Marilyn Cowan

>
> *All around me are familiar faces*
>
> Worn out places, worn out faces
>
> Bright and early for the daily races
>
> Going nowhere, going nowhere *Their tears are filling up their glasses*
>
> No expression, no expression
>
> Hide my head, I wanna drown my sorrow
>
> No tomorrow, no tomorrow *And I find it kind of funny*
>
> I find it kind of sad
>
> The dreams in which I'm dying
>
> Are the best I've ever had
>
> I find it hard to tell you
>
> I find it hard to take
>
> When people run in circles it's a very, very
>
>
>
>
> Mad world, mad world
>
>

***Mad World - Michael Andrews***

## Overview

Marilyn is sort of an average teen, a bit rebellious, definitely unique sense about herself, sassy and not one to be pushed around. She took after her Grandma Victoria Campbell, commonly refereed to as Nana V. Being the first child in her family she does often feel that carries a strange kind of weight with it.

For a brief time she and Grey Whittaker dated in early high school, unfortunately split amicably and have stayed friends. She and her cousin Reece Ellsworth, on her fraternal grandmother side, have bonded over their mutual appreciation of b-horror flicks. She and her cousin Dani Cowan and her are friends, due to hanging out at the diner where their mothers work together for Gemma Sands, whom she is also friends with.

Going into her senior, Marilyn is considering possibly following her fathers foot steps and go into construction after seeking an engineering degree.

## Physical Appearance

Marilyn is 5”3’ with long dark brown hair, blue eyes and creamy pale skin. She is busty, and aware that gets her stares. That’s why her astatic tends to lean towards more tomboyish attire that doesn’t hide her figure. She doesn’t mind dressing girly as she has on occasion dressed girly for things her Mom feels it’s important for her to do so. She just prefers comfort over style.

Marilyn can be a bit impulsive. She has been called sassy, unique, rebellious but not a pushover. Being the first born in the family she feels like there was some level of expectations upon her. She couldn’t imagine how she’d feel had she been born male. She likes helping her dad on jobs when she can, there’s just something about seeing something you built with your own hands that just resonates with her.

## History

She is the first child and only daughter of Albert Cowan and Rita Whitaker. Her parents where high school sweethearts, Marilyn was conceived the night before her father was shipped off to Vietnam. She was born during Albert’s first tour. Named after Rita’s favorite movie star and given Albert's mothers name as her middle name.

She has three younger brothers, Allen two years younger, and the twins Ron and John five years younger, how can be rambunctious as hell. She helps her Dad on some of the jobs he does, which has helped them bond. She is often described as a tomboyish and that’s fine with her. She doesn’t dress super girly though there are some days she will to appease her mother. She has been called sassy, unique, rebellious but not a pushover.

Her Father, Albert was in the Vietnam War, drafted at the age of 20. He survived but not with out issues. After the war he felt he’d seen enough of the world and returned home. He walks with a limp due to shrapnel received during his third and final deployment. After the war he started a construction business doing various home improvements for people. In spite of the horrors he has scene he doesn’t let it stop him from helping people. Though he does suffer from nightmares. Even though he was absent for a good portion of her first few years he absolutely loves his daughter. Admittedly we was more excited at the boys Allen, Ron and John being born though.

Her Mother, Rita works at the local diner, and has since high school, with her sister-in-law Jackie. She’s the type of waitress that knows all the regulars by name and often their order preference by day or even the weather as if she could see it on their face. She doesn’t always understand why Marilyn isn’t into more traditional girl activities but is thankful she has been able to bond with Albert. Though she did managed to get Marilyn to learn knitting, which she herself picked up from her mother. So she’s happy Marilyn picked up that tradition at least. Fortunately Allen has often helped Rita cook and taken an interest in spending time with his mother.

Being the first born child in the family always seemed to feel like she had some kind of expectation hanging over her. She couldn’t imagine how she’d feel had she been born male. She likes helping her dad on jobs when she can, there’s just something about seeing something you built with your own hands that just resonates with her.

Her fathers side of the family, the Cowan’s and Ellsworth, has been in Harper Calling since the towns founding, as well as her grand father’s, the Whitaker’s on her moms side. There are sometimes she could swear some of the older family members would stare at her as if something is wrong or different about her. She just chocks it up to old people being weird about her Nana V being from out of town.

Her grandmother, on her mom’s side however moved to the area sometime in the mid 30s. She would tell Marilyn odd stories of her adventures she swore were true. Along with tales about mysterious monsters and unseen gods, often being met with ‘Ok Nana V’. This did leave a lasting impact on Marilyn though as she enjoys writing and has attempted to write the stories Nana V has shared. She has shared these stories with friends under the guise as there ‘just stories’, though if pushed she would admit that she believes in them to some degree. Perhaps it’s because of these stories that she loves B movies and the like. She enjoys the popular stuff but loves the ‘obscure and strange’ stuff.

## Summer, 1984

##### ***June 18***

[Writing...]