Music is my master once the lights come on. The rhythms lure me into their ventriloquist act. There's no words before the beat drops. The mere howls and screams of the adoring fans are no match for the thrill I receive once the music begins. My body simultaneously grooving alongside the drums and the electric piano. No one can bare my soul like music. It's my keeper that gifts me the inspiration to dance. Music is my very precious gift from God. I thank him humbly for it.

Marlon, Tito, Randy, Jackie and Jermaine. My very brothers I once shared the stage with. Each had their own preference when it came to musical quotas. Each brother new oh so well how much the next enjoyed this instrument of soul that raised above us as we coagulated our talents. Neither of us, as brothers, would have thought that we would one day disband and find our own ways into the entertainment world. We only knew each other.

Now, here I am bathing in the luminescent glow of the stage light. My breathing smooth and calm. The audiences is fuming with anticipation awaiting me to break my character, but I won't. Not now, I have to bask in this moment. Every night I do so in front of each new crowd, I bask. I have to silently thank God for this adventure into this new world of mine. The audience just see's me standing silently, but I see myself as the man who is truly humble in his blessing.

Then, Jerry's drumsticks hits the belly of the beast, awakening me onto the familiar sound of Thriller "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ". My group of male dancers surround me, two dancers posted on either side of me, ready to feel the rage of the hungry drums and guitar. I have yet to break my character as the song demands the audience to grow louder. Finally, I break counting into the microphone confidently.

I'm ready, I hope they are too.

My feet imitate my greatest inspiration, James Brown as I shimmy across the waxed flooring. My hands seemingly have a mind of their own as I unconsciously grip at my crotch, thrusting upwards. My right foot taps and twist along with my leg as I violently dance along the beat. My simple message in the song being, take ownership for what you do and try to avoid negative choices.

That's my dream when I sing and perform. I want the audience to not only be bewildered with excitement, but also listen and comprehend the message I am trying to convey. Thriller was a compliance of awareness. The awareness of gang violence, the awareness of groupies, the awareness of loving someone deeply, and the awareness of letting you imagination take flight. Beat It,Billie Jean, Lady In My Life, and Thriller are all prominent examples of my messages for awareness. Now, I am continuing that philosophy with Bad.

I miss my brothers. I miss performing with them, and each night I bring honor to those good days of being apart of The Jackson 5. I bring honor to our dismembered band by paying tribute through song. Because the Bad tour is a collection of old and new, I decided I wanted to recapture the memories of why I am here. I want the audience to never forget how much I appreciate their support from then until now.

"And now... I'm going to take it back. You know to the good ole days. These are some of my favourites, if you know them please sing along. Alright?" I breathe into the microphone.

The audience roars, waving their homemade posters into the air as I hold back giggles at their excitement.

"Marlon, Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, and Randy... This is for you" I glance into the atmosphere, smiling as if somehow they can hear me.

"Michael... You, up front, now" Joseph commands, firmly.

Shaking nervously, I quickly scurry to the front.

"Joseph you know I'm always the front man..." Randy complains, clenching at his guitar in frustration.

He's right, he is the front man. Not me.

"Shut up boy! I know what the hell I'm doing dammit!"

"But Jo-"

"Not another word from you boy or I swear I'll knock that afro into a military cut!" Joseph interrupts with a sneer.

Jermaine and Tito snicker behind me, oblivious to the dagger stare Joseph has gazed onto them.

"Ya'll think it's funny? Is it really funny Toriano?" He challenges.

"N-No sir Joseph..." Tito stutters, his eyes falling onto the out of date carpet of our living room.

"And what about you Jermaine, still laughin'?"

Jermaine shakes his head, no.

"No sir..." He answers in a mere whisper.

"Alright then. Now, Michael is going to sing lead vocals, I don't want no back smack about it! Is that understood?!" He demands.

We all exchange quick glances only to decide to accept.

This is where it begins. I've taken my brother's place and only hope to serve his place well.

"Alright, You know the drill Michael, and you better do it right..." He warns, gesturing for us to begin.

"One... Two... Three...." Jermaine counts us off.

Here goes nothing.

The house lights slowly dim, leaving a speck of my v-neck tee before I completely disappear for the next number, The Way You Make Me Feel. I have honestly dread this number every since the first concert. Tatiana has made it her mission to officiate me as an enemy. From discreetly glaring at me through out rehearsals, to completely ignoring me during tour meetings. Part of me is fine with her childish approach to rejection, but the other part wants to apologize for leading her on in any way. I want her to know it was never intentional.

