This is why I love commentaries on fic: I saw this guy as being very overtly an Alpha male, but this being a family-friendly public space in the 1970s, any sexual display had to be very subtle. Hence touching the rings etc, as if to say “Look how rich I am”.
That was an insight that I know I picked up on while reading -- that the Greek was drawing attention to himself, preening as it were -- but I had not actually put the idea to the fact that it was a public family venue in the 70s. Different world than mine (as I was five in 1974). This adds a fresh layer of depth to the proceedings for me, which I just love.
As for inspiration, Undercover came out of the scene by the car outside the hardware store, with Sam being genuinely perplexed by the gay male power plays around him. Women, we see these things because it is a survival instinct (who wants me? Why? Does he want her? What's his game? etc.) but Sam, not so much. heh. Anyway, it specifically started with Gene's comments to him and with Sam's confusion, and I just LOVED that dynamic so much that I wanted to build a whole story around Sam's confusion. So I did. (The next chapter, Appearances, which is almost done -- kill me now -- goes into the idea of Sam being a fish out of water a lot more, even).
It is interesting, particularly, to see behind the idea of the Greek alpha male chasing Sam, and how you set that up, and why. It works in the story perfectly, and it is a real treat to see your machinations behind the set up.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-07-09 01:38 pm (UTC)I saw this guy as being very overtly an Alpha male, but this being a family-friendly public space in the 1970s, any sexual display had to be very subtle. Hence touching the rings etc, as if to say “Look how rich I am”.
That was an insight that I know I picked up on while reading -- that the Greek was drawing attention to himself, preening as it were -- but I had not actually put the idea to the fact that it was a public family venue in the 70s. Different world than mine (as I was five in 1974). This adds a fresh layer of depth to the proceedings for me, which I just love.
As for inspiration, Undercover came out of the scene by the car outside the hardware store, with Sam being genuinely perplexed by the gay male power plays around him. Women, we see these things because it is a survival instinct (who wants me? Why? Does he want her? What's his game? etc.) but Sam, not so much. heh. Anyway, it specifically started with Gene's comments to him and with Sam's confusion, and I just LOVED that dynamic so much that I wanted to build a whole story around Sam's confusion. So I did. (The next chapter, Appearances, which is almost done -- kill me now -- goes into the idea of Sam being a fish out of water a lot more, even).
It is interesting, particularly, to see behind the idea of the Greek alpha male chasing Sam, and how you set that up, and why. It works in the story perfectly, and it is a real treat to see your machinations behind the set up.
Off to part two!!!!