Michael's Point Of View ~

'Thriller' Set | Los Angeles, California

Where have the weeks gone?

I have found myself having this very thought on more than one occasion. That time has just disappeared. Because after tonight, everything will be completed. For it is the filming of the final short film Thriller and afterwards, the album will be released into the world. I know I must listen to what Ariana tells me. That I need to be less hard on myself. That whatever I do, whatever I touch will then become someone else's treasure and that my fans will love it no matter what.

But an entire album. 

They will adore it.

Ariana always tells me and always seems to find a way to remind me. She's right. I am happy she is because I never think in such a way about myself. To me - I am just simply me. But to others, to my fans, I am so loved and I will always be so grateful for that. 

My zombie make up - removed now.

I guess it's back to being my everyday self. My eyes look right ahead of me, into the mirror with my reflection staring right back at me. My short black curls neatly done and I wear pants and a jacket - all red. As for my shoes, loafers, of course. I sit all alone in my dressing room as I wanted some time by myself before we commence filming. My fingers open the newspaper as the rustle sound engulfs my ears. I close my eyes as I know all too well that having easy access to the daily newspaper has always been such a dangerous thing, but I can't shy away forever.

I snicker with a roll of the eyes.

Three pages in, already finding myself and Ariana as a choice of topic for the media to discuss about, as per usual. I always say I never wish to read what they print as it's all lies, but this time . . I read. Hmm. Apparently it's hot topic about what everyone is thinking Ariana and myself will wear to the upcoming music awards. It's around the corner, yes, but it's an event that I haven't even thought about, having been so busy.

Ariana too.

With my album and her album. She told me and I couldn't be more proud of her.

Hit after hit it is. I always tell her after having heard each and every song. But it's the song that she wrote for me, that I love and still can't help but blush every time. I flip over to the next page with seeing us both yet again. I remember this day. Ugh! What are they going to say about us now? It's a photo of the two of us walking hand in hand down the streets of Los Angeles. A day off so we wished to be with each other.

But, that is never the case.

Our security with us with each step we took. Arthur and Jesse within reaching distance from us and paparazzi of course right on our heels too. Fans of us both separately and as a couple, crying and begging for photos and our signatures. Please don't get me wrong, I love my fans with all my heart. But it's those times when I wish I wasn't who I am. I wish so badly to walk down the street freely and with no such need for security and therefore paparazzi.

But that wish will be in another life, not this one.

I close the newspaper, placing it onto the dresser in front of me. My hand comes up to rub at the slight ache of my temple that all of that has suddenly caused. A silent gasp comes from within me because . . wait. Oh no. I thought I covered it properly before even coming here. I do hope that no one saw that.

My vitiligo.

It's mainly on my hands and I'm hoping it stays that way. Because if that happens, I can control it. So I'm just praying it does go that way. I grab the tube of make-up from off the dresser, reapplying it to the few patches on my hand in a matter of seconds. Okay. I'm satisfied with that. It's hidden now as I must keep it a secret from the sharp, very watchful eye of the media. Ariana knows about it but not the world. Not the media. They can't know and I hope they never will. The things they will say. The story's they will make up about it. They can be so cruel.

A knock on the door with a familiar voice that comes from the other side rings out.

"Ready Mike . . "

John, the director asks. I call back, but softly still. "Yeah I'm coming. Be right there . . " I take this time to gather myself before returning within the view of many eyes once more, ensuring that this time, my vitiligo is covered properly on my hand. I leave the somewhat safety of my dressing room to see that night time is now indeed upon us. It's darkness needed to well and truely finish this short film off with that element of caution and fear. My loafers touch down on the concrete and within minutes I see John appear in front of me.

"Okay, Mike. Remember walk slowly, no rush. Just like we rehearsed . . "

John says to me. He gives me a smile before he runs off behind the cameras. Ola is with me now, she tells me she is nervous but so excited to finally be filming after so much time in rehearsals. I feel the same. I can't wait. For any of it . . the short film, the song, no the entire album to be released for the world.

