Their Songs

"John Lennon will be murdered here."

Daniel looked over at Mr. Banyan, his escort, who glanced from the entrance to the Dakota and back to him with unflinching eyes.

"We all die." Banyan said, his words empty of emotion.

Daniel sighed, but what else could he expect from someone who put regulations above everything else. They stood in New York City circa late twentieth century, noted throughout history as a violent place and time. Here among the steel spires Daniel again felt a twinge of regret that this would be his last trip back.

He sighed too thinking of John Lennon, and felt sadness. Not so much for what was to be, but for when it occurred in his lifetime.

Of course, there was never a good time to die. But for all John's success, there had been just as much pain.

John's father had abandoned him early on, during adolescence his mother had died tragically. At his height there had been divorce, drug abuse and then Yoko's miscarriages.

And always controversy. These had all left their mark on his soul.

Even spectacular fame, immense wealth, had not really brought him happiness. Not deep inside.

The pain, the loneliness, and the cries for help were in the lyrics to his greatest songs.

Money couldn't buy everything.

And then the breakup. An intensely bitter and angry breakup, scarred by lawsuits between the former Beatles.

Former friends.

An anger so deep that John and Paul were never fully reconciled before his death.

"He's happier now than he has ever been." Daniel said. "He's led a simple life, privately, with his family."

Banyan remained silent.

"Especially his son, Sean." Daniel continued, remembering his esearch. "He wanted to be a real father this time. These last few years he's finally found the inner happiness that had eluded him all his life. It's in the lyrics of his last songs." Daniel nodded. "He was learning how to smile. Until..."

"And it's only because he's at the end of his career, and life, that Admin has granted you this personal meeting with him." Banyan sneered. "Even valid research cannot be allowed to impact the TimeLine."

Daniel thought of the three questions. And how he was going to break the most fundamental rule of Time Travel.

Mr. Banyan snorted, once again. An irritating habit which grated Daniel's nerves sorely. "I have to remind you that Monitoring is very concerned about this trip." Banyan added.

Daniel shook his head. "Why this one? I've made a number of previous Research trips."

In his mind those wonderful journeys flashed again, experiencing history in person and observing those who made it. He had always done so with extreme care because of the inherent dangers involved, both accidental and premeditated. At least he had those times.

"Why weren't you worried the time I went back to observe Mozart composing during one of his flashes of genius? Or those tumultuous days I spent with Beethoven? Or Rembrandt? Or those months as a servant of Da Vinci?" Daniel eyed Mr. Banyan warily. "Or the time I actually participated with Shakespeare in his first production of Henry V."

The thin lips curled in a half smile, for a moment.

"Because you were the pure scientific observer in those instances, Mr. Daniel Isaacs." Banyan snorted with emphasis. "You show yourself a bit more, shall we say, involved with these figures of history."

Obsessed is the word, Daniel thought.

"And Monitoring is still not certain if the Beatles themselves were not a product of tampering to begin with."

Now Daniel snorted.

He had heard all the theories on that one: Four young, unknown men, friends since their teen years. Very sudden and meteoric rise to fame, their dynamic, even overwhelming influence on that immediate generation. Yes some, especially Monitoring, strongly suspected that someone farther up the TimeLine, from the more distant future, had for some reason gone back and ignited their success. To change the future?

"No, it's been proven they did it on their own. Though the old adage that 'Timing is Everything' did come into play. It was the songs that made them legend." Daniel said.

"You've had previous opportunities to study the Lennon/McCartney genius in its prime." Banyan said.

"Yes, I was there in the studios, discreetly, to see Sgt. Pepper recorded. To observe, to hear the music's progress." Daniel now smiled broadly. "I still remember the sly looks John and Paul gave each other as some intriguing lines of their lyrics played. And next trip, I was there when Paul brought the beginning of 'Hey, Jude' and the two of them began polishing it."

"And," Banyan added. "You had the unheard of approval to go back a third time, to observe the recording of 'Abbey Road'!

Daniel's eyes gleamed.

"Now... incredibly, you have gotten approval for this personal encounter."

