Audrey took a deep breath before she walked to the group of girls that were standing next to the train.  Once again, Frank had managed to pull some strings to get her where she needed to be- this time he had managed to secure a small part in the Beatles new film.  Initially, she was not supposed to report for filming until the end of March, but one of the girls that was to be included in a few scenes fell ill and they needed a replacement. Audrey would be playing a schoolgirl riding in the same train as the Beatles.

“Hello. I’m Audrey” Audrey said as she walked up to the girls. 

Pattie, Prudence and Susan introduced themselves and Audrey quickly felt at ease.  She learned quickly that the girls were no more than 20 years old- Audrey being the oldest at 21.  Audrey smiled and talked with the girls- enjoying the lighthearted conversation, but in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help feel envious.  If only her life was as simple as what each of the girls described.  None of them could possibly have any idea what she had gone through in her short lifetime.  While these girls had gone out on dates with the boy next door, being courted and showered with flowers and gifts, Audrey had been exposed to a life of abuse and exploitation…while these girls were giddy with excitement to see their favorite Beatle, she was here to manipulate and seduce a man who had the misfortune to have crossed paths with Frank…and been stupid enough to steal from him. Yet Audrey knew that if she didn’t retrieve whatever it was he had stolen, Frank would come looking for it- and his life and those around him would be in danger. 

Before coming on set, she had asked Frank what it was that she needed to get from him- but he hadn’t told her.  That was a first for her.  She needed to seduce Lennon first, have him eating out of her hand, and only then would Frank tell her what she needed to retrieve.  He said it was a different strategy because of who she was dealing with, but Audrey didn’t believe him.  There was something more to it…something Frank wasn’t telling her…and it was unnerving for Audrey.  Without complete information, she couldn’t make informative decisions.  She tried telling Frank she needed to know- that it was essential for her work, but he didn’t budge…threatening he’d take care of Lennon himself if she didn’t cooperate with the way the business was now being done. She had no choice but to go along with it.  She couldn’t be the cause of another death…it would be more than she could handle. 

Audrey and the other girls were informed what their roles would consist of.  It was nothing grand- a few scenes in which they met the Beatles while riding on the same train as them.  It was a very minor role, but hopefully enough time for Audrey to catch John’s eye. About an hour after Audrey had arrived, she heard some commotion- there was a roar of screams from the girls that had been waiting to see the four lads from Liverpool. A man quickly rushed her and the rest of the girls onto the train.  Audrey looked out of a window and saw a car pulling up.  She saw all four Beatles get out and quickly wave at the fans who were barricaded at the other end of the station.  The first to come onto the train was Paul, followed by George, John and finally Ringo. 

“Mornin’ girls.” Paul said as he walked past us. 

The others nodded and smiled as they followed him through the train.  Audrey tried to lock eyes with John, but instead caught the gaze of Ringo and he smiled sweetly at her. The girls giggled in delight and Audrey found herself trying hard to join in their happiness- but she knew better-she was here to deceive John and just thinking about it made her stomach churn.

She spent most of the morning just sitting around as the crew filmed scenes with the boys at the opposite side of the train.  Audrey had a lot of time to talk with the girls, hearing stories about their boyfriends and fiancés.

“What about you, Audrey?  Seeing anybody special?” Pattie asked.

Audrey looked at her.  Pattie was beautiful with her blonde hair and blue eyes- it was no wonder she was already engaged at her young age. 

“No.” Audrey smiled. “No one special.”

“Oh c’mon…there must be someone you’re at least interested in.” she giggled.

“No, not really.” She stated indifferently.

“Oh.” Pattie said softly, a little taken aback by Audrey’s response. 

Audrey noticed Patti’s reaction as she, Prudence and Susan shot each other subtle looks.

“Bad break up, you know? I’m just…not ready.” Audrey said in a little softer tone.  Immediately, the girls’ faces showed sympathy and understanding and the conversation quickly digressed to fashion. 

