Dale Alvin Gribble was born on a farm in Heimlich County, Texas to politically progressive parents Nancy and Bug Gribble. Dale had an uneventful childhood and average education, though he showed an early interest in conspiracy theories, scandals, and government cover-ups. After graduating high school, Dale married his sweetheart Nancy Hicks and they moved into a trailer home together in Arlen, Texas. Nancy pressured Dale into finding steady work to support them. Dale struggled, harboring delusions of becoming a professional exterminator though lacking proper training or certification. He found menial jobs mowing lawns and doing yardwork around Arlen. Dale's life changed when he discovered that Nancy was pregnant with their son, Joseph. Terrified at the prospect of fatherhood and responsibility, Dale had a psychological break and took on the persona of "Rusty Shackleford" to avoid coping with his life's harsh realities. As Rusty, Dale descended into a world of paranoia, suspicion,