* **Supernatural perception:** Although David/Travis does not possess any overt supernatural powers, he does possess an ability to detect those with such powers; he perceives this as waves of strange energy, describing it as feeling like "when you stand next to a power line and you feel the electricity on your skin". It is not clear if this is an "Awoken" ability or something that he is simply attuned to due to growing up with Karen Moore, but it nonetheless allows him to "detect" those who are "Awoken".

### Equipment

"*A vagabond always needs his instrument,*"
—Travis Rogers[src]

* **"Gordie":** "Gordie" is David's nickname for the ruined black guitar that he found on the side of the road as he left St. Charles and spent the next few years restoring; in *Kings of the Road*, David continues to carry this guitar, at which point he has restored it to look almost like new. The guitar is one of the core aspects of David's life as Travis Rogers. The guitar is named for Gordon.
	+ **Capo:** Due to the guitar's high action, Travis almost always plays with a capo, usually on the first fret. The capo he has used since 2006 has been a metal capo given to him by Athena, which is his last momento of her aside from her letter.
	+ **Guitar case:** Travis carries "Gordie" in a black guitar case, which he brings with him wherever he goes and he is rarely seen without it. He refuses to abandon it despite the limitations brought on by carrying the case around, and it is a key aspect of his appearance. Thanks to the case having two shoulder straps, he wears it with his backpack over the top.
* **"Zoe":** In *Season 2*, when the Fr8ers take an RV, Travis discovers a black-and-white electric guitar that he nicknames "Zoe", composing the song of the same name with the instrument. This guitar is absent in *Kings of the Road*, and it is owned by Matthew by the events of *MindBlown*.
* **Polaroid SX-70/Nikon F4:** David documents his experiences and the people he meets with a polaroid SX-70 and a package of film that he found in the bag given to him by Gordon. When film for the camera discontinued, he switched to a Nikon F4, although he has kept the polaroid for sentimental reasons, and sometimes sells his photos to other vagabonds.
* **Coat:** Travis is rarely seen without his grey overcoat, which he acquired on his first evening as a vagabond.
* **Backpack:** Travis carries Gordon's backpack throughout his journey across the states. The backpack is very compact and can contain a lot of equipment, including Travis' bedroll, food and various tools.
	+ **Miniature stove:** Found by Travis in Gordon's backpack, he has used the miniature stove virtually every day for every meal during his life on the road.
	+ **Multitool:** Travis' handy multitool includes two knives, a screwdriver, pliers, a bottle opener and a pair of scissors.
	+ **Sharpie:** Travis uses various sharpies to mark routes and safe spots both for himself and other vagabonds.
	+ **Pepper spray:** Travis' main form of defence is a can of pepper spray, which he can quickly deploy in tense situations such as when he is being mugged or assaulted.
	+ **Bedroll:** Travis sleeps in the bedroll gifted to him by Gordon.
* **Boots:** Travis' black leather army boots are designed for long-distance walks. Travis has taken extensive care over the years to repair and clean them.

#### Former Equipment

* **Glock 17:** During *Season 3*, Travis carries a Glock 17 that he took from Philip Young and uses it several times during the Fr8ers' mission to rescue Bernadette from her father. When the Fr8ers finally rescue her and leave the west behind, Travis decides to bury the gun at their abandoned campsite.

### Abilities

* **Musical talent:** Despite having no previous musical experience, David demonstrates a quick learning ability, to the point that his talent is enough to win over entire crowds. It is very likely that he has perfect pitch, which explains his impressive ability to learn songs in very little time. He also has an impressive, intimate singing voice; it is noted that David sings in his real voice rather than the Southern-accented voice that he usually uses as Travis Rogers. He mostly plays fingerstyle, growing out the nails on his right hand to do so, and rarely uses a pick until *Season 2*.
* **Charm and Cunning:** With his handsome features and smooth voice, David usually finds no trouble in charming others around him while in his Travis Rogers persona. He has also become extremely cunning and resourceful during his time travelling with Pennywise, and he is able to quickly identify oncoming dangers, whether natural or human. His charm has also allowed him to take leadership of the Fr8ers.
* **Sense of direction:** As an experienced vagabond who has travelled widely across the United States, Travis has developed an excellent sense of direction, especially by 2009, to the point that he rarely follows maps or even road signs. He is able to navigate desolate environments with ease, including the vast expanse of the American southwest.
* **Endurance and athleticism:** Travis' experience with walking across the country has made him a durable hiker, and he finds no trouble in travelling across various terrains. His fitness also comes in handy when chasing after and climbing onto moving trains. Travis' impressive durability allowed him to survive a serious gunshot wound and a subsequent journey through the desert while battling blood loss and dehydration.

