July 4, 1971

"Rolling Stone magazine this is Editor Lucy Daniels how can I help you?" I took a drag from my cigarette and tapped it with my finger over the ashtray.

"Lucy it's Andrew. I want you to go down to do that interview I told you about a few days ago."

"You couldn't just walk down to my office? You're like three seconds away!"

"More like five. I'm kinda busy..."

"Please tell me a girl aint sucking your cock right now." I rolled my eyes.

"You wanna come in then?"

"Fuck you Andrew. Look why can't Linda do it on her own. Nobody was there to coach me my first day."

"Yes but that's when I was boss. Were workin for Rolling Stone so shape up and get this done."

"You sure as hell still act like my boss."

"I am your boss Luce. Look there's a bonus for doin this. Looks like your ex has been in a mood with interviewers lately, we can't let a newbie go down and do it all herself."

I set the phone down and groaned loudly to myself, then put the reciever back to my ear.

"Fine. But you better pick up James from school."

"I will alright. Thanks for doin this Luce."

"You owe me dinner."

"So demanding."

"Look I gotta run down to publishing then get my notes out alright? I got no time to be joking around with you Stephens."

"Ouch. Good luck yeah?"

"Pssh." I rolled my eyes and hung up, sitting back in my chair. "Fuckin Stephens."
...

After flipping Andrew off while passing his office all morning while walking up and down the halls, only to recieve threats from him to fire me, I drank five cups of coffee, went over questions with Linda, coached her not to be nervous, and had a shot of vodka.

It was about one in the afternoon when Andrew poked his head into my office.

"It's time you two. Get it done alright?"

"I know the drill Stephens."

I looked at Linda. "You ready?"

"Not really."

I smiled. "You'll be okay. I'll be there to save you if anything goes wrong."

"You're in good hands Linda. Lucy in action is a scary sight. She's not the editor of this place for nothin."

I blushed. "Thanks Andrew. Look we better get going or Lennon will blow his top."

"So you know him??" She asked sounding relieved. I grabbed my purse and coat, leading her out of the room.

"Oh yeah. Knew him most of my life. That was until an ugly divorce and being shunned completely from his life changed all of that."

"Oh god." She muttered.
...

I drove us down to Record Plant studios and parked outside, clipping my i.d on and lighting a cigarette.

"Come on." I got out and led her to the door, walking pass fans and people taking pictures. We entered the studio with ease, showing we were from Rolling Stone and gaining access into the recording room. The sound of his voice singing and yelling at engineers as they played wrong tracks. A womans voice telling John to calm down. I cringed at her calling him love.

I had to remind myself, I wasn't his anymore. Were long over and things between us aren't civil. I'm here to do my job. Not to make ammends or be jealous.

"Ah the press are here. What a fuckin joy." He said, tossing his headphones on the ground and leaving the booth to come around to meet us. He paused when he saw me but spoke up when Yoko stood beside him, holding his hand.

"Yes the press is definitly here." I smiled, taking a drag from my cigarette.

"Linda Evers and Lucy Daniels from Rolling Stone magazine." Linda said trying to sound official.

"Take a seat. We'll just take a little bit of your time." I pulled a chair out for Linda to sit.

"So you here to train your new puppet is that it?" John asked, sitting across from her. Yoko gave a small giggle, making me lose my buttons.

"Linda can I talk to you for a second?" I grabbed her arm, practically pulling her out of her seat and into the small hall.

"Lennon is going to eat you alive. This was a bad decision to make this your first gig. Look, you stand behind me and watch alright? I'll do the interview and you take notes."

"But what if Andrew gets mad..."

"There's a reason why Andrew and I get on so well. Watch."

I grabbed her clipboard and gave John and Yoko a fake smile, sitting in Linda's seat. John's face fell when he saw me drop my cigarette on the studio floor and stomp on it, grabbing my pen to begin writing. Linda started the recorder and waited.

"Alright then, let's get started huh?" I smirked at him. "So I see you're recording a new song called How do you Sleep?. Rumour has it that it's about Paul. So, is it?"

"Paul who?" He asked.

"McCartney."

He just smiled at me. Especially knowing Paul and I have always been good friends and in the end of our relationship, Paul was the one who was there for me.

"Have you heard his new album? He sure as hell comes at attacking me and my wife of course I'm going to retaliate."

"You're wife who?" I asked smugly.

"Yoko."

"I see. Well, I surely enjoyed Paul's new album."

