What's Their Story?

Haight · 05-23-2007, 02:56 PM

I do this thing when I'm in public - mostly within my head, but it's fun to do when people are around - where I will pick someone out in a crowd, analyze them, and make up a story about their life based on the way they appear.

I guess this is called "people watching," but it seems a bit different to me.

Anyway . . . I'll put up a picture every once in a while and see if I can do it online.

And, of course, I want you'll to interpret and post your story behind the pictures, as well.

Haight · 05-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Here's one I grabbed through a semi-random search:

kuranes · 05-23-2007, 03:01 PM

The young Dad used to have a "Fu-Manchu" stash and beard, and piercings etc. but he gave it all up for his lady and corporate life etc. as a programmer analyst in a conservative firm. The wife is saying "Why don't I feel this 'post partum' thing ? Is there something wrong with me ? "

Haight · 05-23-2007, 03:03 PM

Okay, so they seem like a very happy family. But that's not really the case.

First of all, the baby just got baptized at the Nights Templar church for ex-Hells Angels.

Secondly, they're not married. He met her at a bar a year ago, after he ran out of the house in a rage because his wife yelled at him for being a womanizer - which he refuted.

Thirdly, she totally loathes him. He can't hold down a job. He has no style - clearly. And, he's been hanging out at bars again.

kuranes · 05-23-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haight

I do this thing when I'm in public - mostly within my head, but it's fun to do when people are around - where I will pick someone out in a crowd, analyze them, and make up a story about their life based on the way they appear.

I guess this is called "people watching," but it seems a bit different to me.

Edgar Allan Poe. ‘The Man of the Crowd’

Jennifer · 05-23-2007, 03:14 PM

Steve is a computer developer. He recently found out that he fathered a baby with his ex-girlfriend, right before he left her behind at the army missile depo base in North Dakota. He did not even know her real name.

Two weeks ago, the doorbell rang, and when he answered, he found the baby and a note left on his front doorstop explaining his parentage and that his ex was leaving the country due to an incident with the law.

Steve has always wanted to be a father and took right to it, getting the adoption papers underway.

The girl on the left is his sister Sue, who came out to help immediately as soon as she heard about what happened. She is secretly jealous, because she has always wanted a baby, but every man she loved has left her and she has had problems conceiving, even after sabotaging her own birth control. She hopes that the baby will be too much for Steve and he will let her be the "permanent" nanny.

The man on the right, Rufus Barnum, is the minister who christened the baby. His secret is that he was ordained through a mail order company doe $25 and has no theology degree; he just really gets a kick out of blessing babies.

Langrenus · 05-23-2007, 05:09 PM

heh, I do this all the time...it's great fun, although sometimes I do it in big crowds and go into overdrive, at which point it ceases to be fun.

Catherine never wanted a child but felt pressured into having one due to her age and the fact that she comes from a large, loving family. She convinced herself that her maternal instincts would kick in, but they haven't and she now suffers from post-natal depression. Her relationship with Mike is suffering as a result, and she is struggling to see how she can possibly cope with life.

Mike is so blinkered by the birth of his child that he has missed the signs of Catherine's imminent breakdown. He spends his time carefully rearranging photos on his desk in the hope that passers by will engage him in conversation about the joys of fatherhood. Nobody does. He openly resents being forced to sell his sports car.

The baby is suffering an identity crisis, and is confused by the bright colours and new people she is surrounded by. Day by day, however, the world is making more sense.

No imagination required for John, the priest/vicar. He felt the calling but is now a closet paedophile.

Madrigal · 05-23-2007, 08:18 PM

I love imagining stories about people. Sometimes I observe every detail about them and try to build up their story on the basis of those clues. Other times, I try to work on my instincts and not analyze the signs too much. Like, I'll glance at a person and tell myself to immediately evoke the mental image of where they live or where they've recently been. I don't know why, but I imagine a lot of places I've never seen before, or give them siblings, husbands, wives, an old aunt, a german shephard, etc. It's as if I wanted to capture the everyday life reflected in their aura, instantaneously and not 'rationally'. Not that I believe in auras or anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haight

Here's one I grabbed through a semi-random search:

My first reaction was to think there was something diabolical about this.

Maverick · 05-23-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haight

Here's one I grabbed through a semi-random search:

The one on the left: Multi-billionaire crime lady that sold crack to illegal immigrants but reconverted to choir singing

The one in the middle: Kidnaps babies of English couples in vacation in European countries

The one on the right: Professional porn actor in movies involving odd fetishes about religion

faith · 05-23-2007, 08:54 PM

Things that make ya go hmm:

The church looks empty except for these three people and the photographer. Why? Aren't babies usually baptized at a service with families and possibly congregation attending?

