I guess you can just use sprites for now.
Have an offset variable for X. Let's call it XOFS.
Make it decrease every time you walk forward DEC XOFS, and increase every time you walk backwards. INC XOFS
Now for every SPOFS other than your main character, add an XOF+ before the X coord.
ok... get back to you on that tomorrow... after I comprehend and try that... i think i know what you mean... ... ...yeah. lets say that.
oh, and i was wondering, is there any way to change the look of text or look of the dialog screen when it pops up.