All About Eve-fic
Apr. 6th, 2019 01:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scripsiBecause I always seem to gravitate to small fandoms.
The fic on AO3
Title: Blackmail Is Such An Ugly Word
Fandom: All About Eve
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 1645
Characters: Addison DeWitt, Karen Richards
Pairings Addison DeWitt/ Karen Richards,
Warnings: Blackmail, non-consensual kissing
Summary: Addison DeWitt pays Karen a visit a hot summer day.
AN: I recently rewatched All About Eve and it struck me of how practiced Addison’s blackmail of Eve is. He knows exactly what he is doing, so the logical conclusion is that he has done it before. And I felt sure he would do it again if he had the opportunity. Then I thought of how he now knows how Karen went behind Margo’s back to help Eve. And then I thought that Karen is the only person in the movie Addison seems to like a little. I know he and Eve are often described a homosexual in various analysis, but with Addison I (obviously) I don’t agree. I think his sexuality is completely tied to power, not gender- the more power and dominance he can wield over someone, the more attractive that persons become.
So the next I knew my perverted mind had provided me with this. Or rather, it provided me with a lot more, and it turned a lot more disturbing than I first intended. Now, Addison DeWitt is a very disturbing character; he is a horrible man, and I’m glad he is imaginary. So as of now, I’m not sure if I will post more, or not. I probably will post more, as it continues to poke at me.
And a few words on perfume. Being rather scent oriented and interested in perfume history, I often spend way too much time imagining what scent a character would wear; here Addison DeWitt. Caron’s Pour un Homme launched in 1934 and was then unusually daring and complex for being a man’s scent. It opens with lavender, with other herbs as a supporting role, with more herbs and with woody tones as middle notes. And in the base, there is tonka bean and vanilla and a little musk, with a hint of moss. It’s an ambiguous scent- to my modern nose it can be worn equally well by a woman as a man, and I felt it suited Addison’s rather dubious nature.
July in New York was as hot and humid as usual. Karen had hoped to be in the country by now, but Lloyd had things to do in the city, and it seemed to take much longer than he had expected. When the doorbell rang late one morning Karen was tempted to pretend she wasn’t at home. Then she thought it must be the mailman with a package and went to answer, anyway.
To her surprise, she found Addison DeWitt outside her door. He looked cooler than Karen felt was fair in light grey a summer suit as immaculate as if he had just dressed and not moved through the oppressive city heat. He eyed her in a way which felt almost physical, and Karen became aware she had foregone both slip and stockings to combat the heat. She knew her simple cotton frock was not unbecoming, but not what she would have chosen to meet Addison in.
“I see you didn’t expect company.”
Without being asked in he breezed past her, into the living room. Karen watched him with a certain wariness. She had rarely been the subject of Addison’s barbed comments, not being important enough in the theatre to merit much attention. Occasionally, he had even been charming to her, but they were not on such a friendly footing it merited unannounced visits at home.
“Lloyd is not here, at the moment.”
“I know he isn’t. I know exactly where Lloyd is. But you don’t.”
Karen ignored the comment. She would not allow Addison to rile her. Even if she wondered what it was Lloyd felt he had to stay in New York for, and why he wouldn’t tell her.
“I thought no one was still in town; why aren’t you in Hollywood with Eve? You seem to have grown so close lately.”
“I detest Los Angeles. Eve will be back soon enough.”
“Are you certain? I’m sure she will be a success and we all know how much Eve loves being on the top.”
“Coming from you that comment is positively catty. But she’ll be back, success, or not.”
Karen sat down with a sigh. “What do you want, Addison?”
Without hurry, he sat down, offered her a cigarette and when she declined, lightened one for himself before he deigned to answer.
“I’ve come to collect a debt.”
“What debt? I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I’m speaking about your debt of gratitude as I saved your marriage.”
“My marriage?”
