Unfinished

~tarotgal

“That should just about do it, Michael,” Pam said, applying the finishing touches to his stage make-up. She stepped back, examining her work. Satisfied, she made a sweeping gesture with her hand to motion he could go. “Knock 'em dead.”

His eyes lit up with happiness at the prospect of the video. “I hope it goes smoothly.”

At the risk of sounding sappy in the face of greatness, she answered, “With you, it could hardly be otherwise.”

He thanked her for her service and made his way out of the make-up room to the large soundstage where they were shooting his latest music video. It was a remake of 'Heal the World.' While a remake wasn't entirely necessary, Michael liked the idea of putting a new face to the strong, moral words of the song. He'd always been willing to take new risks, and goodness knew he had the money for this one. Besides, proceeds for this one were all going to charity— that much he had already worked out.

“The king of pop himself,” AJ, the director, said, looking up from his coffee, bagel, and storyboard. “How are we this afternoon?”

Michael shrugged, seating himself on the bottom of the risers that extended against the dark sky background. “Just fine,” he said softly, feeling a bit empty at the moment. “Can we get on with this?”

AJ gulped down the rest of the bagel and down it with some coffee. “The kids are getting ready. Just a few more minutes, I think.”

Patiently he stood to take a walk around the set and make sure everything was in place. The background was beautiful, the risers blending in as muslin-covered mountains, the firework canisters for the special effects, the fog machine down below the great pedestal that would rise and fall. He began working the choreography through in his mind, making note of each step and each beat. This video was special, as it would be shot in a very new, exciting way. They were going to make three separate ones, starting at the beginning and going fully through to the end. While there would be several cameras to change off perspectives, close-ups, group shots, etc, there would be no cuts and no reshooting. The first time was merely practice. The second time would be taped and distributed to music video channels, programs, and sold worldwide. The third time was an original, unique, once in a lifetime production, which would be broadcast live all over the world and on the Internet. It was brilliant and Michael was excited to do such a thing. He'd always had such a flair for the dramatic and creative.

“All right, people! Let's get this thing going! We'll start from the top, of course. Practice run, equipment check!” The lifts were tested, the releasers, the machines, the special effects. “Looks good! Quiet on the set. Is the track qued-up?”

“Yes Sir!” a voice in the back shouted.

Michael felt a rush of adrenaline and excitement shoot through him.

“Then let's do the first run!” everyone on set burst into applause and AJ shook his head with a bit of a laugh. “Now, people! Places!”

Michael walked to center 'stage' and stood straight, facing camera C.