Characters 3.2: ON THE BEAT (ESTP)
ESTJ
Systematic, organized, relies upon facts and policies. Uses resources efficiently. Develops logical conclusions. Concrete, straightforward; requires clear specifications. Expects measurement by fair, explicit standards. Conscientious. Does not bring personal issues into the mix. Realistic. Focuses on concrete results. Enjoys action, and interaction with a variety of personalities. Takes charge easily, a role accepted by others.
ESTJ
Systematic, organized, relies upon facts and policies. Uses resources efficiently. Develops logical conclusions. Concrete, straightforward; requires clear specifications. Expects measurement by fair, explicit standards. Conscientious. Does not bring personal issues into the mix. Realistic. Focuses on concrete results. Enjoys action, and interaction with a variety of personalities. Takes charge easily, a role accepted by others.
ESTP
Spontaneous! Loves to meet up with different people and different ideas. Keen powers of observation; terrific memory. Able to see solutions others miss by observing more closely and by analyzing more completely. Enjoys a good adventure. Keeps eyes open for new ways to have fun and mount challenges. Okay with unplanned and unscheduled open time, unconventional thinking and never-did/saw-that-before. Relies upon instinct and experience, and if that fails, analysis and clear thinking. Not big on theories. Likes facts and things she can touch. Easy going and, when necessary, charming, too.
Potential Areas of Conflict
Not a diplomat. Blunt. Angers others. Acts, then thinks. Doesn’t consider others’ feelings. Selfish. May not follow through on commitments. Seems too casual, not serious. Not a long-term thinker; drawn to adventure and crazy stuff, so short-term situations may become sticky. Can be a bad influence. Sometimes gets others into trouble. Unreliable. Unpredictable. Irresponsible. Doesn’t do the homework, shows up unprepared because she can figure it out on the spot. Relaxed and may seem not to care.
Brief description: Naturally curious. Wants in on the action. A former beat reporter. Solves problems through instinct, investigation, observation. Sorts things out. Been there, done that. Simultaneously handles complicated interactions. Remembers facts, absorbs their meaning. Observes like a predatory bird; swoops in at precisely the right moment. Organizes on the go; no need to plan. Lives in the real world of practical matters, not in a land of theories, intangibles and what-ifs. Perceives herself as pillar of reliable thought and action. Others see her OTB unpredictable.
Purpose: Sorts real stuff from bull. Relies upon credible sources, street smarts, terrific instincts. Wide network of contacts. Often found in conversation (with others in the cafe or a screen), or deep in emails. A sense-maker, she cuts to the heart of the matter, explains things clearly. Tough and objective. Exhibits only passing respect for websites and nearly all journalism because it’s written with specific intention or bias (been there, done that). Effortlessly interviews world leaders, big shots, thought leaders. On the Beat is a writer who prefers blogging (enough space to say what needs to be said) to tweeting (too damned cute), and sometimes sits still long enough to write a full essay. Likes the GoPro and Skype, but smells inauthenticity in knee-jerk reporting. Writing requires time to fully compose thoughts.
Gender/Heritage: A grittier female. (A tough leather-clad chihuahua chewing an unlit cigarette.) Gonzo journalism heritage: she and Hunter Thompson used to write for Rolling Stone in the days when that meant something. Related to the Taco Bell chihuahua (Gidget) which makes neither dog happy. On the Beat went out with Triumph the Comic Insult Dog for a while but they separated due to religious differences.
Physical Description: Small and feisty. Her whole body fits on a cafe chair. Leather and studs—motorcycle gear is the usual look, but from time to time, she will attempt to fit in by changing clothes (tuxedo look, etc.) Knows her way around the Dark Internet. Can digitize to enter the internet as data.
Psychological: Grew up fast, on the streets. Others in mom’s junkyard litter ended up at the pound; she snuck out through the fence. Won’t be tied down, nobody can leash her. Wishes there were fewer chihuahuas around (can’t wrap her head around cheagles, etc.). Takes care of number one. Except…she’s not number one—that would be her sister, who is famous as a celebrity accessory (to Paris Hilton) and as an author. Among On the Beat’s many complicated relationships, this one takes the biscuit.
Fears: On the Beat is terrified of abandonment, but she’s tough and never shows it.
Social: Pisses people and puppets off—but gets the facts right, and the atmospherics, too. Natural born butt sniffer (can’t help it, just the way I was brought up). Doesn’t care whether you understand or not—believe whatever you want!
Key Relationships: Likes to hang out with Standard Joe, go on adventures, great stories afterwards, parts left untold. Many characters don’t like her, but the Two Little Bitches despise On the Beat (they call her Little Shit). Those feelings are always mutual—On the Beat can take it and can give it out, too.
Place in Cafe: In and out, but she is there (and well-prepared) for interviews and important discussions. Steals food from others because she’s quick, doesn’t need much, and always in a hurry.
0-to-60: Stupidity as deep as dog crap. Those who are unwilling to try, or even consider a possibility. Doesn’t bite anymore, but happily pees whenever and wherever the situation warrants.
Accessory Characters: None, for now. Maybe bring in some accessory characters for short-arc storylines (some of them returning for much later episodes).
Concept Art