## Associated Deaths

### Murders committed by David

* Douglas - accidentally stabbed with a broken glass bottle in self-defence and died of blood loss
* Unnamed FWPD Officer - shot in self-defence and to avenge Isaac
* Philip Young - shot four times in the chest

### Deaths connected to David

* Pennywise - overdosed on heroin following an argument with Travis and died of hypothermia after spending the night on a cold beach
* Train Girl - killed while attempting to jump onto a train

## Relationships

### Ethan Mayfair

"*Why are you here?"
 "Why do you think?"
 "Cause you've been following me around?"
 "Because you're my brother, and I ain't about to let you die in some smack den,*"
—Travis meeting Ethan, discovering his brother put him in rehab[src]

David and Ethan had a good relationship in their youth but became distant as they grew older.

Two years after their last meeting, Travis had become a heroin addict and decided to finally overdose. He was saved by a private investigator that Ethan had hired to secretly follow Travis around, and Ethan paid to put Travis into rehab. As he made a steady recovery, Travis was finally confronted by his brother.

### Shaun Mayfair

David and his father had an extremely hostile relationship. In adulthood, David recalls that he has no happy memories of his father, only remembering the abuse and the beatings he suffered at his hands. He does, however, give his father credit for his actions sparking David's transformation into Travis Rogers.

### Michael Mayfair

David cared greatly for his young nephew and urged him to be more independent of his family when he grew up. As shown before he ran away from home, David would often play with Michael, much to the hatred of David's father.

### Vince

"*You got an old soul, Travis. You're, uh...you're **Mr Old Soul**,*"
—Vince and Travis while they smoke[src]
Travis and Vince only knew each other for a brief time, but in that time they became good friends. Vince admired Travis' charm over others and his easygoing nature, while Travis aimed to share Vince's carefree attitude. Vince acknowledged Travis as an "old soul", eventually coming up with the term "Mr Old Soul" to refer to him.

Although they never saw each other again after they got separated, Vince's nickname for Travis - "Mr Old Soul" - would go on to be used by the singing vagabond as his stage name and later on as Travis' most famous moniker.

### Sadia

"*You ever been with a girl, Travis?"
 "Uh...well, uh..."
 "You're **about** to be,*"
—Travis and Sadia sleep together[src]
Travis and Sadia formed a good friendship during his time with the Lost Boys; of all the girls in the group, Travis spent the most time with Sadie. She often flirted with him, and Travis was advised by Matthew that she was just trying to make her ex-boyfriend, Craig, jealous. Travis initially ignores this and ends up sleeping with Sadia, losing his virginity to her. Although he wants something more, after this she appears more dismissive and he spots her looking at Craig while she is flirting him. Travis then attempted to avoid her and become friendlier with Craig. Travis never saw Sadia or any of the Lost Boys again after they became separated outside Concordia, but would encounter Matthew a few years later. According to Matthew, Sadia is in prison as of 2009.

### Matthew Wroe

"***You're** Mr Old Soul? [...] You're the most famous hobo in the southwest. Every drifter worth their boots has heard of you,*"
—Matthew upon finding out that Travis is Mr Old Soul[src]

During their time in the Lost Boys, Travis and Matthew became good friends, with Matthew being Travis' best friend in the group. As he had more experience with homeless life, Matthew often gave Travis advice to slowly break down Travis' relative naivety about life on the road, lessons Travis would always take to heart.

