The Magical Mystery Trunk part 1

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

Everyday it’s the same old story. I wish I could stay in bed and I wish I didn't have to go to work. It's not like my job is bad or anything. Its just I wish I was doing something I love like playing my guitar and writing songs for a living. You know the typical pipe dreams that a young person has once they realize that they will have to work a 9-5 just like their parents and their parent’s parent’s. Still you can't help but feel like you could have been famous. For me, it would be a famous musician. If only I never heard The Beatles, it might be different. I think about them all the time. Barely into their twenties and as famous as, well, THE most famous personalities in all of pop culture. There is no comparison! I've read all the biographies, both authorized and un-authorized many times over and it still gets me. Four seemingly normal working class young people emerging as a generations most influential personalities. One could argue that they are this centuries most influential. What with the fashion, music and cultural changes they brought about. Anyway, let me cut to the chase. I'm sure if you are reading this story; you already know the Beatles and are probably as big a fan as me. So I'll spare you the boredom of retreading their story. But I have a story about them you never heard and believe it or not, is true. Since I did not document the experience at the time, never thought to, I am left to recall almost 10 years later, after it happened. I have never told a soul this before. If I had I might be in an insane asylum or worse, a scientific guinea pig in some lab being dissected and probed by all the latest intrusive devices made by man in the 21st century. Why all the dramatics and fuss about some Beatles story? Well, it’s not just a Beatles story. It is a magical tale that you will just have to read on to find out what this is all about.

I was born in the late seventies and by the age of fifteen, I was listening to the Beatles daily, almost 21 years after the Beatles broke up. I have amassed their whole catalog on compact disc as well as a few records and tapes. I own countless books as mentioned before and even had a Beatles website at one time. My parents bought me a guitar about the same time I discovered the Beatles. I copied everything about them. I did, however, add my own twist like the time I grew my hair into a Beatles cut, but colored it blonde. I was in and out of bands by the time I graduated high school and even after I was playing, hoping to be as famous as the Beatles. Obviously, it never happened. I like to believe it is due to the crappy music kids listen to these days. Even though I am in my late twenties, I've always felt I was born in the wrong decade.

It's hard to start from the beginning of this story because there was no thought that there was a beginning, and besides it all seems like a dream now, but here goes, it all started in 1995. Right before the surviving Beatles released the Anthology. I was out of high school looking for a job. After a few bad ones that lasted weeks in some cases, I finally stumbled upon work in an Antiques store. Basically, it's my job to travel where ever necessary to find a piece of furniture, book, clothing or whatever a client may want. As to not cause anyone any bad publicity and to protect those who might otherwise be in danger from my releasing this story, I will not reveal the actual names or places with too much detail. So we'll just say I worked for Yesterdays Antiques Shop. My boss is a little old lady we'll call Rita.

My day started just as ordinary as any. My alarm startles an otherwise peaceful dream and I slowly peel the covers off and literally slip out of bed and start for the bathroom. My morning ritual like everyone else’s, is to use the toilet, take a shower, shave, brush my teeth, and get dressed. I was rushing out the front door eating a bagel and as I hopped into my car my cell phone rang. It's my boss from the Antique shop, Rita, she's shouting orders at me in her aggressive way, but I know she means well and enjoys having me running around the world to find rare old pieces. I go any where from small towns to large cities to find the right items. It was this one particular summer day that I was to travel to England. Rita had told me that there was this small shop that specialized in old clothing and accessories from 50-60s fashion. I normally stay within the States or Canada to find all our goods, but I have been to Britain several times before on vacation, never on business.

