Oklahoma Dust Bowl, 1934. 18-year-old Ben Hawkins is a young man who  lives with his physically sick, God-fearing mother. After his mother  dies from a long illness, Ben unceremoniously buries her in the back  yard of his home which is then repossessed for outstanding late  payments. Ben is taken in by a traveling carnival troupe (titled  Carnivale) and becomes acquainted with the residents who include the  kind-hearted dwarf owner Samson; his right-hand man and head rigger  Clayton Jones; Gypsy tarot reader Sofie; the bearded lady Lila; girlie  tent owner Felix "Stumpy"