I’ve been struggling with some intricacies of my plot lately and it’s been a little slow going.  So, I decided to go to the mall.  No, not for any retail therapy, though I could use a new pair of shoes.  This time, I went to stalk, er… watch the people.

I love people watching.   The mall, specifically the food court, is my favorite place to people watch.  The food court is where all the different factions of our society converge and sit down to eat as one.  If only our world leaders could embrace this mentality and share an artery-clogging burger or plate of greasy Chinese food, the world would be a better place.  It’s a medley of the human experience with all walks of life represented.  It’s a writer’s dream.

I find a seat with a good view and I make up stories for everyone.  Oh, and they’re much better stories than anything that happens in my life.  Or, maybe worse.  The couple walking by holding hands; he’s cheating on her and she has an alcohol problem.  The mother and child sitting next to me, she’s thinking of getting a divorce.  The group of girls walking by; one is struggling with an eating disorder, one wants to steal her friend’s boyfriend, and one doesn’t know how to tell her mother that she doesn’t  want to go to her mom’s alma mater.

But, all these stories are horrible!  I sincerely hope that every single person walking by doesn’t have nearly the drama in their life that I saddle them with.

But, such drama makes for great conflict brainstorming.

So, I thought we could play a little game today on the boat.  I’m not going to make you write anything so don’t get your pretzels in a twist.   I just thought we could people watch via computer.

Here are three scenarios.  Your job is to come up with their background stories.

1)       A young woman, perfect hair, perfect makeup, wearing pearls and dress clothes, sits alone at a table in the food court, eating a salad with the dressing on the side.  She looks at no one.

2)      An elderly couple with gray hair are sitting across from each other but looking around at the passerbys, the stores, and their food.  They don’t talk.

3)      Two teenage girls sit across from one another wearing Hollister clothes, with their cell phones in their hands, pushing buttons.

So, tell us what’s going on in these people’s lives.  Make your own scenario or build off of someone else’s.    Let’s get those creative juices going! 

Or, if you don’t feel creative today have you ever been people watching?  Where’s your favorite spot and why?  Ever see anything crazy/cool/scary, etc?