On God Why. Why Is Lennon So Stupid

𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟗.

𝓢𝓴𝓲𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓟𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓬𝓮

𝙎𝘼𝘾𝙍𝙄𝙁𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎

Julia’s line of thought

I have overslept. Again. It feels like a chore to go to sessions. I never wanted to feel that way about it. I think I’m done with his bullcrap… He always talks about how we don’t try enough and that we should do this this way, or do that that way! Prissy bitch! I shut him down, but for what? For him to make a ruckus once again! I worsen the situation by being overly impulsive and mad, my anger issues have become unbearable. Yoko makes it better but it really drags me down… I have to find my bandages…

Not under the table where I usually put them… Fuck. No, I have to focus… Maybe they’re on the bed… No… What the hell is going on…

Not in the bathroom, nor the dirty laundry, nor the kitchen or living room! Oh, no… How am I going to go to practice?

Though I’m mad at McCartney, that doesn’t mean I could just fuck over Ritch and Geo. But would it really make a difference if I came as Julia for once? I know we had some rehearsals as the Beatles where I was meself but I really dunno. That was so long ago… Yoko has disappeared off to somewhere. That is by itself quite unusual. Maybe we had an argument or something, I can’t remember… I remember what I did yesterday but some parts were unbelievable and hazy because of the drugs. Anyway, I think there is no harm in going as me. I could dress up as Johnny without my bandages but I think I’m going to go all in. My main dresser hasn’t been open in god knows how long! So, um, what colour should I wear… Green is my favourite… Hm… This one is simple yet elegant - not really that a rocker needs to look elegant. We aren't going to make much progress today. I can feel it. 

Door is locked. Driver doesn’t need to know about Julia. Taxi called. Got in!

“Hello, where to?”

“Twickenham Studios.”

“Alright, miss…”, oh god, he is looking at me inquisitively. Though he could only be killing his boredom that way. Just smile, Lennon, smile.

It feels so nice to be out of the spotlight. No personal driver, no substances, no one! So fun.

“Miss, you look oddly familiar… I think I’ve seen you in magazines and newspapers… Aren’t you like a singer or something?”, ugh.

“Oh, I get that a lot. No, I work as a nurse.”

“Nurse, well, that’s odd… I could’ve sworn I’ve seen you…”

Please, not today, not today.

“Sorry I asked that. We should be arriving at Twickenham real soon, so prepare the amount as it’s written on the little list.”

Twickenham, Twickenham! Oh. Here it is. Fine, I’ll give him that amount. Maybe even… No, Lennon, that would be awfully stupid of you! You had to lie… You don’t need to own up to it. Though it would be silly. Imagine I give him a simple autograph from John Lennon himself and he concludes it’s me! Funny, but if we were real for a moment, he wouldn’t have a clue if it’s real and maybe wouldn’t even find it. I’ll plant it somewhere. Maybe make two, one for the driver, one for the guest. Or more if someone really checks well. Hahah!

Twickenham Studios. Welp, I’m here. Very, very late. I hope the lads have made some progress.

“Goodbye, sir, and thank you for your service.”

“You paid me Miss.”

I must be smiling so wide. Miss. I missed being called a Miss. Still, I need to get to the studio, and oh lord, there are so many Beatlemaniacs at the entrance waiting to come in. I feel sorry for John fans because they won’t see him today. Let me through!

“Do you have any sort of clearance, Miss? We cannot just let anyone in.”

“Don’t you “Miss” me!”, oh, god, I have used my John voice in front of about a dozen people.

“I ask you again, what is your reason to go inside? And I do not take “seeing the Beatles live” as a valid reason.”

Well, as you see, I am a Beatle. Yeah, you know, the one that is quite late and should be getting to her lads who are hard at work-who am I kidding, they’re panicking because I’m still not there. You know, John Lennon?

“I’m really sorry… But…”, should I try that or… Is there a backdoor? No, I don’t think so. Even if there was, it’s smarter to be clear with the guards.

“I need to see my twin brother John for a private reason. If you don’t believe me, ask the other Beatles, they could vouch for me, I know them quite well. Name’s Julia Victoria Lennon.”

The guard looked over at me.

“Well, I do see the resemblance, but I still have to check with the others. I’ll be back.”

I’m in deep trouble with McCartney today, aren’t I?

It feels like centuries are passing by? A lot of girlies went home by now. Where is that guard? I’ll check out what the remaining weird Beatlemaniacs like to do and tell the lads if it’s funny.

“Who are you here for? I’m for George.”

“I’m for Paul, obviously he is the most handsome.”

“I’m for Ringo, he is so silly.”

“I agree with the most handsome part. Um, I'm here for a different reason.”, smile.

“Oh… Still, sad John’s missing all morning.”, the George girl told me.

“All morning! He f-messed up so bad.”, is this good acting?

“Yeah, I hate it when he makes Paul mad.”, the McCartney girl said.

“McCartney is mad. Oh, there is going to be so much drama.”, why am I talking?

“I think they’re going to work it out for sure.”, Ritchie girl, you are so cute.

“Yeah… yeah.”

The guard walked out and the girls rushed by my side.

“They confirmed it. I’ll show you the way to their practice room. Mr. Lennon is still not here.”

“Aww, well, show me the way and I’ll follow!”

The girls were starry eyed.

“How is she getting in?” 

“Haven’t you heard the theory that John has a twin sister? It’s true. That’s so fab!”

“Can you get us in?”

Oh fuck. Of course they scream. My poor ears. I already have bad eyesight. I don’t need poor hearing as well.

“No need to show the way, sir, I’ll do it.”, McCartney the Prick shows up at last, “And girls you can’t go in, just esteemed guests such as uninvited Julia Victoria Lennon could come in.”

The girls sighed. McCartney was fuming under that smile of his.

Close the door. Turn around. And I think I’m going to get yelled at right about now!

“JULIA VICTORIA LENNON! How did you get this late to the studio! And why aren’t you here as John? We have made absolutely ZERO progress without you, Jules! Ugh!”

“Can I enter a room without you fighting with me or do I have to dream of it? For that matter, how come you didn’t get inspired? Were you too lazy? Huh, JAMES PAUL MCCARTNEY?”

Geo and Rings are tuning their instruments. They look tired. I’m happy they’re smiling. Weak smile from me to them. 

“Wait a second, lads, where are the wives? And George Martin?”

“In the lunchroom! Hello, Julia!”, George, stop running towards me, you’ll trip on a cable.

FUH. The others were far away to hear this conversation. But they would be coming back. 

Sigh. “Thank God, they aren’t here yet.”

Aww, Geo, no need for hugs. Ritch too? Looks like they missed their sis Jules a lot.

“Hi.”, Ritch…

Where’s my chair? Oh, there it is. This screw like this, that one like that and voila! Tuned guitar!

“That is quite a nice dress… It compliments your eyes…”, McCartney hadn’t complimented me in a while based on my physical appearance.

“Thank you… Paul.”

Of course he blushes, of course. Does he miss his Julia? What am I thinking? No, he doesn’t.

“Then lads and… birdies.”, McCartney started the session.

“I’m a lad too, you git!”

“Lads! Let’s run through the program again.”

“One, two, three, four!”

Sing, play, fuck up the rhythm, fuck up the harmony, then be a genius and get it even better. I hear footsteps! Stop playing! I got off the chair and left my guitar.

The birds are here. Glynnis is with them. Wait, Glynnis is with them! OH SHIT!

“John came?”

“No, I’m his twin sister, Julia.”, fuck we were filming!

“Is this a joke or no, you are female.”

“I know my brother is such a comedian! Um, where is he?

“I think he won’t be coming today… He is too late and the footage is already taken.”, aww, Glynnis is sad. Thank goodness I didn’t get caught.

Paul, stop panicking. Geo is going to fuck up his eye and Ringo is smiling too wide and fake to my liking.

“But I’m sure I heard John’s voice.”, Glynn, don’t think about it.

“You are John’s sister! Pleasure to meet you! My name is Maureen.”, this is not going to end well.

“Hullo.”, I did my traditional John greeting.

“Hi, my name is Linda.”, oh, Linda… A nice woman. No wonder why Paul decided to be with her. Reminds me of a certain best friend I haven’t seen in a while…

“Great to see you, Julia!”

“Oh, Pattie, I’m glad to see you too!”, aww a hug.

“Well, what has John done this time?”, Pattie… Why?

“John and I need to talk about Aunt Mimi and private things so I can’t tell you.”

“Oh, oh, that’s fine.”, Linda the assurer, “No need if it’s a touchy subject.”

“Thanks.”, a wide smile.

“You remind me of him.”, Maureen thought, “No wonder you are twins when you both look and act so aloof. Though, you have impeccable style, Julia.”

“I know.”, ha. I feel so pretty.

“So, let’s sit over there while the men play.”, Linda, guide us. 

“Oh, great Linda, show me the way.”, what a joke.

She chuckled.

“Weird… I like it! Well, my little follower, we have arrived to the chairs of nevermore! Once you sit down, there is a high chance you’ll spend the next five hours sitting down on them.”

