The Beatles Short Stories

The Mysterious Miss Rigby

   It was a very chilly winter night and the Beatles were currently recording their album "Beatles For Sale" at EMI Studios. It had been a very productive session and all four lads were in very high spirits. They had just finished recording "Every Little Thing" and now they were about to start on "Baby's in Black," but one particular Beatle wanted a short break to rest his aching fingers.
   "Mates, is it alright if I step outside for some air? My fingers are absolutely killing me."
   "Sure, Paul. But don't be long, we've still got one more song to finish!" John answered.
   "I'll be quick, don't worry!" the bassist replied as he made his way out into the cold night.
   Once outside, he leaned against the building while absent mindedly gazing at the harshly falling snow. He shivered a little and thought about what a great pity it would be if he couldn't go back inside as soon as he wished. "Thank goodness for heat!"  he thought. But, just as he turned to go back inside, he heard a small moan from somewhere around the corner of the studio. "I wonder what that could be?"  he asked himself as he turned the corner. What he found made him gasp a bit as he made his way closer to the frail figure of an old woman.
   "Miss?" he said with uncertainty. "Are you alright?"
   The elderly woman simply looked up at the Beatle with a look of misery and sadness, which made Paul's heart break right then and there. She was dressed in a tattered old dress with a shaw, that more resembled that of a rag, draped over her trembling shoulders. Her dark grey hair looked as if it hadn't been brushed in ages and her uncovered hands were shaking from the cold.
   "Why are you out here?" he tried again.
   This time, the small lady stirred a little before her lips came apart from the line they had been pursed in moments before.
   "I-I don't have anywhere else to g-go, lad," she replied in a weak voice as she shivered.
    Paul frowned while trying to think of what he could do for the poor woman. Within seconds, he came to the most obvious conclusion.
   "Why don't you come inside the studio? It's warm in there and we could get you a sandwich or something. George is always hoarding tons of those," he said while helping the elderly lady stand.
   "Would t-that be alright?" she asked.
   "Of course! It's our pleasure. What's your name Miss, if you don't mind me asking. Mine name's Paul. Paul McCartney."
   "M-my name is Eleanor. Eleanor Rigby," she answered as they approached the door.
   "Well, it's very nice to meet you Miss Rigby."
   "Y-you as well young Paul," she smiled, which revealed her slightly yellow teeth.
   Paul smiled in return as he helped her into the studio. As soon as she felt the wonderful heat, she moaned and gasped in pleasure, for her practically frozen body was now thawing.
   "Oh, thank you, lad. May God bless you!" she exclaimed.
   "You're very welcome. Come, would you like to meet my mates?" the young bassist said as he began to walk towards the main studio door.
   "Yes, I would. Are you a musician, Paul?" she inquired as she followed him.
   "Yes, ma'am. I'd like to think so," he replied with a chuckle.
   He then opened the studio door and gestured for the old woman to follow.
   "I'm back, mates!" he called.
   "About time, Macca!" John yelled back, which caused Ringo to look up from his book and George to stop stirring his tea.
   "Look, everyone, I'd like you to meet Miss Rigby. I found her out in the cold and I thought she could warm up in here," Paul said as Eleanor made herself visible to the other Beatles.
   "Hello," she said shyly.
   John and George just sat speechless, too surprised to say anything. Ringo, on the other hand, got up from behind his drum set and made his way over to greet her.
   "It's very nice to meet you, Miss Rigby," he said politely as he shook her aged hand.
   "Nice to meet you, Mr..."
   "Oh, I'm sorry! My name is Ringo!"
   "Ringo, such an interesting name," she smiled. "But, I like it very much!"
   "Thanks, my real name is Richard, though."
   "Oh, I still like it!" she giggled. "Now, who's this?" she asked as she pointed towards John and George.
   "I'm John and this is George," the rhythm guitarist spoke up.
   "Nice to meet you," George said as he shook her hand.
   "You as well, and nice to me you too, John," she said.
   "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rigby," Lennon replied.
   After making each other's acquaintance, Paul decided it was time to get the poor woman some food.
   "George, do you have anymore sandwiches left? I'm sure Miss Rigby is very hungry," he asked.
   "Of course! I'll go get them!" George said as he disappeared to another room.
   Just then, George Martin spoke up through the intercom, startling old Miss Rigby.
   "Boys, we need to finish this song," the producer said, not even looking up to see the visitor.
   "Yeah, okay. George will be back in just a second," Paul replied.
   And, just as Paul had said that, George came back into the room carrying a tray full of sandwiches. Miss Rigby's face instantaneously lit up at the sight of the yummy food. George sat the tray down on her lap and she began to scarf down the food as if she hadn't eaten in a decade. As she ate, John, Paul, and George grabbed their guitars while Ringo got behind his drum set. George Martin prepared for the recording before nodding to the four lads. They nodded back and began "Baby's in Black." John and Paul started to sing and this caused Eleanor to stop eating and take in the beauty of the song. The songwriting duo locked eyes as they harmonized while Miss Rigby sat silent, as if stuck in time. After the last chord was struck, they ended. Paul was the first to look in the old lady's direction and found an amazed look on her wrinkled face.
   "What did you think, Miss Rigby?" he asked.
   "I-I loved it," she stuttered. "You lads are very talented. I guarantee that you four will do great things."
   "Well, thank you very much. I'm glad you think so!" Paul smiled, a little bit surprised by Miss Rigby's response.
   "So, not to change the subject, but where is your family? Why are you stuck out in the cold?" John spoke up as he put his guitar down.
   His sudden remark caused Paul to give him a 'that's none of your business' look before the old woman responded.
   "Well, I haven't any family actually. I never married, which means I never had any children. My parents passed away long ago and so I've been on my own ever since. I lost my home because I couldn't afford it any longer, due to my not being able to work. I'm very grateful for your hospitality, though, because, without it, I probably would have starved or froze. So, I do thank you," she finished as she rubbed her eye.
   The Beatles just stood there in silence. The magnitude of her sad story weighing down their hearts. Finally, Paul was the first to speak.
   "I am so very sorry. That's absolutely terrible, but we'll do whatever we can to help you. Isn't that right, mates?" he asked as he turned towards his disheartened friends.
   "Absolutely. Whatever we can do for you," Ringo replied.
   "Well, that's very kind of you boys, but I don't deserve your help. You've already done quite enough for an old woman like myself."
   "Nonsense! It's no problem at all!" George exclaimed.
   "Are you indeed sure?" she asked with much concern.
   "Of course," the four responded in unison.
   "Why, thank you. Thank you so much!" she said as a tear of gratitude rolled down her aged and wrinkled cheek.
   About that time, George Martin spoke through the intercom once again.
   "You lads can go now. That's enough for tonight," he said
   "Okay, but I'll think we'll stay for a little longer," Paul said as he glanced at Miss Rigby.
   "Alright, whatever you wish," he replied with a puzzled look, for usually they were more than eager to get home.
   The producer left the studio without knowing about Miss Rigby now leaving the four Beatles and Eleanor alone.
   "Lads, if I'm hindering you getting home, just tell me. I wouldn't want you to lose sleep over me," she said.
   "Again, it's no problem. In fact, we could sleep here if you'd like," Paul exclaimed.
   "That's not necessary," Eleanor replied.
   "Oh, but it is! It might actually be kinda fun!" Paul said with a smile.
   "Okay, if it's no trouble to you," she said cautiously.
   "No trouble at all! Come on, John, help me find some blankets," the bassist exclaimed as John followed him. "We'll be back in a moment with blankets."
   "Alright, we'll be here!" George called back.
   The youngest Beatle then decided to talk to the woman about anything and everything. She seemed to highly enjoy the conversation and so did George. They talked and laughed about music and past life experiences. Eleanor having quite a few to share. While they talked, Paul and John started to lay out the blankets for their slumber.
   After a while of talking, the five began to grow sleepy. Paul suggested they get some rest and not one of them objected. They settled onto their blankets, all except Eleanor who was given the small sofa in the corner. The lights were turned off and it was silent until the weak voice of the old lady spoke up.
   "I'd just like to thank you all once again. You've been so wonderful to me and you don't know how much I appreciate it. You don't know where that kindness will get you."
   "It's our pleasure," was the last thing that was said before they all fell deeply asleep.