After Travis got separated from the Lost Boys outside Concordia, he was sure he would never see Matthew or the others again. Nonetheless, several years later, Travis - by now a veteran of the road and leader of the Fr8ers - encountered Matthew in a trainyard and invited his old friend to join him. The friendship between the two men has remained strong and has even taken a step further, with Travis joining Matthew and Marie in a threesome during which Travis and Matthew passionately kiss. When Matthew asks Travis to break up their polyamorous relationship, Travis reluctantly agrees, having developed feelings for both Marie and Matthew.

### Pennywise

"*Hey. You know I'm always going to have your back. You and me...we stick together. All the shit parts and all the good times. [...] **You're my brother**, Wise. That's just the way it is,*"
—Travis reassures Pennywise[src]
Travis and Pennywise form an extremely deep bond, coming to see one another as brothers over the course of their journey. It was Pennywise who instilled in Travis many of his skills and personality traits that have served him well during his life on the road. Pennywise's unfortunate death is also a major source of Travis' trauma and issues with addiction.

When they first began travelling together, they formed a deal where Travis would provide backup for Wise in exchange for money. As they explored Concordia, the two of them discovered they shared many personality traits and hobbies, including beer and weed, and spent a night on the town, bonding as they went. When the confrontation with Douglas and his goons turned bad, Travis stepped in to defend his new friend and was nearby killed in the process. Upon waking up in the hospital, Travis convinced Pennywise to help him escape, and together they stole a car and escaped onto the road. They split up after thanking one another for the time they spent together, before Pennywise returned and said that he wanted to spend more time with Travis, which, as a loner, he had never felt before. Travis happily agreed and they began heading west.

Over the course of their time in Nevada and California, the two men become closer and form a brother-like bond.

Following Pennywise's death, Travis becomes wracked with guilt, blaming himself and their final argument for causing Pennywise to overdose. He spends several days in the vicinity of the motel and the cove where he buried Wise before finally deciding to move inland and commit suicide in the desert. Although he is saved by Athena and brought to the Burrows in Fort Worth, Texas, Wise's death continues to haunt him. During his eighteen-month stay at the Burrows, Travis appears to come to terms with Wise's death but still mourns him privately, wearing his gold ring as a momento of his friend.

As Travis explains in "*Beautiful*", in the year after the fall of the Burrows he began travelling with a young woman who he met in the closing moments of the *Season 1* finale. Following her tragic death, Travis reverted to his despondent ways and began to hallucinate Wise again, leading to his own struggles with heroin, the same demon that brought around Wise's death. It is clear that Travis never recovered from Wise's death or his perceived role and used heroin in an attempt to become closer to Wise and see the world as he did - in Travis' own words, to "make the world make sense, just like he made it make sense". When Travis' addiction resulted in him having an overdose, leading to him spending time in rehab, he reevaluated his choice to abandon the mission that he committed himself to in "*Hell Is Full*" and decided to take it up again, forming the Fr8ers in Wise's memory. When he makes this confession to Bernadette - at the same time as he considers leaving behind his life as a singing vagabond - he finally realizes that Wise's own demons were responsible for his death and finds peace. Although he keeps Pennywise's ring until at least 2018, Travis finally finds the strength to move on and remember his friend as he was during their travels together, rather than the heroin-tainted memory that he has mourned for years.

Travis once more dreams of Wise after being shot and left for dead in the Nevada desert by Archibald Robinson, but this version of Wise is clean and happy. The "ghost" of Wise offers to guide Travis to "somewhere else" but disappears when Travis decides to keep living and not give up in order to reunite with the Fr8ers, his new family.

### Athena

"*...Maybe you're right about me. Maybe I am some **spoilt rich kid** on fucking vacation. But you haven't seen the things that I've seen. Done what I've done. And despite it all...I feel so **alive**! I'm...**free**! I'm finally free! [...] **I'm finally free!***"
—Travis defends himself from Athena[src]
Travis and Athena's bond grew from a friendly rivalry into a passionate relationship that, in their own words, neither of them were looking for but came to value above all else. Travis came to credit Athena with not only saving his life but also inspiring him to save himself from returning to his old life as David Mayfair; Athena, for her part, was looking for companionship - something she had not had for years - as well as a new "project" to work on, believing Travis would be an ideal fit for the Burrows but instead came to love him for who he was. Even into his mid-thirties, Travis still credits Athena as the love of his life, even though at that point the two of them had been separated for over a decade.

