
Hi SEers! Denise here, and I’m going to talk about an exercise I did in a writing class and how it inspired new ideas.
The assignment was to sit out in public, observe, and take notes. I was to include all the senses and impressions. It was an opportunity to find a new story idea along with being immersed in a setting.
I sat at our local park above the public swimming pool. Armed with a water bottle, notebook, and pen, I took in the tall pines and oaks surrounding me and the area. The damp, warm grass under my bare feet was uniformly cut. Its musky aroma was mixing with the sweet scent of the patch of purple and yellow wildflowers off to my side.

The hot sun was almost overhead, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Voices echoed up from the pool in a loud rumble mixed in with laughter, while the lifeguards were perched in their wooden towers with white noses and a whistle around their necks. I spotted a kid who wasn’t interacting with anyone. He seemed more interested in the flowering plants that lined the pool.
A gentle warm breeze brought the smell of chlorine and suntan lotion to me. Over to my right, children played on the swing set while their parents huddled together, talking with a watchful eye on their children. A red four-door vehicle caught my eyes as it drove slowly by the pool with classic rock floating out its open driver’s window.
A lot was going on around me, and my senses were full of this summer moment. I had a setting with so many possibilities. Here are a few story ideas I came up with doing this exercise:

- Why was that kid sitting alone and not swimming? What did he really see in the flowers?
- The car driving by, was it a parent picking up their child, or was someone planning to kidnap one of the swimmers?
- What is the history of this place? Are there any legends or stories? How did they keep cool 100 years ago?
- Would a lifeguard have to save a child’s life today? What if the child didn’t make it?
- Were two of the talking parents at the playground having an affair?
- Who just cut the grass? Was it a widowed vet whose child was sick?
- Was one of the laughing teens being abused at home?
- The potent smell of chemicals—had someone added poison to the water?
- What if a tree came crashing down? Who would be the heroes?
- Will the young man in the blue swim trunks talk to the girl he’s been staring at the entire time?

Just people-watching for a half-hour opened my mind to things I would have passed by in my busy life. Plus, it gave me an impressive setting to use.
Next time you get stuck writing or are suffering from writer’s block, try people-watching. Perhaps the ideas will flow for you as they did for me!
Have you ever people-watched before? Did any stories or ideas come from it?

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Very very useful! You are absolutely right! There are millions of things going on around us, we just don’t pay attention to them. Given today’s Smartphone Addiction, every human seems to fully occupied by their own personal world thing that caused opportunities miss-out.
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Thank you 🙂 You make a wonderful observation about people looking at their phones and missing what is going on right next to them. It would be a missed opportunity not to pay attention!
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I love to people watch. You see so many interesting things and get tons of ideas. One of my favorite places to people watch is at the casino when I went with my dad. Some of the things that I saw made me take a second, third, and fourth look. And the way they behave. Interesting to say the least. Restaurants are another place I people watch. I can’t believe how little manners some people have. Great post, Denise.
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Thanks, Michele 🙂 Casinos would be a fantastic place to people-watch! I’m so taken in with all the flashing colors and noise, I rarely play attention to people. I will have to next time. Yes, restaurants would be another great place, and I think the manners of the past have long gone.
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I love this exercise, Denise. You have a beautiful imagination. Thanks for sharing what you did with the exercise. A few minor characters in my books were inspired by brief encounters with people who were so quirky (good or bad) that the memory stuck with me in a big way. But what you did takes it to a greater level. Love it. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Teagan 🙂 This was a fun exercise that stuck with me because I became so immersed in it. Yes, sometimes people we run into stay with us and end up joining our world of words. I want to get out there and do this again soon. Hugs on the wing right back to you xo
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Love the idea, I’m not a writer, just going to try it for the fun of it, because why not? 😉
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Thank you, Andre 🙂 It really is fun and opens our eyes to things we usually miss. Have fun!
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Wow! It does sound inspirational and thought provoking, just looking at others and wondering what their life is like
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It does give us a different perspective when we allow the wonder to take over and our imagination kick in.
