Like everyone else, I’ve been killing time plowing through the search records of AOL users and once you get past the pervs, murderers, and the general cluelessness I discovered that the search profiles are a dynamite source of characters for fiction writers who might be stuck in fleshing out their characters.
Just plugging in some random search terms came up with an instant “strangers thrown together” sitcom or suspense show.
User #854617
Found by: Searching on Pi (“31415”)
Female in Savanna, GA (Zip Code 31415) who’s interested in minor home repair, Better Than Ezra, Bob Dylan, and the Bonnaroo Festival. Beginning on May 3rd, she searches on “baby names,” “odd baby names,” “flowers,” and wedding dress combinations so it looks like she got a surprise. Hopefully, the “zodiac symbols” work in her favor. Maybe she’ll find a sensible car at “grainger honda”
User #15728506
Found by: Searching on “jfk dallas”
Wanna-be male model in Texas who’s very interested in/has business with the Texas state comptroller’s office. He has nagging suspicions about his height and the JFK assassination but doesn’t let that interfere with keeping up with the latest soap operas. Last seen at Panera bakery, Starbucks, and Houston-area massage parlors. Favorite search term: “judith campbell exner- miscarried jfk’s baby”
User #929313
Found by: Searching on “it’s all over now baby blue”
NYC biology student who lives in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. She’s concerned that her dual major in medicine and sociology might be giving her ADD, but she still has time to send out Purim Baskets and worry if her dog has lice. Writes poetry in her spare time and is fond of quoting movies at parties. Not sure if her parents approve of who she’s dating. Favorite search term: “how did plath die”
User #1167199
Found by: Searching on “las brisas”
Conspicous consumer of cars (BMW 750il, and a vintage Plymouth Roadrunner) golf gear, and LA-area Chinese restaurants. When he’s not thinking about investing (he’s heard something about nanotechnology!) and thinking about cars, he has a somewhat disturbing obsession with Desperate Housewives and Chloe Sevigny. I’m don’t believe that Iceland will let pervs emigrate there though, especially if you have to search to find Google’s page. Sheesh. Favorite search term: “waste management corporation”
Put those four together and the plot just writes itself… “A sudden snowstorm forces down a commercial jet in an unknown territory. Thrown together, the four survivors: a hot-tempered yuppie with dubious friends in ‘waste management’, a pregnant woman desperate to find her way home, a doctor who’s secret is that she isn’t a doctor yet, and a male model, learn to survive as they discover the shocking secret of this strange new world.”
Hell, I’d even watch that. Sure beats the hell out of Lost.