"Quiet please . . " John says. Ola begins to walk slowly. "And playback! . . "

I walk beside her, and I begin to sing.

"It's close to midnight . . "

"Something evil is lurking in the dark . . "

"Under the moonlight . . "

"You see a sight that almost stops your heart . . "

"You try to scream . . "

"But terror takes the sound before you make it . . "

"You start to freeze . . "

"As horror looks you right between the eyes . . "

"Your paralyzed . . "

I see Ola smile as I almost dance all around her, re-enacting the lyrics I'm singing. I move to her left, to her right, in front and behind her.

"You hear the door slam . . "

"And realise there's nowhere left to run . . "

"You feel the cold hand . . "

"And wonder if you'll ever see the sun . . "

"You close your eyes . . "

I look right at Ola. "And hope that this is just imagination . . "

Her fingers graze softly over my jaw. "Girl! . . " It's all acting, don't worry. 

"But all the while . . "

"You hear a creature creeping up behind . . "

"Your out of time . . "

...

"They're out to get you . . "

"There's demons closing in on every side . . "

"They will possess you . . "

"Unless you change that number on your dial . . "

"Now is the time . . "

"For you and I to cuddle close together, yeah . . "

"All through the night . . "

"I'll save you from the terror on the screen . . "

"I'll make you see . . "

Ola takes my hand, we continue to walk down the dark street. A skip in our step as we pass a cemetery on our left but we don't take much notice of it. The playback continues as we stroll until finally we stop once we hear John's voice. "And cut! . . ". John and I have spoken about this part in the short film. For this is when the zombie's will emerge from the ground. I want the viewer to have a sense of fear, to be able to smell the horrid stench that these zombie's posses as they watch.

It's done quick.

Ola and I stand side by side as those zombies now surround us. With nowhere to go, we panic as finding an exist of any kind is useless. The zombies come closer and closer with each step. Their arms reach out to grab us until cut is called. 

Ugh, it's instant relief. But it's not for the reason you think.

"John, 15 minute break please . . " I say to him.

His thumb is held up. Great, now I can quickly give Ariana a call. I walk off to somewhere more private. Ariana told me she might be able to make it to my set. But if she can't, I won't be mad. Of course not. Just like me, Ariana will be filming her final track on her new upcoming album 'My Everything' today.

A song called Problem. 

A song that isn't about me. Not this time. But I have heard the song. A very catchy song in its own right. Before I can even dial her number, my phone begins to ring. It's Ariana. I answer it almost immediately, excited as usual to speak to her. A wide smile, my features just beaming with her voice alone having this effect on me.

"Hey baby. I was just about to call you . . "

A chuckle on her end.

"Oh really? Well, beat you to it . . "

"And I'm gonna make it to your set after all. It's a wrap for meee . . " She continues to say. 

The glee in her voice can't be missed. I know what she's saying - I know exactly what she means by that. Yes, it means for her gorgeous presence to dazzle yet another music video set but it also means that her album is finished . . completed and therefore to be released. I feel a rush of frustration for a split second because I can't hug her.

Damn.

What I would give to do so.

"I'm so proud of you Ari . . "

I say smiling wide once more. She'll be here, I just have to wait now. She tells me that Jesse and herself will be here when they can before we say our goodbyes. I am so excited for her to be here. And all of a sudden, I have a boost of energy. No longer wanting the full 15 minutes of a break I was previously desperate for. I feel great rejoice. Restored and more than ready to continue filming. I walk back onto set. Ola sitting in her chair, seeming to want her full break. That's okay. Ola has been amazing so I am more than happy to allow that.

"How you going, Ola? . . " I ask her as I walk towards her.

I grab a bottle of water from out of the cooler, unscrewing the lid with all my might. The crackle of the lid leaving its former locked position tells me I have been successful. I have a sip while Ola smiles at me, answering me soon afterwards.

"I'm having the best time, Michael . . " Ola says.

"That's good to hear, Ola . . " I express before having yet another sip.

