Trashcan Man became a favorite of mine when I read the novel. I think others may feel the same way I do with him, thinking he deserved a better life.
I read the "uncut" edition, where the action happens during 1990. That book mentions Trashy lived in the "therapy" place from 10 to 13 years old.
It also mentions he listened to "Down to the nightclub" there, because the song was a hit back then. That would have been 1972.
So Trashy was anywhere from 10 to 13 in 1972. If we say "12", just to choose a number for this example, then he was born (assuming a January 1st birthdate, again, just for the example) in 1960.
That would make him 30 years old when Captain Trips happened in 1990 (or anywhere from 27 to 31).
What I would like to know (please help me if you have the info) is if any similar info about him is mentioned in the original book. I assume he sang his "bumpty, bumpty, bump" song in the original, as well (at least, I hope he did). In that case, is it mentioned when he first heard it?
If he heard it while on "therapy", and if he was there from 10 to 13 years old, then that would make him 10 years younger in the original, even younger than Nick Andros was.
By the way, in the 1990 version, Nick gives his birthdate (November 14, 1968), and states he is 22 years old. But during the summer, he had to still be 21, by the date he gives. So either he is 21 and already saying 22 months in advance, or he gave his birthdate wrong.
I read the "uncut" edition, where the action happens during 1990. That book mentions Trashy lived in the "therapy" place from 10 to 13 years old.
It also mentions he listened to "Down to the nightclub" there, because the song was a hit back then. That would have been 1972.
So Trashy was anywhere from 10 to 13 in 1972. If we say "12", just to choose a number for this example, then he was born (assuming a January 1st birthdate, again, just for the example) in 1960.
That would make him 30 years old when Captain Trips happened in 1990 (or anywhere from 27 to 31).
What I would like to know (please help me if you have the info) is if any similar info about him is mentioned in the original book. I assume he sang his "bumpty, bumpty, bump" song in the original, as well (at least, I hope he did). In that case, is it mentioned when he first heard it?
If he heard it while on "therapy", and if he was there from 10 to 13 years old, then that would make him 10 years younger in the original, even younger than Nick Andros was.
By the way, in the 1990 version, Nick gives his birthdate (November 14, 1968), and states he is 22 years old. But during the summer, he had to still be 21, by the date he gives. So either he is 21 and already saying 22 months in advance, or he gave his birthdate wrong.