546: INT. NEVERLAND RANCH (LIBRARY) NIGHT FADE IN:
The next night. December 22nd, 1993. Michael makes his official statement.
RACHAEL: You ready to do this?
MICHAEL: (nods and takes a sip of water)
RACHAEL: (takes his hand)
CAMERAMAN: And... We're rolling.
MICHAEL: To my friends and fans, I wish to convey my deepest gratitude for your love and support. I am doing well and I am strong. As you may already know, after my tour ended, I remained out of the country undergoing treatment for a dependency on pain medication. This medication was initially prescribed to ease the excruciating pain that I was suffering after reconstruction surgery on my scalp. There have been many disgusting statements made recently concerning allegations of improper conduct on my part. The statements about me are totally false. As I have maintained from the very beginning, I am hoping for a speedy end to the horrifying, horrifying experience to which I have been subjected. I shall not in this statement talk about the false allegations that have been made against me, since my lawyers have advised me that this is not the proper forum in which to do that. I will say that I am particularly upset at the handling of this matter by the incredible, terrible mass media. At every opportunity, the media has dissected and manipulated these allegations to reach their own conclusions. I ask all of you to wait to hear the truth before you label or condemn me. Don't treat me like a criminal, cause I am innocent. I have been forced to submit to a dehumanizing and humiliating examination by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department earlier this week. They served a search warrant on me, which allowed them to view and photograph my body including my penis, my buttocks, my lower torso, thighs, and any other area that they wanted. They were supposed to be looking for any discoloration, spotting, blemishes or any other evidence of a skin disorder called Vitiligo that I have previously spoken about. The warrant also directed me to cooperate in any examination of my body by deposition to determine the condition of my skin including whether I had Vitiligo or any other skin disorder. The warrant further states that I had no right to refuse this examination or photographs, and if I failed to cooperate with them they would introduce that refusal at any trial as an indication of my guilt. It was the most humiliating ordeal of my life, one that no person should ever have to suffer. Even after experiencing the indignity of this search, the parties involved were still not satisfied. They wanted to take even more pictures. It was a nightmare, a horrifying nightmare, but if this is what I have to endure to prove my innocence, my complete innocence, so be it. Throughout my life I have only tried to help thousands upon thousands of children to live happy lives. I am not guilty of these allegations, but if I am guilty of anything it is of giving all that I have to give to help children all over the world; it is of loving children of all ages and races, it is of gaining sheer joy from seeing children with their innocent and smiling faces, it is of enjoying through them the childhood that I missed myself. If I am guilty of anything, it is of believing what God said about children: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for this is the Kingdom of Heaven." In no way do I think that I am God but I do try to be God-like in my heart. I am totally innocent of any wrongdoing and I know these terrible allegations will be proven false. Again, to my friends and fans, thank you very much for all of your support. Together, we all see through this to the very end. I love you very much and may God bless you all. I love you. Good-bye.
CAMERAMAN: And we're clear.
MICHAEL: (immediately breaks down and starts crying uncontrollably)
RACHAEL: (immediately wraps her arms around him and holds him) Shhh... You were so brave. (to herself) "I couldn't help but tear up a little myself, I hated seeing him this way. It broke my heart to hear the pain in his voice. He's been through so much." I'm right here baby, I'm right here. (cups his face) (wipes a tear from his eye with her thumb) Here. (hands him a tissue)
MICHAEL: (wipes his nose) (sniffles) I just want this to be over and done with!
RACHAEL: I know honey, I know. And it will be. You just gotta be strong. I'll be right here with you until we reach the end. (kisses him) I love you.
MICHAEL: I love you more Rachael. (rests his head on her shoulder)
547: INT. NEVERLAND RANCH (KITCHEN) DAY FADE IN:
The next day, December 23rd, 1993.
RACHAEL: (comes in)
MICHAEL: Good morning sun... (pauses)
RACHAEL: (looks at him) What?
MICHAEL: You look really tired, are you alright?
RACHAEL: Yeah, I just didn't sleep good last night.
MICHAEL: (sighs) Were you worrying about me again?
RACHAEL: (tears up) (sniffles) I can't help it! I know I'm supposed to be strong for you and I'm trying baby, I am! But it's killing me seeing you like this!
MICHAEL: (sighs worryingly) Come here. (holds her tightly) I'm so, so sorry. (rubs her back lovingly) I hate that I'm putting you through this bullshit, I hate that I have become the source of your pain. I'm supposed to protect you and be your rock, not the other way around.
RACHAEL: (leans against him and sighs) This is not your fault sweetheart. The Chandler's betrayed your trust and generous nature.
MICHAEL: (kisses her head) Listen, why don't you cancel your appearance for today and just take a day to yourself?
RACHAEL: (shakes her.head) I can't do that. But why don't you come with me?
MICHAEL: (shakes his head) If I go with you the press is gonna have a field day, but I'll be watching you here at home.