She stated she was sending me to Liverpool! I almost cried out so loud, but held back as to not startle Rita or myself for that matter. Rita told me she needed me to find this out of the way shop and pick up a trunk full of clothing and other items for a buyer who had seen it on a trip there a month ago. The buyer couldn’t take it back themselves, so that is where our business comes in. I was to get the trunk through customs and bring it back to our shop where we would sell the trunk and charge our own fee for the pick up and transport charges. It seems unusual on the onset, I can respect that, but we have some really wealthy clients that ask us odd things all the time. So for me to be on this cobble stone street in the middle of Liverpool, home of my rock and roll idols wasn’t so weird to me. The shop was from a movie, old and rustic with dust cobwebs and stuff packed so tight, it is a wonder anyone would even think it was open for business much less condemned. No one was in sight; however I did see cats and shadows darting in the cricks of my eyes. From no where, a grey haired man no taller than my belt buckle was eyeing me up and down. He was a familiar man, quite well dressed and clean in appearance. I know I have met this person before. One of those deja-vu feelings hit me like a cold draft followed by goose bumps up my neck. His wire rimmed classes and clean suit reminded me of some little old man, but I couldn’t place him for the life of me. “Ello”, he said in that wonderfully Liverpoodlian accent. I greeted him back and presented my card advising him I was here for the trunk. The man pointed me in the back of the store where it looked impossible to reach anything without having a moving company full of workers there to help clear the way. Before I could comment on that fact, the man had disappeared and reappeared behind the rubble and motioned for me to follow through a narrow path of debris which I had not noticed before. And I could swear on Gideon’s Bible it was not there before! Of course at the time, one would chalk it up to the unfamiliarity of the surroundings, but in retrospect, I know it was something more than that.

As I tripped my way through this maze of history, I was at once confronted by this seemingly new looking blue trunk. Again, I know this trunk from somewhere, which was odd, because how could one “know” a trunk? In any event, I quickly lost any questioning demeanor and focused on the task at hand, which was lugging this trunk out of a hideous great pile and dumping it in the back of a yellow Lorry I had hired. After some time and struggle, I had managed to do just that. As I turned to enter the store to fill out any receipts and bode farewell, the little man was there. “Whatever you do, sonny Jim, do not open that trunk” he said. I advised him I wasn’t planning to, but since he mentioned it, my curiosity had been struck, I asked why. “Never you mind! It’s very old and I shouldn’t even be selling it in the first place. I promised an old friend I would never let it out of me sight, but I can see no use for it. Besides, I cannot open it. It appears to be stuck. Me mate said it could only be opened by a person who possessed the love of all a generation that has past. Alas, I am too old to even care about me own generation let alone the generation after me.” If you think you’re confused by all this, think how I felt! I just shrugged and told him I am just a courier and I am just as concerned for the safety of the trunk as if it were my own, so I would not be poking my neb into others business. Before the last syllable hit my tongue the man had already returned to his shop and quickly locked the door and turned down the lights. I had only blinked for a nanosecond, so for that old guy to move like that really started striking me as very odd indeed.


More to come later!

[Beatlemon]

Awesome!!!!

[ibrake4whales]

this is completely amazing. and very well written. i hope you post more soon.

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

I was a little worried because I am not a writer and English was never my best subject. I hesitated fro quite awhile on writing a fan fic, ahem, I mean this true story, because I do not trust my grammar and writing skills. But I do appreciate the encouragement as it will bolster my confidence in trying my hand at future writes.

By the by, I will post part 2 tonight so stay tuned!

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

I was on my way to the airport where I had hired a cargo plane to transport the trunk, among a few other items I had bought for myself, back to America. It was on my way that I decided to stop at the Cavern or at least the place where the Cavern once stood and the new Cavern now overlooked. It’s a must for anyone visiting Liverpool, right? Anyway, I was driving and as I rounded this corner, I felt the road turn really bumpy and I couldn’t follow the map for some reason. Before I knew it, I was lost. As I took a left down this alley, I hit a large hole in the road and the Lorry door burst open and the trunk burst out and tumbled behind. I slammed the brakes and got out to assess the damage. But the trunk was good as new! Not a scratch! It was then I noticed how blue the trunk was. Big enough for a person and it had a latch with two sets of tumblers with numbers, like a combination lock on a suitcase. It was funny when I picked up the trunk, because I didn’t remember it being this light. It was quite easy to lift and I was about to put in the back of the Lorry when I additionally noticed the numbers on the tumblers looked like a date I remembered, 02071964. February 7th 1964? Where do I know that from? For some of you, this is obvious, but I wasn’t really thinking clearly, just making sure this trunk was alright and back in the Lorry ready for shipping. It did finally hit me and when it did I tried opening the latch, but quickly stopped remembering the words of the little old man. It was then, a shadowy figure presented himself and began to speak. “Aye laddie, can I offer you some assistance with that?” As the man approached I got another one of those deja-vu feelings and the goose bumps up my neck. He was again awfully familiar. A younger lad about 20 years old and obviously some sort of artist from the area. He had paint all over him and was wearing dark sun glasses and a leather jacket. I told the man the trunk was quite light and I could manage, but he interrupted me with a most surprising statement. “Aye! I know this trunk!” I responded “Where from?” and his reply was again most astonishing! “Never you mind! Just don’t open it unless you have all the love of a generation past.” This time, I couldn’t let that comment pass. “What generation?”. “The generation of love, of course!” he said sarcastically. Well I could tell he was talking of the 60’s, but I couldn’t think of another word to ask and it didn’t matter anyway, because he turned into the shadows and was gone. It was funny too, because I notice a big sign that said Cavern Club around the area he was standing. I had accidentally found the Cavern and it was by shear coincidence that the trunk should have been knocked out on this very spot.