The two first met in an unknown town a few miles from Concordia, when Athena was still travelling and Travis was a part of the Lost Boys. The two exchanged looks from across a market and appeared to capture each other's interest; before he could walk over and talk with her, however, Athena smiled at him and stole an apple, quickly running away from the angry store owner. Travis would continue to think about her for several weeks.

The two again met almost two years later in the middle of the Nevada desert, when Travis stopped for a rest on his quest to commit suicide in the middle of the desert following the death of his friend Pennywise. Travis drove her away from a gas station that Athena had robbed, and the two recognised each other from their first encounter years before. A few hours later, after several chats, they stopped to smoke, at which point Travis showed her how to hotwire the car before walking off into a dry lake, where he lay down on the ground without water, deciding to die on the spot. Instead of leaving him, Athena approached and gave him water, telling him to get back in the car. She then drove him to Fort Worth, Texas, where she invited him to join the Burrows, a community of homeless people of which Athena served as a co-leader. Travis refused and almost purchased a train ticket back to Illinois, but decided at the last minute to return to the Burrows and serve as a musician at the community, leading a homeless band called Mr Old Soul and his Merry Men.

Over the next eighteen months, Travis and Athena would become close friends, the attraction between them growing stronger every day. When Athena discovered that Travis was, in fact, the missing multi-millionaire inheritor David Mayfair, she considered turning him in, deciding that the reward money would be enough to sustain the entire Burrows. Confronting him, Athena concluded that Travis took the hobo life for granted, to which Travis declared his total abandonment of his old life and all the benefits that came with it and, as a result, that he was finally free. Athena apologised, finally seeing that Travis was completely dedicated to his new life, and the two had sex at Athena's favourite spot: a rooftop near a highway that "sang" because of the weakened foundations. The two of them would continue their relationship for several weeks, and although neither of them admitted it the two fell in love.

Travis and Athena were separated during the corrupt FWPD cops' attack on the Burrows, who burned the community to the ground. Weeks later, when Travis returned to Fort Worth following an encounter with his brother Ethan, he found the community abandoned and a letter from Athena addressed to him. In the letter, Athena told him that she could not inform Travis of her current location or destination in case the police were tracking her, only telling him to never change and find his own mission in life. Carrying this letter for the rest of his days, Travis decided to undertake a new mission in life: helping other young runaways. Travis would continue to hold Athena in high regard, considering her the love of his life, and holding out hope that the two of them would eventually meet again; so hopeful was he that he wrote a message in his signature song - "The Ballad of Travis Rogers" - telling her to one day meet him at the "singing road" where their love was born.

### Isaac

Travis and Isaac were good friends during Travis' time at the Burrows, although Travis never told Isaac much about himself.

### Julia Charles

"*I left a place with no soul, **so I could find my own**. The way I want. [...] My life is my own. No one to rule me. Nobody but myself. [...] This is **my** road,*"
—Travis explains his newfound freedom to Julia[src]
Travis has a friendly relationship with his future sister-in-law, although he is nowhere near as close to her as he was to Karen, his previous sister-in-law and the real mother of his nephew Michael.

When Travis encountered Julia at the hotel party she expressed worry for his wellbeing and physical appearance, with Travis reassuring her that he was happy and that everything he had been through had been his choice. When she decided that she needed to inform Ethan of Travis' location, he begged her not to by expressing how good and free his life had become and how he was happier than he had ever been. When Julia promised to not reveal his whereabouts to his family, Travis thanked her and said that Ethan was a lucky man.

### Melody Jones

"*How did you do that?"
 "I told you: **I'm magic**,*"
—Melody and Travis[src]
Travis and Melody form a bond during their travels together around the United States, with Travis taking on responsibility for caring and guiding her, eventually becoming her guardian and father-figure.

### Bernadette

Travis and Bernadette have an incredibly close relationship, eventually seeing one another as brother and sister, to the point that Bernadette took on Travis' adoptive surname - Rogers - as her own, forming the Rogers family.

Unbeknown to Travis, Bernadette had already formed a friendship with him when they played together as children, due to their respecitve families having very close business ties.