“Rest my weary bones.”, another joke from the master herself.

They all laughed.

I forgot what girl gossip was like- Wait, I can talk about my favourite topic. Are there any mags on the table? Yeahh! Great, let me just open it and ask the girlies.

“Who is your favourite actor?”

“GAH, very hard!”, Maureen is practically squeaking, “I like… Cary Grant..”

“I like Tom Selleck, he is handsome.”, Pattie outright admitted. Cool.

“Hm… Tough, but I would say, hm, hm, Tony Curtis.”, good pick Linda.

“I love James Dean. He is beautiful and inspirational…”, best answer.

I am already having fun. I never thought I’d miss mindless traditional girl topics and here I am. Ahhh, this feeling is so nostalgic. 

“Julia, where do you get your dresses from?”, Maureen asked.

“Hm, it really depends. Some are from Liddypool and some are from here. This one for example is from boutiques. I think this one is from “Biba”. “

“You have to introduce me to all of them, I’m a fish out of water here… Tough being an American in England.”

“Oy, Linda, don’t worry. You fit right in. But if you want some gear clothing, I can show ya!”, silly Linda.

“If you want a great place for shoes I would recommend Saxon’s. A little bit expensive, but fashionable.”, Pattie is right.

“Is money really a problem for us?”

Haha, of course they chuckle. I feel like I could do this all day. Why are they looking at each other so weird?

“Julia, I hope this is alright with you, but we like to play a game where we try to guess when John will come and why he’s late.”, Pattie asked

Oh my God. Hahahahhahah.

“Alright! It’s funny, tell me what are your bets?”

“I think John will come in ten minutes. He overslept and got stuck in traffic.”, well Pattie is half right.

“I think John will come in half an hour. He was writing something at the flat and forgot about the rehearsal. John is aloof like that.”, Linda is off by a long shot, but that is a possibility that could happen.

“I think John will come in an hour, because he doesn’t care for rehearsals and is purposely avoiding the rest of the band. Ringo is suffering so much because of his shenanigans.”, Maureen is half right too. I don’t care as much for rehearsals as I used to but I wouldn’t abandon my friends because of boredom.

“What’s your bet?”

“He won’t come… If they told him about me, he wouldn't come.”, why am I sad? Why would I be sad? Why are the girls sad? Pattie understands, those two are confused.

“John and I are sometimes close and sometimes distant. Mostly distant. It’s not even because of fame, it's because of our different paths in life and how much we don’t agree with our world view… I think the only thing that connects us now is music.”, good thinking, me!

“That doesn’t mean he won’t come to talk to you… Maybe he wants to work things out?”, Linda is quite an empath.

“You are right, Linda, I should hope for the best outcome.”, smile. The girls are smiling too. I should let them get back to some lighter topic. What is this conversation in the other room?

“John should’ve already come!”, that’s Yoko for sure.

“He still isn’t here. Your husband is making us wait a long time for rehearsal.”, Glynn was correct. But John couldn’t come.

“That man is-I can’t believe it! Maybe he sleeps too long but he would never do this!”

“Well, obviously he did it. Look at the band. They are tired and miserable, they wouldn’t want that on footage. The staff feels the same. I feel like I am wasting my time, and I do not want to feel that way when I am doing a project with the Beatles.”

“That’s not important. What’s important is that he isn’t home… God knows where he is.”

Lads are on the brink of rolling their eyes at Yoko and pointing to me.

“Look, he made you come here and waste your time, the band’s, his sister’s, the wives’ and ours.”

“Say again?”, oh no.

“The band’s, his sister-”

“Oh, Julia. That’s unexpected.”, she is going to kill me.

“Yes, I never knew he had a twin sister.”

“He never found her that important. I’ll sit and wait there then, then I’ll go back to the flat and check if he’s back.”

“Thank you Mrs. Ono.”

She is coming this way. Don’t make a scene, don’t make a scene, don’t do anything.

“Hello.”

“Yoko, finally, is John with you?”, Pattie asked, “See, I was right that he would come in ten minutes!”

“No, John is not with me.”

“What a pity.”, I did not need to snark. Fuck, her eyes are full of anger and flames. Kind of hot if you ask me.

“Julia, we haven’t seen each other in person yet.”

“Yoko, nice to meet you.”

I am on the edge of bursting with laughter, I have literally said to my wife nice to meet you, ahhahah.

She isn’t in the same mood.

“If you want to talk with John and I’m sure you are here for that reason I could tell him later what you said.”

“No. No need for that with you. But there is a certain thing I want to discuss with you.”

We are getting heated. About to have another scolding lesson from my wife.

“Then everyone, we’ll be back soon.”, Yoko’s smile radiated her rage.

“See you later.”, Linda smiled blissfully ignorant.

“See ya.”, what a greeting Lennon.

We walked to the other room. Silly girls whispering: “I think she is best friends with John’s ex wife so she is surely going to discuss that with Yoko.” I miss Cynthia, she was the greatest. But John, John isn’t great for her anymore. John is a bad bad bad thing for women and only Yoko can handle him.

“Lennon, why are you here without one makeup, two bandages- And your glasses are John’s not Julia’s! For you it would only take one night of drinking to blow your cover!”, Yoko I know. A small pause.

“Sometimes you act like child.”

“I am child, dearest.”

She chuckled.

“Yeah, you are the most big, I mean biggest child I saw.”

“Love you too, Yoko.”

“How are they going to practice?”

“Should I just call them from a random phone and tell them that- OR NO!”

“What great idea do you have?”

“You go there and tell them that John told you he is not coming to practice.”

“Okay, John…”

“And when dusty old Glynnis goes away I can practice with the lads with no stupid cameras.”

“Not a bad idea, love!”, a small kiss on my cheek.

“Then go and execute the mission, commander.”

“Of course, general.”

That’s clear. I am going back to the main room.

“Have you cleared everything up?”, Pattie, don’t worry.

“Yeah, I’m glad that’s over with!”, sigh, smile.

“I knew that everything would be fine!”, Linda is cheery.

“Where is Yoko?”, Maureen questioned. Of course.

“I dunno, we both went back here…”, hahah excuses excuses.

Well, that wasn’t that long.

“John called!”, she is running towards the lads.

The rest of the Beatles look unamused. I think they’ve been waiting to make progress but they are one member short and that member is just in the other room. Glynn lit up.

“And?”

“He is not coming. He is feeling sick.”

“Well, he should recover and help us create a program for the concert!”, Paul, the greatest actor.

“Looks like Julia was right…”, Linda was saddened.

“Don’t worry, he’ll come to the next practice early I bet! Even though he is lazy he is responsible.”

“That isn’t a word I’d describe your brother with but alright.”, Maureen!

“That would mean that practice is over and the rest needs help packing.”, George Martin sighs. Don’t look over here, don’t look over here, don’t look- Well, too late. His eyes widened.

“Yes, you’re right.”, Glynn is packing. My plan is working. Glynn and the crew packed so fast and went so quick!

“Pattie, please go home, this wasted so much time!”, Geo has figured my plan out.

“You too, Maureen, it will be a long while till we pack.”

Linda is sad.

“Are you going to shoo me away too?”, did she ask Paul like that? I could never do that so softly like her…

“I don’t want to waste your time any further.”, Paul’s chuckles…

“I’ll be going too.”, Yoko…

“Tell him you have seen me, alright… And that I’m fine with you.”

“I know you’re fine with me… You are more than happy with me.”, Yoko, you genius.

“Bye, everyone.”, they all said in unison.

So many byes have been exchanged. The staff goes away. So, George Martin, the lads and I are left.

“John, you absolute idiot.”, George Martin why?

“I forgot where my bandages were.”

Don’t facepalm yourself, Paulie!

“Julia… You git! Made us practice without you for so long!”

“I was there.”

“You have to be at your guitar not with the birds!”, Geo was angry.

“If you are so excited for practice I’ll practice with you!”

“Yay, we are all here!”, Ringo, you cutie.

The real practice began. We made some progress! A few more songs. Ahh, I know Hazza’s look.

“Paul, we should run through one Harrisong.”

“Which one, Jules?”

“Which one, Geo?”

“Um, “I Me Mine.””

“Alright, boys, let’s do “I Me Mine” and finish with “Don’t Let Me Down”.”

“How fitting Julia, since you decided to come and be active in practice.”, gah! I can’t say Paul isn’t right.

“One, two, three, four-”

We sounded great! Geo was very happy he got permission to do the song. For “Don’t Let Me Down” it still needs work. I scramble the text a million times, and Paul’s harmony is just too much! Ritch is great on both of the songs. Hazza is great on mine but on his song, his guitar playing seems to falter when he sings. Macca is perfect at playing but his constant nagging can be noticed even in the songs. Gotta cut back.

“Got that on tape?”

“It’s not tape-worthy!”

“Paul. Stop being overbearing to everyone here!”

His eyes literally want to set me on fire.

“Lennon, it’s necessary to get the best results!”

