MBTI Type: ESTP

Parker is the ultimate opportunist, but is also something of a negative ESTP stereotype – a fast-talking man who can charm people, but who likes to peddle snake oil and make sure he gets what he wants from them. But while he has great ideas about what to do with Elvis, he ultimately sabotages himself and Elvis through applying temporary solutions with long-term consequences (poor Ni). Such as insisting doctors shoot him up with drugs so he can continue touring, rather than thinking about how to sustain his client in the long term, which would benefit them both (these drugs could get him addicted or cause him to overdose and thus his cash cow goes away). Instead of allowing him the rest he requires and getting him help to deal with his drug addiction, Parker has doctors shoot up him before performances so that he can go on stage. He gets in way over his head with gambling debts, spending money as fast as he makes it, and the credits inform us that he “poured his fortune” into slot machines. From the moment Parker first hears Elvis on the radio and finds out he isn’t a “colored boy,” he starts thinking about how to monetize him; and he leaps at the chance to draw him away from his current situation and make him a ‘sensation.’ He is a highly effective business manager, who even comes up with “I hate Elvis” buttons to go with the “I love Elvis” buttons—as he says, people are going to hate you anyway, why should they do it for free? Money is his main drive and his motivation and he’s successful at making Elvis a global sensation worth millions of dollars in ticket sales. He merchandises, he books him tours, he breaks him away from his band to be a solo artist, and whenever Elvis tries to pull away from him, Parker applies Fe tactics to convince Elvis that he (Parker) genuinely has his best interests at heart and is a good and selfless person. He talks a good game, telling Elvis and his parents whatever they need to hear and flattering them (he knows Elvis cares about his family, so he finds a way to make sure Elvis’ dad is a ‘business partner’). When Elvis’ mother dies, he tells Elvis that he will stay there and be whatever he needs to be, to make sure that Elvis is happy (he will take on the mother’s place). But Parker does not really understand Elvis, which means he sometimes underestimates him; he expects him to be rational and do what he is told to sustain his career, and doesn’t understand him breaking away and jeopardizing it through his sexualized dance moves. He fools himself into thinking he cares about Elvis more than anyone else, and in a way he does, but many of his motivations are ultimately selfish. He prevents Elvis from an international tour, so he can have his debts erased in Vegas, and won’t be exposed as an illegal alien. Parker is always thinking about the future, but not always in the most effective way.

Enneagram: 3w2 sp/so

Parker is highly ambitious and knows a success when he sees one, which draws him to Elvis. He is, for the most part, an efficient manager… he is just looking out a little too well for himself. But he gets away with it because of his 3 charm and ability to sense what others want to hear from him. He wants Elvis to adapt to survive, to go along with whatever he is told, because that’s how you get things done in this business. He tells him to stop shaking his hips and expects him to perform in hideous Christmas sweaters, all so his career can take off. He negotiates strong deals for Elvis (to the tune of five million dollars), and manages to bounce back from almost being fired prior to the Vegas gig. He shows 2 wing behaviors in how he genuinely thinks he is doing what is best for Elvis. He re-frames for the audience to insist that he did nothing wrong, that he was being kind to his friend and managing his career, and the drugs and love of fame were not his fault, when he’s the one loading Elvis up on drugs and shoving him out onto the stage. He offers to stay with Elvis’ father during his service abroad in the war effort, and take care of everything the family needs, to secure his place in Elvis’ life.

Stop stumbling around in the dark, not knowing your type or those of your loved ones. Get 16 Kinds of Crazy: The Sixteen Personality Types today!