Character Building

Does this little scene I wrote answer these questions?

1. Does she drive an SUV? Or does she believe no one should be allowed to drive an SUV, that they should be outlawed?
2. Is she registered to vote? Republican? Democratic? Independent? Libertarian? Green?
3. Does she have a dog? Show dog or mutt from the pound? Big hairy thing that drools, or fussy little teacup breed? Is the dog confined to the yard or asleep on the bed?
4. Cocktail parties: loves them or hates them?
5. How much formal education does she have?
6. Is her house clean? And, if it is, does she clean it personally, hire a maid to clean it, or leave that to some other member of the household?


Mirabel was in a rush, again. The morning and afternoon had dwindled away again, her laptop still open on the dining room table and Pearl, her four-year-old Great Dane, asleep under it. Saturday meant abandoning her weekly routine so the day was spent unbrushed, unshowered, and usually unfed while typing up her thesis. She had one hour before Ana would be there to pick her up for their weekly gathering at Sky Lounge in downtown San Antonio. Tonight would be a live band, which meant loose hair and a tight skirt. The crowd was much livelier when the music was. She tired of the constant stream of boring politicos that seemed to surround her but kept herself open in case Mr. Right and not uptight came along.

Pearl kept watch from her spot on the sectional while Mirabel tried to come to an agreement with the books and papers that ruled her living room. Maribel got comfort from putting things in order, which is often why she let chaos run wild for days in a row. Her week was not only teaching classes in tautology but also attending classes in Library Science. Books have ruled her life since childhood, and she often curled up with Pearl, both drooling, one reading.

Ana barely came to a stop before Mirabel exited her house, locked the gate and settled in next to her friend. Mirabel’s even smile and slick ponytail gave no indication of the beast inside the house, quietly drooling on “Cataloging of Rare Books and Its History.”