It wasn’t a lie, really.  As the girls talked about the newest fashion trends, Audrey’s mind wandered. Her transition from a girl into a woman had been abrupt and anything but a fantasy.  She had stupidly fallen for a deceitful man- a man who promised her the moon and the stars, who knew exactly what she wanted to hear, who not only broke her heart, but her spirit as well…and now, here she was, ironically, out to do the same thing to John Lennon…to be deceitful in order to manipulate him to do what she wanted.  She sighed as the thought of what lay ahead flooded her mind. 

The girls were called by a crew member who was gathering everyone for lunch.  It was nothing fancy- they were all beckoned to the dining car.  Audrey looked around and recognized Wilfred Brambell, having seen him in the sitcom Steptoe and Son.  He was in conversation with the four Beatles as they were each served a plate of food. 

Susan pointed out an empty table and the girls all sat down, with Pattie and Susan deliberately taking the seats that faced the Beatles.  Prudence playfully complained that she wanted to trade seats just as the plates of food arrived at their table.  As Audrey ate, she couldn’t help but smile at the comments Susan and Prudence exchanged about Paul and John.  Pattie didn’t comment much, but her eyes were fixed on the Beatles’ table. 

After about 15 minutes, Susan’s smile grew exponentially as she tried to conceal her excitement. 

“They’re coming!” she said as she hurriedly chewed the food she had in her mouth.

“Do I have anything in my teeth?” Prudence turned quickly to Audrey. 

“No.” Audrey replied as she took a sip of water.

Audrey felt them approaching, but she kept on eating just as the other three girls set their forks down.

“Hello ladies.” She heard George’s voice.

Pattie, Susan and Prudence simultaneously responded, while Audrey gave a small wave as she finished chewing her food.

“What’s your names?” John asked.

“I’m Susan, this is Pattie, Prudence and Audrey.”

“Nice to meet you, girls.  Looks like we’ll be working together.” Paul continued the conversation.

Audrey didn’t speak, instead she observed. It was key to be observant in her line of work.  Through observation, she could analyze the situation and strategize.  She immediately noticed Ringo was missing and she casually looked behind her.  He was still sitting at the table, but she once again locked eyes with him.  This time, it was her time to smile before she turned back around. The girls were chatting it up with the boys and as they talked, Audrey perceived the sexual connections that were starting to form- especially between George and Pattie.  She also noticed that Prudence had her eye on Paul, while Susan was entranced by John.  From what she could tell, Paul reciprocated when it came to Prudence, but John was focused on Pattie.  Audrey’s eyes studied John, focusing on his body language, on his mannerisms, trying desperately to remember as much as she could so she could use it to her benefit. Her study session was abruptly interrupted when Ringo joined the group and directed his question to her.

“Audrey...” She replied looking up at him.

“Ringo….but you probably already knew that.” He chuckled.

Audrey nodded knowingly and smiled. “Yes. I’d be living under a rock if I didn’t know that much, right?”

Eventually, both Ringo and Audrey joined the conversation about the film with the rest of the group and for a few minutes, Audrey even forgot why exactly she was here. 

“After filming is done for the day, we’re going to go out for a drink.  You fancy coming along?” Ringo asked the group of girls as he and the others were being called back by the director.

“Sure.” Susan, Pattie and Prudence replied.

“And you, Audrey?” Ringo looked straight at her.

“Of course.” She said smiling.

Ringo winked before following the others who had already made their way to the next car.

Prudence nudged Audrey and giggled. “I think Ringo likes you.” She smiled.

Audrey rolled her eyes and chuckled.  She had gotten that same vibe from him, but her target was John, not Ringo.

“I kind of got the feeling that George and Pattie had something going on between them.” Susan smiled.

“Oh Stop.  I’m engaged.”

“That didn’t keep him from asking you to marry him.” Susan replied.

“He was being cheeky…that’s all.” Pattie responded trying to brush it off, but her face turning red was quickly giving her away.

“Oh admit it, Pattie…you fancy him too!” Prudence said.

“Ladies…we’ll begin filming in a few minutes.” Jeff, one of the camera crew members, let the girls know as he passed by their table.

“C’mon…let’s get a move on.” Pattie said as she stood up and the rest of the girls followed.