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This is a great exercise and I can’t wait to give this a try.
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Thank you:) It’s a lot of fun.
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What a fun exercise. You do such an amazing job of setting a scene. One can walk right into it and make him/herself at home.
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It was! Thank you, Sandra 🙂 That makes me happy to hear! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to drop by and visit some of the settings in books?
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Your descriptions were so wonderfully vivid, Denise, that you transported me to the pool. I could see it, hear it, smell it. And even from your description. stories started sneaking into my head. I’m usually not a people watcher, but I can see how useful it is in coming up with story ideas. I think it also enriches a sense of unique place in our writing. Great tip!
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Thank you, Diana 🙂 I’m glad you were transported to the park! Yay! It can be useful and deepen the setting too. I like to have the place in mind while I’m writing.
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Being there and paying attention gave you so many rich observations to work with. It was really wonderful. I felt like I was enjoying the pool myself. Lol
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You can learn so much by people watching. I haven’t had as much opportunity to do it because of the pandemic, but I hope to get back to it soon. Great post Denise!
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Yes, the pandemic certainly slowed any people-watching opportunities down. I’d like to just sit and enjoy a moment like that day, usually I’m rushing around. I hope we can get back to it soon. Thanks, Eden 🙂
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Great idea, Denise! Love the prompts too. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Bette 🙂 I had fun doing it!
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Your observations are wonderfully detailed and give a real feel for the place at that moment. The ideas they generated were fascinating. Loved this!
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Thank you, Alex 🙂 It was a great experiement and I need to do it more often. It’s amazing at the ideas that come up when we slow down and take in our surroundings.
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A cool observation session.
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Thank you, Jamie:) I need to do this more often!
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I love that exercise. I used to think people watching was a waste of time. When I became a writer, I realized it was a preferred activity. I love your observations.
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It was a good exercise and way to expand what is observed. I’m always paying attention, but rarely just sit like this and take it all in. Thanks, Jacqui 🙂
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Good point about the difference.
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I really enjoyed your post. I haven’t done much people watching, but the questions you got from it were interesting. I can see how it would be great for inspiration.
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Thank you, Judi:) It amazes me all the ideas that can come from just sitting and watching. I don’t do it often, but I do watch as I go.
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“Hey, central. A strange lady is sitting on a bench recording everything that’s going on. Do you think she is a Russian agent?” “Ten to one, she’s a writer. Just keep her observed.” “Copy that.” Well done, Denise. I love to get inspiration from watching others. Terrific post.
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LOL! I can easily imagine someone wondering what I’m doing. I wouldn’t mind being confused with a spy, as long as I wasn’t arrested 🙂 I need to sit and observe more, I usually do it as I’m moving. Airports are a great place to people watch. Thanks, John 🙂
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😁
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Excellent post, Denise.
I had to sit outside in the dandelions with my dog last spring, waiting for his appointment with the vet. I ended up watching the goings on of a couple and their cats. I definitely could have written a story about them!
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Thanks, Dale 🙂 That does sound like it could easily be a story. It’s nice when waiting in the dandelions can offer us some inspiration!
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Between the great photos I took, hanging with my (now late) dog and watching that couple… oh, and the pigeon couple working on their nest, too 🙂
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Sorry about losing your dog. That day must have even more special meaning. It’s nice we can also take photos of these moments with our phones too. There still might be a story to write about this moment!
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Ahhh… it’s never easy and it happened just last May. He was such a sweetheart but when time came, I had to think of him and not me. Oh yes. The photos can be added to the story!
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It is never easy, but you’re right we have to what is right for our pets. They are always in our hearts. I hope someday to see a story about this day 🙂
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You know what? You’ve stirred in me the desire to write it…
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🙂
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Love this, Denise! You could write an entire collection of short stories just with that one moment. 🙂
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Thanks, Yvette 🙂 That’s very true! I need to do that again soon.
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Makes me think about my other career. I have investigated hundreds of incidents and interviewed countless people. The trick is to keep asking questions until you’re satisfied with the answers. This has in return given me tools to write the kinds of characters I wanted to produce.
