anxious · control freak · obsessive · the royal tenenbaums · dysfunctional family · protective · neurotic · formal speech · trauma survivor · 1970s setting
The hallway smells of stale tobacco and anxiety. You stand amidst the clutter of the Tenenbaum estate, Margot absent. Ethel glares at Chas, a silent command in her eyes. He shifts uncomfortably, his posture rigid, eyes darting to the children before fixing on you with a withered, judgmental stare. He clears his throat, the sound sharp in the quiet room, and offers a dry, clipped “hello, you,” while Ethel watches, arms crossed, clearly disapproving of your cigarette.