The drumsticks thump against the belly of the beast once again violently, causing the spot light to once again finds me in an azure pull-over long sleeve button up and plain midnight trousers. Tatiana is in the corner, left wing of the stage awaiting her cue as I strut around the stage. Though my focus is on the music and the audience, I can feel her eyes watching me. I wish I could tell if she is glaring at me or staring at me, either way, her eyes haven't left me as her cue soon is activated.

"The way you make me feel... You really turn me on!" I sing, my acting skills coming alive as I mindlessly flirt with the strutting Tatiana.

She's beautiful. Her coal, dress befitting her willowy figure as she prances around me. She flirts along as we have rehearsed, every now and again throwing additive flirts along the way. She has me very convinced and I think the audience senses that as well as they continue roaring in approval.

Soon it's time for Tatiana to join me in a dance duet snippet. Rocking my hips side to side, she circles me playfully only to join me for awhile. The crowd becomes ecstatic, singing along with me as Tatiana disappears into her original position backstage.

As the night progresses, my energy heightens and I feel on top of the world. This is all I've ever wanted when I argued against Joseph's wishes to renew my contract with him. This exact moment I've dreamed of my entire life. Each night I perform, my dreams become more and more transparent, this is what I am meant to do. This is my destiny.

"I love you! I love you Tokyo!" I scream into the microphone, chuckling at their wild response.

This is my job. This is what I do to millions around the world. In my eyes I'm still that scrawny African American child, from the little town of Chicago who just luckily caught a break. But in the eyes of my fans, I'm their escape. I help them somehow through my music to understand, to unit, to love. I do that and I couldn't be more blessed that God has chosen me as his prospect of this mission of peace.

"Anata ni kanesha shi, aishiteimasu (Thank you and I love you)" I salute, bowing to them on the dying melodies of "Man In The Mirror"

Rising back up, I blow a kiss towards the sky deck where Jesse and Bill should be watching. As I roll call for the members of the band and my dancers, I continue blowing kisses into the crowd as well as hugging and acknowledging the technicians and other crew workers.

"Without you, this wouldn't be possible" I conclude, bowing to my crew, dancers, and band members.

I strongly believe in humbling yourself to those who humble you. I couldn't have asked for a better team to embark on this journey with. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

Waving my final goodbyes, the house lights silence themselves and I jog backstage for my ritual departure prayer and refreshments. As I slow down to walk, I spot Tatiana walking towards her dressing room. I usually leave her alone after the show, but I feel it's only right to thank her personally for continuing her professionalism.

"Hey! Tatiana! Can I talk to you for a minute?" I call after her.

She glances at me for a second before slipping into her dressing room. Before I can follow her, I feel her hands wrap around my torso sneakily.

"Guess who?" She giggles.

Chuckling, I close my eyes and turn around.

"Feels like Diana, but it could Jackie Kennedy, she's really cute" I tease, opening my eyes.

"You ass face! Geez! I try to be a good girlfriend and you do this?" She playfully scolds.

I continue wiping my forehead and neck.

"So did you enjoy the show?" I smirk, stepping closer to her.

She screws up her face, stepping back.

"Oh I loved the show, it gets better and better with every show, but this sweatiness' is killing me" She giggles.

"Hey, I can accept your sweatiness' as a turn on. That means you can too" I wink, gently pulling her into my test.

Stealing her lips, I ask for an entrance when our kiss deepens.

"Mmm. How can you still have energy after two hours of non-stop singing and dancing?" She asks, breaking the kiss before we become to caught in the moment.

"I'm Michael Jackson babygirl, I've been this almost my entire life" I chuckle.

She rolls her eyes playfully.

"Michael... I think I have something to tell you" She frowns, glancing at our entangled fingers.

I mirror her.

"Whats up babygirl?"

She opens her mouth to reply after inhaling deeply, only to be interrupted by Bill, Scotty, and Rafael.

"Michael do you want to go ahead and do a mini autograph session or should we get going her asks" Glancing between Jesse and I.

Jesse's smile reappears as I glance at her before answering.

"Um... Gee, I guess we should do a quick session and get going before thing's get real hectic" I sigh, apology written all over my face once I catch Jesse's disappointment.

"Well alright... Jesse are you staying with him or would you like to board the bus?"

She glances between Bill and I before finally sighing and agreeing to stay with me. I take her hand and give it a supportive squeeze. I'm elated that though something is bothering her she pushes it aside just to stand by mine. God I love this woman. Inhaling deeply, Bill guides us into the world of alluring fans awaiting a written token of thank you.

Meanwhile, I'm grateful and humble to be in their presence, just blissful...

To Be Continued...