“You sound like a parrot, Karen dear. Did you never wonder why Lloyd came back from New Haven with his tail between his legs? After such a dramatic exit in the middle of the night and all. You were anxious when we had lunch that day, surely you remember? What you don’t know is that I had a little talk with Eve in the afternoon about it all. She was not happy about it, but she saw things my way after a little persuasion. I admit I did it for purely selfish reasons, but as you also reaped the benefits, you have to admit you owe me a debt of gratitude, nevertheless.”
Karen stood up. “If you expect me to be thankful for telling me about Lloyd and Eve, you are gravely mistaken.”
“No, I don’t suppose you are. But he’ll leave you in the end anyway, you know. Lloyd’s weak and new pretty talents will always be in supply.
“And you’ve come here to taunt me about it? That’s a new low, even for you.”
“I’m only telling you the truth.” Addison stood up as well and took a step closer to her, in one smooth movement. “Isn’t it better to be forewarned than taken by surprise?”
He moved even closer, but Karen barely noticed it. She and Lloyd had never talked about New Haven; he had merely returned home. Whatever had been between him and Eve was over, but though he never spoke about her, their marriage hadn’t been the same since. Now Addison’s words roused the pain and jealousy she had felt then, and which had never really disappeared.
“You are hurt. A natural feeling for a woman like you. And a bit angry. Why shouldn’t you be? Why wouldn’t you want a little revenge? Wouldn’t it feel good to do to Lloyd, what he did to you, and show me a little gratitude, all at once?”
And suddenly he was so close to her Karen could feel the scent of his perfume. Lloyd didn’t like perfume- too unmanly he said, apart from a splash of bay rum after shaving. Addison’s scent was much more expensive and complicated; lavender and fresh herbs, but underneath something sweetly warm, saved from being cloying by the herbs. The scent made her feel odd, as if it hooked into her insides, wringing out feelings she didn’t want to name. She noticed how tall he was; with him so close she could only see his chest, and when she tilted her head back to look at him, he kissed her.
Karen was experienced enough to know things had moved towards this for the last few minutes, but the audacity of Addison nevertheless surprised her. His lips were firm against hers, and after a moment she answered the kiss. He was right; she was angry, and if Lloyd had so little respect for their vows, why should she? Heat spread through her body, a powerful wave of lust Lloyd kisses hadn’t given her for years. For a few heartbeats she gave in, but when Addison caressed her neck, only wave his fingers into her hair, and his other hand pressed close at the small of her back, some of her senses came back to her, and she broke the kiss. Karen tried to take a step back, but Addison didn’t release her, and she stared up into his grey eyes. The same colour as his suit, but infinitely colder.
“No. I’m not happy with Lloyd, but I’m not doing this. I don’t have to be so cheap.”
Something hardened in Addison’s eyes and his hand tightened briefly around her neck, but then he relaxed and smiled. Karen felt uneasy; it was not a reassuring smile he gave her, and his next words alarmed her even further.
“You don’t say no to me, Karen. You say yes, or whatever you like, or as you wish, Addison, or any other charming euphemism you can think of, but never no.”
“’I’d like you to go now, please. I don’t like this”
“And I would like you to consider what I know about you and Eve.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” But Karen’s voice sounded feeble in her ears, and the unease had, as he spoke, transformed into fear. Addison was still holding her close, and she suppressed an impulse to try to fight him off.
“Don’t lie, it doesn’t suit you. I know exactly what you did; Eve told me. I can make all those nasty little threats she gave you come true, and more. Margo will be livid. Goodbye to your lovely friendship.Farewell for Lloyd’s exalted status in the theatre.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“When did I ever come with idle threats? Of course, I would.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Partly because I’m bored. Partly because you are reasonably attractive: quite lovely, in fact. And partly because I don’t like Lloyd much. But mostly because I can.”
Karen closed her eyes. She wished Addison wouldn’t talk so much. It was hard enough to think through the turmoil of emotions inside her, and when he kissed her again, she didn’t resist. His hands moved over her body in a way which was more possessiveness than embrace. Tears burned her eyes, and when he finally released her, she didn’t look up.
“Now, if I asked you to show me your undoubtedly charming bedroom, what would you say, Karen?”
Her voice, to her relief, was steady now, despite the threatening tears.