“Well, McCartney, as Monroe said, nobody's perfect! So, we got to keep most of the takes! You never know…”

Oh, softened. Geo and Ritchie are sad. God, let’s just go home.

“Let’s get packing then boys-”

Ah, what are you doing, hey, no, we see each other every single day- You already hugged me today!

“Oh, what is happening?”

“Julia, we missed you so much!”, Geo, no.

“Can you be more active like today, please! Please!”, Ringo stop.

“Julia…”, Paul finally decides to hug me, “My Julia…”

“People, this is just for today. I’ll be sure not to mess up again, and I’ll come as John-”

“No, don’t be away! Please! Don’t go to some place where we can’t reach you!”, what is this man talking about? 

“Geo is right, we can’t reach John.”, Ritch is spilling bullshit-

“We are exactly the same person.”

“NO, YOU ARE NOT! John hates me!”

“And you still think I love you?”

Oh, Geo and Ritch didn’t know we had a fight. Fuck.

“Lads. I promise I’ll be more active. Even as John, who has a big ego.”

“Arrive on time please, that’s how I’ll see you care!”

“Macca, I promise.”

“Alright, Lenny.”, a bit too tight of a hug!

We have to pack. Well, I’ll hug ‘em a bit more.

“Lads, you stayed a whole hour after closing. We should get packing and get going before someone barges in.”, father Martin always on schedule.

“You heard him.”, good leading me, “Time to say goodbye for the night.”

Finally, I’m free. But I missed those long big hugs. So, let’s put the guitar in place, done! Purse… Still at the women’s part. Taken! Put on the jacket… 

“Anyone need any help?”, this is the last thing I need to do.

“No love!”, fine Macca.

“Yeah, no need, I’m all set.”, Rings too.

“No.”, Geo looks like he can’t get his things together but alright. But, he finished as fast as Paulie.

“George Martin, I promise I will check my costume parts before going to bed so as to not arrive as Julia again when we are filming, which I also forgot.”

Martin chuckled.

“I can count on that, Lennon.”

“Yeah. Lads, I’ll see ya tomorrow then, I should be calling a taxi now-”

“No, Julia, I’ll drive ya.”, of course.

“Well, Macca is drivin’ ya then. See ya two later.”, Geo, do not support him.

“And did I accept?”

“What’s the harm there, Jules? See ya.”, Ritch winked.

“I’ll be seeing you, The Beatles.”, Martin left, closing the studio.

Leaving me and prissy pants alone.

“Are you happy?”

“Yeah, I’m happy you are willing to talk to me like I’m a normal human being, not a rival.”

“Um, if you want to drive me home so much, I’ll allow it.”, do not blush. He isn’t worth your time anymore.

His car is close. He is quiet… Passenger seat! He has the key of his car but he isn’t starting the car yet.

“Julia…”

“Paul…”

A minute of silence.

“I…”

“You…”

“You see how much fun we had today… You brightened up our day as Julia. We missed you.”

“Already know that.”

“I missed you.”

“I know that too.”

“Julia! What I am saying is! You should retire John once and for all.”

“I’m not doing that.”

No. He did not say that-

“We’ll make up something for John. Love, I want you with me. Doesn’t have to be the Beatles, though I love that the most…”

“John is the Beatles… He is as much your songwriting partner as I am.”

“You’re right. We’ll break up the Beatles and make our own thing.”

“But you, you care about the Beatles!”

“Of course! They are my everything, but John, John hates me, he hates me so much it’s unbearable.”

“I don’t hate you as John.”, god why is he so sad, “And why would you want to retire a part of me! Then you don’t love me fully!”

“I love you both! It’s just- You are now so different as John it’s killing me… Ever since Yoko…”

“Yoko? No. She isn’t at fault. I am.”

“No, she is manipulative and money grabbing and she makes important decisions for you! She dragged you further into drugs!”

“You can’t say that about my wife!”

No, Paul don’t…

“You are still John aren’t you? Say that you hate me! Say it!”

No, no, Macca!

“Macca, I love you.”

A small kiss. A nothing kiss.

“I love you to the moon and back. If there is anyone that understands me, it’s you. And I understand your prissy ass quite well too.”

A small breezy chuckle.

“That’s the Paul I know.”

“I love you, Julia.”

“Let’s forget about this sobby part. I’ll try to be better, I swear.”

“Then let’s get you home, darling.”

“Wait, Paul… I’ll think about it. Alright?”

“Really?”

“I will. But don’t get your hopes up.”

Another chuckle. God, I love that man. I need to sleep. 

“Julia, wake up.”, smooth and silky, what a nice voice.

“Already here, aww.”

“Well, Jules, Johnny, see you tomorrow.”

“See you, pretty princess.”

Oh, oh! A kiss on the- I haven’t kissed him in so- Wait! Another one. And another one. And a couple more.

“I’m heading now.”

“I love you.”

“I adore you, Paul McCartney, I adore you. Remember that. Any bit of rivalry as John is because I want to be like you so organized, experimental and polite. Though, I don’t like leaning into it as much as you do! Bye.”

Oh god, he is crying. That is cute.

“I love you, my smart woman. I love you so much. Even though there is another, I love only-”

He drove away. Couldn’t hear the last part. But I guess he wants to say he loves me the most. Funny… What a nice day. Yoko is asleep. Get ready for sleep. Get in the bed. Close your eyes. Imagine… Imagine… Imagine everything goes well after you abandon John… No… That can’t be… That will never happen… Never… But it’s lovely to imagine…

Rest of Sacrifame

When I see this:

I see a late night fun activity:

Do it. Do it.

heeppy hoolida

𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟔.

𝓦𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓐𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓪𝓲𝓷

𝙎𝘼𝘾𝙍𝙄𝙁𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎

Paul’s Diary

I was in New York for a couple of reasons. First, I was going to the record agency to regulate some rights. Second, I was going to play some gigs. Same old, same old. But this time I wasn't on my turf, or I wasn’t even on some strangers turf, I was on John’s turf. I had to brace for anything to go wrong and remind me of the good times me and him had that I ruined, and I was frankly scared I might run into some John fanatic and be swarmed. Though I could’ve got into the same problems anywhere, it was a much bigger chance to get into those problems here because John is the favourite of New York musicians. John and I are officially still in a fight, so my fears were warranted. But even though I expected a hassle, I came for business. It is the biggest music industry currently, coming only a bit after London, and I can’t miss that kind of an opportunity. But also, I couldn’t miss an opportunity to see John, even though it seemed like a far off fantasy. At first I was just hoping to run into him by chance. Even though he was a stay at home dad, I thought he still went out. I could do my business without worry. But that worry grew as the days went by. When a third of my stay passed, I made a different strategy. I would check the places where people knew John was a regular. I somehow always missed him. When I went to the place and searched around, there was no trace of him. Sometimes I would run into my friends and they would tell me either he left sometime ago and they didn’t know I was so keen on meeting him or that they would tell me when they see him next time because he hadn’t been there in a long time. And another third passed in mindless searching. I gave up and finished the rest of my business, in the end agreeing to go to a gig of an up and coming band in some small and homey cafe. By then, I had lost hope, even though I should’ve known that I would’ve run into him in a place like that.

I walked into the cafe and the musicians were setting up. I forgot a bunch of their names, but I knew I’d get along with them swimmingly. I heard a scream.

“Oh, fuck, the day Paul McCartney wants to play with us, something goes wrong!”, the guitarist said.

“No worries, if it’s not something big, I could fix it.”, I went to them.

I look at the speakers and try to figure out what is wrong. I sat there for five minutes, but I can’t get heads and tails on this technology. I give up on looking at the shell of the machine and open it, finding a bunch of short circuits.

“That is very broken.”, I said, “Find a mechanic.”

“Oh, oh, shit! I am so sorry, Paul, but we’ll have to play later.”, the guitarist apologized.

The rest of the band looked demoralized.

“Don’t worry, I have the rest of the day free.”, I felt bad for the bunch. They were as us four were when we had an important gig as a small band. I chuckled.

“I am so glad to have such an understanding colleague.”, the guitarist sighed, “Thank you so so much!”

“It’s alright.”, I smiled.

I scanned the cafe and even though it was small, it was almost full and the atmosphere was lively. I was looking for a drink when I heard some snogging in the back. 

“God, fuck, stooop!”, I heard some small moans, “Stop, I don’t fucking know you!”

I ran to the back and wanted to save the bird, but I found John struggling to get out of an embrace of a woman. There were a bunch of drinks that looked weird on the table.

“Just play along Johnny, it’s just for a little bit, then you can have your Yoko back.”

“Do I have to… You look like a caramel apple with chocolate drizzle. I wonder if they even sell that.”, John chuckled, playing with her hair.

Well, John is high. And the bitch spotted me.

“Oh shit!”, she yelled, “Oh, John was-” 

Her acting was unconvincing.

“Get away from him!”, I came in and wrestled him out of her paws, “Why did you spike him! He can’t be spiked!”