I wrestled the trunk in the back of the Lorry and entered the Cavern. Down the stairs where it was pitch black and I counted each step. Yep! 18 steps! Oh the joy of it all! Just to smell this smell and stand on such sacred ground was enough to make me forget all the problems and pains of life. It was dark down there and quite chilly. I hope I wasn’t trespassing. I mean the door was open, but there was no one in sight and there were no lights. I got startled, so I started for the stairs, but it was so dark, I couldn’t remember where I came in! Great! Just great! I have no idea where the lights are and don’t know the layout of this place to even begin to move in the right direction. Just then a spot light shines right in my eyes. Ironic that I couldn’t see, because it was dark and now can’t see because it’s too bright. “Don’t move!” A voice beams at me as bright as the spot light. “What….*gulp*….what do you want?” my shaky voice replied. “Want!? I’ll tell you what I don’t want and that is for you to move! Just listen.” That voice! So familiar! Once again, you guessed it, deja-vu and goose bumps up the neck. “Am I in trouble? I will leave. I thought it was open. Just show me how to get out and I am gone. I don’t want any trouble”. “SILENCE!” the voice shouted back. “You are in the right place. At the right time. You are the one. The clue to the new direction.” Oh God, I thought. I am going to be kidnapped or something. Kidnapped in the Cavern! What a headline for the morning news! “You have something special, you have.” The voice grumbled again. “It is something very magical which will make all your dreams a reality. All you have to do is believe. How would you like today to become yesterday?” the voice continued. “What do you mean?” I had no idea what the voice wanted or meant. Just then, the light was off and I could see an opening at the top of the stairs. I ran as fast as I could up the stairs and back into the Lorry. I was shaking and sweating. What just happened? It was then I caught a glimpse of the trunk in the rearview. Since I had come into contact with that trunk, all this strangeness started.

My mind was trying to put all these pieces together. Why was everyone so familiar? What did all these encounters have in common? Why me? That’s when I realized the trunk was the one thing in common with all these things. There is only one thing to do. Open the trunk. I climbed in the back of the Lorry and pulled at the latch of the trunk. The combination was still set to 02071964. It was loose and opened easily. I then lifted the top and a noise like air escaping a vacuum made me slam the top down. I said to myself that I shouldn’t be doing this. But then I said this is technically my trunk until we sell it to the buyer back in the U.S. Surely I can inspect the merchandise before I deliver it. Without hesitation I open the top and that’s when I saw it! It was like looking down from a cloud into pool of water reflecting somewhere I know. I must be hallucinating. This trunk is possessed or something. I closed the lid and reopened it to see if was still there. I was not hallucinating, in fact, I was well awake and very much of sound mind. As I reached my hand into the image, I got sucked in and found my standing in snow. I notice the trunk is next to me. It’s colder than heck and all the cars look like classics from the 60’s. Could it be? Where am I? Off in the distance I can see tall buildings, I’m in New York City! And I am in front of the Plaza Hotel! The scene is pure chaos. Screaming teenagers, police men, horses and press. If this is real, I am scared out of my mind and somehow very excited by the prospect of what this whole scene implies. I have somehow traveled back in time on the day of the Beatles first U.S. visit! If this is a trick, someone, whoever is behind this, is playing cruel mind game and I want it to stop. Or do I? Maybe I should just play along, after all this is kinda a cool joke. I decided I want to try to enter the Plaza and see for my self if I am indeed in the same time and space as The Beatles, Feb 7th, 1964.