“If you wish, Addison.”
“Look at me.”
Karen raised her head, but the tears blurred her vision so she couldn’t see clearly.
“I do wish it, but not now. I see you are nearly crying, and I’m not in the mood for tears today.”
He strolled down to the sofa and sat down again. “Why don’t you change into a pretty frock and do something about your face and hair, and I’ll take you to a nice lunch. We can discuss these matters another day.”
Karen obeyed without a murmur of protest. It was better to be anywhere else than alone with Addison, even if it meant spending more time with him. The lunch was more than nice, the restaurant blessedly cool, and Addison proceeded to be his most charming self. By the end of the meal had had even tricked her into laughing, and then he put her in a cab without any mention of what had happened earlier. Later Karen found herself almost believing it hadn’t happened at all. And as the days passed, and she heard nothing more from him. she convinced herself Addison had only used an opportunity to play one of his little cruel games and had never meant to follow through.
There were other things to worry over, after all. As summer gave way to cooler weather, Lloyd remained elusive, spending less and less time at home, and it occurred to her she was watching her marriage slowly disintegrate and she was unable to do anything to stop it. Perhaps Eve had only been the catalyst for something which would have happened, anyway. She hated Addison for telling her Lloyd would eventually leave her, but it wasn’t his words which made everything she and Lloyd had shared lose importance and recede into the background. It was Lloyd, and perhaps herself, who was making it happen, all by themselves.
The fic on AO3
Title: Blackmail Is Such An Ugly Word
Fandom: All About Eve
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 1645
Characters: Addison DeWitt, Karen Richards
Pairings Addison DeWitt/ Karen Richards,
Warnings: Blackmail, non-consensual kissing
Summary: Addison DeWitt pays Karen a visit a hot summer day.
AN: I recently rewatched All About Eve and it struck me of how practiced Addison’s blackmail of Eve is. He knows exactly what he is doing, so the logical conclusion is that he has done it before. And I felt sure he would do it again if he had the opportunity. Then I thought of how he now knows how Karen went behind Margo’s back to help Eve. And then I thought that Karen is the only person in the movie Addison seems to like a little. I know he and Eve are often described a homosexual in various analysis, but with Addison I (obviously) I don’t agree. I think his sexuality is completely tied to power, not gender- the more power and dominance he can wield over someone, the more attractive that persons become.
So the next I knew my perverted mind had provided me with this. Or rather, it provided me with a lot more, and it turned a lot more disturbing than I first intended. Now, Addison DeWitt is a very disturbing character; he is a horrible man, and I’m glad he is imaginary. So as of now, I’m not sure if I will post more, or not. I probably will post more, as it continues to poke at me.
And a few words on perfume. Being rather scent oriented and interested in perfume history, I often spend way too much time imagining what scent a character would wear; here Addison DeWitt. Caron’s Pour un Homme launched in 1934 and was then unusually daring and complex for being a man’s scent. It opens with lavender, with other herbs as a supporting role, with more herbs and with woody tones as middle notes. And in the base, there is tonka bean and vanilla and a little musk, with a hint of moss. It’s an ambiguous scent- to my modern nose it can be worn equally well by a woman as a man, and I felt it suited Addison’s rather dubious nature.
July in New York was as hot and humid as usual. Karen had hoped to be in the country by now, but Lloyd had things to do in the city, and it seemed to take much longer than he had expected. When the doorbell rang late one morning Karen was tempted to pretend she wasn’t at home. Then she thought it must be the mailman with a package and went to answer, anyway.
To her surprise, she found Addison DeWitt outside her door. He looked cooler than Karen felt was fair in light grey a summer suit as immaculate as if he had just dressed and not moved through the oppressive city heat. He eyed her in a way which felt almost physical, and Karen became aware she had foregone both slip and stockings to combat the heat. She knew her simple cotton frock was not unbecoming, but not what she would have chosen to meet Addison in.
“I see you didn’t expect company.”
Without being asked in he breezed past her, into the living room. Karen watched him with a certain wariness. She had rarely been the subject of Addison’s barbed comments, not being important enough in the theatre to merit much attention. Occasionally, he had even been charming to her, but they were not on such a friendly footing it merited unannounced visits at home.
