69

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tFRgK9ubzc

Apollo was approaching the Moon. Neil turned on the tape.

- Is it that tape? - Mike asked.
- Yes, - Neil replied. - They begged me to play it on our way to the Moon.
- So, Neil, did you stroke that French woman's knee? - Buzz winked cunningly.
- She's not French, Buzz, she's English, - Neil replied.
- Is it true that they almost assaulted on your house?
- Yes. But they are wonderful guys. Serge immediately gave me a bottle of Pastis 51. Mike, have you ever tried pastis? - Neil smiled.
- What's that? - Mike asked.
- French anise vodka. This funny guy Gainsbourg claims that Pastis 51 is a cosmic drink, - and the astronauts laughed. - In fact, we had a very good time together.

- This song is really something, - Buzz said. - She moans and groans as if they made love right there in the studio.
- They said they didn't. They just wanted to make the best song about love. And bring it to the Moon.
- Why the Moon? - Mike asked.

- Why the Moon? - Neil asked.
- You see, monsieur, - Serge said, - this is a special year.
- Why is it special?
- Year 69, erotic year, year of love, - Jane said anxiously and somewhat nervously. - Do you understand me?
- This year is special for all of us, - Serge repeated. - We came close with Jane, just finished shooting a great movie, and released an album. And you're going to the Moon. On 16 July, right?
- Yes, exactly.
- Neil, we are begging you to take this cassette to the Moon. This is our album. Play it on your way, and then leave it on the Moon. And let our love live there forever! Please.
- Okay, Jane. But why the Moon?
- I will explain. But first I'd like to give you this, may I? - and Jane gave Neil a nice amulet. - What do you see here?
- Something cabbalistic? - Neil asked.
- No, of course not, - Jane laughed. - This is a zodiac sign of Cancer. Please wear it. Does it remind you of anything?
- Frankly speaking, I'm a bit lost.
- Come on, look. This is 69, our year! - Jane exclaimed.
- Oh, yes, indeed, - Neil smiled.
- So, this is the year of Cancer. And do you know the patron of Cancer? The Moon! And do you know Cancer's talisman? Moonstone, - Jane looked very excited.
- Jane believes that this is the year of our love, and that the result of this love will be a Crab. A small talented English-French crab, - Gainsbourg laughed.
- This is true, - Jane said. - I can feel it, I'm a woman. Wear this amulet, and it will protect you. Please play this album on your way to the Moon, especially 'Je t'aime... moi non plus' and '69 anne erotique', and think about your wife. Leave the tape on the Moon, and please bring us a small moonstone.
- And let's drink to this, my friends! - Gainsbourg said merrily, and they drank another glass of pastis.

- I've never seen such a strange couple, - Neil said looking into the porthole. - But they were beautiful.
- These French only have 69 on their minds, - Buzz grinned. - Crazy.
- Beautiful crazy, - Mike said. - And this album is superb, even though I didn't understand anything.
- Apollo crew, prepare to enter the lunar orbit, - Neil commanded.

Neil Armstrong was standing on the Moon not far from the 'Eagle'. Then he made a small pit in the soil and put the cassette in it. The astronaut looked at the small marble ball of the Earth far in the distance and said softly: "For all crazy lovers. And God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."


P.S. On 21 July 1971, little Charlotte was born to Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg.