Chapter Thirteen
Anastasia gets a call from her mom, who can’t make Anastasia’s graduation because her husband twisted a ligament. After all, it’s only the graduation of your only daughter, right? Anastasia is okay with it, though. Then she receives an email from Grey.
Dear Miss Steele,
Following my more thorough examination of your issues, may I bring to your attention the definition of submissive (page 208).
Which, incidentally, is the definition of submissive straight from dictionary.com, which is handy. Anastasia promptly writes him back and provides the dictionary definition of the word ‘compromise’.
There’s some back and forth about how they’re going to meet up. Grey wants to pick her up, Anastasia wants to drive. I’m assuming all these nonsense is because in Twilight, Bella drove an old (yet awesome) deathtrap while Edward drove his poncy Volvo. Of course, here, Grey has dozens of cars (and a helicopter!) and Anastasia drives an old Beetle, so it’s totally different.
The next day at work Paul follows her around at work asking for a date. Okay, so Paul is the Mike Newton wannabe. Got it.
She drives to Grey’s hotel and meets him in the bar. They get a table and he orders wine and eats an olive…sexily.
“You know this contract is legally unenforceable.”
“I am fully aware of that, Miss Steele.”
“Were you going to tell me that at any point?”
He frowns. “You’d think I’d coerce you into something you don’t want to do, and then pretend that I have a legal hold over you?”
“Well…yes.” (page 216).
At least she’s being honest with him. Not that he’s really being honest with her. Or answering her questions.
“Anastasia, it doesn’t matter if it’s legal or not. It represents an arrangement that I would like to make with you – what I would like from you and what you can expect from me. If you don’t like it, don’t sign. If you do sign and decide you don’t like it, there are enough get-out clauses so you can walk away.” (page 216)
Except, of course, for a no-holds-barred, any-reason-you-want get-out clause.
I really just have one question for you, Grey. If it doesn’t matter if it’s legal or not, and it just clarifies the terms of the arrangement, why didn’t you mention that at the start, when you first gave it to her? I mean, if you truly have the best of intentions –
“Relationships like this are built on honesty and trust,” he continues (page 216)
EXACTLY. So, if you’re trying to build a relationship on honesty and trust, why not sit Anastasia down, give her the contract, explain that it’s not legally binding (obviously) but that you want something on paper so you’ve both set clear boundaries and have spelled out what you’re looking for in the relationship? I mean, that seems like the most honest and upright way to handle that situation, you fucking asshole.
So, they banter a bit, he asks if she’s hungry, she says no, he asks if she’s eaten today. Sweet! It’s been an entire chapter since he was a dick about eating. He asks if she wants to eat here or in his suite, she says here because she’d like to stay on public ground.
“Do you think that would stop me?” he says softly, a sensual warning (page 217).
Holy shit, that’s hot.
They start on dinner and begin going through the list. He says that she can walk away at any time and he won’t stop her. But, if she does go, that’s it. No chance of ever getting back together, or, I suspect, redefining boundaries. So that’s another method of control. Nice work, Grey. You’ve even managed to be controlling when you give her an escape clause.
They talk through the details of the contract. Anastasia is worried about the pain, but Grey explains that he’s not going to really hurt her, it’s just going to be small bits of pain that will be pleasurable, they’ll take it slow, etc.
Grey, naturally, brings up the food, and it being a deal breaker.
“Can I modify it to say you will eat at least three meals a day?”
“No.” I am so not backing down on this. No one is going to dictate to me what I eat (page 222).
Except for when Grey dictates to you what you’re going to eat…every time you’re together?
Anastasia asks why she isn’t allowed to masturbate.
“Because I want all your pleasure.” His voice is husky but determined (page 223).
Yep, this contract is definitely for Anastasia’s benefit.
Anastasia doesn’t want to go over soft limits over dinner, so after Grey bitches about her not eating enough, he says he wants to peel her out of that dress. We get a page and a half of playful sexual banter and then Anastasia picks up a stalk of asparagus and starts fellating it. He twitches a bit, and eventually Anastasia says she has to go, because she wants some distance to think about things. Grey responds well to this:
“I could make you stay,” he threatens (page 226).
So hot.
Grey tells her he thinks she really doesn’t have a submissive bone in her body. Probably not, but I bet she’d like one! Ba-dum-tsh. They kiss goodbye and he escorts her to her car and is appalled when he sees what a piece of shit she drives.
“That’s what you drive?” He’s appalled (page 228).
Told you.