__________________

   "Paul, Paul! Wake up!" shook the bassist awake.
   "Wh-what?" he asked in a groggy tone.
   "What in the world are you doing here?" the familiar voice said.
   "Sleeping! Just like you should be! You're gonna wake up Miss Rigby!" he said as he still refused to open his eyes.
   "Who?" the voice asked, obviously quite puzzled.
   "What do you mean who? Miss Rigby! The old woman on the sofa over there!" the bassist said quite annoyed as he finally opened his eyes and got up to gesture to where he was speaking about. What he saw, or actually didn't see, made him gasp before finding that his fellow band members were glancing at him with a confused/worried look.
   "Paul," Ringo said softly. "There is no Miss Rigby."
   "But, you saw her! She spent the night with us and she slept right over there on the sofa!" he exclaimed, now somewhat angered.
   "Macca, we didn't spend the night. You did. We came in this morning and found you here on the ground," John spoke up.
   "What? That can't be! It was all so real!"
   "It must have been a dream. You were awfully overworked last night. We just thought you had gone home."
   "Oh, well, I still don't believe that! How could it have been so lifelike?" the bassist asked with much wonder.
   "Like, I said, you were very overworked. I think that caused you to have such a real dream," John suggested.
   "I must have been very tired indeed then!" Paul exclaimed.
   "Indeed!" the other three laughed.
   "Alright, lads, let's record "Eight Days a Week" now," George Martin interrupted.
   "Okay," they all replied.
   But just as Paul grabbed his Hofner, something fell out of his pocket. He picked up the small paper and began to read.
 
"Dear young Paul and mates,
   Thank you all so much for allowing me to stay with you and for feeding me those wonderful sandwiches. You have no idea where that kindness will get you and I know that you four will do great things.
  Sincerely, Miss Rigby

   Paul finished the note as his jaw dropped and his hands began to tremble. John, George, and Ringo noticed his sudden shock and Ringo spoke up in concern.
   "What's the matter, Paul? You look as if you've seen a ghost!"
   Paul just stood there speechless. A ghost? No, it couldn't be. Could it?

Okay, I hope you enjoyed that story! Thanks for reading, I really appreciate it! Hope you have a good rest of your day!