“He is just like any other man, just talented, smart and rich. I want a piece of that.”, she smiled.

“Get away, you disgust me.”, I said.

“A man? That’s funny.”, John chuckled, “Why if it isn’t my darling Paul McCartney?”

He was high and ready to bite. But, I had to figure out which high John I had business with. Is it “could be left alone for a minute” or “I’m scared he’ll fuck something up” high John?

The girl in the meantime got lost. That bitch. I dragged him to the nicer seats.

“Change of scenery? Much better here, Macca.”, John sighed, “What the hell was she on to makeout with me?”

“John, even though you have a wife, I think a lot of our fans still want to makeout with you. And you obliged that many times yourself.”, I sighed.

He could be so in his head.

“What are you talking about? Are you purposely trying to reveal me… Oh, your head is so big. Yeah, it shows how smart you are. My smart partner.”, he chuckled.

“Every single person knows about your shenanigans with women.”, I said flatly.

“Paul, not everyone knows I am…”, he came close to my ear, “queer. It doesn’t really need to be made clear. I already have a lot of problems.”

Oh.

Oh, no.

“Problems?”

“Of course. I haven't told anyone yet so I’ll tell you first. I am writing something new. Oh, I mean. John is writing something new. I don’t want anyone overhearing. Though if they do, it would mean nothing. I’m just a nobody.”, as I concluded.

It’s the “I’m scared he’ll fuck something up” high John, or 

“Julia?”

“Yes, Paul? Ask away. Finally someone calls me right.”, well Julia is tripping hard if she can’t figure out she is in costume. What did that bitch put in her drink?

“Jules, you are in costume.”, I told her.

“Oh. Wait, what did you say?”, she was distracted then of all times, “Your head looks like it’s going to explode. Is there something to fix that?”

“Ignore that, you are tripping and are still in costume! You drank a spiked drink.”, I sighed.

“Spiked? I would never do that.”, she pouted.

“What is important is for us to get out of here as quickly and silently-”, I started but the waiter interrupted me.

“What would you like to order? Oh, it’s, wow…”, of course, the waiter knows us both.

Before I even got a word in, Julia began.

“Paul, don’t get ahead of yourself. I would like two vermouths, he would like… Oh, kind of forgot to ask what would you like, Macca? Though I already have a guess.”

I had to go along with her order. But I could pay in advance and that could give us the time to go somewhere else.

“Hm, a margarita would be fine.”, I sighed.

“Um, I’ll get you that. It’s interesting though. Aren’t you famous for ordering Brandy Alexander?”, the waiter asked.

“Where did you get that idea from?”, she was panicking already.

I looked at the waiter crossly.

“Could we pay in advance?”, I asked.

He prepared the bill, the disappointment visible on his face.

“You can.”

“I will pay, I haven’t seen him in a god awful while.”, Julia once again slapped my hand away from paying, “I missed ya sugar.”

She fumbled with the money for a bit, and somehow managed to find the exact amount.

“Sugar?”, the waiter noticed the small mannerisms Julia had.

“Yeah, the reason I don’t need any with my vermouth.”, that was smooth Jules, but quite unnecessary in front of a person.

The waiter acted like he didn’t hear anything and went on his merry way. I was fuming.

“Julia, we are going right this second.”, I ordered.

She looked at me with the saddest eyes.

“Paul, don’t go outside and leave me. I promise I won’t flirt anymore with you if it bothers you that much…”, she stretched the vowels unbearingly long and I was heartstricken again. Julia knows how to pull my heart strings the best.

“I’m not leaving you. I just want to get you somewhere safe. We could go to your flat-”

“Yoko will kill me- I mean John. She would kill him because of him arriving there uninvited and such.”, she was still not going to acknowledge that was in costume, huh.

“We could go to my flat here.”

“You live here?”

“No, you git, I am just renting.”, I chuckled though I remembered she was high out of her mind and it wasn’t that funny anymore.

“Is this a ploy, McCartney, for me to get into your bed?”, she offhandedly bantered.

“No? I mean I love you, but I have Linda.”, at this time I thought “Please don’t get clingy or whiny. God save our reputation and friendship.”

“You don’t love me anymore!”, and she got CLINGY and WHINY. She took my hand and held it to her heart, “Aw, Paul, you changed. Well, my poor heart still beats for ya.”

People were staring. She let my hand go.

“Oh, must you always be so difficult, Lennon.”, I smiled and acted like it was a joke, “Didn’t know you wanted to write again that much.”

Some turned away. Julia’s torn mind cooperated.

“You’re the difficult one. Always prim and proper. Maybe we are the same, though I am usually committing a crime.”, Julia joked, “We could write, I thought your blue hairedness wanted a date.”

“Blue hair?”

“Yeah, like the sky. Why’d ya dye it?”, I felt sorry for her.

“Um, we’ll talk about that later, here’s our drinks.”, I said, “And please fetch us a couple of bottles of water.”

The waiter wasn’t weirded out anymore and fully understood what happened. He hurried off.

“That’s quite a fast waiter.”, Jules noticed, “Oh, well, guess I’ll drink a couple of vermouths.”

“Hold your horses. How is Yoko?”, I asked to stop her from drinking, “And Sean?”

She scoffed.

“Sean is alright. I like taking care of him. He is smart and curious, though the bugger could be rude.”, she chuckled.

“For Yoko, she still can’t get over you and me. She is mad when she sees me being you know… Fragile.”, she hugged herself.

“I know. I’m here now, Jules.”, I held her hand. I forgot the feeling. The mask she likes to wear always had a tight grip on anything, he was ready to tear into anything. While her grip was always soft and melancholic. It was the same hand but a totally different atmosphere.

“Cheers to that Paul.”, she grabbed her vermouth.

“Julia.”, I grabbed her vermouth.

The waiter arrived with the water.

“Take this. Please. We’ll take this with us.”, I sighed.

The waiter grabbed our drinks and went off to the bar to try to pack it.

“No. It’s just water. Alcohol could hydrate me as well.”, Julia declined.

“That’s bull and you know it yourself.”, I scoffed.

“You have a point, love.”, I softened at the love part.

She drank the water.

“Ugh, give me more, my head is on fire.”, she was recovering.

I gave her the second glass of water, she drank it even faster than the first one.

“Oh, oh, fuck. That was too spiked. I’m still swirling.”, she said, “More.”

I gave her the third and fourth bottle.

“Enough Paul, I didn’t ask you for the river Nile, I asked you for another glass.”, she drank the third bottle and recovered a bit. Then I thought about what she said.

“You purposely drank a spiked drink!”, I was mad!

“Who expected it was going to be that effective?”, she was joking! At that time, when she felt like trash and needed help, she thought it was the smartest thing to joke. But Julia is like that.

“Julia, this isn’t funny. I was being serious!”

“Paul, it’s hard, it’s hard living every single day in a prison.”, Julia was poetic again.

“Jules, you made that prison yourself. Let’s go somewhere else.”, I sighed.

“Wait, wait! Macca, aren’t I still in…”, she looked around and at herself.

“Fuck, fuck, what have I done!”, she was panicking, “I made a couple of incidents for sure! Everyone knows, everyone knows!”

“Calm down.”, I was cackling.

“Paul, PAUL! This is serious.”

“Now it’s serious! And you spiking yourself isn’t.”, that was quite smooth of me.

“I’ll tell you some other day, McCartney.”, she was offended.

I guessed she would go back to John again. She gathered her thoughts.

“Well, let’s start over. Hullo, Paul, what does his highness want in New York City this time?”, that was John’s way of saying things. I was right.

“I’m here for business mostly.”, I lied.

“People told me that you were here for a whole month! Wouldn’t you have finished the work by now? Or just how big is it?”, he asked.

“John, you asked around for me? Why didn’t you reach out first?”, I was shocked. I knew Julia would be out and about asking for me, but for John, I thought it was “below” him to admit to doing that.

“I missed you too, Paul. I went to the place where you worked but I didn’t go in because I was a bit- too occupied with taking care of Sean and such, you know?”, he nervously laughed.

I chuckled.

“You should’ve just gone in. I didn’t know you were embarrassed.” “I was not embarrassed!”, he was red, “I was just a bit scared of doing that as, you know, me. I didn’t want to make you feel bad.”

John cared more about me than I thought.

“No. No, you would’ve made things so much easier!”, I was relieved, “Lenny, you know much more than those buggers! The cunts made it so hard to work normally.”

“Oh, McCartney being rude. I didn’t see that in a while. I thought you were a brand-friendly sellout.”, he joked letting out his frustrations to me.

“I can be frustrated too, y’know!”, I was angry.

He smiled wide.

“I missed you so much.”, he declared, “Let’s jam at yours when my head stops ringing.”

“Oh, we have a chance to do that here. Some kids invited me to jam with them.”

“Kids? Paulie, you are 34 years old.”, Lenny began laughing uncontrollably, “They look about twenty five-ish. Have you become a grandpa or something in my absence? Should I call you Queen Paulie? But that isn’t as good as Princess Paulie.”