Anastasia tells him he’s not allowed to buy her a car, but let’s face it, does anyone think that’s going to stop him?
She drives home and starts crying because she’s upset, and it’s actually a pretty good scene. I’ll quote some of it:
I don’t even know how to categorize him. If I do this thing… will he be my boyfriend? Will I be able to introduce him to my friends? Go out to bars, the cinema, bowling even, with him? The truth is I don’t think I will. He won’t let me touch him and he won’t let me sleep with him. I know I’ve not had these things in my past, but I want them in my future. And that’s not the future he envisages (page 229).
She angsts for quite a bit longer than this, and it’s pretty natural stuff for her to be angsting about it so I don’t mind much. Although I wonder why she’s freaking about him not letting her sleep with him. Sure, he’s said that won’t happen, but they have already slept together, and he did just ask her to spend the night at the hotel with him.
She gets home to an email from him that’s a little hurt, but he promises her again that he really wants to make this work. So she gets into bed and drifts asleep while thinking about all the warnings he’s given her about how he’s dangerous, not right for her, and she should totally stay away. Just like Twilight! Except instead of killing her and drinking her blood, he wants to tie her up, beat her silly, and fuck her like she owes him money.
Chapter Fourteen
Anastasia has an erotic dream where she’s tied up and sucking on…a riding crop that Grey is holding. Then he uses the riding crop to hit her in the clitoris, which makes her wake up in the throes of an incredible sleep orgasm. I don’t have a clitoris, nor have I ever been hit in the clitoris I don’t have with a riding crop, but that sounds incredibly unpleasant.
She gets up, and her dad picks her up and takes her to graduation. Kate, who’s giving the valedictorian speech because some colleges still have those, is up on stage alongside Christian Grey, who’s also giving a speech. Some girls sitting next to Anastasia ogle and whisper about him, so she tells them he’s gay.
After Kate gives an amazing speech, Grey talks about some the philanthropic work he does in conjunction with the university to eliminate world hunger. He mentions that he personally knows what it’s like to be profoundly hungry, and Anastasia realizes this is why he’s such a Nazi about food. Plot point!
Afterwards, Grey corners her and asks why she hasn’t responded to his emails or texts. She points out that she hasn’t checked them. And it’s been like half a day, she doesn’t point out. Half a day that was mostly spent with her sleeping, then getting ready for, then attending graduation. But it turns out he was mostly worried about her car.
Grey wants to meet her dad, and says she can just introduce him as her friend. But when they get together Kate butts in and introduces Grey as Anastasia’s boyfriend. After some momentary awkwardness, Grey starts talking to her dad about fishing which smoothes things over. Eventually she and Grey get a moment alone, and after some banter, she agrees to the soft limits and to being his submissive.
That night, after she gets home, Anastasia sends him an email saying she’s interesting in coming over, but Grey continues to not be happy about the car she’s driving and says he’ll come and get her.
Dun dun dun.
Pryotra on 31 August 2012, 13:35 said:
I’m really getting tired of Christian and food.
What’s wrong with the old beetle? Old beetles are awesome! Even Harry Dresden used to have one! I would love an old beetle.
At least it has some personality rather than looking like you’re too conservative for a sports car but you still want to make sure that everyone knows you’ve got money or something.
Epke on 31 August 2012, 13:40 said:
I don’t get it. I mean, I get the playful version of “I could make you [eat]” said with a wink or a coy smile, but the threatening part? How is this sexy or romantic? Anyone?
I do have to say that Ana’s angsting is perfectly justified here and for once, James doesn’t go over the top with the padding – sadly this is also the only good thing about this chapter). And like Pryotra touched upon, there’s too much food porn going on: if you’re not named Nigella Lawson, you’re not doing it right.
Fell Blade on 31 August 2012, 13:49 said:
Am I missing something? In all my life living in the US, I’ve never heard someone say “go to the cinema”. Is it just something missing in the area I live in, or is this another carry-over from the UK?
Are there really women out there who fantasize about owning piece-o-crap cars then getting a hunky boyfriend who wants to buy them a sports car and they (the women fantasizing) don’t want it? What exactly is so great about fantasizing that you don’t want the luxury sports car someone has just given you? Is it considered a turn on for a guy to spend thousands of dollars on a gift that the woman in question says she doesn’t want?
swenson on 31 August 2012, 14:17 said:
Have to admit, I loled. Sure, it was probably said out of jealousy, but still, it’s pretty amusing.
