Bedlam

The layover in Sydney was over, we would now jump around the country and be back in Sydney the day of Pauls birthday.

As we climbed the steps to board the plane I'm going over and over in my head last night's events. John, Paul, George and Jimmy are all settled on board, the luggage and instruments reloaded and Mal is whistling some annoying tune as he bounds up the stairs behind me.

'I will be ok. I will be ok' I'm muttering a mantra to myself. Trying to calm myself for the short hop across the vast country to Adelaide, the city that petitioned the Beatles to include them on the tour.

Adelaide wasn't on the itinerary but after an enormous numbers of fans signed a petition which was presented to Brian- Adelaide got it's wish.

******

"10 miles in a convertible, well that's different" George is first to step off the plane and seeing the convertible waiting for them, confirms his thoughts "I quite like the idea of that, I do"

"So, you lot in the open top, Mal, Neil and I in the next car along, ok......Don't go falling out George" George was already perched precariously on the back seat, sitting between John and Paul, James sat in the front with the driver.

What happened next was mind blowing for us all. It seemed like the whole of South Australia had come out to greet the lads. It was reported some 300,000 people lined the 10-mile route between Airport and the city all cheering and holding up signs, often younger ones would run alongside the cars.
But most surprisingly, it wasn't just teenagers which made the boys day it was nanas, granddads, mums, dads and babes in arms. As the cars tried to approach the Town Hall area the age group changed though. Older fans gave way to a crush of teens, not an inch of space could be seen in the street. The mayor then presented the lads with the key to the city from the balcony on the second floor. Their grins said it all.

"That was fucking unbelievable" John bound off the balcony grabbing a coke and downing it in record time. He spotted my ear to the telephone and apologises with a soft "Sorry Rox" and finger over his lips for a bit of shush.

I was on hold, so replied "Couldn't have said it better myself actually. They were so happy to see you all. You all bring a lot of people a whole lot of joy, never forget that"

I'm on the phone on hold to the South Australian Hotel they didn't think the place would be snowed under with people, they were totally under prepared for the Beatles mayhem so I needed to get the loading dock doors open and guarded with security before we even attempted to unload the group at the hotel.

************

After the second show we attempted to get back to the hotel once again. The front of the building was still teeming with fans so we headed for the loading dock as previously organised. Passing through the storerooms, laundry and kitchens then using the stairwell once again. Being late there wasn't too many working in those areas but the staff that were left quickly used the opportunity to almost 'demand' autographs and photographs.

It seemed John and the boys could never 'switch off' everyone wanting something of them all of the time.

As we filed into the suite I caught onto some tell-tale fake yawns and other divisive tactics trying to make me 'think' that they were all so tired and going off to bed for the night.

"Awwwww. I'm knacked" John yawns, stretching more than necessary- over acting. Paul, George and even Jimmy follow suit with 'I'm tired' or 'I'm completely stuffed.' Etc.

"How about you love? Off to the land of nod for a kip, yea?" Paul is patting me on the shoulder in a rather fatherly fashion.

" I am a tad exhausted.... I was just thinking the same thing!"

"Oh Good. I mean oh well, good night then Roxxy luv" Now George is ever so gently ferrying me toward the door.

"It's a real shame though isn't it..." I speak quite loudly to no one in particular. George pauses and gives me a quizzical look, then offering a shrug to the rest of the lads he starts ferrying me to the door again.

"Why's that luv?" John is slouched on the sofa, spread out, attempting to appear buggered.

"I just mean... well it's a real shame. Oh, never mind you're all ever so tired so better leave it. Maybe another night then"

"Neil?" I catch Neil's eye with a slight raise of one eyebrow.

"Yes luv?" Neil is enjoying the baiting from both sides. It's a welcome change to boredom and mundane of just slinking back to the room. You are never able to just grab a coat and explore the city. "Better shove the plans Nell. Maybe another night"

"Ok, you two, somethings up. Rox, I never figured you for a stirrer. But you have been constantly winding us up. I do love it BUT what are you up to tonight" John has Neil pinned to the wall mock jabbing at him "Look I will 'ave to duff the blighter up if you don't come clean, right" John nudged at his nose like a prize fighter in the boxing ring.

"Look, what I was going to say was.. perhaps a trip to the bar downstairs would be nice ....." Before I got to the end of the sentence they were all flying past me. A kiss from each lad, Neil rolling his eyes, then hoots and hollers sound out down the hall as they dash down the stairs, their voices echoing up into the room where I am now stood alone, what have I done .....!

