americaworks

[americaworks]

BASICS + WIP.

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Team Underwood:

Frank Underwood — Former Congressman for South Carolina's fifth district, later Democratic President. Underwood is a no-nonsense, almost ruffian type of person in private when ticked. Yet in public he’s a charismatic, polite, gentlemanly man. He considers himself a modern quintessential Southern Gentleman - except without the racism. In fact most of America loves him for it, goofs and all. They fail to see the blood on his hands.

Claire Underwood — Daughter of a prominent businessman and Frank’s wife, Claire has always been left in the shadow. Treated like a personal doll to dress up by her mother, discarded and broken by her ex-boyfriend, put back together by Frank, Claire desires independence away from those who have shaped her to be who she is. At the same time, she knows she can’t climb higher than First Lady… except for President. But there’s only one seat.

Doug Stamper — White House Chief of Staff, Stamper was the secondary choice to his much more liked and optimistic older brother Gary. As a result he slipped through to many mental health issues, namely his addictive nature. Loyal to Frank Underwood, Doug has pledged to himself that he will always obey any order given by his superior, both as his subordinate and as his most loyal friend and companion. He doesn’t know if addiction comes first.

Edward Meechum — Security detail to the Underwoods, Meechum comes from a lineage of men who worked in the military or the police. His loyalty first and foremost is America, but upon Frank rescuing him from his sacking, he has changed his priority to the President. Although treated at times like Frank’s secret mistress, Meechum never steps a foot wrong. He will always follow Frank like a loyal puppy, until one of them dies, maybe both of them.

Catherine Durant — Born in the Deep South like Frank, Cathy has just a conflicted relationship with religion and conservatism as her superior does. Yet what bonds them together is their love of foreign affairs, making her the most suitable Secretary of State in decades. In her downtime she enjoys wine and the humanities, but also takes on a more personal role as a confidant to the Underwoods. Someone had to do it after all, why not her?

Donald Blythe — The naively closeted socialist Vice President, Donald hesitantly became Frank’s VP and later running mate despite his limited experience in “that brand of politics”. Born to a communist father and a conservative mother with a toe in two worlds, Donald prides himself on wanting people to think critically, his priority being education reform. Outside of the executive he can be found talking with the unions with a small smile.

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[americaworks]

wanted to put some work into my house of cards us rewrite ideas so here’s a little scrappy “how they would describe each of their childhoods” to get my mind working for the future

Frank Underwood:

He thinks for a long time. Excruciatingly long, you can hear a pin drop just waiting for him to finally come up with how to word things. “Look at it this way, I am an example of how the American Dream works. I was born in poverty, on a small farm in a small town, and here I am today - a Sentinel and Harvard graduate, now President. If the Founding Fathers met me today, they’d congratulate me on a job well done. Then again, I doubt they’ll be impressed by some small town boy like myself.” His statement followed with small laughter. Only the keenest of observers would know that he didn’t believe in half of what he was saying. The American Dream is fine and all, but what’s the point in a dream if all you’re left with are memories of crying in the bathroom, scrubbing your bruised arms and limping?

Claire Underwood:

She merely cast a smile, empty on the outside, perfectly rehearsed. “I didn’t grow up like a lot of people, that would be a lie. I’m from considerable wealth, my father was a prominent businessman. He was a kindhearted man though, he always had time for me. And he once said to me, ‘Claire, never forget where you come from, and I don’t mean your money. I mean who you are, what your principles are. I think if he was still alive, he’d be proud of me.” He was the only person who believed in her until Francis. Before that all she could remember was being yelled at for sneaking an appearance in a too short skirt by her mother or worse - the boys who hung about in the woods. It was always those boys.

Doug Stamper:

His lip stiffens at the question and he turns away. “Why do you want to know? It was very normal. Had an older brother who looked after me. Parents who fed me and clothed me. I’m not entirely sure what more you’d be interested in. Now, please move, you’re wasting my time.” It’s a sore spot, and god knows he’ll never talk about it. What he says is always the truth though - but his parents never did more than the bare minimum. It was always Gary. Gary Gary Gary. Never Douglas. The short breaks of mental attachment came only from Doug at school, looking through the school library to teach himself. He always loved books. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Edward Meechum:

He blinks, caught slightly off guard. “I really shouldn’t be indulging questions on work hours but I might as well… I don’t have much to say though. My father was in the army, my mother was a tailor. Dad wasn’t home a lot but he kept souvenirs of different places he was in. His proudest possession were shells from Vietnam. Before my time, of course, but he was so proud, displayed them prominently by his gun. Sometimes I wonder about that… he adored Johnson, and I’m now working for the man who keeps a LBJ photo up in his old office. It’s… it’s funny, isn’t it?” A short laugh. “Speaking of which, I should get back to work.”

Catherine Durant:

“Not much to say, unless you want to hear about my momma’s nervous breakdowns.” Cathy laughed, before turning more serious. “I grew up modestly. Not too poor, but definitely not rich. My momma was a godfearing lady, told me never to disobey the Bible. My dad was the timid sort, but pretty fierce if you ever tried to knock him down, like a muffled dog. I think it gave me a tough skin. A good attitude as it were. Stay positive, but don’t do wrong ‘cos that’s never a good thing.” Doing ‘wrong’ in Mr. Durant’s eyes included staring down his daughter after she arrived home with a weak History grade.

Donald Blythe:

“Well, my father was a communist. Not openly, of course, McCarthy saw to that. Very proud Democrat though, timid in all other areas of life. My mother disapproved of it… said he wanted a dictatorship. He didn’t, but he subscribed a lot to Marx, showed me texts he kept in a safe. He really taught me to think for myself, and it helped. Mom coddled me a bit too much at times, sometimes I worry that’s what I was like with Marjorie. Heh… but no, I had a happy childhood. Well, apart from the time the police knocked on the door to question my father. That wasn’t a good night.”

[americaworks]

My blog for anything catering to my House of Cards US rewrite! Hoping to make this more of a regular thing.

What is this?: WIP.

Anything else: WIP.

Mod: @archonofdivinity