When the sun shines they slip into the shade...
(When the sun shines down)
...And sip their lemonade...
(When the sun shines down)
...When the sun shines, when the sun shines...
It was swelteringly hot and the boys were back outside with beads of sweat rolling down their temples. Cars rushed by in short, whizzing noises. The sidewalks were crowded with people. The air was full of the warm smells of hot mustard, french fries and pizza. The Beatles weren't familiar with their surroundings. Where in the world were they?
"Where in the world are we?" Ringo asked, shielding his eyes from the bright sun.
"Are we still in London?" George asked.
"Of course!" Paul said. "I just know it is!"
"What year is it?" John asked.
"Ask somebody!"
John politely reached over and touched a young woman's arm. "Miss?" she looked at him through a large pair of shades. She was around her early-twenties, with dyed black hair and a blue nose ring pierced through her left nostril. For clothes she had on was a green-and-white striped tank top and dark blue skinny jeans. She asked John what he wanted. In the most gentlest way, John asked, "What year is it, love?" The girl stared at him, then glanced at the other Beatles. Paul offered her a beautiful smile in return. She didn't smile back. She looked back at John and said, "Are you on crack or something? It's 2011!" Then she took off.
"It was only a question!" John angrily yelled back.
"2011?" Ringo repeated. "That means we've gone forty-five years into the future!"
"I've noticed something," Paul said.
"What?" his friends looked at him.
"No screams. When that bird was talking to John, she didn't scream at him once!"
"So?" George said.
"So," Paul grinned. "That means she didn't recognize him!"
"You're right," Ringo grinned back. "Let me give it a try!" The drummer looked both ways before crossing the street. Once it was clear, he ran over to the other side and stood in front of a teenage couple that were sitting on a bench, eating lunch from McDonalds. The boy had his fork frozen in mid-air pointed down to his salad; giving Ringo a blank-eyed stare. "Um, hi?" the boy said with questioning. His girlfriend gave Ringo a strange look as she was sipping her soda from a straw. "Hi there!" Ringo greeted happily. "How are you?" The kids exhanged a quick look before turning back to him. "Fine..." the boy's voice trailed off. That's when Ringo burst out laughing and ran back to his mates.
"Well?" John said, "How'd it go?"
Ringo gave him a thumbs up sign.
"I think I'm liking 2011," George decided with a smile.