THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD || Paul McCartney [Completed]

24. Sad Beautiful Tragic

And you've got your demons
And darling, they all look like me
'Cause we had a beautiful magic love there
What a sad, beautiful, tragic love affair

Distance, timing, breakdown, fighting
Silence, the train runs off its tracks
Kiss me, try to fix it, could you just try to listen?

Anchorage, Alaska: June 27-28

Due to a potential typhoon over Japan, their flight had to land in Anchorage, Alaska. Natalie never had the chance to see America; she never thought her first time would be Alaska out of all places. She looked out of the plane window, her eyes taking in the mountains in the distance. Their peaks were covered in snow, reflecting in the clear blue waters. It was breathtaking. She always wanted to visit Alaska, but in the winter, when the northern lights billowed across the sky.

They sat in the plane for two hours with an Anchorage ground service agent, Garry Henningsen. He was to collect their paperwork for customs. He didn't seem very interested in the band or their music. In fact, she overheard him mutter something about "babysitting." Paul asked what there was to do in Anchorage, but nothing appealed to any of them. Finally, Brian popped in, telling them they had to stay until it was safe to fly to Japan. They all groaned, and reluctantly exited the plane.

"Did you see that magnificent white bear in that glass case?" Ringo asked excitedly to the other lads as they walked through the airport. It seemed to be the only thing that interested them.

"Yes, we saw it," George answered, his stomach growling. He was starved, and he had no idea what they were going to eat here.

"How long will we be here?" Paul asked, his tone irritated.

"Until we know it's safe to take off again," Brian told him, ignoring the sour looks on their faces. Brian had arranged a bus for them, keeping them concealed from fans. Of course, the news spread like wildfire because curious teenagers were surrounding the airport with anxious eyes, waiting to get a glimpse of their favorite band.

Natalie couldn't understand why the lads seemed so uninterested in Alaska. It was beautiful. Ringo called Anchorage a backwater without any protests from the other three Beatles. Natalie held Paul's hand tightly, with her bag draped over her shoulder as they neared the exit. A bus was waiting for them, and they quickly were ushered on. Brian made them a reservation at the Westward Hotel, which was the only reasonable place for them to stay while in Anchorage.

They were all bored now, which made Natalie feel anxious.

Natalie watched the lads in the suite. Brian sat alone in a chair, John sitting in another chair opposite of him. Paul sat at the far end of the sofa, George next to him and then Ringo. They all looked like they were being tortured to death. Paul held a handheld fan. His eyes stared vacantly at the coffee table all while he opened and closed the fan. Natalie was sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, facing Paul. She was reading a book, her eyes only leaving the pages to glance up at him every now and then. He was completely zoned out, his tie and shirt rumpled from the journey.

Natalie was the only woman left. Pattie and the others accompanied them to Germany, but took a flight back to England. Natalie was tempted to join them, but Paul reminded her how much she wanted to see Japan. Of course, he was right. She did want to see Japan, so she decided to stay.

"What are you reading?" Brian asked, trying to break the awkward silence between everyone. Natalie looked up at Brian and smiled. Natalie liked him a lot. He had been nothing but kind to her. The four lads looked at her now, Brian's voice drawing them out of their trances.

She blushed, feeling like some sort of spectacle with their eyes all on her, waiting for her to respond. She brushed her fingers nervously against the pages and shook her head, "Just some boring book about space."