In an exclusive interview with The Needling, Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James revealed her best-selling series was actually inspired by a brief but thrilling sadomasochistic relationship she once had with the RapidRide E-Line Bus.
“When I was researching Seattle as the setting for Fifty Shades of Grey, I took the E-Line into Downtown and found the experience uncomfortable and slightly painful, but strangely exhilarating—the overwhelming release you feel after you finally get off that bus makes you feel so alive,” said James, reminiscing on her first ride. “I thought the subtext that the two main characters’ relationship was actually about a commuter bus journey was perfectly clear. I mean, Christian even had Ana sign a contract forbidding her to make eye contact—if that doesn’t scream ‘Seattle public transit’ I don’t know what does.”
Longtime fans and E-Line regulars were both stunned by the revelation.
“I never put it together before—the metal bars and straps everywhere, willingly enduring daily discomfort because I signed a job contract with some rich guy Downtown—wow, the book really was about the E-Line,” said longtime commuter and Fifty Shades fan Jan Clarke. “On the one hand, this completely ruins the book for me—but on the other, I think I’m going to enjoy my commute a lot more from now on.”
Meanwhile, a separate interview with Twilight author Stephanie Meyer revealed that the relationship between Edward and Bella, in which a creepy, awkward old man pursued an inappropriate relationship with a child, was actually inspired by Woody Allen.
