Imagine

Chapter 7

(I love this picture)

Paul and Ringo played another game of chess. 

 "So Paul, how's the family?" Ringo asked making a move on the board, taking away Paul's rook. 

 Paul just looked at the piece that had just been removed. Then, he answered. "Good. They're good. Although, I hate how you practiced this game without even telling me. What are you doing being better than me? If used to be the other way around."

 "As you said......I practiced with my eldest son. Practice makes perfect."

 "Yeh. As you can see, I'm out of practice."

 "Well, for the next two weeks, yer going to be stuck with me so now is the time to practice."

Paul sighed and made his move. "Checkmate." He said. 

 Ringo shot a look at the board, then, at Paul who just smiled at him. "What? No. That can't be."

 "What's the matter? Looks like ye've just seen a ghost." 

 "There's no way you could have won. I was winning."

 "Look again. Who just won?"

 "But you said you were out of practice!"

 "I did. but I didn't say that I was out of practice with winning. I still know how to win."

 "You little sneak!"

 Paul just laughed. "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment."

 "New game?" Ringo asked.

 paul checked the time. "Nah. Let's go visit George."

 "but John said he'll tie us up to a chair and gag us if we attempt to leave."

 "I'll write a note. Maybe he won't if we bring Hazza here."

 "Right."

 ******

Paul did as he said and placed a note in John's hand. "Okay. Got the address to his hotel?" Paul asked .

 "Yeh. It's in my pocket. Let's go before he wakes up."

 Paul nodded and the two left. After about fifteen minutes, they got to the hotel and went to George's room. Ringo knocked on the door and they waited. 

 "Next chess game we play, I'm winning. You weren't supposed to win the last game."

 "I won because you doubted me."

 "How does that make you win?!"

 "I don't know. I just wanted to say that. I'm blaming it on yer doubtfulness."

 Just then, the door opened. 

 "Hey guys. I was just about to leave. Sorry I couldn't have been here earlier."

 "We under but John doesn't. And he gave us a message to give to you. He wants you to go visit him or he'll kill us."

 "What hospital is he at?"

 "Oh, uh, about that. He took it upon himself to leave."

 "He's not there?"

 "No. He's home.......on his own terms."

 "Figures. That bloke never liked hospitals. Did you ever try to convince him to go back?"

 "No. What's the point? He's not going to want to go back."

 "Uh-huh. Okay. I take it he sent you two?"

 "No. We came on our own. He's taking a kip at the moment. Doesn't know we left. I guess he's so worried he won't see us again that he's allowing us to stay at his apartment, including you. So, I suggest you pack all yer things before John hurts one of us for leaving him alone."

 George had no idea what to say. "Uh........uh, okay. But that's not like him."

 "I know. I guess the attempt on his life scared him. He wants to be as close to us as possible."

 "Seriously?"

 "Yeh. No joke. So, come on."

 "Okay. Already. Did you take a cab or what?"

 " No. I rented a car. " Ringo said.

 "Okay. I'll be down in a few minutes."

 ********

Ten minutes had passed and George met the two downstairs carrying a small bag with the stuff he needed while he stayed in New York.

 "Ready to go?"

 "YEh. Can't wait to see that old sod again. Then I'll knock some sense into him."