I never meant to begin this with a type of intro, but I feel as though I should. First I will begin with my name and a brief introduction of my life. Well here goes: my name is Charlene Brunswick; a small town girl who was fed up with an old fashioned father and wanted to give city life a go. I was always rebellious, and I had my reasons to be: I was never meant to live the good country life I was born into, and I wanted a change, but more than that I wanted freedom from my sheltered life. I bet this sounds selfish and all of that, but I never have had the laid back attitude or patience to be a good ole country girl. Mainly I wanted to graduate, get the hell outta dodge, and kick my heels up to have a good time. I was from West Virginia.
Eventually my quest for freedom led me to New York. Everything happened in New York City and I wanted a piece of the action. I soon fell on hard times, but luckily for me I found a couple of very responsible roommates, and a job working at a bar. My roommates Jenny Calstin and Audri Parkins were great and we all had one huge thing in common: we all loved the Beatles. My favorite Beatle was John Lennon, Jenny liked Paul McCartney, and Audri just never got over Ringo Starr’s blue eyes (that is once she found out that they were blue). Jenny and Audri went to college, but all I did was serve drinks at some sleazy bar called Starry Sky, where men constantly tried to get my attention or grope me. Most of the gropers ended up getting slapped.
Recently though the bar was becoming less than not popular and my wages suffered along with the business. I was contemplating on searching for a job once again when Audri burst into the room with a look of amazed excitement on her face.
“You guys won’t believe this, but the Beatles are coming to New York to do their last show on their third tour of the United States! They will be arriving at the Plaza Hotel in two hours! We have got to go and see them when they arrive!” Audri shrieked.
“I can’t! I have to work the late shift tonight and that begins in three hours and I need some sleep! You two go and tell me all about it when you get back or rather when I get back,” I said, anguish creeping into my voice.
“Oh, Char, just quit that awful job,” Jenny said sympathetically.
It was Friday, and Friday always promised new faces and some unusual customers. I bundled up for the blistery winds of September and headed for the Starry Sky. When I got there I noticed the usual faces and just sighed as I clocked in to begin my shift. It would be just another day at my worthless job. As I served one of the most frequent of customers he pinched my ass and grinned. I spun around on my heel and shouted, “No, you don’t!” I slapped him and he ended up wearing his drink.
The owner of the bar, Bill Condorse, just shook his head and made a gesture for me to come to him. I walked straight over. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain. That horrible excuse of a man docked my paycheck and recommended that I not do that again. As I looked up and turned my head away from Bill’s lecture I noticed a new face at the bar who by that mischievous grin was highly amused. I just walked away from Bill’s lecturing and left him their sputtering as I headed toward the new customer and asked, “What’ll it be?”
“Scotch and Coke please, and by judging from your last customer I’ll keep my hands to myself. By the way what’s your name, luv?” He asked in a strange but somehow familiar accented voice, and he barely managed a straight face, but his eyes still held the grin he was trying to hide.
“Sure thing Scotch and Coke it is. Oh, um it is Charlene. Anything else?” I asked.
“Yeah, I prefer my drinks to stay in the glass!” He said bursting out laughing.
I blushed and walked away to fill his order. As I looked up at the clock I noticed it was already nine. My roommates would have been back by then, because the Beatles had arrived at the Plaza at about six, and by now were probably settled into their luxurious accommodations. I couldn’t go to the Beatles concert either, because I couldn’t afford it, plus I had to work that night anyway. I was seriously thinking about quitting my job when I brought the customer his Scotch and Coke.
The guy introduced himself as Winston, and said he was from Liverpool, England. He was very talkative, and even asked if I liked the Beatles. He smiled at my sudden response of yes. I enjoyed talking to him. He was smart, funny, and had every other quality that I was looking for in a man. I found out that he was twenty-four, and his mother had died, although he wouldn’t tell me how she passed on. He found out that I was twenty-two, from West Virginia, and he found out a little bit about my childhood with two sisters and three brothers. We talked for a long time and I only left him to get him another drink. Finally Bill came up to the table and said he needed to speak with me. I reluctantly got up to accompany Bill to see what lecture he was going to dish out now. I soon found myself out of the backdoor of the bar, and in a cold narrow alley, and I was alone with Bill. I began to feel uneasy as I saw a look of savage instinct pass over Bill’s face. I didn’t like standing in that cold dark alley with this pathetic excuse of a man. I tried the door to the back entrance of the bar, but it was locked, and as I made this discovery Bill launched himself at me. I felt like I was smothering as he pushed me up against a wall behind a dumpster. He managed to rip my blouse and he forced his tongue into my mouth before I had a chance to scream. I fought like mad scratching his face, but this was no man I was fighting it was some animal. My attempts to get him off of me so that I could at least try and run were made in vane as he held me down. Tears sprung to my eyes as he touched me. As he was about to rip off my bra someone pulled him off of me. There was a struggle and then Bill was out cold, and my rescuer had a black eye and a wide grin. Winston looked down at me and gave me his coat, and a handkerchief.
