Think Again, Birdie (TheBeatles/AudreyHepburn FanFic)

Chapter 1: Good Money

"She says she doesn't want to be a joke."

Mr. Rickman smirked as he met eyes with Audrey's. "I can tell she's taking this very seriously," he pointed out, "Give the director a call and tell them to stop harassing her. Make sure your firm and - well, just do your magic, Heppy." He gave her a friendly wink and she too gave one in return before taking the file back from Lionel Rickman and leaving with a spin in her heels. He let out a sigh as he sat back down in his black spiny chair; Brian Epstein sitting only seconds after.

"What a fine young lady." the British man beamed.

"The finest." Lionel gloated with a wink.

"Now," Brian cleared his throat, "That young lady of yours was recommended to me by a close friend. Tell me, what does she do exactly?"

"Well," Lionel began as he leaned forward, folding his hands that sat on his desk. "Focus is a corporation made to help people who are either too busy or too lazy to keep up with their schedules on their own. We're a partnership of personal assistance."

"And how many people do these employees assist?" Brian leaned back in his chair with interest for an answer. Lionel shrugged a shoulder. "Two per employee. Audrey is the best to keep up with a persons schedule. Always good things about her are said, never bad; from the people she assists of course. I can imagine what other coworkers are saying about her, the jealous bastards." Lionel let a smirk play on his lips and Brian chuckled fiercely. "Ah. I can imagine. She seems like quite the girl. And if she is the way you say she is, why isn't she assisting more people?" Lionel sat back with a certain confidence in his eyes. He knew that Brian only wanted best for whoever he was managing but he had a doubt in his voice about Audrey that made Lionel become irritant. "Audrey Hepburn is the best damn personal assistant in the entire industry of personal assistance for celebrities." Lionel's voice came out firm, yet calm as he didn't want to scare Brian Epstein away.

The British man just shrugged with a smirk on his face that indicated he knew he had pushed a button on Lionel. "That girl had just finished being a personal assistant to over fifteen celebrities," Lionel's voice was raised and he smashed a pointed finger onto the desk with annoyance. Brian's face now with a bitter expression. "The reason she doesn't work for them anymore? She quit. Marilyn Monroe was offering a better pay; over fifteen hundred dollars a week; more money than all of those fifteen people combined could pay her. So no, she ain't cheap. She is a prize Mr. Epstein, and if you aren't willing to respect that than I refuse to let her be your personal assistant." Brian took in those words, letting them soak for a moment in that mush of a brain of his. He scanned Lionel closely, his eyes with an interest though his expression still bitter. "A hundred and twenty-thousand a week. American dollars, of course," Brian spoke. Lionel's eyes widened and the annoyed expression on his face was now one of shock. Brian lazily held out his arms and grinned. "I'm sold Mr. Rickman. I am sold." Lionel's lips curved into a smile.

   Audrey rolled her eyes as Calvin Simmons, a well-known Hollywood director, begged for the beautiful Marilyn Monroe to play a leading role in his cheesy film from the other side of the phone. "Mr. Simmons that is enough!" Audrey barked firmly; quickly shutting him up. "Marilyn will not be apart of this movie. If you so much as call or ask again I will personally make sure you are blacklisted for harassment, do you understand? Now. Good day." She hung up the phone gently as if nothing had happened; not letting him speak another word. On her desk were small, neatly stacked files of Marilyn's requests and dislikes. Audrey took the next file on her list and scanned in, learning new things about Marilyn that she had yet to know.

"Knock, knock." Lionel smiled as he stood in Audrey's door way; Brian Epstein right behind him. "Oh, hello Mr. Rickman." she acknowledged as she looked up from the file. "I've got to talk to you about some things." he made aware and she quickly stood and offered them to come in and sit; to which they did as Audrey closed the door and rushed back over to her seat. "What is this about?" Audrey inquired. Brian and Lionel shared a confident glance and looked back at Audrey in unison. "I've got a job for you." Brian smiled, bringing a cigar - given to him by Mr. Rickman - up to his lips.

"A job?" Audrey seemed confused and unsure.

"Mr. Epstein here is offering to pay you one hundred and twenty thousand dollars a week to be a personal assistant for some kids he's managing." Lionel intervened. "What?" she seemed more appalled then excited. "They're a band called the Beatles," the manager began, "And with their start to fame, they could use someone to keep track of things for him; so they aren't so overwhelmed. They're going to need full attention."

"You mean - leave Marilyn?" Audrey's eyes were filled with guilt. "Don't think of it as leaving her," Lionel suggested, "Think of it as a new and better beginning. Its good money. And besides, you'll get to live in England."

"England?" Audrey appalled a hand to her chest as if offended by the comment. "Oh, Audrey, come one," Lionel slightly begged, "You'll love it."

"But I've been with Marilyn for two years, she would -" "Get over it." Brian was quick to interrupt and finish her sentence. "They always do." he winked. Audrey's body shivered with pity. She had become someone that Marilyn had trusted; someone she became close with.

Leaving Marilyn would be like leaving a cancer patient to die without a cure. Marilyn needed someone to watch after her. In a sense she was mentally ill and needed a friend to watch over her; that friend being Audrey.

"I can't," Audrey muttered, lowering her head, "But I do appreciate the offer." Brian leaned in with piercing eyes. "I'm willing to pay more if you need convincing." Audrey quickly looked up, offended. "How dare you," she scoffed, "Marilyn is a loyal woman. I will not leave her."

"Apparently your confusing business with friendship." Brian smirked cheekily.

"Apparently you can't take a hint." Audrey bit back.

Silence fell over the room and it thickened with an awkward feeling. "I think I should go." Brian mumbled as he stood from his seat after a few seconds of silence. "Now, Mr. Epstein," Lionel stood up quickly, "Don't be so hast to leave. The girl just needs time to think about this." Lionel was trying his best to be convincing but when Brian looked at Audrey, he could tell she wasn't interested at all in changing her mind. "Right," he smirked, "I'll see ya around Lionel." Brian patted Lionel's shoulder lightly before leaving. "Finally." Audrey mumbled under her breath once manager was gone. "Audrey, how could you!" Lionel shouted. She was instantly confused. "I beg your pardon?" "Brian Epstein is a British manager from a big record company. Having him as a costumer would be good for business. It would expand our opportunities!" Lionel Rickman set his hands on his hips, pushing back his blazer. "Mr. Rickman, I -" "Audrey, please." he hushed her with a stern voice. His eyes softened at the worried look on her face. "Look," he said calmly, "I know you and Ms. Monroe have gotten close. I'm aware that she isn't in the best condition but Audrey you're a personal assistant, not a babysitter. This money... its good for the company; its good for you." "I don't know, Mr. Rickman." she sighed. "Well I do," he said, "You're doing it." Her eyes opened wide with shock. "Mr. Ri-" "Don't even bother arguing with me," he interrupted, still calmly, "You're going to go home, pack your things and meet Mr. Epstein at the airport tomorrow morning at eight a.m. He'll have your ticket. Your going to Liverpool, and your going to be the personal assistant to some band."

"Mr. Rickman!" she exclaimed like a child who wasn't getting their way.

"You're either doing this or..." he trailed off for a moment, looking down at the floor. "Or I'm gonna have to let you go." He looked up at her with a type of sadness but he didn't have a choice. She loved her job and she would do anything to keep it, but leaving Marilyn would be tough... then again...she didn't really have a choice.

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A/N

yes. audrey is American in this.