"So Michael, how are things going with you and Ariana? . . "

I nod to her as I screw the lid back on the bottle top tightly as finally, I have had enough water for now. "Yeah we are great. She'll be on set here soon actually . . " I tell her. For some reason, Ola is silent. Hmm, was it something I said? I mentally shake it off as the final scene is almost upon me. The final scene to film that consists of both singing and dancing . . in my element, in other words.

I'm ready.

I'm so ready.

Break is now over for everyone. Zombie dances behind me. "Backs to the camera, please . . " John announces to us all. My feet can't wait to move. I can already feel the music running through me, even though there isn't yet any playback. Lyrics being sung softly to myself as I wait for that glorious word from John. The air tonight - it's cool, brisk. Refreshing, even.

"Everyone quite please . . " John says.

Here we go!

"Action! . . "

I turn around. My eyes on every camera. 

"Cause this is thriller, thriller night . . "

"And no ones gonna save you from the beast about to strike . . "

"You know it's thriller, thriller night . . "

"Your fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller . . "

"Thriller, thriller night . . "

"Cause I can thrill you more than any ghoul would ever dare try . . "

"(Thriller) Ooh-ooh . . "

"Thriller night . . "

"So let me hold you tight . . "

"And share a killer, thriller, (ow!) chiller (ow!) . . "
"Thriller, here tonight . . "

"Cause this is thriller, thriller night . . "

"Girl I can thrill you more than any ghoul would ever dare try . . "

"Thriller, thriller night . . "

"So let me hold you tight . . "

"And share a killer, thriller . . "

"Ow! . . "

"And cut! That's a wrap! . . " 

I'm ecstatic. The fast pace that was each week that consisted of writing, recording and rehearsing have come down to right now. I feel a sense of freedom. Such accomplishment that finally I no longer have anymore tasks for this project. I make my way towards my dressing room, with the assistance of Arthur and a few other members of my security of course.

I tell them to wait out here.

Inside, I return to the mirror. The reflection looking back at me is tired, but so happy. My curls no longer neatly placed as they are now in slight disarray. I remember, immediately looking down at my hand. The make-up still doing it's job, thank goodness. It wasn't easy to tell Ariana about my vitiligo, but I had to. And she was so sweet . . telling me that it doesn't change how she feels about me in any way. My stare returns back up to the mirror.

I stop for a second, thinking. I hope I sleep tonight.

I look tired. I am tired. But that doesn't always mean that I will end up sleeping.

I open the dresser drawer. My name on this bottle. These tablets just help me to sleep and that's all they do. I don't take them every night, just when I feel like my insomnia is really getting the best of me. Ariana doesn't know about this. I hope not anyways. A secret that I must keep from her. I just don't want her to worry. I suppose I will tell her, in time but for now, it'll be my little secret.

I snap my head towards the door as I hear a sudden knock on it.

"Mr Jackson, Ms Grande is here for you . . "

I hear Arthur say. I shove the bottle into the pocket of my red pants. "Send her in, please . . " I tell him. The door opens with Ariana wearing a black minidress and white knee high boots. Her hair sits in a ponytail.

She looks so cute.

"Hey Michael . . "

She says, smiling. Walking over to me to give me a kiss. "Hey baby. How was your day? . . " I ask her. She giggles a little bit before answering me.

"Tiring but happy it's all finished. Crazy that both our albums are done . . " 

Ariana says. She contains both excitement and hesitation. We are both nervous what the world will think about our albums because we don't know what they will really think. We have worked hard - long hours resulting in exhausting days. And once it's released . . it's out of our hands. But as I look at Ariana, I feel she has something else on her mind. 

"You okay? . . " I feel the need to ask her. 

She looks at me, right in the eyes. Her hand takes ahold of mine. I see her mouth open but no words come out. What is she thinking? What is she wanting to say? I say nothing. I just wait. 

"I- . . I umm . . ah you ready to go home? . . " Ariana asks. 

"Yeah. I'm more than ready . . " I tell her with a smile.

to be continued. 

https://youtu.be/7_SxAGmjn9I