Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 2: Scared of a bird

Over in Green Street, where the Beatles were sharing a flat, Ringo Starr laid with his legs over the settee, enjoying a cigarette and some peace from all the screaming he had endured recently. He didn't mind the screaming that much, after all, it was part of the job but it was something he could do without. He took a drag of his cigarette and blew out a ring of smoke. He loved doing that. He was also looking forward to the upcoming trip they were going on to America to perform at the Ed Sullivan show. They were sure to rock the Americans over there. He smiled to himself just thinking about it.

George, fellow Beatle and lead guitarist of the group walked in and looked at Ringo. "Rings, I didn't know you were in here. You're like a ninja." He joked. He knew he was in there all along. Ringo made a mumbling sound in reply and took another drag.

After a moment, He noticed George shuffling awkwardly around the room looking at him like he wanted to say something.

"What?" He asked. George stopped in one place and took a deep breath.

"I need you do a favour for me." He said nervously. Ringo sat up and nodded slowly.

"Ok. What's the favour?" George took a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Would you come on this date with me?" Ringo didn't respond. He gave George a confused look.

"You what?" He took another drag of his cigarette.

"It's just I don't wanna go on me own," George said helplessly which wasn't true at all. He was the one who offered to have a double date. Ringo put out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Well they'll be a bird there won't there?" Ringo laughed. "I thought you had been on a date before." He joked. George sighed.

"Yes, I don't mean like that." Ringo sat back and watched as his friend struggled to find the words he wanted to say.

"Why would I come on a date with you? It's supposed to be just you and the bird int it?" George shook his head.

"No cos there's another bird as well." Ringo frowned.

"You what?" George wasn't doing a great job of explaining it to his friend.

"There's another bird there," George said again.

"You're going on a date with two birds?" Ringo was shocked but more impressed than anything. "You've done well." He smiled.

"No," George said abruptly. "It's a double date." Ringo looked at him for a moment. Now he realised where this was going.

"No." He said, shaking his head. Ringo had only recently told Maureen that he wanted a little break. They hadn't broken up or anything. He just wanted some time to himself without having to call her all the time. He did call her occasionally though. Just to keep her mind at peace.

"You said you'd do it before." Ringo put another cigarette between his lips and lit it. "Come on Rings." Ringo put the lighter away and gave George a sorry look.

"No can do I'm busy." He said, taking a drag.

"You're smoking a ciggy." George pointed out.

"It takes a lot of concentration," Ringo said seriously. "Anyway, ask one of the others."

"Johns married," George stated. 

Ringo sighed. "Yeah I know, ask Paul. He's not got a bird and he needs get out more."

"Nah he's talking to someone already." Ringo gave him a look.

"You what?" He took a frustrated drag of his cigarette. Paul hadn't told him about this.

"Come on Rings. It'll be a laugh. You love the birds." George encouraged.

"I don't even know what she looks like." He replied.

"So. You will after tonight. And it's dinner anyway. You don't have to flirt or owt I know you're with Maureen an all." Ringo didn't respond. George scoffed. "You're boring you are."

Ringo laughed. "I'm not boring."

"Too right you are. An you're scared of a bird." He mocked. This was his last resort into convincing his friend to come.

"Ay! I ain't scared of no bird." He protested.

"Prove it then," George smirked.

"I will!" Ringo stood up and put his cigarette out. Although he knew what George was doing, he still wasn't going to give in to his friend's taunt. "When are we leaving?" He asked boldly.

"Not until you've sprayed some deodorant, you smell like a chimney." George mocked. Ringo laughed sarcastically.