And why does it look dark behind them? Very poor lighting for the platform. No candles lit.

What was the radio used for? Background music for the baptism? Never heard of that... And don't churches usually have a piano or organ?

Baby is asleep. Did he sleep through the whole baptism--cold water on his head and everything?

The whole thing looks dubious to me. All three seem uncomfortable with the photo. Looks to me like a set up.

Woman is a baby-thief. She met the man a few days after she'd stolen the newborn. Told him a big sob story about how the baby's dad left her, and he fell for the poor dear all alone with a new infant. She pegged him as a shmuck, and she's right. He thinks she's all respectable with her glasses and conservative hair-do and rumpled shirt. He can't imagine her doing anything wrong. He fell in love with her and they were married asap--within a month or so. (After all, that baby NEEDS a father! And she NEEDS a husband! It's all so tragic! He will be their hero!)

Only thing is, she didn't count on this guy's crazy traditional streak running so deep. He insisted on getting the child properly baptized in a local church. She made up a story about her alleged church kicking her out when they discovered she was pregnant unmarried, hoping he'd take that as a "No way in hell am I presenting this stolen child to the public so soon!" Undaunted, he suggested a private baptism. In order to deter suspicion, she agreed, and begged him to leave the arrangements to her.

She called up an electrician friend of hers and rented a clergy costume. He got them into the church, pretending that he was there to fix some wiring problems. He put on the robes, clipped on a mic 'cause he thought it'd be cute, and was there to greet them when they arrived. The electrician isn't very smart, and he brought his girlfriend on a lark. Thief-mom tried to play it off as the church secretary.

The ceremony is a bit unusual--what with the platform lights being off (in order not to call attention to the goings on) and there being no one to play the piano and the clergy man being so... odd. Newlywed husband is starting to feel that this isn't quite the baptism he had in mind. But at least there was music--of a kind--and the clergyman is nice (if a bit creepy), and the church secretary is taking their picture. And--he's working to convince himself--he's a dad! A proud dad! His baby is baptized! His woman is by his side! (She shoves the baby into his arms for the picture.)

She's thinking, "What a dork. What a pain in the ass. Hmm... we could put the picture in the baby's scrapbook just in case people start nosing around later. No one would expect a stolen baby to be baptized. This could be good. I can make it work. I'm unstoppable..."

edit: Ha! Didn't read Maverick's post before, but evidently this picture has a stolen-baby feel.

05-23-2007, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Haight Doesn't Read Your Posts Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTj Location: Baltimore Posts: 3,547	What's Their Story? I do this thing when I'm in public - mostly within my head, but it's fun to do when people are around - where I will pick someone out in a crowd, analyze them, and make up a story about their life based on the way they appear. I guess this is called "people watching," but it seems a bit different to me. Anyway . . . I'll put up a picture every once in a while and see if I can do it online. And, of course, I want you'll to interpret and post your story behind the pictures, as well.

05-23-2007, 03:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
kuranes Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: XNXP Location: Chicago Posts: 1,042	The young Dad used to have a "Fu-Manchu" stash and beard, and piercings etc. but he gave it all up for his lady and corporate life etc. as a programmer analyst in a conservative firm. The wife is saying "Why don't I feel this 'post partum' thing ? Is there something wrong with me ? " __________________ "The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that they are being attacked and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." Reichsfuhrer Herman Goering at the Nuremburg trials.

05-23-2007, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jennifer The Doctor is IN Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INtP Location: Free at last. Posts: 14,307	Steve is a computer developer. He recently found out that he fathered a baby with his ex-girlfriend, right before he left her behind at the army missile depo base in North Dakota. He did not even know her real name. Two weeks ago, the doorbell rang, and when he answered, he found the baby and a note left on his front doorstop explaining his parentage and that his ex was leaving the country due to an incident with the law. Steve has always wanted to be a father and took right to it, getting the adoption papers underway. The girl on the left is his sister Sue, who came out to help immediately as soon as she heard about what happened. She is secretly jealous, because she has always wanted a baby, but every man she loved has left her and she has had problems conceiving, even after sabotaging her own birth control. She hopes that the baby will be too much for Steve and he will let her be the "permanent" nanny. The man on the right, Rufus Barnum, is the minister who christened the baby. His secret is that he was ordained through a mail order company doe $25 and has no theology degree; he just really gets a kick out of blessing babies. __________________ Blog: Seasons of Mist