Excellent post. I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
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I can see how that helps you immensely in writing. I’m always asking questions and how you kept asking until satisfied with the answers, not only was good for your job, but would make for great characters and storylines. How wonderful you have this experience to tap into!
Thank you, Ben 🙂
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This post is a perfect example of a writer’s mind, Denise. So many possibilities and so many different sensory stimuli. I love people-watching. Their body language will often tell more than their words. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Jan 🙂 There are so many possibilities just in one setting, and each of us will see something different to focus on and through our own perspective. I agree body language does tell a story, as well as the eyes.
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I haven’t done much people-watching since the pandemic, but I used to. I miss it. Your questions were great story prompts.
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Thank you, Staci 🙂 Yes, it’s been harder to people-watch with the pandemic and masks. Harder to read an expression. Although, I rarely sit and watch like I used to, unless at an airport and usually the phone wants attention. Nice to go out with pad and pen.
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Wonderful post, Denise. Your questions are excellent, and I could learn from them! Thanks for this great reminder and lesson. 🤗
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Thank you, Gwen 🙂 I think we all have our own set of questions to answer in these situations. It is fun to do and I don’t do it often enough.
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A good idea for generating ideas. Asking the right questions seems to be the key.
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It is a helpful tool to generate those ideas for sure. I feel like any question that is come up with is the right one at least for the person asking it. Thanks, Dan 🙂
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I love people watching. I always seem to grab a character or some nefarious plot from the exercise.
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It’s hard not to watch, even at the gas station and that shows in your characters. Yes, it always amazes me how the mind will take a situation and carry into a new place, that is very much nerfarious like you said!
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I love people watching. When I had a difficult scene to write in my debut, I sat at the park until the storyline manifested itself. It’s an excellent exercise.
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That’s great you were able to pull the scene you needed by sitting at the bench until it came to you. I love that! Thanks, Sue 🙂
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If you ever have a routine that takes you out into public, then you probably see a lot of the same people with their own routines. After a month of running at the same time every day, I decided to write this poem:
Again Today
I saw that guy again on my walk today
We are at the point when we pass
That a pursed lip smile
Will suffice
Or a nod
When, I wonder, will the relationship progress
To where I have to say hello
I saw that woman with the cart today
Wearing all that she owns (clothes that is)
Tattered coat, even though it’s warm outside
Worn out shoes
On tired feet
When will I feel obliged
To offer…anything
I saw that child with the others today
With matching daycare vests
Tugging dandelions off to the side
With a smile
Only he knows
Why he is
The center of his own attention
I saw that girl with the dog today
We often pass each other
Today I was running
When I passed her she was crying
Only I kept going
Was none of my business I told myself
Though I wonder…
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You are very right if we go and out at the same time every day to do the same thing there are others doing it too and we pass by each other. I love your poem and the insights it offered. How we observe but perhaps don’t interact, yet still our wondering is carried over after. I appreciate you sharing this, thank you Leon 🙂
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You are very welcome.
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I admit I don’t do much people watching, but I have benefited from it when I do. I remember being in a mountainous wooded area with a lake. I was swimming in the lake when I saw a park ranger making his rounds, and the thought struck me—what if he found a dead body among the trees? I wrote my novel, Eclipse Lake, based on that thought and location, so I agree people watching really does pay off.
I loved your observations and the ideas you spun from them, Denise. Great post!
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I would love to do more than I do, but I guess I am doing it, even in the grocery store, and don’t have it planned. How cool you got the idea for Eclipse Lake from swimming at the lake. It makes sense the setting was so real and of course what else would a ranger be looking for… lol? Yes, it does pay off.
Glad you liked the observations, I had fun with them. Thank you, Mae 🙂
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I’m an introvert and don’t particularly like to BE with people, but I sure do like to people watch! Before Covid, I liked to sit at a café and watch the comings and goings, the people, how they related to each other, how they treated the barista, and each other. Yes, I got some great characters as well as stories from this. I like your idea now to stay in the fresh air and watch from a park bench. And your questions are wonderful.
