Miss Katherine (AHS) {Discontinued}

Chapter Three (Murder House)

June 2011

Vivien has decided that she wants to separate from Ben after catching him cheating on her with one of his students. However, Ben finds a house online and persuades Vivien to give him another chance, leading to the family moving to Los Angeles.

'' The light is different out here. It's softer. '' Vivien comments. '' It's called smog. '' Violet states from the back of the Harmons car, causing Vivien to smile at her daughter.

'' You should be exited, Vi. You can stop sneaking cigarettes and just start taking deep breaths. '' Ben tell his daughter as she takes of her sunglasses. '' I need to go to the bathroom. ''

'' We're almost there. '' Ben tells her. '' I need to go. '' Violet repeats. '' Vi, it's a freeway. '' Ben chuckles. '' Really. Where do you want me to pull over? Maybe the Honda next to us has a bathroom or something. ''

Violet looks towards the small dog next to her. '' Bet if baby substitute had to shit, you'd find somewhere. '' She mumbles.

Vivien looks back at her daughter and takes off her sunglasses. '' Really, Violet? I hate that word unless I'm saying it. '' Ben nods from the drivers seat. '' You know, I'm really glad we named you Violet instead of our second choice.

'' Which was? '' Violet asks, interested. '' Sunshine. '' Vivien says, putting her sunglasses back on as Ben laughs, causing Violet to mock laugh.

'' It's funny. Come on. You gotta admit it's funny. '' Ben smiles as he tries to hold Vivien's hand, but she pulls away.

-

The Harmons make it to the home that they found online.

Ben rings the doorbell. '' I love it. '' He turns to his wife, who's holding the dog in her arms. '' Don't you love it, hon? ''

Vivien nods as Ben smiles. '' I mean, it looks better than it did online. '' Ben continues. '' Yeah, it's-it's interesting. '' Vivien nods, looking at the exterior of the house.

'' Great. So we're the Addams Family now. '' Violet mumbles to herself. '' Hey! Crabby pants! Come here. '' Ben calls her over. '' What are you doing? '' Vivien asks her daughter as she joins them. '' Isn't this place amazing? '' Ben gushes as the door creaks open, revealing a woman named Marcy.

'' Welcome. '' She says as she escorts them into the house. '' It's a classic L.A Victorian...built around 1920 by the Doctor to the stars at the time. It's just fabulous. These are real Tiffany fixtures. As you can see, the previous owners really loved this place like a child. They restored everything. ''

'' Gay? '' Vivien asks. '' What do you think? '' Marcy smiles, nodding as she walks towards the kitchen, Ben nudging his wife. '' Tiffany. Wow. ''

'' Do you cook? '' Marcy asks when they enter the kitchen. '' Viv is a great cook. I got her cooking lessons a few years ago and she ended up teaching the teacher a few things. '' Ben replies.

'' Cooking lessons. Romantic. '' Marcy gushes at Vivien, then turns her attention to Ben. '' Aren't you a Psychologist? ''

'' Psychiatrist. '' Ben corrects. '' You said something on the phone about there being a study that I could use as a home office? I'm planning on seeing patients here so I can spend more time with the family. ''

'' How refreshing. '' Marcy comments as the dog barks. '' Violet, honey, would you go see where Hallie went? Vivien asks her daughter, who rolls her eyes and huffs, finding the dog barking at the basement door.

'' What are you yapping at? '' Violet asks, as she tries to open the door, only to find it jammed.

After a few attempts, she finally gets it open. She makes her way town the stairs, but before going too far in, she decides to go back up the stairs.

'' When I saw the pictures of this room online...I thought maybe you could use it as your music room. '' Ben tells his wife as they walk around. '' Are you a musician? '' Marcy asks.

'' I was. '' Vivien smiles, looking around the room as Ben turns to Marcy. '' Cellist. A very good one, in fact. ''

'' Why did you quit? '' Marcy asks. '' The wallpaper is peeling over here. '' Vivien says, dismissing the question about her hobby, as she grabs a piece of wallpaper. '' Looks like there's a mural underneath it. ''

'' The last owners probably covered it up. They were modernists. Speaking of the last owners...full disclosure requires that I tell you about what happened to them. '' Marcy says, clasping her hands together. Vivien walks back to her husbands side. '' Oh, God. They didn't die in here or anything, did they? ''

'' Yes, actually. Both of them. Murder-suicide. I sold them the house too. '' She informs them as Violet enters the room with Hallie in her arms.

'' They were just the sweetest couple. You never know, I guess. '' Marcy says, her eyebrows raised. '' That explains why it's half the price of every other house in the neighborhood I guess. '' Ben nods.

'' I do have a very nice mid-century ranch, but it's in the Valley...and you're going to get a third of the house for twice the price. '' Marcy tells them.

'' Great. '' Ben says, his voice betraying that he is upset. '' Where'd it happen? '' Violet asks. '' The basement. '' Marcy replies, causing Violet to nod. '' We'll take it. '' Both Vivien and Ben turn to their daughter, as she gives them a wicked smile.