“I didn’t like the looks of that guy. Was he your boss? Come ‘ead now, luv. He won’t harm you for awhile.” He said as he placed a reassuring arm around my shoulders. “I wouldn’t have let that bloody fuckin’ bastard lay a hand on you. I followed you out here, because his intentions didn’t look good. I am glad I did. You are to good for a bloke like that. You are probably to good for me too.”
The tears I had been trying in vane to hold back spilled forth and Winston let me bury my head in his shoulder. “Thank you,” was my awkward reply. My body began to shake and he just took me in his arms and held me until he was sure that I could stand on my own two feet. After a few moments he hailed a cab, and gave directions to where he was staying.
“Luv, you can stay with me tonight. You can have the bed if you want. I have taken a couch before,” Winston said.
“I couldn’t possibly put you out like that. I can take the couch,” I said in between a hiccough.
“Don’t make me be insistent Charlene. Is there some nick name you go by?” Winston asked.
“Char.”
“Pull around the back to the employee entrance please,” Winston told the driver.
As he got out of the car I really saw him. I couldn’t believe my eyes. No wonder he looked and sounded so familiar. I listened to his songs every night before I went to bed and I found myself gazing at his poster in the morning. This was John Lennon, and he had let me call him by his middle name! The auburn highlights in his hair shone magnificently under the lights of the hotel. His eyes met mine and a look of concerned passed over his face. As I gazed into his light brown eyes I found myself drowning in the fierce light coming from them. I remember him asking if I was alright as I fainted, and the last thing I remember is feeling his strong arms holding me.
I woke up in the morning expecting to be in the alley, but I was lying in a bed. Was that all a dream last night? If so then why was I in a strange bed. The events of the night before came back, and then I heard the door open. My clothes were ripped and I was a little frightened when the sheet was yanked back by a strong hand. I screamed and slapped the man that yanked back the sheet and then I heard a familiar laugh. It was real, I was in John Lennon’s hotel room in the Plaza, but not only that, the man I had just slapped was Paul McCartney! I felt heat flood my cheeks as I pulled the sheets up around me. John came through the door just then with some man following him yelling about his escapades last night and looking at me. Paul was still stroking his cheek from where I’d struck him. I felt really embarrassed and John obviously knew that because he picked me up sheet and all and said, “Luv, you just struck Paul McCartney, so let the world in on it! How did it feel? I hope this isn’t to complicated for you. I just don’t think Paulie over there saw that I was sleeping on the couch, although I thought for sure he would hear me. Oh, Brian, meet Charlene um uh... Hey, luv, what is your last name?”
“Charlene Brunswick. Mr. McCartney I am so sorry! I honestly didn’t know. I just thought last night was a horrible nightmare. I mean... I mean...” I stuttered.
“Actually I needed a wake up call. Do you think you could call me Paul? You have one hell of a good arm. Nearly knocked me flat. This is the first time John has slept on the couch when he had a beautiful half naked girl in his bed. John, care to explain?” Paul said with a grin.
“I'd like to wait for the rest of the group,” he said as he sat down while holding me in his lap.
“And I'd like to take a shower if you don’t mind. I don’t have any clothes though. I mean I can’t very well wear this,” I said as tears began to flood my eyes.
“Hush now. Don’t cry. I helped you out last night, didn’t I? I think I can afford a few clothes for ye. Shh luv. There, there,” John said brushing the tears from my cheeks.
“No, just send someone to my apartment and have them bring me some clothes. I don’t want you to spend any money on me. I am just someone you talked to at a bar and coincidentally rescued. I already owe you enough. I don’t want to seem like I am using you for your money, and besides my roommates are going to be frantic,” I stammered through my tears.
“You were nearly raped by some bloody pig last night, and now you are directing me on how to spend my bloody money?” John asked as a grin passed on his face.
I slapped him as hard as I could, and as soon as my hand came into contact with his face that grin left immediately.
“What the bloody fuck was that for?” He roared as he jumped up, dropped me, and rubbed his stinging cheek. Paul was bursting with laughter.