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I’m the same way, Pam, and a fellow introvert. That sounds fun sitting at a cafe and watching. I would imagine there would be people in a hurry, or there to visit others along with families and maybe other fellow writers. It would make for some good stories and characters. The park bench was perfect for me at the time, not only because I got to enjoy nature, but I was only writing for children then and it was the perfect spot to be. I’m glad you like my questions that came from that time. I need to get out and do that again soon! Thank you 🙂 Happy people-watching!
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Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
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I appreciate the reblog, Jeanne 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I love people watching! I had to do a similar exercise in a writing class and it is a great way to generate ideas. Not only story ideas but also how characters might interact with one another.
Great post, Denise.
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It is fun and I bet a lot of writing classes do this. Yes, it would be good to jot down motions or interactions too. Thank you, Joan 🙂
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I love people watching, and luckily, so does hubby. We often sit quietly together just taking it all in. Hubby is also great with coming up with fab ‘what if’ questions that fire my imagination. Great post. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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That’s wonderful your hubby does it with you and has great what-if questions! I love taking it all in with a quiet moment and then processing all that goes on around me. We see the same thing so differently which makes it all the more fun. Thanks, Harmony 🙂
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Thanks for sharing, Denise. This exercise always yields interesting and useful results.
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It really does! I have to get out there and do it again sometime soon. Thank you, Cynthia 🙂
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So story many ideas to grab from sitting and observing and I like the description. You took me to the same place and made me see things as if I was there.
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I can see a mistake there. I hope you understand my comment.
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I did understand, no problem 🙂 I’m always hitting post before I’m done proofreading!
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Ha! Especially when using the mobile app.
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Thank you, Florence 🙂 It’s amazing how many ideas came from just sitting and observing. I’m glad you could see the moment too! It is fun to just watch sometimes.
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As someone who loves to people watch, I loved this post, Denise! The questions you can up with will certainly serve as great writing prompts. Thanks for sharing!
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I like to be the quiet person at a party who is observing, but usually, I’m hosting and have to attend to my guests. 🙂 I do like the questions that pop up when we watch people go about their day yet wonder if there is more than what we see. Thanks, Jill, happy people-watching!
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Hi, Denise! Very detective observation, and a great deduction for one or more stories. Now comes the professionalism of the writer to make something great out of it. Unfortunately, this ability is not given to me. It would end in plagiarism. Lol Thank you, and best wishes, Michael
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Thank you, Michael 🙂 If we aren’t near the people and can’t hear what they are saying, what we think they are doing and saying becomes a story or idea. It is kind of like being a detective, but we create our own crimes for the characters we are watching. Best wishes back to you!
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I fully agree with you, Denise! Great tip. Thank you. Have a nice day! xx Michael
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for reblogging, Michael 🙂
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You are welcome, Denise! Another great tip. xx Michael
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We can learn a lot about people, by simply watching them go about their lives. Our imaginations take over and a million what-ifs are born…
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I agree with that 🙂 We can learn so much and when those what-ifs kick in stories are created!
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thank you for reblogging, Chris 🙂
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Welcome, DL 🤗
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Hi Denise, this is a good way of coming up with story ideas. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Robbie 🙂 I need to get out there and do it more!
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I love all the ideas you came up with! So many potential storylines.
I did the same thing a couple of years ago, and watched a young mother tugging her child along the pavement. You could see she was in a mad rush, very concerned about getting to their destination, but trying to be gentle with the child at the same time. Every time he met her eyes she smiled down at him, then went back to being worried when he wasn’t looking. I wrote a short story about what she might be going through, and it’s one of my favourites.
I need to do some more people-watching – thanks for reminding me!
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Thank you, Jo 🙂 We can come up with so much observing and letting our imagination take over.
It’s great you got a short story from watching a mother and child. You would have a setting and the realism of characters. I can see why it would be one of your favorites. Happy people watching!
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