I sighed and blushed.

“You know exactly what I mean Johnny!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll be the rhythm guitar then. Or piano. Or mouth harmonica.”, he began listing off.

“Stop. They’ll make place for you, Lennon.”

“Of course they will, Paul and John together! Who would want to miss that.”, he sarcastically said that and took me by the hand.

The waiter came back with bottles of our drinks and the ingredients. 

“I apologize for making a mess. I’ll pay for this too? Right, I paid the first time.”, John’s mind was still a bit sloshed.

The waiter was on the brink of crying.

“Mister, no need to cry, I am doing the bare minimum. Set your expectations higher!”, he told him straight.

The guitarist, frontman came back with the fixed speakers. He was huffing and sweaty from running. The rest of the band gathered round him and helped him with setup.

“I’m going to fetch Paul after we finish this.”, he was unfocused, “I already made a delay, now to force him to setup would be just-”

He paused for a solid minute.

“What would it be, lad?”, John asked.

I went to help the band.

“Too much.”

“Oh, but for the Paul I know, it would be too little. He would overdo it.”, John chuckled.

The frontman lifted his head after setting up the speakers and was in pure shock.

“Paul, no, the terms we agreed upon!”, the frontman tried to stop me.

“He is stubborn.”, John was getting on everyone's nerves.

“And just who are you to tell me that?”, he turned around and saw John.

“Oh, I had a hunch but I couldn’t believe it!”, he got excited.

The rest of the band got excited.

“Please play with us!”, they pleaded, “Lennon and McCartney playing together would be such a honor!”

I threw him a “see, I was right” look.

He sighed.

“People, you are swarming him.”, the frontman said, “You can decline.”

“No, I won’t. Paul finds ya gear, I find ya gear too.”, he smiled with his teeth.

The whole band became even more excited. They let us help them, and we ended up doing most of the physical work because they were busy trying to impress us. I am right in calling them kids.

John wistfully sighed.

“Remember when we were like that around Elvis and he ignored us? We can’t ignore these kids like that.”, he said.

“You indulge others too easily, Lennon.”, I began but softened, “But I know what you mean.”

“Oh, but I am still critiquing them. I’m not indulging them, love.”, he was being very sweet.

We were quiet for a minute. We heard a riff they wanted to throw in at the last minute.

“That’s gear, but still needs some work, lemme and Paul at it.”, he was truthful.

We got to work and they watched us with big eyes.

“Shift this chord here. Then, we should make it unfinished… Put this here.”, he mumbled in our writing language.

“Move it up to A. That sounds alright.”, I mumbled back, “Maybe add some thrills.”

I played it back to the band and they were amazed.

“That’s a bloody great riff Paulie.”, he was satisfied.

I reddened, like I do at John’s compliments to my music. They were so rare.

“We are using that! Thank you so much!”, they were so happy.

“Alright, what is the program for tonight?”, I asked.

They gave us the program. It was mostly covers with a couple of their songs which were easy to learn, but had some nice progressions and riffs that needed a bit more work.

“You even put “One After 909”. Aren’t you glad I’m here to sing that?”, John joked.

The frontman got so excited!

“We’ll put on more Beatles songs, we want to play them with you!”

“No need, we like these songs you picked.”, John chuckled. Looks like the cockiness came back.

“He didn’t even ask me. Classic Lennon.”, I scoffed, “But I agree.”

“Why scoff then?”, all of them laughed.

“I had to.”

“You never get old, Macca.”, I smiled on his remark.

We rehearsed for a bit, and went on the stage at 9 even though we were supposed to play from 4 p.m.

The cafe was full of people, which I’m sure made John nervous because he hadn't played in front of a big public in two years.

“What is this? The Cavern Club after 1963?”, he quipped, making the whole cafe laugh.

The frontman introduced the band, but I ignored him because I was focused on John.

“And as guests, I can’t believe they are here to play with us, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.”

The people clapped.

“Paul, let’s bow! Let’s bow!”, he excitedly whispered.

We did the classic Beatle bow. The audience went crazy.

The frontman began, but whispered something into John’s ear.

John looked at him crossly but chortled.

“I’ll be counting down today then, hope you understand little old me.”, the public was enjoying every second.

“Oh, you’re understandable Lennon, believe me.”, I quipped.

“And one, two, three, four.”, we played.

He stared at me mostly while playing, smiling like a fool. I guess he was nervous. The band was amazing! They were a solid backing track, and when their songs took over, they were very competent. John and I didn’t sing their songs, we just played. I was proud of John. Even though he was out of practice, he played wonderfully. The audience was delighted and that was the most important thing for this band and John. He wouldn’t exist if it weren’t from them. 

“Thank you, thank you, that’s all for tonight.”, he smoothly talked to them.

They riled up.

“More, more, more!”

“Oliver Twist asked for more.”, he spoke in his falsetto voice.

The audience laughed.

I send him a knowing look. The band was tired by now.

“We’ll play some classics then.”, John entertained the people while I went to the frontman and told him:

“Begin packing up, we’ll hold ‘em if you’re tired. If not, play something yours.”

They were out of breath.

“Okay, you can end it then. Thank you! This means the world to us!”, the frontman hugged me.

I hugged back.

“Alright, Johnny, hit it. And one, two, three, four!”, I started.

Our guitar heavy songs were present (like “Twist And Shout”). We played and played to our heart’s content.

We were tired by 2 a.m. 

“That’s it folks!”, he winked.

The audience groaned but they were tired too and went off. Us two packed the instruments. The kids left the pay in the case for the instruments. On the envelope in little letters was written “Thank you for your kindness and publicity! We can’t let you go unpaid for this kind of dedication.”

“I’m not taking that.”, I said.

“Interesting. Still I think you should respect the band, and take some of it.”, he assumed.

“Alright.”, I chuckled, taking half of my pay and giving him half of that.

“As I deserve.”, he chuckled, “No, I’ll take it from my pay. I don’t want yours, Paulie. Now, where should we go off to?”. He took the same amount from the other envelope which had the same writing.

“Let’s go to my flat, John.”, I offered.

“I’m fine with that.”, he agreed.

I got excited!

“Paulie is amused. That’s what I like to see.”

“See, Johnny, is it that hard to be balanced?”, I asked.

“What?”, he was confused.

“Is it that hard to be polite and reasonable when you’re John?”, I asked him again.

“I wasn’t polite! Nor that reasonable. Oh, oh, you mean now with the money!”, he got mad.

“I mean you were not extreme. You weren’t hateful, you weren’t overly cocky, you kept yourself in check. I forgot the last time you were like this.”

“Well, I remember it clear as day. It’s August 27th 1968.”, he saddened.

We somehow always end up mentioning it. I exhaled...

“Paul, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll call you more. I have to stop distancing myself from me…”, John sighed.

We arrived at the complex and went upstairs to my flat.

“You are one of the best ideas thought up. You really are. As much as you treasure yourself, I treasure you. I’m sorry because I always wanted you gone.”, I unlocked the door.

He stared at me, his eyes full of tears. I couldn’t withstand him crying, because I would tear up too. He threw himself onto my bed.

“Paul, you loved me even though I behaved like a jerk!”, he shouted.

“John, I made several songs about that! And you still hate me!”, I snuggled with him.

“I don’t hate you Paul! I told you that multiple times!”, he sighed.

“You TOLD me. But your ACTIONS say otherwise.”, I explained.

“Oh, it’s all coming together.”, he began, “I know why I am so extremely angry!”

“Why?”, I wondered.

“It’s because I’m bloody sick of everyone! I was sick of your commanding attitude, I am sick of Yoko’s constant nagging about you and Julia and I’m sick of everyone expecting something from me! First it was Mimi, then it was Brian, then you, then Yoko, and now the whole motherfucking world expects something from me!”, he screamed into the pillow. The pillow was wet. He made it this hard on himself.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me. You don’t have to prove anything to the world. You are not the main character y’know? No one is.”, I chuckled. He calmed down.

“I purpousely drank the spiked drink from that lady. The day was overly long and overly boring. No one was in town. Sean and Yoko went somewhere without me. I don’t know if I want to visit Julian anymore, because he hates me so much, and for a good fucking reason. I ruined his and Cynthia’s life.”, he sighed, “I ruined every single relationship I came across. Every normal person would want me gone for good! I wanted to wash away the pain! Wash away the feeling that I am John. I wanted to be sloshed for one single day and you come in. I didn’t realise I would fuck myself in the process by being that kind of high.”

“John Winston Ono Lennon, you are a coward.”, I said, “You wanted a name for yourself? You wanted to change the world? Deal with it. You can give up! We can live together like we imagined all those years ago. I barely remember when Julia wanted something more than a fling.”

“I always thought we were serious.”, she surprised me.

“ACTIONS, John, ACTIONS, not WORDS.”, I repeated, “I love you! And now I will show that I love you. Where are we?”

“We are at your place.”, he said unenthusiastically.

“Yes! Because otherwise Yoko would kill you for gallavanting!”

He hugged me.

