How to Change the World

Chapter 2

Seven months passed since the motorcycle incident in December, and every month felt like another load Paul had to carry. They had been working on the new "Revolver" album since April, which meant restless days in the studio. More time was spent in the studio before, considering the amount of editing the new songs required. Being stuck in a small room with John all day was as unsettling as it was uplifting. It honestly all feels like madness.

Back in March, their popularity had a little bit of a halt, thanks to good ol' Johnny. He was talking to a friend, who happened to be a reporter and Lennon said the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus". It didn't fail to get to a lot of religious folks; it was a mistake on John's part. They were able to move on from that, and Paul was able to comfort John when he felt like shit.

This man he'd come to know as Alan Smith has been trying to interview him for some while, they've talked in a car, up the stairs, and a bloody taxi. Eventually they did a better quality interview when The Beatles were doing an appearance at the BBC-TV show "Top of the Pops". There were girls everywhere, almost no place was quiet enough for them to get through just a few questions. He and Alan had found that the only truly quiet place was the lavatory in the TV Centre. Both of them settled in the small restroom, and were brought a cup of tea before Alan proceeded with the questions. Paul sat on the bathtub, while Allan sat on the toilet, which made everything even more uncomfortable.

Allan's interview began talking about the Moped accident that Paul had had that December, and a bit about the songs they were working on for Revolver. Really, it was a pretty generic interview, asking a few personal questions about songs or the home he had purchased, nothing headline making.

Allan began to form a question,"Paul, onto something more personal."

The young Beatle took a sip of his tea, wondering where the interviewer was going with this.

"Alright."

"Is there anyone special at the moment we should know about?" The interviewer sounded genuinely lighthearted about this, but for Paul, it made him tense.

"No, not at the moment," Paul's voice felt rougher with every word.

"You did have a minor thing with Jane Asher, what happened to her?"

Paul put down the tea on the floor, took out a cigarette and forced a smile.

"Ah, we weren't right for eachother."

"Do you think you'll ever find the right girl?"

Paul tensed even more, taking a long drag of his cigarette. He didn't care anymore, he couldn't lie anymore. Maybe it was a better thing to tell the truth.

"N-no."

"Why is that?" The interviewer asked inquisitively.

"Alan, I haven't been entirely honest with everyone."

"How so?"

Paul took another sip of his tea. The drink was getting a bit cold now.

"Listen, Alan. There have been men who have been beaten, thrown in prison, and killed, and they were no different than I am. And frankly, I don't see how it's fair they live a life of persecution while I sit here, one of the biggest stars in the business."

Okay, starting with subtlety, doing well so far.

"What are you trying to say Paul?"

Paul swallowed the lump forming in his throat.

"What I'm trying to say, Alan, is that I can't find the perfect woman because... I am a homosexual." Okay enough with the damn subtlety

Paul took another long drag of his cigarette as the interviewers mouth stood agape. The tension in the compact room could be physically felt.