More later....Stay tuned!

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

I quickly drag the trunk to an alley and cover it with boxes and garbage. I emerge and walk over to the front of the Plaza. I watch as one person gets turned away after another. The front is fortified with New York Cities finest. There is no way I can get in there conventionally. I have to find a plan. What is the most famous plan I can think of? I need a disguise of some sort. One that commands respect and will not draw attention. I notice a Police car parked over where I put the trunk in the alley. In the back is a Uniform. That’s it! I feel the handle and the door is open. I quickly open and take the suit and run to the alley. A quick change and I walk out casually towards the entrance. I walk up the stairs and I notice the two Cops guarding the door staring at me. I have to think quick on my feet. With my best New Yorker accent I sputter, “Jeez it’s a cold one! I gotta go to the little boys room. I need to lay off the coffee!”. “Just make it fast. The Chief wants us all out here making sure we keep everyone back. These girls are goin nuts!” I can’t believe it worked. I’m inside and head for the elevator which also has a couple of Cops watching it, so I turn for the stairs. Wait! What am I doing? I don’t know what floor their on! I quickly turn and go to the front desk. “I gotta run…um…this message up to….um…..Mr. Epstein. Could you ring, I mean no, um…are they still in the same room. I heard you’s was gonna move them for security reasons.” What an idiot I am! They will never fall for that! “Oh yes sir officer. They are still in the Penthouse sweet on the 14th floor.” “Thanks. Thanks a lot.” I cannot believe it! You know this wouldn’t happen except in the sixties. Everyone is so nice! But there is no way I am climbing 14 floors. I spot a bellboy. “Where is the kitchen? I’ve been standing out there so long I am starving to death.” The boy directed me through a hall and into double doors leading to the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, I immediately start for the service elevator. I ride it all the way to the 14th floor. All the way up I am counting the floors. My heart racing out of my chest. I cannot believe this. I am still wondering if this isn’t a prank. I am expecting the doors to open and people to yell “Fooled you!”. Finally the doors open upon the floor and there is a Cop right there. “Hey” he says. “I’ve been waiting for you. They’ve called up saying should I see you, to get you to take my position for 20 minutes.” I thought I was caught, but he thinks I am his relief. I told him okay and he went down in the elevator I just came up in. And there, just down the hall, I see the door to the Penthouse. Just then, the door opens and I see Brian Epstein! THE Mr. Brian Epstein! He looks so real! It is real! I almost fainted. I walked up and introduced myself and shook his hand. I began to tell him about my experience at the Cavern, but only I played it down. I didn’t tell him about the trunk, but just that I had been there and was looking to give the boys back something that belonged to them. He told me to wait there and went back inside and when he came out, he said that even though the boys didn’t know who I was or what I was talking about, to go in, but be brief as they would be leaving for the show. My knees half gave and I swear I stopped breathing for a moment. I turned the handle and walked in. What I saw, Ringo sitting on the couch with the phone in his hand. John and Paul sitting in front of the TV and George messing about with a camera in a doorway leading to one of the rooms.

