How to Change the World

Chapter 6

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special quest tonight... though, all our guests are quite special. I'd like to welcome here, the Beatle John Lennon!"

The room filled with the sound of claps and cheers, but some people avoided it. There were die hard Beatles fans in that audience and some people who came for the bragging rights of seeing David Frost's show. The Beatle in question walked out, dressed in a jersey knit turtle neck, another obsession of his along with the old Greek Fisherman's hat. Lifting his hand to wave at the audience, he proceeded to sit on the interview chair. Perhaps they would spare him tonight.

The interviewer, David Frost, made himself comfortable in the chair next to John. He was very fond of satire, though it would take someone with greater courage than him to try to joke about the recent events. It was still hard to not mention.

"Wow. John Lennon. It is a pleasure to have you here with us today," Frost gave a genuine smile, "now... now one thing we've been rehearsing to talk about is the release of Revolver. Which comes out... in a few days?"

John escaped the thoughts munching on the edges of his brain. He was pulled back into reality, focusing on the question in question.

"Yeah... that's right," He said, crossing his legs and resting his attention on the interview.

"So, what do you think about the album? Is it anything new?"

John nodded. Okay, this is a good start, "Well, you know... I think it'll be just grand, David. We worked hard on this, y'know? We tried to make things new and fresh. Like we tried with the last one."

"Rubber Soul was it?"

"Yeah, but better."

David gave a friendly chuckle continuing on, "So, I've heard you've stopped touring. You think this is a good thing for the group?"

"Well, y'know. We'll miss this sort of thing, but we can't very well hear ourselves when we're playin'. And now I guess we have more time to work in the studio. Y'know experimenting and what not."

David Frost gave a sympathetic smile before continuing... maybe too sympathetic.

"So, John..." Frost swallowed, trying to make this seem as friendly as possible. The things he does for journalism, "If I may ask... What are yourthoughts on the recent events with Paul?"

The dreaded question.

"What recent events?"

"Uh..."

"Oh right those! Yes, he bought a beautiful estate. It's lovely!"

The interviewer's face was now annoyed, he rubbed to anxious fingers on his forehead.

"Yes the estate is quite lovely John, but what do you think about Paul... Paul being a homosexual?"

"Ah," John rested chin in his hand, "Well, it's not really my place to have an opinion."

The audience was silent. Tension soared throughout every member of the crowd. This was supposed to be a lighthearted show.

"I mean... I love him, he's my best friend. But, what he wants to do with people is none of my business. And... it's not like he's open about it, he just didn't want to live a lie anymore. I guess is what he thought."

David scanned the situation, then displayed a suspicious smile. He bit his lip as if he were trying to hold back laughter.

"So you sympathize with him?"

Someone from the audience laughed.

~~*~~

Paul watched intently from his home in Cavendish, his eyes set directly on the television. Martha lay resting on his lap, Paul stroking her back.