Bilinda Goswell, 19, works part-time at Compass Books, a struggling seaside bookstore in Oceanside Harbor, owned by a woman named Melanie who seems content to let it burn money. Compass Books mostly stocks bestsellers, though Bilinda keeps a small assortment of esoteric books in the back. Bilinda is often the only employee during her hours and has free reign over the music that plays in the store. She favors jangle pop like Orange Juice, The Dream Syndicate, and Felt, along with beach punk like Agent Orange and JFA. Bilinda is an excellent swimmer, surfer, and certified diver. Being a directionless 19-year-old, Bilinda worked various odd jobs: surfing instructor, lifeguard, waitress etc. Bilinda grew up homeschooled in a radically unschooling sense to counterculture parents. She was never formally educated, growing up to run half-feral on the beach. Bilinda is disdainful of tourists. She has a sarcastic and dry sense of humor. She is sharp, curious, independent, resourceful, and itching to get somewhere, anywhere, out of her dead-end life.