“Lloyd is not here, at the moment.”
“I know he isn’t. I know exactly where Lloyd is. But you don’t.”
Karen ignored the comment. She would not allow Addison to rile her. Even if she wondered what it was Lloyd felt he had to stay in New York for, and why he wouldn’t tell her.
“I thought no one was still in town; why aren’t you in Hollywood with Eve? You seem to have grown so close lately.”
“I detest Los Angeles. Eve will be back soon enough.”
“Are you certain? I’m sure she will be a success and we all know how much Eve loves being on the top.”
“Coming from you that comment is positively catty. But she’ll be back, success, or not.”
Karen sat down with a sigh. “What do you want, Addison?”
Without hurry, he sat down, offered her a cigarette and when she declined, lightened one for himself before he deigned to answer.
“I’ve come to collect a debt.”
“What debt? I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I’m speaking about your debt of gratitude as I saved your marriage.”
“My marriage?”
“You sound like a parrot, Karen dear. Did you never wonder why Lloyd came back from New Haven with his tail between his legs? After such a dramatic exit in the middle of the night and all. You were anxious when we had lunch that day, surely you remember? What you don’t know is that I had a little talk with Eve in the afternoon about it all. She was not happy about it, but she saw things my way after a little persuasion. I admit I did it for purely selfish reasons, but as you also reaped the benefits, you have to admit you owe me a debt of gratitude, nevertheless.”
Karen stood up. “If you expect me to be thankful for telling me about Lloyd and Eve, you are gravely mistaken.”
“No, I don’t suppose you are. But he’ll leave you in the end anyway, you know. Lloyd’s weak and new pretty talents will always be in supply.
“And you’ve come here to taunt me about it? That’s a new low, even for you.”
“I’m only telling you the truth.” Addison stood up as well and took a step closer to her, in one smooth movement. “Isn’t it better to be forewarned than taken by surprise?”
He moved even closer, but Karen barely noticed it. She and Lloyd had never talked about New Haven; he had merely returned home. Whatever had been between him and Eve was over, but though he never spoke about her, their marriage hadn’t been the same since. Now Addison’s words roused the pain and jealousy she had felt then, and which had never really disappeared.
“You are hurt. A natural feeling for a woman like you. And a bit angry. Why shouldn’t you be? Why wouldn’t you want a little revenge? Wouldn’t it feel good to do to Lloyd, what he did to you, and show me a little gratitude, all at once?”
And suddenly he was so close to her Karen could feel the scent of his perfume. Lloyd didn’t like perfume- too unmanly he said, apart from a splash of bay rum after shaving. Addison’s scent was much more expensive and complicated; lavender and fresh herbs, but underneath something sweetly warm, saved from being cloying by the herbs. The scent made her feel odd, as if it hooked into her insides, wringing out feelings she didn’t want to name. She noticed how tall he was; with him so close she could only see his chest, and when she tilted her head back to look at him, he kissed her.
Karen was experienced enough to know things had moved towards this for the last few minutes, but the audacity of Addison nevertheless surprised her. His lips were firm against hers, and after a moment she answered the kiss. He was right; she was angry, and if Lloyd had so little respect for their vows, why should she? Heat spread through her body, a powerful wave of lust Lloyd kisses hadn’t given her for years. For a few heartbeats she gave in, but when Addison caressed her neck, only wave his fingers into her hair, and his other hand pressed close at the small of her back, some of her senses came back to her, and she broke the kiss. Karen tried to take a step back, but Addison didn’t release her, and she stared up into his grey eyes. The same colour as his suit, but infinitely colder.
“No. I’m not happy with Lloyd, but I’m not doing this. I don’t have to be so cheap.”
Something hardened in Addison’s eyes and his hand tightened briefly around her neck, but then he relaxed and smiled. Karen felt uneasy; it was not a reassuring smile he gave her, and his next words alarmed her even further.