It was then I thought, if this is real, I am messing with history. But is was too late. John engaged me in conversation. “Hey, are you that Policeman Eppy said wanted to give us something of ours from the Cavern?” I went white! “Can I sit down? I‘m feeling a little ill!” Without an answer I took a seat, right beside Ringo! “You look like you’ve seen a ghost you have.” I replied “Technically I have.” All at once they all responded, “You What?” I told them I have a trunk which I believe belonged to them. I described it and where I got it as well as a little bit of what happened at the Cavern. A chuckle moved across the room. “Hey mister, are you soft or something?” a typical John response. “I know it sounds weird that I would come up here about a trunk, but think how I feel.” I knew that I should just leave it at that and excuse myself, but Paul then asked what was in the trunk. I said “Nothing.” “Nothing!” George said, “Well then you can just keep the trunk, we don’t own an empty trunk. All our trunks have something in them.” Just then, Brian came back and told the boys to get up and starting heading down the service elevator into the Limo. Brain then turned and said, “Since you’re here would you mind seeing them down?” I had no hesitation. I walked them down and out into the alley. The same alley I hid the trunk. I opened the door and Brian told me to sit in the front. “Well Policeman, do you know Ed?” “Ringo, he’s probably worked the show before. I’m sure he knows Ed.” Paul said. “It’s probably Ed’s trunk he’s got.” John joked. After a 10 minute ride, we arrived at the Ed Sullivan Theatre. I got out and walked the boys to the door and they all ducked in between a sea of girls. I was left with the car.

That was enough for one evening. I hailed a cab back to the Plaza and ran into the alley. I set the combination on the lock for the date I left and crawled into the trunk. I was back in the Lorry instantaneously. Obviously, I knew I couldn’t give the buyer back in the U.S. this trunk! So, I went shopping and I searched the local stores for a similar trunk, but I could only find a brown one. Still it looked almost identical. So, I went to a hardware store and bought some blue paint. I slapped a quick coat on and after it was painted I let it sit in the Lorry for a couple of hours and started driving towards the airport. I stopped to phone Rita and told her I would be late due to some car problems. I then realized I needed something to put into the imposter trunk. Next stop was a different antique store where I purchased some vintage clothing and accessories to fill the trunk. I quickly loaded both trunks, one marked as the “one” and the other as the imposter, on the cargo plane. When I landed, I was tired and in shock of my adventure. I drove the real trunk to my home and stashed in a closet. I took the other and gave it to Rita at the store. When I returned home I just collapsed. I was exhausted and thought I would sleep and when I woke up, I would see if this was all just a dream.

More on the way!

[ibrake4whales]

oh i really hope you post more soon! this is so good! i like it alot!

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

I am, I mean I will.

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

After about 5 hours I woke up and it wasn’t. As I opened the closet, there was the trunk. I took another look at the combination lock and moved one of the dials. I was trying to see if I could choose another date in Beatles history to visit or if was just the one that was preset. I was nervous with excitement as I set the combination of the trunk to 08171960. This date corresponds with the Beatles first trip to Hamburg with their new drummer Pete Best. I opened the trunk and sure enough a swoosh sound and I could see down into what appeared to be the streets of Hamburg. I jumped in and found myself at the entrance to 64 Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg Germany. The Indra Club. I dragged the trunk inside and set it under a set of stairs immediately through the entrance.

At once, I could hear the sounds of rock and roll. I walk in the dark and smoked filled room and pretty soon the sounds of shouting and fighting overtook the band on stage. It was the Beatles! I was once again very scared, but somehow elated. I walked ever closer and was soon directly out in front. The boys struck their last chord and signed off for 20 minutes. A stripper then took the stage and kept the rowdy Germans attention for awhile. I immediately hustled towards the boys. John turned quickly and said “Aye! What do we have here? Our first German fan!?” I returned just as quickly with, “I’m not German. I am from America and I would like to talk to you.” “America! Well, what do you want? Make it quick, we’ve got 15 minutes.” I was holding my breath, but I managed to utter a few words. “I have come a long way to hear your music. I believe you will be the biggest group in the history of music. Including in America!” “We’ve got ourselves a loony, we have!” John snorted “But you are alright because we will be eh lads!” “YEAH!” they shouted. “Where are we going!?” “To the toppermost of the poppermost, Johnny!” They all chimed. I told them I really liked their music and they invited me to join them for a few beers. There was a whole case just given to them by the patrons. “We have to drink this whole lot or they’ll go potty out there.” George said. I couldn’t believe it! I am sitting with John, Paul, George, Stu and Pete! I quickly swilled down the German Brew due to nerves which John commented, “That’s a good lad, take your medicine! What’s your name son?”. John Lennon of the Beatles wants to know my name! I couldn’t speak, so I grabbed another brew and drank that faster than the first. “Maybe he hasn’t got one.” George quipped. “Maybe he’s got amnesia.” Paul butted in. “Maybe he just likes beer! I’ll call him Beerbum!” John heckled. “Listen lads, I am very nervous to meet you and you wouldn’t believe me if I told you why.” I began. “You see, I found this trunk and I climbed in it...” Just then John cut me off. “We’re on lads!” A burst of shouts and they all jumped up in unison and leapt for the stage. I had missed my chance!

