Staying In 4 walls

Bob Dylan, The Supremes, The Ronettes, Del Shannon and The Exciters all visited the next Monday at the hotel.  We were still holed up inside the four walls, but we rallied on and made our own fun and games.

I snuck out once to do some sight seeing but getting back in was hairy to say the least. Brian ended up meeting me at a corner store to get me back to the rooms.. so never again!

"That bloody organ thing has been delivered John" I yelled over the top of George and Richie who were currently arguing about who was faster at eating a bowl full of chips, hot chips. That was one pastime- dares and pranks. Freda was currrently relaying the delivery notice to me, over the phone, all the way from home, the Saville Row Offices.

"The Mellotron, Syd. Mell-o-tron" John poked his tongue out at my use of the wrong words.

"Yes, yes. The Organ, Winks"

From New York to Toronto to Atlanta we skipped.. Houston, Chicago but blips on the map. Rising to the skies again to attend Bloomington and Minnesota then hopping along to Portland, then San Deigo, Los Angeles finally touching down in California for two shows right on the tail end of the month. Very tiring!

"Was that a Mello thingo you broke on stage last night, winks?" I was, of course, goading him with the Mellotron gag; he vehemently shook his head at my thingo remark.

"No babe, it was a small vox continental electric organ" John winked at me as Paul stood watching on, scratching his ear as if wondering about what way our conversation was headed.

"Sooo, if that's the case. Do you even know how to play the Mellotron, babe? Or is it just another dinky toy for you?"

Paul rolled his eyes and grabbed his teacup, he was off to the kitchen before I had John steaming about the organ thingo. George on the other hand quite liked the to and fro of the banter so he sat up and looked like he was at a tennis match, head going left to right and return.

"Yes Syd, I know how to play the Mello thingo. Good grief now you have me calling it that. Syd!" I laughed and John chased me, cornering me behind Georges chair, I slipped away as John actually tried climbing over Geo to get to me.

"Ah Excuse me John" George tapped John on the thigh as I giggled. John was stuck, one leg over the back of the chair the other almost shoved in Georges face.

"Yes George, what is it now" John groaned as I wiggled my fingers in my ears at him. Childish yes, but so very funny.

"Well I've been meaning to ask, haven't I. What is up with the Syd and Winks nicknames? They are right weird for lovey-dovey names if you ask me" George grabbed his lollies and gobbled three as John extracted himself. Richie strolled back over, hands shoved deep in his pockets and Paul was now sat, with his freshly made tea, by the window.

"Well I know the winks one!" Paul then winked at me overzealously and I smiled happily. John grabbed me then plopping us both into another armchair. "...Very romantic that one"

"Come on, relieve our boredom. Pray-tell lovers" Richie rubbed my hair all over my face, making me a scruffy tatty head and then he fell on the floor. Just straight down like he had fainted. I really don't know how he doesn't suffer an injury.

"Hey look at Roxan she's a real-life Beatles Scruff hahaha" George chuckled and pointed as I tried to tame my unkempt mane.

John pushed me gently onto the floor and roughed up my hair again, then leaned forward in the chair towards the others like we were all part of some espionage plot. We all leaned in to listen to John not really knowing why.

'Shall we, Roxan. Shall we share with these poor unfortunates, that have never tasted your sweet, sweet lovin'.... They haven't have they!??!" John started mock punching the air.

"No bugger them" I giggled and Paul frowned then poked his tongue out at me.

"So, this is what happened with the WINKS nickname...." And Paul proceeded to tell us his 'whole' story. Which I realised I didn't know about Pauls involvement in it, so I was intrigued too.

"But why Winks" Richie pressed us onwards and I suppose the can of worms was open. John gently stroked my back, soothing me but didn't speak, I guess it was my turn.

"Once upon a time" John started and I slapped his leg.

"My story" I giggled and George leaned forward awaiting my words. Should I say all or keep a little back? I restarted my story "Once upon a time" John jokingly smacked my arm.

I pretended to wiggle away but he dropped off the chair and sat on the floor holding me, playing with my hair, annoying me. I slapped his hand away and he laughed and we kissed and forgot the audience, John gathering me closer.

"For pete's sake you two, get on with it" George rolled his eyes at me, I started again.

"Once upon a time a young girl had a lovely life. Brother, mother and father. Then father died. The girl was sad, they had to move" I pointed to Richard who nodded in agreement "Her mother had married an evil step father too. Who, who, umm.."

"It's ok Rox. Take your time or stop, totally your decision, luv" John rubbed my back and George frowned.

"Umm the step father was nasty and mean, evil. He used the girl for his own devices... He, he hit her. He hurt her... all, all of her" I stuttered those hard words out then went about snuggling safer in Johns arms... and Richie lost some his spark.

"The girl tried to stay away. She changedher clothes. Looked like a ted; cut her hair. Tried to hide" I took a breath "Richie, I came to you remember. I had to sing 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' before you knew it was even me!" I smiled, remembering him drumming on his bed.

I gathered my thoughts again and continued on "She had luck sometimes, but other times the nasty stepfather would find her. He was a bobby and would throw her in a jail cell, again for his own devices. He would hurt her, she would scream. She found someone in her cell one night and he winked, he was so strong and he held her as safe as he could that one night"

I had tears and John held me tight, kissing my cheek "She... She managed to get a job at a very noise cellar club stacking beers and carting crates of bottles of pop. And that boy, well he left lollies for her, all with 'Winks' written across them, every last one."

I smiled, releived; it was done. John kissed my cheek, a thumb stealing away a stray tear.

George fell down onto the floor and crawled over to me "Roxan if ever anyone gives you grief again we are all here for you, we love you girl" He hugged me and was soon joined by Richie, whos blue eyes were glossy.

"That goes for me too, Roxan" Paul pulled me up off the floor into his arms "Always whenever, wherever you call ok"

"Roxan you never said it was all that, why luv? I could have helped you" Richard beseeched, with teary eyes, and I hugged to him tightly.

As he cuddled me close I whispered and squeezed him "You did help Richy, you just didn't know it" I squeezed him tight to me again...

And then I was crushed, four lads, surroinding me. Brian walked in shaking his head but was happy at the sight.

"Ok John, tell them Syds story!" I wiped my eyes and smiled at John, this story was better and much more wonderful.

"Oh, just a little ole place called Sydney Harbour. That's where we first did it you see. There, that's why she's called Syd" John smiled and I landed on him full flight from across the room. "What??!! That's right isn't it!!" John laughed as I grappled him jumping on his back.

"You beast! We didn't DO IT in Sydney Harbour.......We did IT beside Sydney Harbour! Well in a bed in a hotel near Sydney Harbour!" I laughed and John swung me round off his back and began snogging me, kissing deep and daring. George gagged, Richie rolled his eyes skyward and Paul smirked at us, all laughing though, at our looney lives.

"Oi ok you pair, keep it down to PG , you're not in Sydney now" Paul tried to cap the hysterics but laughed anyway.

"Oh, but I will be in Syd soon enough, wont I Syd!!!" John picked me up and I screamed as he carted me off toward our room.

"Well they're all set for the afternoon" George mocked as I was carted out of the room over he-mans shoulder, two more men humming in agreement.