All About Margo

Inspired by the wonderful 1950 film 'All About Eve' in which Bette Davis played Margo Channing.

Margo Channing wasn’t always Margo Channing.

A simple girl at ten years old, Margo Richards wouldn’t be caught dead in fur coats and jewellery, but rather opted for baggy sweatshirts and shorts. A tomboy, by today’s standards. Margo’s favourite past-time was challenging the neighbour boys to a climbing contest:

“I bet I can get higher up that tree than you!”

“There’s no way you could beat me over that fence!”

Margo’s mother, on the other hand, was the pinnacle of aristocracy, despite being the wife of a train-station manager. She embarrassed her daughter by trying to force good manners and composure on her and her friends, when just hearing the name ‘Dick’ induced a flurry of giggles! It never occurred to the young teen that, perhaps, her mother knew only one way of life, one she hoped to pass down to her daughter.

At twelve years old, Margo experienced her first cigarette-a dirty habit, but one she would cherish the rest of her life. It seemed the perfect companion for the glass of red wine she nicked from the kitchen each night. But, of course, for a few years, she had to hide behind the big oak in the back yard for the secret smoke; her father knew, but kept it to himself as he realised nothing would stop Margo when she put her mind to something.

April 5^th, Margo’s 17^th birthday, was when Margo Channing was born. Margo’s adventurous demeanour, although still there, took second place to her ambition; the old baggy clothes were replaced by low-cut evening gowns, much to the delight of the boys who played with her.

“You look wonderful, Margo!”

“Absolutely gorgeous!”

To which she replied with childlike innocence, “I can’t believe it, boys-this dress shows cleavage!”

The boys most definitely knew!

The change did not go down so well with her father, however, who loved having the equivalent to a son. “Margo, why do you want to be like that?”

“I think it’s the way I should live.”

“It’s what your mother wants.”

“It’s what I want!”

“Well, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to be an actress! On the stage, my name up in lights!”

“What if I forbid it, Margo?”

Her father could never have expected the response she gave; she flicked her hair from her face and barked over her shoulder,

“Fasten your seatbelt, Father; it’s going to be a bumpy night!”

THE END

Author's Note

A simple short story about one of my favourite film characters.