05-23-2007, 05:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Langrenus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTJ Location: London Posts: 358	heh, I do this all the time...it's great fun, although sometimes I do it in big crowds and go into overdrive, at which point it ceases to be fun. Catherine never wanted a child but felt pressured into having one due to her age and the fact that she comes from a large, loving family. She convinced herself that her maternal instincts would kick in, but they haven't and she now suffers from post-natal depression. Her relationship with Mike is suffering as a result, and she is struggling to see how she can possibly cope with life. Mike is so blinkered by the birth of his child that he has missed the signs of Catherine's imminent breakdown. He spends his time carefully rearranging photos on his desk in the hope that passers by will engage him in conversation about the joys of fatherhood. Nobody does. He openly resents being forced to sell his sports car. The baby is suffering an identity crisis, and is confused by the bright colours and new people she is surrounded by. Day by day, however, the world is making more sense. No imagination required for John, the priest/vicar. He felt the calling but is now a closet paedophile. __________________ January has April's showers And 2 and 2 always makes a 5

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05-23-2007, 02:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Haight Doesn't Read Your Posts Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTj Location: Baltimore Posts: 3,547	Here's one I grabbed through a semi-random search:

05-23-2007, 03:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Haight Doesn't Read Your Posts Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTj Location: Baltimore Posts: 3,547	Okay, so they seem like a very happy family. But that's not really the case. First of all, the baby just got baptized at the Nights Templar church for ex-Hells Angels. Secondly, they're not married. He met her at a bar a year ago, after he ran out of the house in a rage because his wife yelled at him for being a womanizer - which he refuted. Thirdly, she totally loathes him. He can't hold down a job. He has no style - clearly. And, he's been hanging out at bars again.

05-23-2007, 08:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
faith Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INFJ Location: Alabama Posts: 388	Things that make ya go hmm: The church looks empty except for these three people and the photographer. Why? Aren't babies usually baptized at a service with families and possibly congregation attending? And why does it look dark behind them? Very poor lighting for the platform. No candles lit. What was the radio used for? Background music for the baptism? Never heard of that... And don't churches usually have a piano or organ? Baby is asleep. Did he sleep through the whole baptism--cold water on his head and everything? The whole thing looks dubious to me. All three seem uncomfortable with the photo. Looks to me like a set up. Woman is a baby-thief. She met the man a few days after she'd stolen the newborn. Told him a big sob story about how the baby's dad left her, and he fell for the poor dear all alone with a new infant. She pegged him as a shmuck, and she's right. He thinks she's all respectable with her glasses and conservative hair-do and rumpled shirt. He can't imagine her doing anything wrong. He fell in love with her and they were married asap--within a month or so. (After all, that baby NEEDS a father! And she NEEDS a husband! It's all so tragic! He will be their hero!) Only thing is, she didn't count on this guy's crazy traditional streak running so deep. He insisted on getting the child properly baptized in a local church. She made up a story about her alleged church kicking her out when they discovered she was pregnant unmarried, hoping he'd take that as a "No way in hell am I presenting this stolen child to the public so soon!" Undaunted, he suggested a private baptism. In order to deter suspicion, she agreed, and begged him to leave the arrangements to her. She called up an electrician friend of hers and rented a clergy costume. He got them into the church, pretending that he was there to fix some wiring problems. He put on the robes, clipped on a mic 'cause he thought it'd be cute, and was there to greet them when they arrived. The electrician isn't very smart, and he brought his girlfriend on a lark. Thief-mom tried to play it off as the church secretary. The ceremony is a bit unusual--what with the platform lights being off (in order not to call attention to the goings on) and there being no one to play the piano and the clergy man being so... odd. Newlywed husband is starting to feel that this isn't quite the baptism he had in mind. But at least there was music--of a kind--and the clergyman is nice (if a bit creepy), and the church secretary is taking their picture. And--he's working to convince himself--he's a dad! A proud dad! His baby is baptized! His woman is by his side! (She shoves the baby into his arms for the picture.) She's thinking, "What a dork. What a pain in the ass. Hmm... we could put the picture in the baby's scrapbook just in case people start nosing around later. No one would expect a stolen baby to be baptized. This could be good. I can make it work. I'm unstoppable..." edit: Ha! Didn't read Maverick's post before, but evidently this picture has a stolen-baby feel.