## Notable Quotes

"*Don't go home. Don't go home. **Don't go home**,*"
—David repeats to himself to keep up his spirit and not give up[src]

"*Freedom has a price,*"
—Travis to Marv[src]

"*Nah. It's gotta be catchy. Short and punchy...I got it: **Rogers and Wise**!*"
—Travis suggests to Pennywise a name for their act[src]

"*You want to live this life, you gotta do it properly. We pay for food, booze and information. Maybe a ride. Never a train,*"
—Travis giving advice to Melody and Bernadette[src]

"*Which way is Bernadette? Which way is Athena? Which way is Melody?*"
—Travis talking to the "ghost" of Pennywise after being shot and left for dead by Archibald[src]

## Trivia

* The name "Travis Rogers" is a combination of country singers Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers.
	+ Travis is also known by his stage name **Mr Old Soul**, a nickname given to him to Vince.
* In *Juvenile Prosperity*, Travis is wearing the index ring he continues to wear in *Kings of the Road*. It is finally revealed to have belonged to Pennywise, and Travis wears it to remember his friend.
* Travis currently owns two guitars.
	+ The first, and his most iconic, is the black acoustic guitar he found at the beginning of his journey, which he nicknames "Gordie" after Gordon. The guitar is a major part of Travis' identity as a singing vagabond. He almost always plays with a capo on the first fret due to the guitar's high action, and as a result often plays it in half step down tuning (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb).
	+ The second is a black and white electric guitar he calls "Zoe" - after the town of Zoe, Kentucky - that he found on the Fr8 Train.
* Travis is the only recurring character to have a consistent outfit. His outfit has become a signature look.
	+ His grey overcoat, with only the top collar button done up
	+ Hooded under-jacket
	+ Red and blue checkered flannel shirt, although this varies
	+ A pair of tightened black trousers
	+ His narrowed leather black boots, which he has made efforts to maintain
	+ Pennywise's gold ring, worn on his right index finger
	+ A second ring made from a broken bronze guitar string worn on the right ring finger
	+ Large black guitar case, containing "Gordie", small equipment and music sheets
	+ Gordon's backpack, worn on top of the guitar case
* Many of Travis' scars in *Kings of the Road* are explored in *Juvenile Prosperity*.
	+ A rope scar on his neck and a gunshot wound in his shoulder, both sustained in his fight with Douglas and his goons
	+ A burn on his left shoulder, sustained during the FWPD's attack and burning down of the Burrows
	+ A series of track marks on both of his arms, reminders of his past heroin addiction
	+ A gunshot wound beneath his left rib, sustained at the hands of Archibald Robinson
* Travis is a fan of country music as well as both popular and obscure rock songs, most of which are about the road, love and drugs. Some of the songs he owns on his Walkman include:
	+ *The Gambler* - Kenny Rogers
	+ *1982* - Randy Travis
		- These musicians were the inspiration for David's alias.
	+ *Running On Empty* - Jackson Browne
	+ *Let Your Love Flow* - Bellamy Brothers
	+ *Stayin' Alive* - Bee Gees
	+ *Layla* - Derek and the Dominos
	+ *Ooh La La* - Faces
	+ *Take Me Home, Country Roads* - John Denver
	+ *Holding Out For a Hero* - Bonnie Tyler
	+ *You Don't Mess Around With Jim* - Jim Croce
	+ *Smells Like Teen Spirit* - Nirvana
	+ *Friday I'm In Love* - The Cure
	+ *Get It On* - T.Rex
	+ *Johnny B. Goode* - Chucky Berry
	+ *Purple Haze* - Jimi Hendrix
	+ *La Grange* - ZZ Top
	+ *Nothing Else Matters* - Metallica
	+ *Iris* - Goo Goo Dolls
	+ *Wish You Were Here* - Pink Floyd
	+ *Take On Me* - A-ha
	+ *Sweet Child O' Mine* - Guns N' Roses
	+ *On Melancholy Hill* - Gorillaz
		- Travis claims this to be his favourite song.
	+ *Life on Mars?* - David Bowie
	+ Judging by the lyric "*Breather, Sleeper*"in "*The Ballad of Travis Rogers*", it can be assumed that Travis is a fan of the obscure English shoegazing band Chapterhouse, specifically their song "*Breather*", though he hasn't yet been shown to listen to the song.
* David possesses a northwestern American accent; as Travis, he uses a typical southern accent that rarely slips, although some can tell that is it fake.
	+ It is noted by many people that David does not sing in the southern accent that he uses as Travis, but instead sings in his natural voice.
* Travis is one of the few characters to smoke both cigarettes and weed, with the only other people being Vince, from whom he most likely caught the habit, and Matthew.
* Of all places in the world to visit, Travis says he wants to visit Iceland, particularly the volcanic pools.
* As discovered by Alec, Travis has a Wikipedia page detailing his disappearance.
* Travis currently has the highest confirmed kill-count of any other character in *Juvenile Prosperity*, with three.
	+ The first was Douglas, who he accidentally killed by causing one of his goons to stab Douglas in the abdomen with a broken bottle.
	+ The second was an unnamed FWPD officer who killed Isaac and attempted to kill Travis during the fall of the Burrows, forcing Travis to kill him in self-defence.
	+ The third was Philip Young, whom Travis shot four times in the chest to prevent Philip from further pursuing Melody, Marie and Matthew.
* Travis is the second character in *Juvenile Prosperity* to suffer from heroin addiction, the other being Pennywise.
* Travis is a prolific songwriter, having composed several songs, e.g. "*The Ballad of Travis Rogers*", "*Trainyard Blues*", "*For Those Lost Souls*", "*Keep on Riding*", "*Smack House Apprehensions*", "*Black Windows*" and "*Zoe*", among others.
* Travis has expressed a strong idolization for both Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix; his favourite singer is Steve Perry of *Journey.*
* Travis' favourite guitar tuning is open D since he was introduced to it by Matthew.
* In "*Remember Us*", it is revealed that Travis is bisexual, or at least bi-curious, after he engages in a threesome with both Marie and Matthew and later develops feelings for both of them, only breaking it off at Matthew's request.
* Travis appears to have a liking for women with dyed hair, something all of his female sexual partners have had in common.
* Travis has a habit of working through stress via improvised dancing.
* Travis' birthday is sometime in late June, as indicated by Bernadette saying that Gorillaz's '"On Melancholy Hill" is a new release when she gives it to him as a birthday gift.
* Travis is the only character so far to have survived a gunshot wound, having survived two such injuries.
	+ The first was a gunshot to the shoulder that he sustained during his and Pennywise's fight against Douglas and his goons.
	+ The second was a gunshot to the abdomen given to him by Archibald Robinson.
* Travis has committed numerous crimes during his life on the road. These include theft, fraud, manslaughter, grand theft auto, murder and freighthopping .

