The Three Gables: Gossip Master

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, Langdale Pike
Summary: Holmes reflects on Langdale Pike.
Warnings: Extremely tangential references to 3GAB.
Word Count: 60.
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

3GAB -- The Adventure of the Three Gables

If Charles Augustus Milverton was one side of scandal’s coin, Langdale Pike represented the other. Langdale never blackmailed a soul, yet what he chose to publish (or withhold) shaped the lives of thousands. One of my earliest clients, he became in time one of the most powerful men in London. A useful ally, yet an aspect of Society I abhorred.

Comments

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

A useful ally, yet an aspect of Society I abhorred.

I like the ambiguity in here, and the hint at the many different types of relations even (or especially) a character such as Holmes might entertain.

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you! I could see Holmes liking Pike personally, yet having very mixed feelings about what he did for a living. A four-figure income!

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

I like the comparison! Hadn't thought of it before. Nicely written!

I'm not sure I completely understand which aspect of Society that Holmes abhors here. If Pike only received and dispensed gossip but never blackmailed, I can't see Holmes being opposed to such. After all, he contributed to Pike's collection of gossip at times and the society gossip columns/ agony columns were one of his best fishing grounds for information.

Let me say again though, artistically compared and contrasted and composed! Enjoyed it very much!

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the comparison.

As for the aspect Holmes abhors, ACD canon Holmes is a Bohemian. As such, he has little patience for a lot of what Society considered "important" - and a lot of what Langdale Pike made his living writing about is just that kind of trivial, unimportant detail Society obsessed upon. ...At least that's what I was thinking. :-D

[ennui-enigma.livejournal.com]

Ok. I can agree with that when you look at it from that perspective. whatever would SH think with all the obsession that goes on over him now :D

Sunday, 24 June 2012

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User thisprettywren referenced to your post from Sunday, 24 June 2012 (http://holmesian-news.livejournal.com/216487.html) saying: [...] by (Holmes, Watson | PG | ACD) Gossip Master [...]

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I can see Holmes finding Pike's knowledge useful, but at the same time not liking the influence he must have had.

[methylviolet10b]

Exactly. I don't think he would have liked the influence, and he definitely wouldn't appreciate the "importance" Society placed on what he considered trivial and unworthy matters, like who wore what to which party!

Thanks!

[shadowycat.livejournal.com]

Pike's character is an interesting addition, I wish we'd learned more about him. I can see Holmes disliking the messy, emotional, salacious side of society, yet finding someone who can navigate and affect it very useful indeed. Nice!

[methylviolet10b]

Me too! I would have loved more stories with Pike involved. He's such a delicious and intriguing character.

60 for 60, week 53: The Three Gables

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User spacemutineer referenced to your post from 60 for 60, week 53: The Three Gables (http://dispatch-box.livejournal.com/182436.html) saying: [...] by Gossip Master [...]

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

It is pretty bizarre, Holmes having a working relationship with the Perez Hilton of Victorian London. I'm sure such a man would be incredibly useful, and surely just as detestable.

[methylviolet10b]

LOL! "The Perez Hilton of Victorian London" indeed! Very useful for a detective to know, but I agree with you that Holmes would have found a lot of what he 'cared' about personally eye-rolling at best, and abhorrent at worst.

Thanks!