Janessa Moss

minor

friction character

20s-30s

woman

she/her

vendor, former friend, or junior committee member

Eastside Ball planning spaces

A flaky vendor, former friend, or junior committee member who is unreliable but not evil.

creates practical obstacles during Ball prep

To create grounded, practical setbacks during the Ball planning process.

She causes sponsorship issues, décor delays, or communication failures that increase pressure on Mia Brooks.

She turns manageable prep into stressful complications.

She reveals how much Mia relies on control and dependability.

Friction with Mia Brooks in the committee/vendor world.

The story loses believable external obstacles and production pressure.

Suggested Main Character Roster - 3 Minor Characters

around the final Ball prep stretch

Ball planning complications

Mia's struggle with trust, control, and asking for help

minor

unspecified, likely Eastside community

unspecified

unspecified

unspecified

works in the committee/vendor world, likely hustling gig to gig

part of the Eastside Melanated Christmas Ball community orbit

former friend or junior committee member causing friction for Mia Brooks

becoming the flaky point person who complicates Ball prep

staying connected enough to be involved in Ball planning

creating sponsorship issues, décor delays, or communication failures during prep

unspecified

vendor or junior committee member

none indicated

phone, planner or vendor materials, delayed décor-related items

she is unreliable but not evil

she likely means well but overpromises and underdelivers

Role: minor A flaky vendor, former friend, or junior committee member who is unreliable but not evil. Why they matter to the story: She creates practical obstacles such as sponsorship issues, décor delays, or communication failures during Ball prep. Relationships: Creates friction for Mia Brooks within the Ball planning process and committee/vendor world. First appears: Suggested Main Character Roster - 3 Minor Characters

flaky, personable, well-meaning, disorganized

friendly, charming, socially easy, not malicious

unreliable, avoidant, inconsistent, careless with details

can get people talking, smooths tension briefly, stays likable

poor follow-through, weak time management, defensive when pressed

late replies, last-minute updates, saying yes too quickly

acts upbeat even when things are clearly off track

being cornered for firm answers, being made to look incompetent

light, breezy, deflective

usually mild, gets frazzled more than angry

comfortable in committee and vendor spaces, casually familiar

chooses the easiest immediate fix over the most responsible one

not a strong leader, better at assisting than managing

dodges, delays, improvises, promises a quick solution

pleasant, capable-seeming, relaxed

anxious, embarrassed, scrambling

puts off hard calls and hopes problems resolve themselves

casual, apologetic, upbeat

everyday, event-planning and vendor terms

unspecified

fast when explaining, hesitant when pinned down

I got it, I'm on it, it's coming together

exact timelines, missed messages, who dropped the ball

overexplains, laughs lightly, repeats reassurance

softens the truth and frames delays as nearly solved

snappy defensiveness, then backpedals

warm familiarity, easy compliments

she wants grace without fully earning trust

Mia, I said I'm handling it—I'm just waiting on one last confirmation.

I can't handle this

presentable, trying to look more together than she is

unspecified

unspecified

committee/vendor appropriate, festive-professional touches

often carrying a phone and moving like she's between tasks

alert but slightly scattered

quick, errand-driven, occasionally rushed

talks with her hands, checks her phone, smooths things over physically

glancing at notifications, nervous smile, adjusting bag or papers

generally able-bodied, stressed and sleep-short during prep

none indicated

unspecified

looks increasingly frazzled as Ball problems pile up

Frazzled, defensive, casually optimistic.

Things usually work out if people stay flexible.

She is given a Ball-related responsibility within the planning process.

She says yes before she can realistically deliver.

Her unreliability creates visible friction for Mia Brooks.

Mia no longer trusts her word during a critical Ball setback.

She must either finally follow through or admit she dropped the ball.

She chooses whether to be honest and useful instead of evasive.

Humbled, uneasy, trying to repair trust.

Good intentions are not enough without follow-through.

Reliability is a form of care.

flat-negative to slight-growth

20s-30s

light comedy, grounded realism, mild dramatic friction

believable excuse-making, natural ensemble play

improv, warm comedic timing

standard American

English

busy, scattered energy

1-2 shoot days

preferred

late vendor call, committee apology, missed-detail scene

must read unreliable but not evil; should create friction without villain energy

warm, flaky, well-meaning supporting player

open

none

can play as vendor, former friend, or junior committee member