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Sissy Jenkins (95)
Project: TV Series (Rent Control)
Known as: Sissy
Real name: Elizabeth Jenkins
Group affiliation: White Elm Retirement Home; formerly Montana State University
Physical description: No one knows exactly how old Sissy is. She is extremely active and productive, and also extremely wrinkled with white hair. She dresses practically and her most common accessory is a toolbelt. There is a rumor that the real Sissy died some time ago but not before creating an exact android duplicate of herself.
Personality: Sissy is unflappable and monosyllabic. She is usually in her workshop and seems most content when designing and building. She doesn’t seek out human contact but doesn’t avoid it per se, either (she takes meals with groups). She just doesn’t tend to contribute to conversation. She does answer (politely enough) when directly addressed but she is definitively not one to waste words.
History: Sissy grew up on a farm and it was clear at a young age she was a mechanical genius. She started to help with truck and equipment repairs at age seven, was flying solo at age ten, was upgrading the equipment at age thirteen, and was designing her own tractors by seventeen. She cruised through college and ultimately got a PhD in mechanical engineering. She was employed for years (most gainfully) with a major tractor manufacturer (designing tractors and implements). She eventually took up teaching at Montana State before retiring as a bit of a legend in her field.
Now she lives in a retirement home where she donated enough money for a major workshop/craft room to be built. Since her retirement she has branched out into carpentry, woodworking, electronics, and more. She can basically build anything.
When we meet Sissy, Arlo and Finley will have agreed to do a production of RENT but will have already started arguing about particulars. Arlo will be utterly exasperated with Finley, feeling like Finley is being overly-dramatic (heh) and making their arguments about more than just the play.
Arlo comes stomping into Sissy’s workshop, where she is soldering. She doesn’t look up when Arlo comes in.
Arlo: “Sissy, I know you are to-the-point so here’s the deal: I’m bankrolling a high-class production of RENT, and Finley is directing it. The whole thing will flop unless you do the sets, lighting, everything.”
Sissy: “Yes.”
Arlo: “So you’ll do it?”
Sissy: “No.”
Arlo: “Well, the whole thing is off if you don’t do it.”
Sissy: “Ok.”
Arlo: “So you’ll do it?”
Sissy: “No.”
Arlo (purses his lips): “Sissy, I’ll give you a $10,000 bonus if you agree to do it. Will you do it now?”
Sissy: “Yes.”
Arlo: “So we have a deal?”
Sissy: “Yes.”
Arlo (pauses): “Now that’s how a deal gets done. If you had worked for me, I would have ruled the goddamn world. Your directness is beautiful, and the simplicity of your motivations nearly moves me to tears. You give me hope, Sissy. You are the most magnificent person with whom I’ve ever interacted.”
Arlo walks out. Sissy has not stopped soldering or looked at Arlo the entire time. The camera stays on her for several more beats.
Sissy: “Yes.”
Role in the narrative: Enabler and facilitator. And explanation for how magnificent the stage craft will be.
Abilities: She’s a mechanical genius and can build anything.
Inspirations: The laconic nature may have come from Oz on buffy. Al on Home Improvement may have been an inspiration.
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