“Don’t you ever treat me like something that you can just direct like every thing else that is in your life! I just met you last night and I am grateful that you helped me when I needed help, but it was none of their business what went on last night!” I yelled pointing at Paul and Brian. “And besides nothing happened between us, and don’t you make like anything did! Give me a robe or something so I can at least get home with a little bit of dignity!”
My yelling caught the attention of the rest of the Beatles and George Harrison and Ringo Starr came into John’s room to see what was going on. “What the bloody hell, John?” they said in unison.
Paul continued to laugh and then George and Ringo saw me in my torn clothes and tangled in the sheet on the floor, and noticed that both John and Paul were rubbing red cheeks.
“So, Johnny, what did you and the half naked bird on the floor do last night?” Ringo asked a grin appearing on his face.
Not caring about the sheet anymore I jumped up and slapped Ringo. Ringo’s grin quickly left his face and George’s strong arms quickly held my arms behind my back, preventing me from slapping anyone else. My sheet was still on the floor, when Paul picked it up and flung it over me, with a look of regret. George just smirked while trying to keep his hold on me.
“Run boys! I am about to turn her loose!” George said sarcastically, I stomped on his foot and he yelped.
Brian just stood by and watched the entire scene with a bemused look crossing his face. The Beatles had been slapped and stomped single handedly by me, a half naked girl clutching at a sheet wrapped around her body. Just then Mal their security guard walked in, picked me up, and was about to escort me out, when John suddenly spoke up, “Wait let her stay. Send someone round to her flat to pick up all of her clothes then get her the adjoining room next to mine.”
“John are you sure, she seems a bit feisty to me,” Mal said with a shrug.
I gave Mal the directions to my apartment. After about half an hour there was a phone call and John picked up the phone.
“Hullo, John Lennon, what do ya want?” he said. He gingerly held the phone far from his ear and said, “Char, it is for you.” I heard a lot of shrieking coming from the phone as I took it from him.
“Hi, this is Char. Audri is that you?” I asked.
“First this guy named Mal comes over wanting your entire wardrobe, then John Lennon answers our phone call, and you are over there? Char what are you doing with John Lennon? That guy Mal told me to call you if we didn’t believe that he was sent to get your things. I call the number and John Lennon picks up the phone. By the way Char, Mal is getting all of your stuff, so I take it you won’t be coming back. Jenny and I will miss you and be completely jealous of you too!” this was all I could understand of what Audri was saying in between her shrieks and explanation to Jenny.
“Audri, I have to go. Tell Jen I said hi,” I said looking over at John, “Bye Audri.”
I hung up the phone and then asked John, “Why is Mal getting all of my clothes?”
“Simple luv, I want you to come to England with us. You have spunk, and I like that in a girl. I know this is really sudden, but from what happened last night you lost a job, and besides I want some fresh faces back home. You are beautiful, interesting, funny, sexy, and you have a lot of great stories to tell judging from our chat before that bastard tried to force his way into your knickers. Just promise not to slap me again, because I will be the first to say that I have a horrid vocabulary and a very dirty mind,” He said with a laugh.
Paul began to take off his shirt, handed it to me, and said, “You can take a shower and wear this until your clothes get here. I am sorry if I startled you this morning.”
John just looked at Paul and laughingly said, “Paul, I found her first.”
George and Ringo just looked at each other and headed back to their rooms. All of the action was over. I took Paul’s shirt and went to the bathroom. The bathroom was messy but somehow I managed to take a scalding shower to erase the feeling of Bill’s hands touching me. I washed my hair with the little hotel shampoo, rinsed my hair, and got out of the shower. I dried off, wrapped the towel around my hair, put on Paul’s shirt, and walked out of the bathroom to sit on the couch and wait on the arrival of my clothes. I laid down on the couch and covered myself up with my fallen sheet. John walked back in with an amused grin on his face and looked at me wearing Paul’s shirt. He began to shake his head and walk to the bathroom. A few minutes later Mal walked in with two suitcases and a bag filled with my things. John walked out of the bathroom took one look at Mal and asked, “Is that it?”
He got the suitcases and bag, took them to his room, and dumped the contents onto the bed to see what I owned. He went through all of my clothing sighing and making “tsk,tsk” sounds. The only clothes he liked were four blouses, a couple of dresses, my jeans, and my five mini skirts. He piled the rest of my clothing up and told Mal to toss them. I became upset and he noticed my face and said, “These are nice and all but the rest of that well... Why don’t I give you some money and you go do some shopping and get some clothes. How does five hundred sound?”
“I told you I don’t want your money. May I get dressed now?” I said firmly.
He threw me a black mini skirt, and a light blue blouse. I went to the bathroom dried my hair and got dressed. I went back into the bedroom, got my brush, and ran it through my hair. I liked wearing my hair down, and John must have liked it down too. He whistled when he saw me.