“You don’t say no to me, Karen. You say yes, or whatever you like, or as you wish, Addison, or any other charming euphemism you can think of, but never no.”
“’I’d like you to go now, please. I don’t like this”
“And I would like you to consider what I know about you and Eve.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” But Karen’s voice sounded feeble in her ears, and the unease had, as he spoke, transformed into fear. Addison was still holding her close, and she suppressed an impulse to try to fight him off.
“Don’t lie, it doesn’t suit you. I know exactly what you did; Eve told me. I can make all those nasty little threats she gave you come true, and more. Margo will be livid. Goodbye to your lovely friendship.Farewell for Lloyd’s exalted status in the theatre.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“When did I ever come with idle threats? Of course, I would.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Partly because I’m bored. Partly because you are reasonably attractive: quite lovely, in fact. And partly because I don’t like Lloyd much. But mostly because I can.”
Karen closed her eyes. She wished Addison wouldn’t talk so much. It was hard enough to think through the turmoil of emotions inside her, and when he kissed her again, she didn’t resist. His hands moved over her body in a way which was more possessiveness than embrace. Tears burned her eyes, and when he finally released her, she didn’t look up.
“Now, if I asked you to show me your undoubtedly charming bedroom, what would you say, Karen?”
Her voice, to her relief, was steady now, despite the threatening tears.
“If you wish, Addison.”
“Look at me.”
Karen raised her head, but the tears blurred her vision so she couldn’t see clearly.
“I do wish it, but not now. I see you are nearly crying, and I’m not in the mood for tears today.”
He strolled down to the sofa and sat down again. “Why don’t you change into a pretty frock and do something about your face and hair, and I’ll take you to a nice lunch. We can discuss these matters another day.”
Karen obeyed without a murmur of protest. It was better to be anywhere else than alone with Addison, even if it meant spending more time with him. The lunch was more than nice, the restaurant blessedly cool, and Addison proceeded to be his most charming self. By the end of the meal had had even tricked her into laughing, and then he put her in a cab without any mention of what had happened earlier. Later Karen found herself almost believing it hadn’t happened at all. And as the days passed, and she heard nothing more from him. she convinced herself Addison had only used an opportunity to play one of his little cruel games and had never meant to follow through.
There were other things to worry over, after all. As summer gave way to cooler weather, Lloyd remained elusive, spending less and less time at home, and it occurred to her she was watching her marriage slowly disintegrate and she was unable to do anything to stop it. Perhaps Eve had only been the catalyst for something which would have happened, anyway. She hated Addison for telling her Lloyd would eventually leave her, but it wasn’t his words which made everything she and Lloyd had shared lose importance and recede into the background. It was Lloyd, and perhaps herself, who was making it happen, all by themselves.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-06 11:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-04-07 04:14 am (UTC)Would you be interested in more? I have quite a lot written, though not ready for posting yet. It gets a bit darker- not violent rape, but definitely coercion and dubious consent. (I do understand if you rather not.) Also adding Addison/Eve and possibly a little Eve/Karen.
It's one of my all-time favorites as well, and I rewatch it every few years. but I had never thought to fanfic it before- but now I got this. AO3 has very few, but I thought this one was very good:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/28246
no subject
Date: 2019-04-07 04:17 am (UTC)I know about the speculation that Eve is a lesbian, frankly I think she'll have sex with anyone if it gets her what she wants (I used to work with somebody like that)
no subject
Date: 2019-04-07 04:28 am (UTC)I agree- Eve would sleep with anyone who can promote her. But I can see where the idea she is a lesbian come from- her "devotion" to Margo can be read in that light, and the only time she voluntary touch anyone is putting her arm around her roommate. I have a harder time seeing Addison as homosexual- he seems utterly uninterested in any of the other male characters, and he actually states he wants Eve. I've read a very long explanation he goes to all the trouble with Eve because he needs a beard, but it's already established he has access to pretty starlets like Miss Caswell, so if he needs one, he could pick and choose.
Sorry for the wordiness- I get carried away some time. :)
no subject
Date: 2019-04-07 04:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-04-07 04:33 am (UTC)