162: EXT. NEVERLAND RANCH (BACKYARD) DAY FADE IN:
Two months later, April 3rd, 2002. Paris' 8th birthday.
RACHAEL: (comes out with a cake) Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Paris, happy birthday to you!
PARIS: (blows out the candles)
RACHAEL: Yay!
PARIS: (starts opening the presents)
MICHAEL: Paris, we have a special present for you from all of us. (gives her a small purple guitar case)
PARIS: (opens it up to reveal a pink Barbie guitar) Wow! A guitar!
RACHAEL: We thought it was time we got you a real one. Uncle Prince is gonna teach you to play it.
PARIS: Yay!
163: INT. NEVERLAND RANCH (LIVING ROOM) DAY FADE IN:
One month later, May 2002.
MICHAEL: (comes in) Rachael?
RACHAEL: Yeah honey?
MICHAEL: I just got a call from Martin Bashir.
RACHAEL: Martin Bashir... How do I know that name?
MICHAEL: He's a journalist in England.
RACHAEL: Wait a minute, is he the one that did that big interview with Princess Diana?
MICHAEL: Yes, he wants to come to Neverland next week to make a documentary about me.
RACHAEL: Really? What did you say?
MICHAEL: I told him I would think about it and let him know tomorrow. I wanted to see how you felt about it.
RACHAEL: Well how long would it be?
MICHAEL: He said it would be filmed over the span of eight months.
RACHAEL: Eight months??? So we'd have a camera crew following us around every day? What about the kids? You hate having them on camera.
MICHAEL: I know, that's why I wanted to talk to you and the kids first before I said yes to anything. So, how do you feel about it? Be honest.
RACHAEL: I don't know honey, I didn't like the way he portrayed Diana.
MICHAEL: I know, but when am I gonna get another opportunity like this? I've always wanted a real, honest documentary about me. I want to put the rumors to rest, set the record straight.
RACHAEL: I know honey. I think as long as he agrees to portray you in a true and positive light, it sounds like a pretty good opportunity.
MICHAEL: He also mentioned interviewing you and maybe the kids too.
RACHAEL: Well I don't mind being interviewed, but I don't know about the kids.
MICHAEL: Yeah... Let's see how they feel about this. (calls out to them) Prince, Paris. Come here.
PRINCE JR.: (comes in with Paris) What's up dad?
MICHAEL: Daddy has some news. A man named Martin Bashir wants to make a documentary about me. He'd be here for the next eight months. Him and his crew. I wanted to see how you two felt about it.
PRINCE JR.: Cool! Can we be in it?
PARIS: Yeah can we?
MICHAEL: (giggles) Sure, but you have to wear your masks, okay?
PRINCE JR.: Aw, come on dad! Why do we always have to wear those stupid masks?
MICHAEL: Prince, we've talked about this. Daddy's very famous so people with cameras always follow me around. I don't want you kids to be followed and have your privacy invaded like that. Do you understand?
PRINCE JR.: (pouts) Yes dad. (walks away)
MICHAEL: (turns back to Rachael) Well, I guess I can call Martin back. (picks up the phone and dials his number) Hello, Martin? It's Michael. I'd love to do the documentary.
164: INT. NEVERLAND RANCH (LIBRARY) DAY FADE IN:
One week later, Martin Bashir arrives at the ranch.
BILL: Mr. Jackson, there's a Martin Bashir here to see you.
MICHAEL: Oh, send him in!
BILL: (nods)
MARTIN BASHIR: (comes in) Hello Michael. Martin Bashir. (shakes his hand)
MICHAEL: Hello Martin, it's very nice to meet you. Come on, I'll introduce you to my family. (leads him outside)
165: EXT. NEVERLAND RANCH (AMUSEMENT PARK) DAY CUT TO:
MICHAEL: (comes out with Martin) Everybody come here, this is Martin Bashir. He's gonna make a movie about Daddy. This is my wife Rachael.
MARTIN BASHIR: (shakes her hand) How do you do?
MICHAEL: And these are my children, Prince, Paris and Blanket. (looks at them) Say, "hi Mr. Bashir."
PRINCE JR.: (he and Paris in unison) Hi Mr. Bashir.
MARTIN BASHIR: Hello! It's lovely to meet you. (turns back to Michael) So, shall we get started?
