[K5pbem] Help with some character ideas!

[Mike Surbrook]

On Tue, 11 Apr 2006, Mark Fentz wrote:

> Mike Surbrook <susano at guisarme.net> wrote:
> Here is my initial idea:
>
> Pallant is an American and is in his mid-twenties (maybe five years older
> than Sora-Hime, who's roughly 21 or so). As he was 24-25 in 1928, he was
> too young for World War I, but his older brother may have served (as a
> pilot, I am thinking). In his late teens and early twenties he was a
> barnstormer and picked up his flying skills. He ended up traveling to the
> Far East to seek his fortune. There, he met an Australian bush pilot and
> teamed up to create a one-plane transport company, servicing the South
> Pacific.
>
> Along the way, the pair picked up a full-time mechanic and... someone else
> (Sora-Hime comes last).
>
> My rough idea for the cast and their roles is as follows:
>
> Captain Lance Pallant -- Captain of the Airracuda, pilot, and co-owner.
> Has the Crack Pilot Talent (or similar super skills).
>
> Australian (male) -- Co-pilot, navigator, co-owner. Not sure if he's the
> "brick" of the team or not.
>
>   Definitely the brick in my mind.  Should be the survival expert if
  only because everything in Austrialia can kill you.:)  Archtypical
  friendly, good natured big guy.  Might have a little trouble fitting into
  the cockpit but a rock steady pilot.

I like this.

> French (female) from Vietnam -- linquist (French, English, Vietnamese, and
> so on), and stewardess (possible feme fatale type), high COM, assorted
> Talents relating to her looks. Possibly she's mixed Vietnamese/French. She
> could be the mechanic -- but that's been done.
>
>   I can see her more being the business manager.  Someone needs to keep
  the books and balance the cash flow.  And with the social skills that
  also means she can negotiate deals.  Especially if there is some French
  diplomatic background with her. Also a good chance to work in the little
  used Vietnamese martial arts.  Stewerdess is just something to do during
  the flights.  Obsessively clean, unlike...  I really like the idea of the
  Vietnamese/French mix.

Hah! Awesome! I love the business manager idea. Perfect place to put her.

>  Unknown fourth character. The mechanic? Or the really strong lifter of
> crates and things. No idea as to nationality -- might be British and from
> Hong Kong.
>
>   Scottish would almost be stereotypical.  :) But English or Welsh
  definitely.  Even Cockney.    I just get in my mind "Sorry, guv, she's
  done for.  I'll need to kludge up a new carborator."  Could be the
  powerhouse but just as likely to be the wirey guy who can get into tight
  places, especially for those in flight repairs.  Typically grease
  smudged.  Could even be a bit of a rogue on the side.

The wirey guy is perfect. I think having him ex-Royal Navy works, thus his 
engine experience. Gives him some experience with the world and hecna hail 
from Hong Kong.

So, we have an American male, Australian male, French/Vietnamese female, 
English male, and a Japanese female.

-- 
Michael Surbrook
susano at guisarme . net http://surbrook.devermore.net/index/
People were invented by water as a means of transporting itself from one
place to another.  Drink more water.