Fictional Finances: Jack Carter from “Eureka”
To further their careers and increase their paychecks, some people go back to school for advanced degrees or work overtime in the hopes of earning a promotion. A higher salary means additional disposable income and prestigious platinum level credit cards that offer better rewards.
Former U.S. Marshall Jack Carter, the everyman hero on the television series “Eureka,” got his promotion purely by accident. An unplanned detour into a small town led to a new job, a higher salary and more spending power.
Running Off the Road into “Eureka”
In addition to their other duties, Federal Marshalls apprehend fugitives and transport prisoners, which Carter did in the very first episode of the series. Unfortunately, the young woman in his custody was none other than his rebellious daughter Zoe, who had run away from home.
While arguing with his child, Carter ran off the road and damaged his vehicle. He and Zoe then walked to the nearest town, a picturesque place in the Pacific Northwest called Eureka. Marshall Carter hoped to simply get his car repaired and take Zoe back home where she belonged.
During his stay, Carter discovered that Eureka actually contains some of the most brilliant scientific minds on the planet who develop new and innovative devices. With so much experimental technology, this town does, however, have one of the highest mortality rates in the country plus several government overseers.
From Federal Marshall to Eureka’s Sheriff
Though he may seem clueless at times, Jack Carter actually is quite good at his job, so good in fact that he ends up becoming Eureka’s new sheriff. This was a promotion from his Federal Marshall position that came with an increase in pay and pretty decent health benefits.
According to the Masters in Criminal Justice Web site, entry level Deputy Marshalls (GS-082-5) bring home between $36,658 and $41,260 each year and qualify for pension benefits. More experienced Marshalls (GS-082-7) can expect to earn as much as $46,969, but Carter’s gross income for his new job should be somewhere in the $50,000 to $60,000 range plus hazardous duty pay.
The Homeless Marshall
After taking his new position, Carter had to move from Los Angeles to Eureka, but there was no place for him to stay except for his office. Douglas Fargo, one of the local scientists, eventually let the new sheriff live in a prototype “smart house” guided by an artificial intelligence named SARAH. In exchange for testing the house and SARAH, Carter gets to stay there rent free.
What’s in Jack’s Wallet?
Despite his unusual job, Jack Carter is, at heart, a man who enjoys simple things like beer and baseball. He most likely has arranged to have his government paycheck deposited directly into his bank account, which he accesses with a debit card to purchase his favorite snacks, food and beverages.
In addition to groceries, Jack does take several meals at the Café Diem, the local Eureka eatery where Vincent, the head chef, can make just about any dish imaginable. Carter favors basic meals, though, like cheeseburgers and fries, which means he spends about $8 for lunch. The coffee always is free, however. It’s highly likely that Sheriff Carter also carries several credit cards to pay for his dry cleaning and other basic purchases required for his job.
The Out-of-Work Sheriff
The latest episode of “Eureka” ended with Carter losing his job as the town sheriff. Because Eureka is a government facility, Jack will have to leave town and return to his old job in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he’ll lose the additional pay that the sheriff’s job gave him, which may have a detrimental effect on his credit rating and spending power.