MICHAEL: Yes, let's go back to the library. (both go back inside)
166: INT. NEVERLAND RANCH (LIBRARY) DAY CUT TO:
The interview begins.
(A/N: I've copied a transcript from online, I haven't edited any of it because it would take too long. These are from the first three parts, from now on every chapter will feature three parts from the interview. It's in 9 or 10 parts, so instead of doing one sole chapter focused on it I'm splitting it up amongst the next few chapters. Anyway, carry on.)
(Opening scene - Michael is seated in his studio. Mr. Bashir is standing nearby with his left arm resting on a computer screen.)
BASHIR: "Why are you laughing?"
(Michael snorts with laughter) "Okay...c'mon" (camera pans in for a close up of Michael)
BASHIR: "What...what...what have I done?"
MICHAEL: "It's all right..."
(camera pans over to a smiling Mr. Bashir) "C'mon tell me, what have I done?"
MICHAEL: "No. I like your accent." (camera pans back to Michael) "I was laughing..."
BASHIR (off camera) : "You like my accent?"
MICHAEL: "...laughing at how you said I'm gonna ask you somethin- you said "I'm going to ask you [adopts posh British voice]. I like it!" (laughs)
BASHIR: "Can you do an English accent?"
MICHAEL: "A bit." [adopts posh British voice]
(Bashir, off camera laughs)
MICHAEL [speaking with British accent]: "It's nice...Nice to meet you."
BASHIR (parrots laughingly): "It's nice to meet you."
MICHAEL [speaking with British accent]: "A nice, beautiful interview."
(Bashir off camera laughs uproariously)
♫ Billie Jean (from Thriller album, 1982) plays
(Montage scene follows - starting with driving up to Neverland gates at night)
♫ Michael beat-boxing the introduction
(cuts to footage of same then cuts to Michael dancing to Billie Jean)
♪ "She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
( MJ & Bashir shopping in Las Vegas then the Las Vegas sign)
♪ I said 'don't mind but what do you mean, I am the one'
(Michael dancing)
♪Who dance on the floor, in the round
(Michael & Bashir on Ferris wheel then in the go carts)
♪ She said I am the one, who dance on the floor, in the round
(MJ & Bashir shopping in Las Vegas)
♪ She told me her name was Billie Jean as she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who dance on the floor, in the round
(MJ & Bashir in Las Vegas with Prince then Michael feeding baby Blanket)
♪ People always told me 'Be Careful what you do...
Don't go around breaking young girls hearts'
(MJ hugging pretty blonde fan in Germany)
♪ And Mother always told me 'Be careful who you love...
Be careful what you do until the lie becomes the truth'
(MJ & Gavin holding hands with Gavin's head on MJ's shoulder)
♪ Hey Hey! Billie Jean is not my lover...
She's just a girl that says I am the one...
But the kid is not my son..."
(Opening scene - Neverland carousel)
Bashir Commentary: "8 Months ago I put a proposal to Michael Jackson: Show me the real man but show me everything - make nothing off limits. He thought about it and then he said "Yes! Come to Neverland."
(Cut to Bashir & Michael Jackson walking with amusement park rides in the background.)
BASHIR: "Do you come out here on your own?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah!"
BASHIR: "How Often?"
MICHAEL: "All the time!" (laughs)
BASHIR: "Just come out on your own?"
MICHAEL: "Yes."
BASHIR: "What, and go on a ride?"
MICHAEL: "Yep, usually the carousel, I play music. I love...I love playing classical music on the carousel cause I love...um...like um...something like 'Childhood' or 'Smile' you know..."
(Mr. Bashir laughs)
MICHAEL: "Or 'People' by Barbra Streisand...something beautiful, you know?
BASHIR: "Right...What about the Ferris wheel?"
MICHAEL: "I like the Ferris wheel, it's a traditional...um...very old, you know... amusement exhibit and its soothing, it's not, you know, anything that's dangerous or anything. It's just comfortable...makes you wish and dream and..."
(cut to scenes of amusement rides)
BASHIR (voiceover): "Can we go on it?"
MICHAEL (voiceover): "Sure!"
BASHIR (voiceover): "Let's go on it."
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "We began a journey together - across continents, through his past and rapidly into the disturbing reality of his life today."
BASHIR (off camera): "Shake hands before battle commences."
MICHAEL (laughingly): "Okay...all right." (Cut to the two men shaking hands before each heads off to their respective vehicles)
BASHIR: "Michael Jackson versus Martin Bashir..."
