ATOMIC, benny watts

six- tea for queenie

Vivienne was thrilled. Today her company would be filled by her other English company, not the prim and proper people like Arthur, or her family. How could one describe The Rolling Stones?

Well, for starters, they were the opposite of The Beatles, marketed differently and with darker undertones. Plus, they had a sound more distinctly filled with Blues inspired tracks. It was gorgeous and Vivienne has been in love with them, ever since her brother made the introduction.

She could remember it like it was yesterday. Her elder brother Tommy had been the one to make the introduction. It had been at the start of her sabbatical and the perfect place to celebrate it all had been one of London's more hip clubs.

The smoke had lined the walls, the lights were dimmed and the sofas were covered in dark maroon and blue pillows, cushioned and soft. The floors were carpeted except in the general area of the dance floor. To be explicitly clear: it was relying on the hippie and beatnik vibes of the era.

In the back of the club, with open arms ready to welcome Tommy had been Mick Jagger, accompanied by the other Stones, huddled around a table, substances and half filled glasses all over it.

"Tommy! Didn't expect to see you in here. Thought you were too posh for us." He winks, clearly teasing her elder brother.

"Never. Either way, I brought my hosts some gifts." Flipping his shades up and sifting through his suede pockets and pulling out a few small baggies and tossed them onto the table.

"Who's your lovely lady? Seems a bit quiet." Keith speaks up, sliding down into the booth making room for the two of them, a cigarette loosely hanging from his lips.

"Bug off Richards. It's my sister." Tommy wraps an arm around his sisters neck comfortingly.

"Which one? The ditz?" He continues, looking over Vivienne, studying her face.

"Can't be the ditz. She's got the eyes of a smart one." The quieter Blonde speaks up, pushing his hair back behind his ear, a grin on his face.  He was well spoken, almost shocking her at how posh it sounded. 

He reaches his hand over to her from across the table "Brian Jones. You have to be Viv. You don't strike me as a Melody."

She took his hand gently and shook it profusely "You'd be correct. I am Viv. Hopefully Tommy hasn't soured my reputation completely."

"Quite the opposite." Mick says, looking up, clutching a rolled up dollar bill in his hands.

"Told em about how smart you are Viv. And a breadwinner too." Tommy slides in

"Champion of the Chess World in the flesh. How unexpected. And at our table too. We were destined to be friends, Tommy dear just made it happen." Keith interjects

"Queenie has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Brian asks, shaking his head gently

"It's fitting. Is that a new nickname?" She asks, taking Mick's cigarette and taking a drag from it.

"Of course. You've been officially donned Queenie. Just no tea and crumpets."

"Tell that to our mother!" She exclaims, leaning in towards the table, and a pile of snickers erupted a few seconds later.