29 precautions as she took a new character role. If Allison made a mistake, Karl
would get her arrested easily and put her in jail 45. For a successful disguise, Allison was not allowed to have any connection with her past, i.e. father, sister,
friends and belonging. Based on the facts above, it was concluded that Allison must be a strong-
willed person in order to make an escape plan and a perfect disguise as an outlaw. She is determined to fight and win against all odds and she will do anything to
protect her daughter.
4.1.3.2 Perfectionate
Allison prepared everything well before she ran away from the house, then, she made sure that the house and the properties were in a good condition.
She quickly washed and dried the glass she’d used and put it back on the cupboard shelf with its mates.… Wistfully, Allison ran a finger over the
built-in oak china cabinet in the dining room. It was dust free and its glowing finish was as smooth as the day she’d applied the final coat of
varnish. This house seemed almost a part of her. She’d painted and prepared its walls. She’d weeded its gardens and shoveled the snow from
driveway…. Allison circled back to the kitchen, where her eye fell on the wastebasket. It wouldn’t do to leave garbage behind in this heat, yet
setting the trash can at the curb three days early would draw attention. She filled a black plastic trash bag, carried it to the garage, and wedged it into
the Buick. 8
She also made sure not to run short of money and all traveling items.
For the dozenth time, Allison counted the money in her purse-three hundred twelve dollars and forty seven cents in cash. She had her
checkbook and, most important of all, the toll-free telephone number. Not that she really needed it written down; the number was branded in her
memory. She mentally checked off the reminder of her preparations list. 9
30 In the midst of her chaotic life in the hiding, Allison still managed to get a
better price of her house, Allison took a deep breath and plunged. “Okay, let’s try this. Tell Muriel
Steiger you want to counteroffer at seventy thousand. See what she comes back with. Maybe the buyer will take it, or maybe at least we can split the
difference, come out with sixty-seven five or so. If not, we may as well take the sixty-five and get it over with. Lord knows when another buyer’ll
come along and I need money real bad.” 157
From the facts above, it can be concluded that Allison is a perfectionist and a well planed person, who would always leave everything in order, although
she knew that she would never use it again. She does not want to waste her time to make a silly mistake, for example, leaving the garbage unattended.
4.1.3.3 Disciplined
