Phil’s First Apartment
by Karen
Phil has finally moved into a place (almost) of his own! This storyline has been slowly brewing for awhile, inspired by the natural desire for young adults to get out on their own…and the increasingly complex reality of how to afford to do so. I have a few 19 year olds in my life and watching them navigate their options (or lack thereof) has been informative.
When I sat down to brainstorm, it quickly became clear that Phil is practical-minded and would give up some of the luxuries at “The Dreams” apartment complex that he toured this summer for something simpler and more affordable. Thus, “The Settlers” apartment complex (I know, I know, the name is too clever!)
While Phil and Luann were intrigued by the idea of moving in together, I wanted to see Luann finally (probably finally) commit to a career and college path instead of commit to monthly rent. Besides, I like the dynamic of the DeGroot household with mom, dad, and Bernice on hand to play off of. If Luann moved out, what would that leave? Also, we are fundamentally a newspaper comic strip so some of the more…steamy…things 19 year olds might want to get up to are always going to be limited. Having Luann and Phil live together just tempts too many fates!
That being said, dad and I both liked the potential dynamics between think-it-through Phil and go-for-it Tara, with Luann and Les coming and going. I also liked the opportunity to show Luann trusting Phil (and Tara) to live together without devolving into the stereotypical “jealous girlfriend” trope. And while characters have surprised me before with what they decide they want to do, I really don’t see Tara having an attraction to Phil’s incredibly predictable, stable, well-reasoned approach to life.
Meanwhile, dad had fun trying to figure out a few “set pieces” for the apartment that would help readers visually clue in to the apartment as new location. The “No Rules” sign and the attractive floral-print sofa the neighbor was tossing out are good starts! None of us started out with the finest decor, did we? I remember buying some old road maps at the thrift store and pinning them to walls of my first apartment in an effort to make it look “sophisticated.”
Dad and I also spent an awkward amount of time going back and forth on what Les comes back to do in the bathroom–and one point I had a draft that he decides to shower! Obviously, that makes no sense. Les is desperate to make a good impression on Tara so he surely would have spent plenty of time at home preening. And while he kinda doesn’t care what people think, and doesn’t have the most sophisticated etiquette, he’s smart enough to know that going back to use the bathroom at the apartment is better than having to use whatever might be available at an archery range!
As I said: awkward amount of time spent on these decisions. Anyway, Tara and Phil are both independent types, eager to live adult lives, and I’m curious to see how they fare. Will they work well together? Will Les wear out his welcome? And how much “alone time” will Luann and Phil actually get?