Brian had lectured me the day before the trip not to let the lads get too 'wayward' they were young and rash. Always trying to pull stunts to get out of the hotel, the cage. The idea to 'let' them have their fun but still in the relative safety of the four walls of the building was the best way to cope.

So, I'm sorry South Australian Hotel but an all-night party is possibly about to get underway. I had managed to organise with Freda a last-minute competition with the radio station 'deserving people that should meet the Beatles' It sounded pretty stupid but upon seeing the type of people that were being nominated it hopefully would be a fun and interesting night for all involved; of course, Mal had his 'shortlist of preferred ladies for each lad' but we hopefully have managed to turn a fangirl crush into a night of interest, laughter and drinking. Oh, and maybe, a couple of nice girls for them to mingle with. I'll have to just wait til morning to hear whether it was a success or failure...Im off to bed!

**********

About 3 hours later.

I'm in a deep and lovely sleep.

The long days and difficult logistics of the tour have me worn out. My dreams are just that, not nightmares of my past as can sometimes be the case.

Pounding, what is that pounding...

"Rox, Rox, open the door"

Whoever is slamming an open palm against the door of my room better have good reason.

"Yes, What? What is it. Has George been abducted, Paul tied to a chair... Is there a fire!?" I call out attempting to drag myself out of my bed.

"Wakey, Wakey Princess" John yells much too loudly through the door, the other patrons of the north wing of the hotel must have heard his voice as it boomed down the empty hallway. I open the door a crack, my hair and face an absolute mess from sleep.

"John..... Good lord, what time is it?"

"Time, you got your derriere downstairs, that's the time"

"No. that's for you lot. I hope it's going along ok. All those different people. Is that what you're banging on my door for?"

"No its bloody brill. Come down have a drink" John is rosy cheeked, he has definitely had a few before coming to find me.

"I'm in my pyjamas Mister Lennon"

"What? Oh, get dressed. Come on. Down and have a drink" He's half way down the hall again and I'm thinking I will just hop back in bed, I go to shut the door quietly but John, realising my marvelous idea, has dashed back up the hall and jammed a pointy toe shoe in the quickly closing gap at the very last minute.

"Oh no you don't. One drink then you can go back to dreamland. We want to have a drink with you" Now he is sat on the end of my bed tapping his feet and staring me down, I'm not likely to get out of this now.

"OK OK. One drink! But I'm not going down in pyjamas!"

"Hurry up and change then, sleepy head!" He orders jovially as I yawn, then he's waving me off to the bathroom to get dressed.

"There she is. George be a good lad get our Roxan a drink while your over there" Paul is yelling over the music to a tipsy George who is off to the bar for a refill. George is back in minutes handing me a glass of white wine. He looks like he is half asleep under those heavy eyebrows of his.

I plonk down at the opposite end of the long table from Paul. George has slouched in a chair to my left, is he snoring?! John sits beside him and James is up near Paul.

"Right all here? Right ok. Rox thank-you. We know Brain probably had a hand in this shindig but it has your stamp on it". Paul is standing with a pretty girl hanging off his arm gazing at him, glasses and bottles lay empty and drained haphazardly all over the table. A couple of girls and some couples are milling round us wondering what the lads are doing. "Of course the pretty broads were pretty um..... "

"Accommodating?" James chimes in and the boys giggle. I really don't need to hear this.

"Freda" I spoke to the assembled quietly.

"What?" Paul wasn't listening as his attention had shifted to the young lady seemingly attached to his hip.

"It was Freda who came up with the guest list proposal"

"Good ol' Freda" they all yell in unison.

"Well, you and Neil instigated it, and Mal of course; yeah you lad..." John points at Mal lounging on a chair behind me ".... had a 'fine eye' for detail in his quest tonight too!"

George wakes from his little kip to add "Here. Here"

"Anyway" Paul continues his toast; well I think it's a toast it's been long and winding but it sounds like it's a toast "Anyway. Where was I. Oh yea. Rox, Neil- Best knees up we have had in ages!"

They all pick up their various bevy's and raise a glass to me and the inner circle of Neil, Mal and an absent Freda. I'm embarrassed at the attention but I'm happy they had fun.

"Thanks guys. I'm glad you had fun. You deserve it"

I'm tired so after that one drink I get up to leave, pulling George up with me, steadying him beside me. Almost asleep, his tall frame hunkered over and his head sitting on the top of mine- a very hard pillow. I am going to attempt to get him to his room. "Goodnight all. Wave goodbye George" George does a royal wave as we turn to leave. "Don't forget- Melbourne tomorrow and our favourite little drummer boy returns!!"

"Hurrah" The table all brighten with the news of the fabulous Ringo's return.