They wouldn't allow even the briefest interview with Paul. And especially nothing during their heyday. Heaven only knows how the TimeLine might be affected if someone tampered and the Beatles had never broken up. Or had gotten back together. Or...

Only this interview, because John would die soon. But Daniel had picked this particular day out for another reason.

"It's time," Banyan announced as he glanced up from his wristwatch.

They walked toward the elevator, having previously introduced themselves to security and verified their prearranged appointment with Mr. Lennon.

"He's only agreed to this briefest of interviews with, he thinks, a college that has a course dedicated to Beatle's Music." Daniel said. "His last album, 'Double Fantasy', is due out. So, he is a bit anxious for any and all exposure."

They entered the elevator alone.

"And why leave the Portal open so long today?"

Daniel's eyes narrowed.

Banyan knew. And then the old fear hit him, that panicky dizziness you normally get on your first trips back.

He and Banyan had already been here. He had done it. And now...

The doors would open and he would find himself back in his century. And then before the University Review Board explaining why he had done it. And then back again...

That was the reason for Monitors. They were there solely to ensure that 'protocol' was kept. And to report on any problems, accidental or otherwise, that might have implications on the precious TimeLine and the future.

Of course, Monitoring would check the Baseline back in the Present and catalogue any changes. If the ripples were significant, they would go back and undo it.

"We also know that Paul McCartney is due here shortly."

Daniel choked with the sickening nausea that came with being caught red-handed.

"Paul's come with his guitar to play the old songs with John. But John will turn him away, angry and cursing. They will never meet again, except by phone," Daniel added hoarsely.

Mr. Banyan stopped the elevator between floors with a sickening jerk.

"You're going to warn him of his impending murder, aren't you?" Banyan's voice was sure and arrogant.

"Too dangerous, much as I might want to. The ripples of such a Change throughout Time might have unexpected and disastrous effects. I could not bear that responsibility." Daniel laughed inside. They didn't know, he thought.

"And if I were to have saved anyone, it would have been Mozart. What masterpieces might he have wrought then!" Daniel said wistfully.

"Others have tried." Banyan growled. "And we have always been able to compensate."

"Except for that Nazi incident!" Daniel countered. Everyone in History knew about that one. And its impact on the TimeLine, still unresolved.

"Please push the button, we'll be late," Daniel said.

Banyan snorted angrily.

"You'll never have that problem, will you?" Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Words have no meaning with you, only the grammar is important. No, you would rather see the rules enforced than to help change a million lives. Or one, if it meant bending Protocol."

Banyan continued to stare at the elevator doors.

Daniel shook his head.

"You know, it's the great events that are recorded," Daniel thought out loud. "But we forget that those who create history are merely men and women like ourselves. They laugh and they cry. And they bleed..."

"We learn through their genius, through their art and their words. Their music. But we learn more... we learn to love them, to care for them, despite never meeting them face to face." Daniel felt his heart beating harder.

"We learn to miss them."

"What are you babbling about?" Banyan stepped through the opened doors. "We're here."

The door opened after the first knock. John Lennon stood there, his piercing eyes gleamed from behind round, wire-rimmed glasses.

"Hello, can you give me just a minute!" He motioned them inside.

Banyan stared at him with mouth open as he left the room.

"Yes," Daniel said. "They still use external optical correctors."

"Barbaric." Banyan whispered.

Soon John was back, sitting cross-legged on the couch before them.

He was thinner than his Beatle's days, Daniel noted, and even at thirty-nine he looked so much healthier.

Daniel prepared himself, and though he knew firsthand how intense and acerbic John could be, it looked liked he was in a fairly good mood.

"So, I understand you have three questions for me then? For some sort of Beatle's course?" John said energetically. "This is going to be the shortest interview I've had me 'hole bleedin' life."

They all laughed.

But three were all Admin would allow. They were to be the crowning touch in his long research into the creative process, the work of his life. Especially Lennon/McCartney, the greatest singer-song writing team the world had known.

Except he was going to change the last question. And change the TimeLine.

"Mr. Lennon," Daniel began.

"John, just John please."

Daniel smiled broadly.

"Yes... John. Let's see," Daniel shifted nervously in his chair while Banyan snorted. "You met Paul McCartney when you were both still teenagers."

