Post
by mikemc » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:28 pm
I will tell you my one and only Michael Jackson story, as pathetically trivial as it might be, but he was a real person.
I worked in a mall in Dallas TX while going to college, in a restaurant. The mall was a fancier one, upscale, and one morning the place was abuzz with the news that Michael Jackson would be coming to shop. Early 80s, before all of the Neverland controversy and at the height of his popularity as a solo artist.
The mall was typical in that it had multiple levels and a main 'promenade' down the middle of the bottom level, where you could look down on the promenade from the upper levels.
Michael Jackson walked with his entourage along the bottom level. He was thronged by pre-teens and their parents and all manner of people. Everyone was standing along the railings at the upper levels, also, trying to get a glimpse. Note that this was Northern Dallas, 90% anglo white suburb. If Michael's entourage had showed up without him, they'd more likely have called the cops.
There was a young woman who worked in the restaurant that was really excited about the whole adventure. She was about 8 months pregnant. I was mainly blase' because I was into rock but I'd have to say it was fairly cool-- he truly had an undeniable presence.
I was watching this pregnant girl as she watched him walk along the lower level and she was totally gaga. I could tell her heart was just aching, like she wanted him to notice her or she'd have a miscarriage. I said to her 'hey, I can get him to look up here, you wave to him, OK?'. Don't remember if she ever answered, but I stood behind her and yelled "Hey Michael!" over her shoulder like I knew him from around the way, and it worked because I grew up in the Northeast US and I know how to point my voice.
He looked up, like 'who's that?' and she was just beaming smiling gaga and she managed a little wave. I pointed to her and said "It's Billie Jean!" and a bunch of people laughed, because again I grew up in the Northeast US and I am the jerk who knows how to milk crowd attention.
Now, the next thing was kind of strange. I figured he would wag his finger at me like I was being a douchebag (which I was), or he would wave me off with a laugh, but instead he kind of hunched up his shoulders and walked a little faster.
I was a acutely unhappy all of a sudden-- did I hurt his feelings? I yelled something like "Hey, I was only kidding-- we love you!" because clearly the crowd loved him and I guess I did a little bit at that point too. I didn't really think for a second that he'd pay any attention, I just didn't want that girl to miss her chance.
He did stop for a bit and the kids thronged him again, and he signed some autographs. The pregnant girl was a litle pissed, but mostly happy.
UTENZIL a tool... of the muse.