Maybe not, I would go back and try to meet with the lads in a different time. As I was walking out, I heard Lennon say, ‘This next number is for our new pal, Beerbum! 2-3-4”, and into the song Some Other Guy. I froze a moment to listen and then went to the trunk, crawled in and woosh, back to my closet in my room. This time travel stuff is draining. I hopped into the bed began thinking of these adventures I just had. I had always dreamt of meeting the Beatles and now they I had I didn’t know what to say or do. I was trying to find a meaning to the reasons why this was happening to me. What am I to do with this power? It was then that it hit me! I could save Stu! Maybe I could warn someone of his condition! I certainly have to do something good with this. Oh, and I can save Julia and Mary and….what am I saying! I would be altering history and maybe destroy the very individuals I am trying to help. In a fit of pure exhaustion I passed out only to be awoken sometime later by the sound of the phone. I answered and it was Rita. “You’ve got to come to the store straight away. There’s some men here who’ve come to see you.” I gasped and slammed the phone down! I’ve been caught! How, who, NOOO! I got dressed and flew as fast as I could to Rita’s shop. There standing by the fake trunk were 3 men in black suits. “Are you the one who brought this trunk from England?” one of them said with a very serious tone. I grumbled I was and asked if there was any problem. “Yes, there is…” I started to shake with that response and I started to try and explain myself and why I did it, but I was interrupted again. Sheesh, it’s been happening quite a bit. Can’t get a word out edge-wise. “This trunk is missing some contents. We were sent here by the buyer to see what happened to the other things that were inside.” I jumped and laughed and actually almost cried out, “Is THAT ALL!” All three men gave me a look like I was crazy. I quickly informed them that I had not opened the trunk and they may want to contact the air transport company or the Liverpool shop owner as I had no idea what was missing. The men thanked me and left, but I turned around to see Rita staring at me, arms crossed with the expression of, “I know you’re up to something!”

Leave it to Rita to be able to tell I had something that I was keeping secret. She is the type of lady who doesn’t mix business. She gets right to the point and sometimes I even think she has psychic powers! “Those fools couldn’t see it, but I saw you about to spill your guts, so let’s have it. What happened over there?” Rita pronounced. I couldn’t lie to Rita and I couldn’t tell her the truth so I told her she would have to wait and see. Then, I ran out the door and back to my house and into my room. I checked the closet just to make sure. Yes, good, it is still there. For the moment I stopped thinking about how I could be a hero and save everyone and started thinking more selfishly. I always wanted to meet the Beatles, so I could now check that off my list. But what was the one thing I really always wanted? The answer would carry me to the year 1957! I ran to the closet set the tumblers to 07061957, the year John and Paul were introduced at the Woolton Garden Parish Church Fete in St. Johns Wood, Liverpool! I opened the latch, then the lid and jumped right in without even checking to see where I would land. Next thing I was standing by the side of the Church in the trunk. I quickly hopped out and dragged the trunk behind some bushes. I walked to the Garden and there I saw John Lennon in a checked shirt on stage with the Quarrymen! Okay, now I was quite nervous when I met them at the Plaza and more when I met them in Hamburg, but I was quite considerably moreso here at the Fete. I mean, this was where it technically all started! Lennon/McCartney!

Stay tuned! Same Beatle time! Same Beatle place!

[Starkey.]

Thats the beauty of having guys on the forum.
Such a different perspective.

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

In the next part, I make out with Brian Epstein!

[Starkey.]

Can't wait...

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

Neither can he!

[Starkey.]

Bwhaha! ;D

[ThisBirdHasFlown]

I'll take some pictures!

"This is me and Gay Eppy on our first date."

*SMOOCHIES*