“What is Paul’s room number?” I asked.
“I think I am going to escort you to his room, just incase one of you decides to misbehave,” John said as his mouth twisted into a mischievous grin.
“I fully intend on behaving!”
He shrugged, “Very well then. Three doors down on the left.”
“Thanks, John.”
“I already regret telling you,” He said.
I went down the hall, which was strangely deserted. I knocked on Paul’s door and he answered looking slightly confused. He noticed his shirt in my hand and became even more confused. He put his hands around my waist and drug me into his room. He then kissed me so tenderly that I completely melted in his embrace. His arms held me steady and he looked deeply into my eyes, and I noticed that his eyes weren’t just brown, but a mixture of colors. I began to run my hands through his hair as the kiss deepened, and I felt his tongue in my mouth. My tongue immediately responded and began to massage his. We finally surfaced for air, and he looked at me in bewilderment. I felt myself drowning in his eyes. He bent down and kissed me again. His arms tightened around my waist.
“You are amazing,” Paul said in wonderment.
“What do you mean?” I asked gasping for air.
“Any other girl would have kept the shirt,” He replied. “Do you like my hair or something?” He grinned.
“I am sorry. I didn’t know that you didn’t like people messing with your hair...” I began.
“No it feels good Char.”
“I just met you. Um don’t you think this is a little fast?” I asked.
“Not fast enough, luv.”
I slapped him. “I didn’t come over here for that. I came to give you back your shirt!” I yelled.
“What the bloody hell?” He said bewildered. “What is your problem? You are hot one minute and cold the next! I don’t like being teased!”
“And I don’t like being used!” I yelled.
I stormed out of Paul’s room and went straight to John’s. When I got to John’s room I was completely flustered. He looked up from a book attempting an innocent smile and failing horribly.
“Why me damn it? Why did you pick me? Why did you save me? Why?” I yelled.
“I like you Charlene. You are beautiful, intelligent, and sexy. What else is there? That man shouldn’t have taken advantage of you. Besides luv, you aren’t like the rest of the birds, you are yourself. You saw me a person, not the great John Lennon. Not to mention the fact that I see something in you. So, how did it go with Paul? It certainly didn’t take long over there.” John said and burst out laughing.
“Get off it. You just now tried to set me up with him didn’t you? You are one screwed up matchmaker!” I continued to yell.
Soon George, Ringo, and Paul came to see what was going on this time. I barely glanced their way without my eyes meeting Paul’s. Suddenly I felt faint. Someone caught me as I fell. When I came to consciousness I found myself in Paul’s arms.
“She is awake!” He yelled.
“Hullo luv, you feel better? You’ve been out now for an hour, and Paul here wouldn’t let you outta his arms let alone his sight,” John said.
“Yeah, he insisted we call a doctor,” Ringo said.
“What did the doctor say?” I asked.
“You are in trauma,” Paul said while pushing a strand of my dark hair out of my green eyes. “What happened last night that may have caused trauma?”
“She was nearly raped by the owner of the bar that I found her at. Char worked there and he must have had his eye on her for a long time. I had to knock the bloke out to get him to leave her alone,” John replied.
I began to notice my surroundings. My head rested on Paul’s lap and he unconsciously stroked my hair. The rest of my body was on the sofa in John’s room. George sat on a chair with a “keep me out of this” look. Ringo seemed interested in Paul’s unconscious actions, and John just looked down at me regretfully. I tried to get up, but Paul gently held me down. I looked up at John and I think that he was mentally noting how Paul was suddenly treating me.
“Maybe I should change rooms with Char so that she can have the adjoining room to Paul’s. I could get started moving my things!” Ringo said.
John threw a pillow at him and Paul arched his eyebrows at the idea. John somehow started a pillow fight. I just barely escaped to the bedroom, when the door opened and Paul came in. He headed straight for me. His arms wound around me and I felt secure, a feeling that I had never felt before. I looked up, and felt his lips meet mine. Soon his tongue was slipping through my lips and I gave into the kiss. As we kissed I felt something I never knew could have existed. After what seemed like an eternity we surfaced. I turned towards the door, and there stood John and the others. John had this strange distant look on his face. I kept wondering if I looked as startled as I felt. George shook his head, and Ringo’s mouth was still hanging open. Paul looked back down at me and a strand of hair fell into his face. I reached up to push it back. As soon as my hand came into contact his face he turned away from me. Paul stormed out of the room. I got up to go after him when John grabbed me. George and Ringo left the room.