## Behind the Scenes

* David's story is heavily inspired by Mike Brodie, the Polaroid Kidd, who trainhopped and hitchhiked his way around the US between 2004-2008, taking photographs of the people he encountered along the way. He published these pictures in two books, the first of which is titled "A Period of Juvenile Prosperity" - the inspiration for the series' title and parts of its plot - and the second titled "Tonnes of Dirt and Bone".
	+ The camera that Travis uses in *Juvenile Prosperity* - a Polaroid SX-70 - is the same type of camera that was used by Brodie for the first year of his trainhopping journey.
* Travis is also inspired by Doug Seegers, a homeless musician who busked around Nashville, Tennessee. He achieved fame after appearing on a Swedish tv show, eventually releasing "Going Down to the River" which went number 1 on the Swedish iTunes chart.

## References

1. ↑ Melancholy Hill
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Melancholy Hill
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Brave New World
4. ↑ Pool Shootin' Boy
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 King
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Girl of Blue
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 By No Means
8. ↑ Stayin' Alive
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Oh Dear Traveller
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Beautiful
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Wisdom
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Wish You Were Here
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lost Boys
14. ↑ Singing Road
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Chaos Theory
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Two Worlds
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 The Last Song
18. ↑ Hell Is Full
19. ↑ "The Ballad of Travis Rogers"
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Community
21. ↑ Remember Us
22. ↑ Dew Drops and Fairy Tales
23. ↑ The Polaroid Kidd
24. ↑ Doug Seegers - Strange Brew Interview