FACE IN THE CROWD

created by OC,SH’s founder & Erika E, while in college, spring 1995
further written by OC,SH’s founder & now adapted for publication here

LAST TIME:
Story Setting & General Details

Also included below:
1971 Cadillac convertible
Plymouth Prowler introductory commercial
link to a vintage Cadillac brochure

Character Sketches

KEY
HR = hair
EC = eye color
H = height
W = weight

Family name: Rockingham
Home: mansion

Desmond
…age 63
…husband of Virginia
…retired lawyer
…HR = white with bald patches
…EC = blue-green
…H = tall
…W = slender
…distinguished, handsome look
…down to earth, with a degree of style
…conservative
…loves classical music
…grew up the son of a wealthy New York attorney & his wife
…received best education money could buy
…met Virginia at Harvard
…settled in Manchester AZ to be near the Chicago Cubs training camp in Mesa AZ, but became interested in the Manchester Phoenix & bought the team
…currently owns KMCE
…currently owns Rockingham Publishing Company
…is the type of person who has either owned, currently owns or probably will own anything in town
…vehicle, everyday: 2015 Mercedez-Benz sedan (buys a new car every year)
…vehicle, fun: vintage Rolls Royce coupe

Virginia
…age 62
…wife of Desmond
…housewife
…HR = golden, short, bunched
…EC = brown
…H = slightly shorter than Desmond
…W = medium
…overly-sophisticated
…over-bearing
…conservative
…loves classical music
…grew up in a southern CA mansion
…parents were filthy rich
…had best education money could buy
…met Desmond at Harvard
…plays piano, violin & flute
…believes all of her wishes should be fulfilled
…avid supporter of the fine arts
…vehicle, everyday: 2011 Lincoln Town Car (once Ford canceled the Panther platform, refused to buy a new car every year)
…vehicle, fun: 1971 Cadillac Eldorado convertible

Matthew
…age 31
…son of Desmond & Virginia (temporarily living with them)
…engaged to Michelle Croswell
…owner & chief operator of KMAZ-TV
…HR = light brown with pony tail
…EC = blue
…H = average
…W = slender
…athletically handsome
…outgoing
…somewhat liberal
…loves rock’n’roll music
…played in all types of sports through childhood, high school & college years
…never was a star player, but gave it his best
…loves parents dearly, but was the quintessential rebel in his younger years
…bought KMAZ-TV from his Dad so he could start his own life, but stay in Manchester
…asked Michelle to marry him during a romantic picnic dinner in Boulevard Park
…vehicle, everyday: 1996 Chrysler New Yorker
…vehicle, fun: 1999 Plymouth Prowler, which he knew he had to have after seeing the 1996/1997 Prowler commercial:

Amy
…age 25
…daughter of Desmond & Virginia
…works at KMAZ-TV (begged for her job)
…HR = straight, blonde, to the middle of her back
…EC = blue
…H = average
…W = skinny
…beautiful
…overly confident & snobbish
…hates politics
…listens to country & rock
…as only daughter, was pampered, especially by her mother
…forced to play piano & violin, but to her mother’s dismay, flatly refused to play the flute
…went through 5 boyfriends in high school & never was satisfied with their companionship
…always wants what she can’t have
…vehicle, everyday: 2014 Dodge Avenger

Richie
…age 20
…son of Desmond & Virginia
…boyfriend of Julia Manson
…student at Manchester University
…HR = long, curly, reddish brown
…EC = brown
…H = short
…W = skinny
…well-built, athletic
…sweet & naive
…not particularly interested in politics
…loves country music
…was “surprise” son, such that his Mom hates the fact that he came so “late” in her life
…his Dad loves him dearly to the point that he treats him well to compensate for his Mom’s “non-love”
…avid fan of the Manchester Phoenix
…loves Julia dearly
…vehicle, everyday: 2003 Honda Civic
…vehicle, fun: 1979 Volkswagon Beetle/bug

Family name: Rockingham
Home: town/condominium

Carl
…age 42
…son of Desmond & Virginia
…husband of Christine
…doctor at Pacemaker Memorial Hospital
…HR = thick, wavy, silver grey
…EC = blue
…H = tall (nearly as tall as his Dad)
…W = slender
…firmly-built & handsome
…compassionate
…sure of himself
…slightly less conservative than his parents
…listens to all types of music
…feels left out in many ways because he is the eldest child
…attended Manchester University so he could stay close to home to help his parents
…feels responsible for his parents’ well being
…married his 1st college sweetheart (yes, he dated a bit), but wonders who else might be out there for him
…vehicle, everyday: 2013 Lexus coupe

Christine
…age 43
…wife of Carl
…unaware of her younger sister
…writer
…HR = brown, short
…EC = striking blue
…H = tad shorter than Carl
…W = deceivingly petite
…naturally beautiful figure
…classy, yet down to earth
…enjoys a good rapport with her readers
…very liberal
…love country music
…grew up in Maine in a middle-class family
…parents died while she was in high school
…offered an English scholarship at Manchester University & chose to accept it to get away from her past
…married Carl because she felt she had to
…loves to write books & articles
…vehicle, everyday: 2013 Infini M56 sedan

Jenna
…age 23
…daughter of Carl & Christine
…psychology graduate
…waitress at Jackie’s
…HR = long, light brown
…EC = brown
…H = short
…W = stout
…serious
…bookworm
…flaming liberal
…loves R&B music
…strictly raised
…like her father, she feels responsible for her parents & privately vowed to stay in Manchester to be sure to help them as they grow older
…dearly loves her grandparents
…interested in psychology because she read (& watched) a lot of Stephen King novels during high school
…despite her family’s wealth, she applied for the job at Jackie’s to supplement her grad school expenses
…vehicle, everyday: 1998 Volvo S70 sedan

Donnie
…age 10
…son of Carl & Christine
…HR = short, sandy blonde
…EC = hazel
…H = short, small for age
…W = average for age
…shy
…momma’s & pretty boy
…as youngest child, is spoiled beyond belief
…loves his mother very much
…somewhat despises his father
…doesn’t have many friends

NEXT TIME:
continue character sketches