Asahel on 31 August 2012, 15:41 said:
Is it because he’s a vampire that doesn’t feed on humans? Just asking…
Prince O'Tea on 31 August 2012, 16:35 said:
Bowling? He nearly went into meltdown because he didn’t like the car you drive, and you think you can take him bowling with your college friends?
Honestly this girl’s herpaderp level is critical.
Prince O'Tea on 31 August 2012, 16:39 said:
I don’t even know how to categorize him. If I do this thing… will he be my boyfriend? Will I be able to introduce him to my friends? Go out to bars, the cinema, bowling even, with him? The truth is I don’t think I will. He won’t let me touch him and he won’t let me sleep with him. I know I’ve not had these things in my past, but I want them in my future. And that’s not the future he envisages (page 229).
Anyone get Maradonia vibes from this segment? I honestly thought it was Maya going into one of her wangsty “woe is me because my daddy doesn’t let me have a cell phone” moments.
Tim on 31 August 2012, 18:18 said:
Yeah, that’s a blatant English-ism. Next she’ll be reminding him to put his rubbish in the dustbin.
Prince O' Tea on 31 August 2012, 19:07 said:
I’m half British/half American, so some of the things I say are a bit… mixed. Since I grew up in the UK most of my isms are Britishisms, but I have picked up a few Americanisms by spending a lot of time over there with family and by watching American tv. I have been told off by teachers for using words like “candy” “diaper” “pacifier” and “ladybug” in my essays in the past, but I’ve never really considered it a potential problem in my serious writing until 50 Shades came along.
I mostly write short stories, and I always keep the setting vague. If I’m writing a story, would using too many isms from both sides of the Atlantic be confusing/distracting? I think I could get away with using candy instead of sweets but I should pick one set and stick with them, right? Mind you, this is all stuff any editor worth their salt would rectify, though 50 Shades isn’t filling me with much hope.
Nate Winchester on 31 August 2012, 19:46 said:
Well now to be fair, is that really controlling of him? Or I should say, would it be any more controlling if Ana was the one to declare “no chance of ever getting back together… etc etc”. I mean… that is kind of a consent thing right there.
I’d say it makes Ana a bit more of a jerk (since Grey seems to be sensitive about that rumor) but with all he’s done to her, I look at it as a bit of payback.
Uh… do women want rich boyfriends? (also, insert your own “no means yes” joke here)
Weird, we say “candy” here in the south.
Anyway, my rule is always the same: what is necessary for the story. If it is a setting deal, (such as first person with an american girl protagonist), then go with that. Otherwise, no, let your own voice shine through in a story. I think it would add a bit of spice to it. =D
Prince O' Tea on 31 August 2012, 19:47 said:
That’s true, if I am setting it somewhere specific, then I need to research it properly. But I am trying to get myself back into the habit of saying “ladybird” instead of “ladybug” because that one gets me the most weird looks over here, even though ladybug always made more sense to me.
Nate Winchester on 31 August 2012, 20:03 said:
Wait, ladybug as in the insect? That’s what it is!
Where are you girl? Sounds like you need to visit the south. (where we folks talk all proper like)
Prince O' Tea on 31 August 2012, 20:10 said:
Yes, in England we call them ladybirds. I think it’s something about them being seen as the “bird of the Virgin Mary” or something. On the other hand…
“When they need to use a common name, entomologists widely prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles2 as these insects are not true bugs. Lesser-used names include God’s cow, ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly.3“
Well now I don’t know what to think.
Nate Winchester on 31 August 2012, 20:19 said:
Forget it, from now on I’m using “lady cow”.
When in doubt, remember the law of Dr McNinja:
“Whatever is coolest.”
Pixen on 1 September 2012, 01:55 said:
How interesting.
Am I missing something? In all my life living in the US, I’ve never heard someone say “go to the cinema”. Is it just something missing in the area I live in, or is this another carry-over from the UK?
In Sydney, Australia we normally use ‘go to the movies’
rubbish in the dustbin
‘Rubbish in the bin’ OR sometimes ‘garbage’ but normally only if we’re talking about ‘garbage bags’
“candy” “diaper” “pacifier” and “ladybug”
Those translate to ‘lollies’, ‘nappy’, ‘dummy’ and ‘ladybird’. XD
Kyllorac on 1 September 2012, 02:23 said:
The next time a little kid calls another little kid “You dummy!” my brain is going to auto-translate that to “You pacifier!” and the resulting mental image will cause me to laugh inappropriately.