RACHAEL: (smiles) Ok. (hugs him tightly)
548: INT. TV STUDIO (DRESSING ROOM) NIGHT DISSOLVE TO:
Later that night, Rachael is getting ready for her performance.
PRINCE: (comes in) 5 minutes Rach. You ready? You good?
RACHAEL: (nods) (takes a sip of water)
PRINCE: There is one thing, they might ask about Mike and wanna know about what's been going on.
RACHAEL: (puts her head in her hands) (moans) Ok... Whatever they ask I'll just play it off. It's nobody's business.
PRINCE: I know Rach... Um, by the way, you might wanna use a little more makeup. You look really frail.
RACHAEL: I know, I'm fucking exhausted.
PRINCE: I know Rach. But hey, I'll be in the audience if you need me. I'll see you out there. (turns to leave)
RACHAEL: Ok... Hey Prince?
PRINCE: (turns to her) Yeah?
RACHAEL: After tonight, no more appearances alright? At least not for a little while. I'm just mentally exhausted and Michael has to go to court next month. I just can't do it right now.
PRINCE: (nods in agreement) Ok Rach. (walks out)
RACHAEL: (takes a deep breath before walking out)
549: INT. TV STUDIO DAY CUT TO:
BRUCE FORSYTH: Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Rachael Jackson!
RACHAEL: (comes out and waves to the crowd) (hugs Bruce) Thank you for having me.
BRUCE FORSYTH: We're thrilled to have you, but I have to ask, how is Michael?
RACHAEL: Michael's hanging in there. He's hanging in there.
BRUCE FORSYTH: We all saw the statement he gave last night, what was it like for you?
RACHAEL: (laughs it off) What is this, an interview? I'm just here to sing! (crowd laughs)
BRUCE FORSYTH: (laughs) Can't blame us for being curious!
RACHAEL: All I can tell you is that we're all just trying our best to stay strong and Michael is doing the very best he can, and that's all I care to say at this time.
BRUCE FORSYTH: Very well. Without further adieu, Rachael Jackson. (walks off)
RACHAEL: (starts singing)
(Stop) Oh yes, wait a minute, mister Postman
(Wait) Wait, Mister Postman
(Please, mister Postman, look and see)
Oh yeaheaheah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, mister Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time?)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
There must be some word today
From my boyfriend, so far away
Please, mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I've been standin' here waitin', mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Sayin' he's returning' home to me
Mister Postman
(Mister Postman, look and see), oh yeaheah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, mister Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time?)
Oh yeah
(For me to hear from that boy of mine)
So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin' in my eyes
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter
Mister Postman
(Mister Postman, look and see), oh yeaheah
(If there's a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, mister Postman
(Why's it takin' such a long time?)
Why don't you check it and see one more time for me?
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
Wait a minute, wait a minute
Ooohooohooo, mister Postman
(Mister Postman, look and see)
Come on, deliver the letter, the sooner, the better
(Mister Postman
Aha)
(Aha)
(Aha)
Stop!
CROWD: (cheers)
RACHAEL: (starts singing)
Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas, darling
We’re apart, that’s true
But I can dream and in my dreams I’m Christmasing with you
Holidays are joyful
There’s always something new
But every day is a holiday
When I’m near to you
The lights on my tree I wish you could see
I wish it every day
The logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I’ve just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
The logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I’ve just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
Merry Christmas, darling...
CROWD: (cheers)
RACHAEL: (starts singing)
The hardest thing I've ever done
Is keep believing
There's someone in this crazy world for me
The way that people come and go
Through temporary lives
My chance could come and I might never know
I used to say "No promises
Let's keep it simple"
But freedom only helps you say good-bye
It took a while for me to learn
That nothing comes for free
The price I've paid is high enough for me
I know I need to be in love
I know I've wasted too much time
I know I ask perfection of
A quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
So here I am with pockets full of good intentions
But none of them will comfort me tonight
I'm wide awake at four a.m
Without a friend in sight
Hanging on a hope but I'm alright
I know I need to be in love
I know I've wasted too much time
I know I ask perfection of
A quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find
I know I need to be in love
I know I've wasted too much time
I know I ask perfection of
A quite imperfect world
And fool enough to think that's what I'll find...
CROWD: (gives a standing ovation)
I hope you guys liked this chapter! As you can see the second half was taken directly from the clip of Karen above. Here's what actually happened if anyone is interested. Richard Carpenter was heavily addicted to sleeping pills at that time and he ended up falling and bruising his eye pretty badly so Karen had to go over by herself and I think this was her only solo television appearance but I could be wrong. Obviously she was still suffering from anorexia but regardless she still killed it that night! I know this info is worthless but what can I say? I'm a huge music buff! My grandfather always calls me a music historian. I am the Hermione Granger of music trivia XD anyway, next chapter will be up when I finish it, thanks for reading!!