“What the bloody hell is between you and Paul? You just met him and it looked like you two were having a very good time before we interrupted!” John shouted.
“Look John, I didn’t ask for any of this. I never expected this from anyone. I just met Paul and I feel as though I have known him for a lifetime. I don’t understand any of this, but just to let you know, he made the first move,” I told him.
“Well let me make my move then!” he growled.
He then wrapped his arms around me in a fierce embrace and savagely brought his lips down on mine. His tongued forced its way into my mouth. I tried to push him away, but I just gave up and surrendered to it. I began to kiss him back with that same animal instinct that took over when I had kissed Paul. My hands began to wonder through his thick light brown auburn highlighted hair. He drew me closer to him. I felt his hands trying to unbutton my blouse. That was when I pushed him away. He looked strange and savage. I had somehow awakened some part of him that longed for satisfaction. He looked down into my face and then he broke out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” I asked.
“You are a virgin!” He said and continued to laugh.
“That is none of your damn business!” I yelled.
“You are though aren’t you?” He asked, his laughter began to subside.
I refused to answer him.
“For a virgin you certainly are one hell of a kisser,” He said appearing to be amused. “At least that explains why you are hot one minute and cold the next.”
I began to blush and he took my face in his hands and he gently kissed me. “Don’t worry, luv. I know you aren’t ready. Just be careful around McCartney, okay?”
“Thank you John. You are a good friend, even though I have only known you for one day. Can you please promise me one thing?” I asked.
“All depends on what I am promising.”
“Promise me that you won’t take advantage of me,” I said.
“Sure thing, luv.”
We sealed the promise with a kiss, and John tried to slip his hand up my skirt, but I turned my head and looked up at him. He just laughed and stopped trying. He shook his head, and I saw him as a man not as John Lennon. I wanted to know this man, and to discover a gateway to his friendship. He saw something in my eyes and just turned away. I think he saw what I was thinking.
“Go to McCartney Char. You want him,” He said resigned.
“How could you possibly know what I want?” I said wrapping my arms about his waist and putting my head on his shoulder.
“Don’t lead me on Charlene. I like you, and you probably like me, but don’t tease me. Don’t start something that you can’t finish with me. You obviously found something with Paul, so go to him!” He said in a final tone.
I took John’s advice and went to Paul’s room. The door was slightly ajar. I saw Paul sitting on the couch. He had his head lowered into his hands, and his elbows rested on his knees. There was a lit cigarette in the ashtray. He reached for the cigarette, and took a drag as I shut the door. At the sound of the door closing he looked up and his eyes met mine. Once again I found myself drowning in his eyes. He put the cigarette out, got up from the sofa, and headed towards me. I don’t know why but I began to cry. I remember feeling exhausted from everything that happened, and I just cried. Sobs racked my body. He let me bury my face in his shoulder, and he lifted me up and put me down on the couch. He went to the bathroom for a few minutes (to quickly brush his teeth) and came back with some tissue. I lifted my head and met his gaze head on. He gave me the tissue and sat down on the couch beside me. He put his left arm on my shoulder and it gave me some reassurance. I leaned against him and I felt a warmth, a glow that I wasn’t familiar with. He tilted my head up and kissed my forehead and stroked my hair.
“Why did you walk away from me, Paul? Why were you so angry?” I asked.
“Because, I have never felt this way before. I don’t know how to explain it. I want you, but it goes deeper than that,” Paul said his voice becoming huskier.
I didn’t know what to say. Paul McCartney at a loss for words. I just kept thinking, “What is going to happen?” I didn’t have any idea what would become of any of this. Paul looked at my face and I was so sure he knew what I was thinking. Something inside me began to take over. I looked up to see what he may have been thinking, but his expression was unreadable. I suddenly kissed him, long and hard, slipping my tongue into his mouth. At first he appeared to be a little surprised, but he began to kiss me back. I felt something amazing in that kiss, that I couldn’t even begin to explain. He took me into his arms, went into his bedroom, and kicked the door shut. Paul gently placed me on the bed, and he leaned down to kiss me again. He began to unbutton my blouse, and I didn’t stop him. He pulled off his shirt and then began to unfasten my bra. I pushed him away.
He looked at me a bit bewildered, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. He got up off of me, and laid down beside me. Paul then looked deeply into my eyes, and suddenly began to laugh. I began to blush. He gently pulled my hair back, leaned in closer to me, and kissed me, a sweet innocent kiss. This took me by surprise, and my face must have showed it, because he began to laugh again. I loved his laugh, and began to smile. Something in that impish grin that shown in his eyes told me I was going to learn a lot from him. He saw something in my expression and his grin got bigger.