"Well that's your opinion love. You come to attack me I thought this was an interview."

"It perfectly is. Next question then, George's come into the studio to help with a few things. Ringo has also been reportedly in the studio as well. Is this a way of bringing everyone together to kind of get back, no pun intented, at Paul for the latest lawsuits?"

"Of course not. I don't have it out for McCartney but he's made it perfectly clear how he's handling our dismissive solo careers. Why can't he just come out and say what's one his mind? Don't hide behind a bloody song, not a very good one at that and try to defend yourself for it bein your creative process."

"But wouldn't that be hypocritical to say since you're basically doing the same thing?"

"I'm coming out with the fact it's targeting him. I'm no little school boy who can't get his head out of his arse."

"So you are being a hypocrite." I said.

John was about to speak until Yoko made her way into the interview.

"John's always being wrongfully attacked and abused by the press. People like you come in from their gossip to make it seem like he's the only one out in the music world who directs songs to others. Paul takes a shot at us, it becomes a two way street then."

"That's Yoko everyone. You know for the people who weren't reading for a duo interview. Very interesting thoughts Yoko. May I ask, you've claimed to 'help' John throughout this album and put your name as a writer for some of his work. Why the need to do this when people are restrictly buying the album for John's name. Not yours?"

She stayed silent for a few seconds, opening her mouth to speak. "Well I contribute to his creative process..."

"So on this creative process note, you think you deserve creatvie control...."

"Yoko gives me inspiration and helps me manage the record."

I scoffed and crossed my legs, sitting back in my seat comfortably. "Then it looks like Paul is a part of the creative process as well but I don't see his name on the record or given writing credit."

"What is this an attack on us?? Or are you here for other personal reasons??" John asked angrily.

"I'm here mister Lennon to do my job. If you're uncomfortable with this or your wife is uncomfortable with this then go ahead and feel free to walk away." I crossed my arms. "I was told this interview would be John Lennon only. Not Lennon and wife."

"I have a name you little...." Yoko rambled on heatedly.

"Go ahead and call me all you like. That's what happens when reality smacks you on the head babe!" I instigated, laughing as she went on and on.

By now Linda turned off the recorder and stood out in the hall as we were all standing, yelling and cursing, causing a scene. John between us angrily trying to calm me down and telling Yoko to take a walk.

"Are you fuckin kidding me!?" He yelled, as we went into a small room alone. I shook my head.
"What!? I'm getting yelled at for doing my job?? Fuck off Lennon and go sing your little hate songs. You threw in those attacks about Paul to ruffle my feathers."

"And I see it worked." He smiled smugly. I glared at him.

"Were both professionals Lennon. I'm just doing what I'm assigned to do. So don't give me your bullshit and rude attitude you fuckin asshole."

"Wow. Your parents would be proud to see how much of a mouth ye got on you."

In that moment I slapped him across the face.

"Fuckin lie to me, talk your shit, be a fuckin deadbeat father and be a fuckin asshole to the world. But don't you ever...ever, mention my parents in that way again. I do what I do to because of them and raise our little boy on my own so they can see I atleast try."

He stayed silent and turned around, leaving the room. I huffed angrily, composed myself and walked out of the room. Linda stood quietly, looking nervous. Like a lost puppy.

"Come on, were leaving."

"But were not halfway finished...."

I laughed and ran a hand through my hair. "Were completely done here. Get in the car. I'll talk to Andrew and tell him everything alright?"

She nodded and left down the hall. I made my way back into the recording room and grabbed my purse, clipboard and coat. John was fiddling with his earphones and having a cigarette.

"I'm sorry what I said about your parents. That was out of line."

I just nodded and turned on my way out until he spoke again.

"He's what....three?"

"Four. Tomorrow."

Yoko walked back into the room and gave me a dirty look, resting her hand on John's shoulder. I used that as my que to leave. Walking the halls with only the sound of my heels echoeing until I was out of the building. I stopped and lit myself a cigarette, getting into the car and started the engine.

"Wasn't too bad was it?" I smiled at Linda. She shook her head and laughed.

"Was it always that way between you two??"

I waited for a few people to cross the street before I drove out of the space. Staring at my hands on the wheel, I thought about our marriage, our days in Hamburg, our conversations in college.

"There was once a time when everything was perfect. When we actually smiled at one another and I was his inspiration. When he was my everything." I shrugged. "I guess happiness really doesn't last forever huh?"

And with that, I began our drive back to the office. Once again, out of his life like a passing season.
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