10. Lolly Langworth, Editor-in-Chief

| mmgilbert
Library #10
Lolly has always been a stand-out. Ever since kindergarten it seems. She always insisted on selecting her own outfits, even as a five-year-old. She made her parents and brothers crazy as she went through “phases” ranging from grunge in the fourth grade to semi-pornographic in junior high. But it always was clear – she is smart-as-a-whip. Her grades and test scores were always exemplary and her performance, both on an academic and social level, at one of the best colleges in the country were remarkable. After college she dropped out for a bit, traveled in Europe and in India. Had a few flings. And an abortion or two. Came home. Picked up an MBA. And went to work at a leading fashion magazine where she quickly rose to run the place. She’s been there for 10 years now. And just when everyone thought that she would never settle into domestic life, she married a moderately successful fiction writer, 12 years her senior, who is not at all like her. A college drop-out whose often-disheveled appearance, lack of social skills, and modest financial success are in direct contrast to Lolly’s style, quick wit, charm and business success. More than one person sizing the two up has asked, “What’s that about?” But Lolly is pregnant and – doing something that she has never done before – she giggles a lot.

9. E. Latimer Vorplace III, Managing Partner

| mmgilbert
Library #09
Known to his friends and associates as “Laddie,” E. Latimer Vorplace III has always been a “very good” boy. As a child, he kept his room neat and clean, always shared his toys, was a good student, and was uncommonly good at pleasing his elders. As he grew into adulthood, he got into a “good” college, got “good” – if not exemplary – grades, went on to law school, married a “very nice” woman with whom he has two daughters. If they are a bit more mischievous than he was as a child, he is exceedingly patient with his girls. Laddie’s law firm made him managing partner because he is known for being even-handed, careful, and detail oriented, if a bit standoff-ish. A bit chilly, they say. He’s that way with everyone. Standoff-ish. And that includes Gloria, his wife. He doesn’t know it but, while he is at work and the kids are in school, Gloria has been having crying spells. It has been happening over the past year or so. She doesn’t know why and is a bit ashamed about it. As she only just admitted to herself and, last week, to a close friend, she and Laddie have not done “you-know-what” (her words) since she and Laddie found out that she was pregnant with their second child. That was seven years ago.

8. Lydia Degado, Software Engineer

| mmgilbert
Library #08
Lydia is a genius when it comes to software. She got early admission to Berkeley, did her undergraduate in three years, and went on the MIT for her Ph.D. and post-doctoral work. After that, she made a small fortune as a free-lancer. The trouble is that she is also an idiot when it comes to working in a company environment. It’s not that people don’t like her. Or that she doesn’t like them. She is generally considered “super smart” to work with. The trouble is that she is wildly unpredictable. She shows up when she wants, sometimes not for days, falls in love with all the wrong people in the most inappropriate settings, and throws a rage when her feelings aren’t reciprocated. Or gets all weepy and sad. And she forgets to bathe for days. Or Change her clothes. And things are getting worse. She is thinking about using her programming talents to “…fix them all.”