"Lads." John corrected.

Daniel laughed.

"Yes, lads. Anyway, you became the closest of friends. And even as...lads." They all laughed. "You knew you were going, or wanted to be, famous. You began writing songs together way back then."

"Yes. You know, we wanted to be the next Rodgers and Hammerstein. Every song we wrote, we wrote together. I had to convince Paul though that Lennon should come first. Sort of has a ring to it." John chuckled.

Daniel felt Banyan's suspicious eyes on him.

"It's been reported that you two wrote over one hundred songs together at that time. So... what was the song writing process? How did he help you with your songs? And what did you add to his? Even then."

John's eyes became far off .

And then he began talking about two teenage boys in a small band, who shared a dream. A dream not unlike millions of others. But this one ended differently.

Daniel began taking notes furiously.

John went over some of the youthful experiences they had shared, and dreams, and how the song writing process blossomed.

Time seemed to stand still.

"We had something special," John finished.

"Which brings me to my second question." Daniel quickly set it up, bringing John from the Quarrymen and then to the Beatles. From all the initial rejections to the first recording of a Lennon/McCartney tune; Love Me Do.

The ride began. Within months there was Beatlemania in Europe, and then the United States. And then the world. It became a ride of mythical proportions.

"How did your song writing process change, and mature during these years. During Sgt. Pepper, The White Album and Abbey Road. How did those songs come about?"

"I think that's a bit more than three questions, then. That's a bloody book!!" John laughed.

"OK, fair enough. How did the process mature? How was it different...or perfected?" Daniel smiled.

John spoke rapidly and enthusiastically as Daniel's wrists began to ache. But he couldn't stop now. John was into it, revealing the soul of Lennon/McCartney.

For Lennon/McCartney had truly been a living entity.

"And now I must end it," John said.

Daniel dropped his pencil. The time had come.

"Just one last, quick question."

"I don't think you 'ave quick in your vocabulary, mate." John said. But he shrugged his shoulders.

Daniel looked down at the printed question, and then over at Banyan who seemed quite disinterested. Quietly, he folded the notebook. For this question he did not need an answer.

"If Paul McCartney were to die tomorrow, what would be your greatest regret?"

Banyan almost leapt out of his chair. He glared at Daniel from that half-standing position, his eyes staring needles into him.

John just seemed oddly surprised.

"I don't know, never thought about it really? We talk some, you know. But not much since the bloody lawsuits." John paused in an obvious quandary.

"We've got to go!" Banyan grabbed Daniel's arm.

Daniel jerked out of his grasp, but both spoke their hurried good-byes and left. John was still deep in thought.

There was a thick, stony silence as they took the elevator down. And as they started for the street Banyan pulled him aside.

"You're done for! And what we're you trying to do anyway?"

"Let's wait and see what I have done." Daniel said.

Within fifteen minutes he stepped out of the limo, guitar in hand.

He still looks so young, Daniel thought. And he still has some great songs to write.

But not John.

They watched as Paul McCartney went up to security. They heard him mention that 'no, he didn't have an appointment, but John would surely let him up'.

'He had come to play music with him'.

The security guard dialed and handed him the phone.

"Hello John, it's me. Just got in town, and I've got my guitar. Thought I would drop over just like old times."

Daniel held his breath. This is where he would be turned away, never to see each other again.

Paul held the phone silently. His face became suddenly serious, and then thoughtful. Then he laughed out loud.

Eagerly he trotted to the elevator.

"I wonder what songs they will sing?" Daniel whispered.

They started forward, and it hit him.

Their songs.

The Portal opened and they stepped back into their own century.

"Don't go far. Both Admin and University will have your head! And...there'll certainly be no more research trips for you."

Daniel had already accepted that.

"First, I've got to go run the Baseline Checks, see what you've done. And then figure a way to undo it."

"You will find the world is different," Daniel smiled.

Banyan stopped in mid-stride.

"But not significantly, not according to your protocol," Daniel stated, remembering his off-line checks.

He gripped his interview notes tighter. "You'll find that there is a little more love in the world, because two old friends got to play their songs together."

"One last time."