Streaker

“You know she used to be a streaker,” remarked John pointing at a rather pretty woman probably in her late 60s standing in the middle of a crowd discussing something rather animatedly.

Richard looked over at the little group and shook his head. “Nah, she wasn’t a streaker.” And then to make sure his friend was talking about the same woman he asked, “who was a streaker?”
“Her,” replied John, again pointing carefully making sure he didn’t spill his gin and tonic. “You’re talking about Anne, the, the woman over there?”
“Yup,” replied John taking a sip of his drink.

“Impossible!” said Richard shaking his head. “You know who that is don’t you?”
“Yes, of course I do. That’s Anne Brisbane….”
“Dr Anne Brisbane PhD,” interrupted Richard, “a PhD in Astrophysics. The woman who’s in the newspapers constantly nowadays because of the discovery she just made.”
 “Yup, the very same.”
“Anne  PhD, Imperial College and who is up for a possible Nobel Prize this year? “Wasn’t she in the same class as Brian May?”
“Of the group Queen, yup the same. Yes, she was.”
“Wow! do you think she could get us an introduction?”

John shook his head. “I wouldn’t even want to try. She so highfalutin now days she thinks she floats above the rest of humanity.”
“But she was according to you, she was a streaker.”
“Yes, she was. If you go back into the BBC archives, you’ll probably find videos of her.” Richard wasn’t sure if his friend was having him on or not. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
“Nah, I really don’t.”
“Then go and ask her.”
“No I’m not going to do that. She might slap me and I would deserve it. I don’t even know her. But you do, so why don’t you introduce me and then maybe I’ll ask.”
John smiled and shook his head. “She might not remember me and then she’d slap me.”
The two men went back to drinking their gins and tonic in silence for a few minutes. Richard’s mind was going at over a 100 miles an hour.

“Cricket,” said John.

“What was cricket?” asked Richard.

“You were about to ask me what sport she streaked in, cricket.”
“How did you know I was going to ask that?”
“Richard, I’ve known you for over 50 years. All through grammar school and university we’ve been in the same class, the same major in college and we ended up working in the same company for the last 30. So don’t you think I know you by now?” Richard was dumbfounded. It was obvious to him that his friend knew him better than he knew himself. “The test match between India and England August 1974, at Lords Cricket ground,” said John and Richard looked around for a table. He walked over to one and put his drink down. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m leaving, this is too spooky.”
“Why, did I read your mind again?”
By this time the two friends had become a little animated and were talking rather loudly. Loudly enough for Anne  and her little group to turn their heads and notice the two friends. However, just before Richard walked away. Anne  excused herself and walked over to the two men.

“Gentlemen,” she said quietly, “gentleman this is a very sophisticated get together and I have to tell you I don’t like your behaviour. Such behaviour belongs on the streets of Calcutta and not here in the halls of academia.” The two men stood up.
“That’s why he’s loud,” replied John as Richard had stopped talking when Anne came over. “What’s why he’s loud?” she asked taking a small sip of her gin and tonic.

“Richard. My friend Richard. He grew up on the streets of Calcutta.”
Anne’s whole demeanour changed and she went as white as sheet. “Oh my goodness! I hope I didn’t offend you. I was just……” and then she stopped. “I don’t know how to complete my sentence other than saying I’m sorry.”
Richard closed his eyes for a second and thought, ‘this can’t be happening to me,’ but he didn’t move. He saw Anne for the first time up close and personal and she was a very pretty woman. He opened his eyes with purpose and John panicked. He felt his world was about to come to an end. Richard sensing John’s panic smiled to himself.

“Richard Dartmouth,” he introduced himself holding out his hand. Anne completely dumbfounded smiled put her drink into her left hand and shook Richard’s hand.

“Anne,” she replied.

“You forgot the PhD bit,” Richard added.

“Anne smiled. “Thank you, and how about you?”
“Not a PhD,” replied Richard, “barely got out of college. My professor told me that had I got one more question wrong, I would’ve failed.” But Richard felt emboldened. “But you’re a world famous astrophysicist who was in class with Brian May of the group Queen and you’re up for a Nobel prize this year.” Richard took a sip of his drink while Anne’s jaw dropped.

“Wow! My biggest fan,” and then out of nowhere she added, “why don’t you and I leave this place and go somewhere more intimate.” Richard took her drink and put them both on the table.

John meanwhile just stood there not knowing what to do. He dare not ask if he could join them because he knew they would turn him down. So, arm in arm, Dr Anne Brisbane PhD Astrophysics, Imperial College, London and Richard Dartmouth not a PhD left the party.

They walked outside into a cool October evening and Anne stopped. “Where to?” she asked. “I don’t know,” replied Richard. “Does Lords Cricket ground have a public bar?”
“Don’t tell me,” laughed Anne, “your friend told you I was a streaker in my younger days.”
“He did. In fact, I saw you streak at the cricket match between India and England on August 4th 1974.”
Anne laughed even louder. Richard looked at her quizzically. “Did I upset you?”
“No,” she replied still laughing, “I’ve never streaked in my life.”
“You mean that what my friend told me was a lie?”
“Yes it was,” and then she hesitated for a second. “Do you still want to go out for that drink?”
Richard smiled. “I’d love to. Anywhere in particular?”
“No not really,” she replied, “as long as it’s not Lords.” And with that the two walked into the night disappearing around a bend making a beeline for the first pub they came to, while back at the party John and the little group Anne was part of had now joined together and were trying to make sense of what really happened.

“Did you really grow up on the streets of Calcutta?” asked Anne as John opened the door to a pub for her.

“No, I didn’t. I’ve never been to Calcutta in my life.” And they both laughed.