Benny Estrada

Benny has always had a strong interest in reptiles. After many years of keeping and breeding these critters, he came across  a hatchling alligator that somehow, another local reptile geek acquired. Benny offered the kid $100 bucks for it, took it in and named him Merlin. Benny had no intention of keeping Merlin forever, instead vowed to one day release him back into his natural environment. 

Aside from being illegal, gator's just don't belong in California! 

So the race was on, get Merlin big enough to release before getting caught with him.

7 years later, after many close calls with Animal Regulation, angry landlords, and a few bites, it was time to take Merlin

home...

Cody Harkins

Although friends since toddlers, Cody never shared Benny's enthusiasm for reptiles .....in fact,

 he hated them.

But being such good friends, he respected Benny's interest. He also  enjoyed watching them while in their cage, not to mention the bites Benny endured from time to time. When Benny called on Cody to join the cross country journey to release Merlin, he jumped at the opportunity for this unique adventure. But that was before he realized he'd be sharing the back seat of the rental car with Merlin...

Jack Lewars

Jack has known both Cody and Benny for many years. With his experience behind the camera, Benny asked Jack to come along and document the entire adventure. Knowing how the 3 of them are together, there was no doubt in Jacks mind that this would be a hilarious documentation of random acts of stupidity across the country.....

WITH A GATOR!

He always heard Benny claim he would free Merlin, and he couldn't wait to catch it all on camera...

Merlin

Merlin is an American Alligator. He was purchased by Benny as a hatchling from another kid who couldn't keep him. During his 7 years in captivity he outlasted several of Benny's girlfriends, bitten Benny 4 times, bit 2 of his girlfriends causing stitches in one case, bit several of his friends (sometimes on a dare), had 3 really close calls with Animal Regulation, was the reason for a near eviction from one apartment, out grew 5 enclosures, and attacked Benny's cat. At 5 feet, it wasn't going to be very easy traveling accross the country unseen...