“Thank you, Paul. For everything. That drink could’ve made more damage if I revealed everything or worse if I took more and collapsed on the spot.”

“YES! Thank you for acknowledging you need me sometimes!”, I hugged back tighter.

“Paul, Paul… Paaaull. That’s a bit tight. I’m suffocating-”

“Sorry!”, I let go.

“I’m already wrapped tight.”, he took off his shirt. Oh, the famous bandages that few people knew about. Aunt Mimi’s trusty tool, that Julia misused so long ago. I unwrapped them from John’s body as I used to when we were touring and were finally alone. He put on his shirt covering himself.

“Bathroom?”

“Down the hall on the left.”, I explained.

“Okay.”, he went.

Nervousness and curiosity flooded my state of being. I felt as if it was 1961. and I was a flustered teenager who found out his best friend was all along a bird he liked.

After a couple of minutes, he came out of the bathroom in his clothes that were dirty even though he washed himself. And when I mean washed himself I meant completely, his hair was wet and his teeth were clean.

“You used my toothbrush?”, I pouted.

“Did you ever have a problem with that?”, he chuckled.

I blushed.

“Well, this washed my worries away better than that spiked drink, don’t you think, Macca?”, he asked.

“Naturally.”, I sighed, rolling my eyes.

“May I sleep here, your majesty?”, he proposed.

“I dunno, may you?”, I played with him.

“I can’t refuse cliche banter, Paulie, you know me too well.”, he smiled, though I’d rather say she smiled.

“Jules, John’s confidence always suited you.”, I kissed her on that smart head of hers.

She snuggled beside me.

“Shut up and sleep, I need some peace and quiet now.”

“Oh, are we cranky?”, I patted her on the shoulder, “Good night, Jules.”

“Good night, Pretty Princess Paulie.”, she patted me on the head, “Your quiff is fluffy.”

“Not like your hair though.”, I played with it.

“Paul, promise you’ll have patience with me tomorrow and we can play again?”, her eyes grew big.

“I promise we can play again!”, I kissed her on the cheek, “We will, I already told you I missed you.”

“You mean so much to me, Macca.”, she kissed me on the lips, “Now, please sleep, I have to finish tons of work and find someone to take care of Sean while we’re out and about.”

“I will.”, that was a lie.

“No, you won’t sleep. You want revenge for me keeping you up during touring days.”

I laughed.

“Then, Johnny, what do you want me to do?”

“Sing then.”, she dug her head in my shoulder.

I smiled and sung.

Who knows how long I've loved you?

You know I love you still

Will I wait a lonely lifetime?

If you want me to, I will

She sung along.

For if I ever saw you

I didn't catch your name

But it never really mattered

I will always feel the same

She kissed the place where my heart was positioned.

Love you forever and forever

Love you with all my heart

Love you whenever we're together

Love you when we're apart

She laid back and got comfortable drifting away. I looked at her face. She had an honest smile. One of her true smiles. One of the rare treasures.

And when at last, I find you

Your song will fill the air

Sing it loud so I can hear you

Make it easy to be near you

For the things you do endear you to me

Oh, you know, I will

I will…

I drifted away, nuzzling into her hair. 

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

Da da da da da da da

My eyes closed on her carefree laugh I used to hear during the fifties and sixties. When it was just us two against the world.

Rest of Sacrifame

𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟎.

𝓢𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼 𝓣𝓸 𝓛𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓸

𝙎𝘼𝘾𝙍𝙄𝙁𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎

Yoko Ono’s Workbook

20th June 1970.

We were in LA for the past week. Two months passed from the shitshow that was 10th April- no scratch that- the whole month for John and me. John kept running around Starr and Harrison trying to ease the wound McCartney had been pouring salt on for the past few months recording Abbey Road. McCartney and him got along well when I got with John, but things took a turn for the worse when John went with me on their practices. But who can blame him for asking! God, if I was stuck with McCartney because of a ten year contract I’d be bored too. McCartney is a genius for melodies, but he really behaves like a peasant. I cannot believe I liked him at first! I liked him more than I liked John, which is offputting.

Today, we went to San Francisco with our friends, the Wenners, for a showing of the thing that is… Well it is like this year's April, movie Let It Be.

John was not ecstatic and dragged me to the side while the Wenners were busy formulating the route.

“Can we not?”, John turned away his eyes, not something John does.

“We didn’t watch it the first time. You have to face it someday.”, I tried to convince him.

“But does that have to be… today?”, he shifted his composure from relaxed to stiff.

“Kinda does love.”, I chuckled, “By delaying, you are going against your image.”

“That your right, Yoko.”, he patted me with a sad glint in his eyes. Melancholy didn’t suit him in the slightest. John went to them and joyfully told them to lead the way, embracing denial.

John grabbed me under my arm and we followed the pair to the theatre. We avoided the crowd which were excited to see another Beatles movie. He saw their smiling faces and barely held himself together. Thankfully there weren’t many of them. We went inside and grabbed first row seats which John hated very much but there was a smaller chance of being seen from the front so he obliged.

“I always wanted to see how you practice-d.”, Jann Wenner said to John.

“Oh, nothing much, could’ve just asked me directly, not see everything through the rosy lensed glasses of the director.”, John smiled.

“Maybe the director is more objective.”, Jane Wenner assumed.

“We’ll see.”, I ended the conversation before John would get heated, stubborn and try to defend his point.

John, like always, understood I was diffusing the situation and did nothing else?

The film began and I’m reminded of the chaos, suffering and pain I went through with John. Everything came back. Though that movie had only the nicer parts, McCartney's treatment of my husband was getting on my nerves and making me want to break something in the vicinity. I understand Harrison, he is a very pampered talented child who, at one moment, realized he didn’t want to be treated like that forever and he spends the whole movie trying to prove himself. I understood why I was disliked by him, he had less time to talk with John to show him his achievements. And my behavior didn’t help. Starr isn’t like either of the three that were in the band, so he didn’t deem me a threat. He liked me less because I was causing Harrison and McCartney to lash out. 

But why did McCartney dislike me so much? Doesn’t he have a lifelong friendship with my husband? He even brought his own wife, Linda, and that still wasn’t enough for him to stop making inappropriate comments about John and me. They all brought them, why would I make such a difference? John always bites, of course. He would always defend me, like he used to defend Powell before he left her. Both of the Lennon/McCartney famous duo were perfectionists, even though I didn’t know that at the time because of John’s image. McCartney went into overworking while my husband went into laziness and disinterest, which was pleasantly being jammed down my throat with images of McCartney arguing to work, while John strummed into nothingness.

During those painful rehearsals, John and McCartney would always go and have a short private talk from which both of them would return equally angry. John was always visibly angry and aggressive, while the other one was passive aggressive like the snake he is.

One of them came back to me with full force, one which I witnessed when they thought no one was around. I never wrote it down in full.

“Why do you keep bringing Yoko with you?”, McCartney and John were standing in the “private” room.

“I dunno. Same reason you brought Linda? To show the fuck off!”, John went mad.

“You would never show off a woman! You always say there is more to a girl's girl! So, tell me why, John?”, McCartney most of the time fluttered his eyes when trying to pry.

“You forgot who you’re fucking talking to Paul.”, John was defensive and boiling from anger while trying to control it.

 “Snap out of it, Lennon! Where is the lovely John I knew during the fifties? Who gave a shit!”

“Stuck in Strawberry Fields, musty gel quiff, overheating and asphyxiating in his stupid teddy boy getup. He is dead for all I know.”, John looked him straight in the eyes.

“You are avoiding the goddamn question Lennon.”, McCartney returned the favor.

“But I answered it!”, John shrugged and smiled.

McCartney pinned my husband to the wall. Tension reaches its boiling point, Lennon staring him down, huffing from anger, McCartney being cold and strong with his laser focus on my husband's eyes.

“You know what the hell I’m talking about smartass!”

My husband creeped awfully close to McCartney’s face… McCartney took on a heat red color.

“Maybe if we didn’t work like slaves in this sweatshop… Maybe if Brian wasn’t dead and kept you in check… Maybe if you for once listened to my suggestions too, not wanting to… I dunno, ask a third party which I won’t mention here because they are close to your heart… Maybe I wouldn’t bring Yoko around as my stress ball.”, John trailed around the room looking McCartney in the eyes.

“Oh, poor Lennon, being stressed because of his own stupid mistakes! Having a clear solution given to him in 1968! Having a perfect chance to do something with his fucking life: to not be a burden on the third party he won’t mention out of pity for himself! No wonder I don’t ask you for anything anymore! You have taken everything away from me.”

McCartney was by this point bawling.

“Still spewing the same bullshit during those ten days. For me it was becoming more clear I had to continue.”

“And I’m using that too, I truly am trying to work with you. I am trying, John.”, McCartney tried to pull himself together to no avail.

“Without you, Paul, without you… It’s clear now.”

He caressed McCartney’s face in a brotherly way.

“John… You’ll see that I’ll leave first.”

