How to Change the World Part 7
Title: How to Change the World
Author: glomerdian
Rating: R?
Warnings: homophobia and language and what not
Summary: "The reporter sat there in shock, watching as Paul took another drag of his cigarette. The 'cute Beatle', Paul McCartney, was a f---ing queer!"
Author notes: Right, should I put a disclaimer that says that this is fiction and didn't happen. Fine, this is fiction and didn't happen.
“This is Emily Carr with BBC News. Today’s story, is the release of the Beatle’s new album, Revolver. But of course, that isn’t all of it.” The reporter was new to the team, so she hoped she wouldn’t screw up this story.
“As most of you know, Paul McCartney has done what people are calling “coming out” as a homosexual. Even with this in mind, Revolver has still managed to go to number one on the charts.”
The camera switches to a clip from earlier.
“Here I am at a record store in London, where young boys and girls are lined up to get to buy the new record. Let’s ask just a few of them what they think.”
There were several people to choose from in line, but the best bet would be to go up to some typical groupie. Especially since most of the others were yelling at the camera.
“Young lady, why are you buying the record, knowing that Paul McCartney is technically a criminal?”
The young teenage girl she was addressing looked distressed.
“Oh don’t phrase it like that! The Beatles are a fine band. I mean sure, you could say that what Paul does is a bit “odd”, but it doesn’t matter. It’sstill a fine band!”
Nodding politely, the reporter moved on to other youngsters, getting the same or a similar response. The clip ended with Emily back at the studio with a psychologist and “expert” on sexual behavior. She smiled to him, beginning her questions. Maybe this wouldn’t last forever.
“Hello, Dr. Jimothy, Thank you for joining us. For everyone at home, I’m joined here by Dr. Frank Jimothy, he’s a psychologist and expert in sexual behavior. Now… Dr. Jimothy, from a scientific perspective, what is your view on the matter?”
“Now, I could say a lot about this. But to simplify this in terms the general public would understand… homosexual behavior is a paraphilia, it’s not normal. It’s a classified mental disorder and should be treated as such. Now, as for the legal status, it should not be illegal, but we should treat those suffering from it to live heterosexual lives.”
Emily pushed on with a fake white smile.
“Now, according to our sources, there is a bill in Parliament that is pushing for the legalization of Sodomy. Some are even calling it the ‘McCartney Bill’.”
“That’s great and all, but the fact of the matter is, that being a homosexual is a very treatable disorder. And this man, McCartney, he’s gonna put it in our heads that it’s normal. But it’s not, this is something that should be changed.”
The things she does for journalism.
~~*~~
It was a gentle afternoon at Kenwood, John sat in his home watching the BBC News report on Paul. Which he shouldn’t be watching because all it would to is conjure up some bad memories. He had a beer in his right hand, the condensation from it making his palms slippery and wet. Some bastard psychologist talked on the screen about how being a queer should get you put in the loony bin. Whoever thinks that should be put in the loony bin.
Maybe he should be happy with how things are. Revolver is a hit, and John just got an offer to do a movie. Lot’s of people would die to be him. But he wanted die from being him. He couldn’t be happy watching TV all day. He needed inspiration, some sort of will.
Fuck fuck fuck.
He set the beer on the coffee table, and he was so fucking happy he didn’t have to put a fucking coaster anymore.
He was about to go take a piss, when he heard Paul’s name again on the TV again.
“This is Johnathan Wanke,” said some blonde bloke, “I’m here at Cavendish, home of Paul McCartney, where earlier we were able to ask him some questions. Here you’ll see the hostility these kinds of men can contain.”
The screen faded to Paul walking out of the gate of Cavendish Avenue. John sat back down, holding the piss in, because this was much more interesting.
“Mr. McCartney,” said Mr. Wank or whatever to the rushed Paul, “Mr. McCartney do you have a second?”
The man in a hurry sighed at the microphone in front of his face. He was not getting out of this one.
“Alright, what is it then?”
“Mr. McCartney, do you think Revolver’s success, and your ever growing popularity will influence teenagers to undergo a life of perversity such as yourself?”
“Please get out of my face,” Paul said as he walked along the pavement. His afternoon stroll would not be a very good one he could see.
“Mr. McCartney, several youth are starting to be more comfortable with these odd sexualities. You’ve started a crisis.” The small camera crew tried to follow Paul down the pavement. Within reason of course.
Paul turned at the sound of those words, a noticeable agitation appeared on his face.
“Listen here you b----“
John laughed at the bleeped out word back at home.
“I don’t care if you hate me. But if your kid “comes out”, don’t hate them.”
Paul strutted away, walking alone into the distance. The screen cut again to Jonathan Wanke standing alone.
“Clearly you can see how the homosexuality is projected unto others. This is a serious issue in this country, and make sure to tune in tomorrow at 6pm in the evening when we will air a special report on this disturbing lifestyle. This has been Jonathan Wanke, BBC News, London.”
“Oh fuck you, Mr. Wanke.”
~~*~~
Paul, Ringo, and George sat in Ringo’s parlour, drinking tea and talking about what the hell ever. John did not join them at that evening, because Paul had agreed to come before he did and the thought of being in the same room at the moment was one to be avoided. The room filled with the sounds of slurps and laughter, and Paul, admittedly, was having genuine fun. Which one given much thought, this was kind of sad. Interruptions were minimal, but it wasn’t until the phone rang that they all directed their focus at something other than themselves.
“Hello?”
“Ringo? It’s Brian.”
“Brian! Haven’t heard from you since we stopped touring.”
The sound of the man’s name made the other two members suddenly interested, turning their heads in focus.
“Well, I called because… well, John got a part in a movie. And I don’t think you guys will be able to see each other in a while, so I thought I should tell you, since you were all together….”
“A movie, eh? Well! That’s dandy.”
“Yes and he’ll be gone for a few months, so we won’t be recording for a while-”
“Fantastic! Goodbye!”
“Bye?”
Ringo hung the phone up, turning to Paul and George.
“What?” George said as if he read Paul’s mind.
“Well,” Ringo started, “John’s gonna go away for a while to do a movie, so we get a mini vacation. And also, Paul, I think a little break might be nice.”
“Great, I was thinking about going to India,” George interjected from nowhere.
Maybe two or three months away from John would be a good thing. He could focus on himself… and what not.
“Have you guys still not been talking?,” Ringo directed at Paul.
“Why would we not be talking?” Paul said.
“Oh, right you don’t know.”
“What?”
“You don’t know that I know.”
“Know?”
“Know.”
“George, why didn’t I know that he knew?!”
“I don’t know, if I know, he’s probably gonna know eventually!”
Paul sighed heavily as Ringo seated himself on his couch.
“It’s alright Paul. I don’ judge.”
The man in question glared at his companions before standing from his chair.
“It’s getting late, I better be going.”
“Suit yourself,” Ringo said with a light tone.