Bo

Bo is Ricky's best friend.  He is Ricky's best friend in Suntown and his helper twenty later when Ricky is a rodeo star.  Bo loves to play with guns.

Bo is simple-minded but true to those whom he endears his life to.  His great loyalty to Ricky, in fact, causes great tragedy in the second act.  

Bo had lived with Pearl until her death, years after the end of the first act.  She was a broken-hearted woman, meek and mournful.  Due to her living out away from the big metropolis, she even lived miles from Suntown, she felt cut off and disconnected from other parents.  Her only child was Bo and yet she felt over-burdened by him as a child, and as an adult later.  

Though Pearl doesn't appear in the play, her effect on Bo, and therefor on Ricky, is a strong detrimental one in which Bo feels like he has to make up for his own existence.  This effect carries over to his relationship with Ricky.  Of course, Ricky is glad to have such a stalwart friend and assistant, and although Ricky seems to feel that Bo could do some growing up (even as an adult), he feels good about having such a loyal friend.

Bo is tall and lanky, of humble appearance, in simple attire.