Miss. π

The third character I’ve plucked from G. D. Holbourne, Miss. π   appears briefly at the end of This Word Is Wicked, one of the earlier stories, but only named eight years later after two more appearances (or by description it can be assumed it is she), both in passing. By the 60s Holbourne’s ‘Garden’ was more commonly used and whether ret-conned or always intended Miss. π  became more central, albeit never the central protagonist in Scandal Scandal, and similarly so in the full length novel Jennifer Lions.

Competent, somewhat ruthless, Miss. π  was clearly someone high up in the Garden, and if she never had to fight she typically made sure she had a clutch of fashionably-suited henchman to deal with such things for her. Her first name is never given in the stories though when asked on the matter in 1973 Holbourne (doubtless pulling the interviewer’s leg) answered ‘American’. I like Miss. π   mostly because despite the time the tales were written, she could be male or female in her actions and attitudes. She’s still starkly feminine, and indeed a very feminist character, but without specifically being so. She is, because she is. Clever stuff.

Another ten minute sketch though to be honest almost twice that (as I had to redo an arm and the feet before I was happy enough with it).

From Jennifer Lions:

‘Her manner of dress fashionable, it was cut where her body was assuredly not. Her eyes if too large were not out of proportion to her head where that could be seen at all above the collar of her buttoned suit. Not by her mannerisms alone, but those about her, this was a woman used to authority. Hers.’