“I know. I know that well.”, my husband let out a tear, “You have to get yourself together, Paul, we have more stuff to shoot and rehearse…”

“You don’t need to remind me, John, you really don’t, I know that much better than you.”, McCartney rested his head on my husband’s shoulder.

They stared into the abyss that was the window. I went back to the main room forgetting what I was doing. They didn’t come back for the next fifteen minutes.

The same thousand yard stare was present in John watching what felt like a painstakingly long movie. When it was time for the concert his eyes were full of tears. He loved that concert even if it was huddled in the lowest point of his mental health. He was joyful, he was hopeful, he forgot what it felt to play live. McCartney singing made us both tear up… The songs he played were one of a kind and I’ll always respect him for that. John knew that none of the other members went to see the movie. His glasses glistened with tears. My hair got in my eyes. I wanted to hide. I was glad we were out of the toxic hands of McCartney’s overwork schedule yet looking back... He left for nothing. He left and didn’t feel proud. He left and made an album at his house, not even a studio... 

John was hiding behind his hair too. He was reaching out for McCartney’s face. He was weeping, he was splitting. The movie was over and we didn’t wait any longer to get the hell out of the theatre.

Jann and Jane were sad and shocked. They saw us cry for the first time. But they did not know what sight awaited us.

John was brushing his tears constantly trying to stop crying, not succeeding. Again and again he would dry his tears, but his face would be wet. His eyes were red, his movement stiff, his face filled with worry and regret, his mind going to some other place.

“I’m sorry.”, Jann said, “We shouldn’t have brought you to the cinema… I feel so guilty.”

“No… It’s fine.”, John tried to play it cool, but his red and tearstained face said more than his words.

“It’s a great loss to music…”, Jane muttered, “I see that you think that too.”

“John really needs to spend some time away from them.”, I sniffled, “Some time. I did not want to make you breakup… It was your band, remember?”

I looked him in the eyes.

“I know, Yoko, I know.”, he kisses me on the lips. His lips were salty and warm.

We found a lonely bench somewhere in a city park and huddled in a foursome. Staring into the starry sky.

“You know, Paul and I used to stare into the sky together… We even had a star.”

“What star?”, Jann asked.

“It’s a secret, love.”, John smiled into the darkness. 

“He told me that too, so you aren’t missing much.”, I joked.

John was in awe of the sky this night. Running away again.

“We passed the audition, but gave up.”, John referenced his joke.

John became absent, which was rare when I was around. Me and the pair talked while he hummed something. Only one part of him knew how to put me on hold and that was… Someone I didn’t see for a good while. Someone I kind of miss when John begins to malfunction. John struggled out of the group after a while when he calmed down.

“Thank you, that helped.”, he told our friends, “Should we head back to the hotel?”

“We should.”, Jann agreed, “And sincere condolences for the movie.”

“No condolences needed, love.”, John smiled feeling sad for all of us.

We headed back to the car, the pair leading the way, leaving John and me a bit behind. 

“John is a fast walker so what is happening?”, I asked myself, “Could it be?”

“Yoko. I need to be serious for a moment.”

This isn’t John serious, John serious doesn’t mean getting awfully quiet and slow.

“Okay, what do you want to tell me, John?”

“I…”, he took me by the hand, “You know when Paul and I fought and he mentioned ‘68?”

“You told me that in 1968. Paul and you had a fight about Julia.”

John gulped.

“See, the reason why Paul was so, um, adamant about Julia was…”

“He liked Julia. That was reason! That was fucking reason for hell we went through!”, I thought.

“He loved her.”

“I cannot believe that man! You made your choice, John, why did he force that on you so much!”

John stopped me from ranting further.

“I’m not finished, Yoko.”

My heart skipped.

“I…”

“Oh god, please no. Love songs upon love songs… All written for… Were all of them written for…”, my mind got more and more occupied with bad thoughts.

“You loved him.”

“loved him for a while.”, he finished at the same time I said my conclusion.

“And when did you want to tell me this? Never! You! I accept you! I love you! And you betray me! Why, John, why?”

“I love you too!”, he hugged me, “I do. I had to tell you now. I couldn’t tell you when the Beatles were together, because of Paul! And I couldn’t get to tell you during April and May. I was depressed! You couldn’t see that!”

“I see that! I see! I feel! I am human too! I am wife! I make everything good for you! I try! I try my hardest to make John happy!”, I was losing my speech, I was losing my marbles, I was crying.

“You’re right…”

“Are you leaving me for that pushover! That no good McCartney! Are you leaving me! Are you?”

“No.”, he bit his lip and sorrowfully caressed my face like he did Paul’s, “I cannot ruin your life too. I ruined Cyn and Julian’s. I’m not ruining yours and mine.”

“Julia… You would leave… I know you would… You’re just lying!”, I screamed at her.

Julia, or the “real” part of John would always look at me neutral instead of lovey dovey like him. Although she is always welcome, I liked John a bit more. She never seemed to mind that.

“No, I am keeping him with you.”, she chuckled, “You’re silly, Yoko.”

She twirled my hair with her iconic melancholic look.

“I am not silly! I am serious.”

“I am not leaving, you are crucial to John’s survival.”, Julia laughed, “And I am serious. Just in a John way.”

“You're confusing.”, I started to calm down, “Great to see you still exist, Julia.”

“We are close hip to hip, but great to see you too, Yoko. Jules is fine also.”

Got a point there.

“You were in denial for so long I didn’t see you that much.”

“John would be very very sad if I showed meself.”

“We can be sad together.”, I offered.

“Now that both John and I are sad, it means that I can sort some things out… John is so unbreakable I sometimes forget he needs to act like a human.”

“He is… He is…”, I sniffled, “He is not some kind of idea. I wouldn’t marry him and be stuck with you too…”

“We are the same person are we not?”, she was being a smartass.

I was silent; were they really?

“Speechless huh?”, she smiled more.

“John was in denial, while you were fully aware of the feelings you felt”, I made a theory, “Before this year I used to see you a lot more… I mean, I know how you work Julia, I know when you become John and vice versa, but I never saw John switch for the past half a year.”

“Become? What… I was just… Being myself.”, she was thinking out loud, “Um, Yoko, I dunno, maybe it was my defense mechanism to remain like John for months on end.”

“I adore John. I do. But… He needs to relax. He needs to cry, and you are not letting him do that. Let him be vulnerable when he needs to! When he was today, because of his buildup, he couldn’t help wiping off his tears, in the meantime ruining your precious hard work or makeup. Imagine if our friends saw you, thankfully for you it's dark. You were lucky.”

“More like having the luck of the Irish.”, that response made me jab her softly on the shoulder.

She played with my hair… We continued walking.

“You plan to stay like this?”, I asked.

“I do. I am tired of being John Lennon for half a year.”

She held my hand close to her. That was the quality of my partner, even though it looked like John on the outside it would be obvious to me by the mannerisms that it was Julia, an overly sensitive, talkative, sarcastic and lovable woman.

The pair arrived at the car and they showed us to go faster.

“Couldn’t you have picked a better moment, Lennon?”

“That was the best moment to tell you, I wouldn’t have told you otherwise.”

“Maybe it sounds to you like normal talk…”

I ruffled her hair.

“At least you told me.”, I was thankful.

We went inside the car. The lights were dim and I fell asleep immediately. Julia’s lap was a very comfortable spot to lie on. I always wondered if she wanted to be a man from the beginning… I mean, who in their right mind would, if they were rejected from many bands run by men, conclude pretending to be a man to form a band is better than just waiting for the women to show interest? Was he the physical image for an escape from reality? She is a perfectionist in the same way as my husband but more… Stubborn. McCartney and even John could ask for help, but Julia… Julia would never let anyone tamper with her ideas and ideals, especially John (even though I consider him his own thing). Except me. Privilege carries between them… Though I wonder, does love count too?

I wake up to find Julia bent over waving a hand in front of me.

“Wakey wakey, wifey. We have arrived.”, the whole car chuckled.

“John, you are a pleasure.”, Jane commented.

“See you then tomorrow, we have so much to show you.”, Jann said.

“See ya.”, Julia went outside, opening the door for me.

“Ladies first.”, she giggled.

“You are all smiley.”, I added.

We went inside the hotel, Julia for the first time in forever, undressing after me. Usually she would go when I wasn’t looking so it felt like John was always there lurking, even in bed. I felt great but I felt like he was trapped. She relaxed in a chair.

“Why do you let me influence you?”, I questioned, my curiosity piqued.

“Scared I’ll disappear too early?”, she asked.

“Answer with an answer, Lennon.”

“Hm, I like that you can keep John safe and sterile.”, she admitted.

I was shocked by her statement! But that was Julia, Julia was always so out of the box.

“You don’t think I’m breaking any molds? I want to do the opposite!”, I was uncomfortable.

“No, no, your work is great, just John needs an anchor and you fit the description. Also, safe and sterile doesn’t mean not socially active, just not as impulsive as most of the times during Beatles.”

“You’re impulsive? But you seem so calm and collected?”