Minoan Ferret on 1 September 2012, 04:29 said:
Christian, my cousin, let’s go bowling!
Same a little further south of the Tasman Sea.
Prince O'Tea on 1 September 2012, 06:11 said:
I hate to seem snotty, but lollies are a very specific form of candy. Candy = sweets in the UK. Or sweeties if you’re little. Lollies are just lollipops or ice lollies (popsicles or ice pops.)
Taku on 1 September 2012, 09:48 said:
Prince O’tea, that’s like an American arguing that ‘sweets’ are a particular type of candy, and not a catch-all word like the British use. Candy = sweets = lollies = qandi = bonbon = tángguǒ… Putting the arbitrary nature of linguistic signifiers aside for a moment, the nature of ‘sweet treats’ is so broad and complex that claiming one word or another to cover the whole lot is simply shortsighted.
Anyway, we’re getting away from the issue here. I was going to make a joke about how Ana’s eating habits are clearly put up as a pro-ana foil to Grey’s healthy eating message, but then I realised the main character’s name is Ana, so now I’m not sure if it’s a joke or not.
>___<
Fireshark on 1 September 2012, 10:24 said:
Not likely, as her name was Bella in the first draft.
Prince O' Tea on 1 September 2012, 18:24 said:
I’m not arguing, I didn’t notice that he said he was from Australia the first time he posted and thought he was from the UK, which is why I corrected him on that. I’m not denying that they’re called lollies in Australia, I’m just stating how surprising that revelation is to me, considering what lolly means in the UK/US.
Pro-ana. Bah. Now I certainly feel pleased that I just put away a large pizza and several slices of garlic bread. Gotta keep up my levels of rodonkadonk after all.
Perry Rhinitis on 4 September 2012, 10:21 said:
“I could make you stay,” he threatens (page 226).
This line got me pretty creeped out, actually. I do NOT find this hot at all. My mind was screaming “PERSONAL SPACE! PERSONAL SPACE!”
Frankly, I’m getting confused with distinguishing which English is which. Being Filipino, not only do I have to know Britishisms, I also have to know Americanisms. Where I live, I’m more worried about not using “salvage” in the usual sense.
Nate Winchester on 11 September 2012, 14:07 said:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
http://compare.ebay.com/like/370647617360?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
Not lying, just saw this in a store:
nononononononononononononono
[curls up in a corner to weep]
Tim on 11 September 2012, 14:32 said:
Well, soon they’ll be using her body to make furniture.
Kyllorac on 11 September 2012, 17:04 said:
…omg.
I almost want to buy that just to spork it. But I would never live down the shame of buying it in-person.
Nate Winchester on 11 September 2012, 20:39 said:
Kyllorac, if you ask nicely, I’ll send you a copy. So you can avoid embarrassment. (thankfully, I have no shame)
swenson on 11 September 2012, 21:39 said:
Nate. Here’s a comfortable chair. Now let’s sit down and have a candid chat about why you have a copy of that.
Kyllorac on 11 September 2012, 21:50 said:
Instead of spending money on postage, you could buy a copy, scan all the pages in it (including/especially the ads), send me the files (the bigger, the better), and I will spork it with you.
:D
Nate Winchester on 12 September 2012, 07:38 said:
For… uh… research! yeah!
…
It’s scary how much we think alike. Clearly we must be soul mates! (wait, I’ve lost track, am I supposed to wear a silk tie while I watch you sleep or assault you in an elevator on the way to play baseball? I can’t keep track of today’s rules of romance.)
Licht on 21 September 2012, 06:46 said:
I’ll only ever believe this is real once you sporked it. This just has to be the fake cover of some satire magazine. It has to be. (I wanted to believe something similar about Shades of Grey, actually…)
Does anyone still wonder where from some tragic individuals get the wrong ideas? Seriously?
Jade on 24 July 2016, 06:05 said:
I’m confused. (well, of course am I am, there’s… all of this) but actually I’m asking about her dad? I kinda remember it saying her step-dad (that she considered her dad) was like… CHarlie? So, he’s the fishing guy? But her mom can’t go to graduation because her step-dad is hurt. Her dad (birth-dad, I assume)is there at graduation and he, too, is talking about fishing? So… besides wondering is that means Renee’s husband and CHarlie switched roles for this, are both of them into fishing?
Nunya on 2 December 2019, 19:23 said:
“I don’t have a clitoris, nor have I ever been hit in the clitoris I don’t have with a riding crop, but that sounds incredibly unpleasant.”
I thought you were a woman? Now I’m confused.