“I am… Everything is based on a hunch. That’s how I write.”, she explained, “I had a hunch that Beatles were going to break up because of me, I had a hunch you would keep John on the right track, I had a hunch that Cyn will be better off without John and I had a hunch I had to continue pretending I was John all those years ago. Gosh, for how long now… Thirteen years. Wow.”, she stopped, “I’m old.”

I laughed, “No, you’re just right. And if you are, then what am I? A grandma?”

“Always liked older women-”

“Oh, stop it!”, I pinch her cheek half seriously.

“Exactly why you can tend to Johnny boy. You’re not afraid of pushing the limit. I love that about ya.”

I blushed without realizing then. I realized moments later when I began stumbling over my words.

“Um, thank you- for noticing. Only normal for me.”

We were quiet for a moment, while Julia grabbed a book to read.

“What did you think of me when I met John… When we first met…”

“I thought you were a great gal doing her own thing and surviving in a man’s world.”, she gazed into my eyes, “Also that you are a very capable and funny person.”

I was proud.

“What did you think of me, darling?”, she asked me.

“I thought you were the wrong Beatle. I wanted to meet McCartney, instead I ended up with you of all people. Then, I didn’t know about Julia so I thought you were more than you show and was I ever so right.”

“Tsk, tsk, I am always the right Beatle.”, she scoffed like she hadn’t heard my answer a hundred times, “I asked for plain me.”

I remembered the moment when John told me about Julia.

“I told you then… You revealing your photos, your clothes, your books, your feelings made me conclude that being with John was going to be more interesting. Your presentation is always so grand.”

“Thank you, oh Yoko.”, she told me.

Another small pause. She got her pair of cat-eye glasses and began reading. I stopped her with a serious question:

“Were McCartney and you ever together?”

She closed the book and plainly said,

“Yes.”

“How long?”

“Seven years.”

My mouth dropped. McCartney and Lennon were together even though Lennon was married.

“Wait, wait, Julia, how were you two together when John was married to Cynthia? You are a cheater!”

Julia was heartbroken.

“I realized that a bit too late. For the public it was two different people so it didn’t matter but… It was so fucked up. Exactly why I ruined Cyn’s life. She even knew it and let me do it. Because she had John.”

“Julia. I am now dead serious. Are you going to do that to me?”

Julia’s usual poker face disappeared.

“I don’t love him anymore. I got over him.”, Julia was depressed.

I embraced her.

“Look, if you are still bummed about him and his plans, you can always write about that alright… Your venting to me about Paul has gained a new quality to it.”, I sighed.

Julia was always so complicated underneath her songs. I have to admit she is the one in control whenever John is writing.

“I have to get meself together…”, she said under her breath.

“I’ll help you.”, I caressed her face.

“You help enough by just being there.”, she gave me a weak smile.

I sat in her lap. She was comfortable with that.

“You never told me more about yourself, only stuff I’ve seen.”

“You know John well, so you- I’ll stop using this joke.”

She put away the book.

“Ask away.”, she stared at my figure.

“What was the relationship between you and Powell?”

“Us two are best friends.”, she smiled, “She had a soft spot for John so we had an idea to pretend we’re together when I’m him.”

“You mean she liked him.”

“Yeah.”

“So she knew everything you did?”

“John and her were together for so long. Of course she knew.”, she was direct and that hurt. I was… Jealous?

She found that amusing.

“Oh.”, I continued, “Did you sleep with any other women as John?”

Her eyes widened with suppressed laughter.

“I had to because I needed to uphold his image. But I didn’t like any of ‘em. I like men more.”, she collected herself, “Don’t worry, John is just yours. And I’ll tell you if he sleeps with anyone like I told-”

“Powell, who is your best friend still!”, I pouted.

“But who is with John?”

“I am.”

She booped my nose. It was obvious she valued me the same as she valued Powell.

“Did John like McCartney too?”

“Hm… In a small part.”, Julia told me, “I was the one doing the liking mostly.”

My jealousy was worsening.

“Paul was jealous of us for a long time, maybe he still is. Since I broke up with him, left Cyn and got with you, he was unbearable.”

So McCartney was jealous. He didn’t dislike me because of my character, but because I was with Julia all the time. Well, that is so-

I bursted into laughter.

“And he’ll never admit that, that bastard.”, she clucked.

“Guessing he’ll blame everything on me.”

“No, he’ll blame everything on John. Then on you.”, she proposed.

We both laughed.

“Julia, did you ever wish to be just John?”, I asked.

She raised her eyebrow.

“I wouldn't be able to wear me dresses then. And that would suck. Why ask that?”, she looked me up and down.

“Why would you spend so much time as John then?”

She was dumbfounded. It looked like she never asked herself that question.

“Huh… That’s a good question to mull over.”

She put a hand on her chin and looked into the window behind us. She was thinking over everything. She hugged herself with one hand while holding me with the other.

“It would certainly be easier…”, she barely uttered, “Everything would be simpler…”

She glanced into my lips.

“I would be able to be an ideal in full.”, she pressed her lips onto mine.

I succumbed to them. Those tearstained lips felt chapped and rough like John’s. She stopped and charmingly remarked,

“But life is not like that is it?”

I infectiously grinned. She was beaming.

“We should spend more time like this.”, I suggested, “I never get to spend time with happy Julia. Only serious Julia, only Julia that has to deal with John’s problems.”

“Then grab some poetry and let's read together.”, Julia put her book on the bed.

I went to our bookshelf and grabbed some of Oscar Wilde’s poetry. Lennon always had books.

“Oh, good choice.”, she noticed my choice.

I sat on her lap again, making myself comfortable. 

“If you’re now comfortable, choose a poem.”, she opened the page with the names of poems.

“Hm, let’s just start from the beginning and read from there.”, I played with her hair.

“Alright, Yoko.”, she passed a few pages to the first poem, “Ravenna.”

She began reading. Her voice flowed differently than John’s, much more silky and relaxed. She was mesmerizing and showed she cared about making the poem interesting the story beautiful and exciting.

“And England, too, shall glory in her son,

Her warrior-poet, first in song and fight.

No longer now shall Slander's venomed spite

Crawl like a snake across his perfect name,

Or mar the lordly scutcheon of his fame.”

This verse stuck with me… 

She began yawning after ten poems. It was already early morning.

“Looks like the warrior poet lost her stamina.”

“I’m no warrior, maybe a bad poet.”, she hugged me, “We should sleep.”

I went and jumped onto my half. She lied down onto hers.

“Good night, Jules.”, I said her nickname for the first time.

“Good night, raven head. Sweet dreams.”

“When will be the next time?”

“Whenever you want.”

I kissed her.

“Then tomorrow.”

“I thought you’d miss John.”

“We’re helping him.”, I snuggled into her chest.

She was a bit uncomfortable.

“Relax. I’m your wife remember?”

She snorted.

“Yoko, you’re silly.”, she snuggled me further. 

We fell asleep like that. Writing this now, I have a plan. I need to get Julia to let down her walls so John could be more truthful to me… He needs to heal. And knowing her and fixing her is the only way. I wonder where Jules would like to go out the most, maybe she made a plan already…

Rest of Sacrifame

most accurate description ever

damn

John and Paul had the dynamic like, John was looking at Paul as if Paul was was the most beautiful thing he ever laid his eyes on, and Paul was struggling with his fake obliviousness until he couldn't and stole a glance back, smiling ear to ear like a smitten teenage girl. With that being confirmed, John immediately looked away as if he knew if this kept going on they would devour each other.

It was so pure, so cute and idiotic. Like people that are so deeply and blindly in love.

this was truly iconic

oddly specific thing that I relate to

me writing mclennon smut on my phone at the family get together

Happy pride month pals🤭

Paul Mccartney in an interview with Charlie Rose talking about meeting John Lennon for the first time, October, 1991

PAUL: Who is this person? But then I met him a little later that day and uh, I was surprised at how drunk and horrible he was. Cause I was younger then, he was just sixteen-

CHARLIE: He was a bad influence on you, was he?

PAUL: -Well he was getting a six pack down him y’know, he was sat there and he was getting going. I was later to learn those tricks but I was a little bit innocent at the time. Yeah, I remember this guy sort of smelly breath over my shoulder, sort of thinking, “Oh dear me, hoodlum, y’know hello.”

There’s soooo many things I love about this particular telling of the story of John and Paul first meeting:

- His description seeming like such a caricature of a Liverpudlian teenage boy but knowing John was JUST LIKE THAT

- ‘I was a little bit innocent at the time.’ as if John corrupted him with his ‘hoodlum’ shenanigans

- It’s so clear that John was this image of older boy coolness to Paul when they were younger; the way he talks about his initial aversion to John’s antics while smiling, knowing that John’s influence would shape the rest of his life.

The comparison of younger Paul to a teenage girl with a crush on an older boy is so true- I mean, just look at him giggling about drunk John peering over his shoulder, defiling his ‘innocence’

this is a flippin masterpiece🥺

its been 4 years do I redraw Beatle House.