MICHAEL: "Okay..."
BASHIR: "...in the go cart land of Neverland..."
(pans over to Michael who is laughing heartily as he enters his go cart aided by an attendant)
♫ Bad (from album of same name 1987) starts to play
MICHAEL: "You got a head whooping coming...I'm gonna whoop your head"
(Michael laughs - cut to Mr. Bashir who is seated and turns his head to look at Michael. Cut back to Michael who is waiting for roof of his go cart to be lowered.)
MICHAEL: "Hey, he's cheating! He's cheating!" (Michael starts to drive but Mr. Bashir is already well ahead)
♪ Your butt is mine, you know you ain't right...show your face...
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "This is Michael Jackson as you've never seen him before. From the inside; his music, his money, his children, his sex life, his face. Quite simply: his world."
♪ "I'm giving you...to the count of three...to show your stuff or let it be...
I'm telling you...just watch your mouth...I know your game...what you're about"
BASHIR (who is winning the race): "Wooooohoo! Yeah!"
MICHAEL: "Ha, Ha. He's good!"
BASHIR: "Nice win for Britain there against the USA."
(Cut to Michael's studio where Bashir is asking:)
BASHIR: "How do you write a song? (pause) How do you write a song?"
MICHAEL (off camera): "How do I write a song?"
(Camera pans over to Michael) "Well..."
BASHIR: "You don't have a pen in your hand and you don't try..."
MICHAEL: "If I sat down at this piano..."
BASHIR: "...What would happen?"
MICHAEL: "If I sat here and played some chords or whatever and say 'I'm gonna write the best song ever written' nothing happens."
"Something in the heavens has to say 'Look, this is the time that this is gonna be laid on you and this is when I want you to have it.' Now, I remember when I wrote 'Billie Jean' I was riding in my...err...car down Ventura Boulevard. All I said to myself beforehand "I wanna write a song with a great bass hook' you know and...uhm
then, I just let it go really and then several days later, you know...
[♫Michael beat boxes the introduction to Billie Jean]"
BASHIR: "Where did that come from?"
MICHAEL: "From above."
BASHIR: "So..."
MICHAEL: "It really did."
BASHIR: "Okay, you were singing the bass lines, sing that again, and then what happened? How did you get the other instrumentation and the composition? How did it work?
MICHAEL: "It...It...It...See the thing is...in...uhm...Artists seem to get in the way of the music. Get out of the way of the music...you know, don't write the music! Let the music write itself."
BASHIR: "The dance as well?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah, same thing."
BASHIR: "How do you do it? Can you show me how you do it?"
MICHAEL: "Oh boy!"
BASHIR: "C'mon just get up and show me!"
MICHAEL: "I'm shy."
BASHIR: "Oh C'mon just show me!"
MICHAEL: "C'mon..."
BASHIR: "Just show me. Just show me. Show me what you do. Teach me."
MICHAEL: "Okay...err...Oh boy! You're putting me on the spot now."
BASHIR: "C'mon!"
MICHAEL: "See, now people are discovering something about me - I'm really shy, I'm embarrassed!"
BASHIR: "Okay, you're shy. Just get up and show me."
(Michael laughs then says "OK" and rises from his chair. He then proceeds to dance to a mostly instrumental version of 'Billie Jean')
BASHIR (voiceover): What's going through your mind when you're dancing?
MICHAEL (voiceover): "Not thinking. Thinking is the biggest mistake a dancer can make. You have to feel...
(Michael dancing)
"You become the bass...You become the fanfare, you become the clarinet and the flute the strings and the drums"
BASHIR: "So you're almost the physical embodiment of the music?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah, absolutely!"
(Michael stops dancing and invites Mr. Bashir to join him "You want to try one?")
BASHIR: "Show me. You want me to do it?" (laughs) "How am I going to do it? What do you want me to do?"
MICHAEL: "Like stand here." (Shows Bashir how to moonwalk) "Mainly one foot down and really using the other foot...push! It's like really pushing, just push, you know? Using your heel...use your heel to slide back...slide back on your heel...heel"
BASHIR: "That's very, very difficult...That is not easy, that is not easy!"
MICHAEL: "Huhm?"
BASHIR: "No, that is not easy!"
MICHAEL: "You know what? It's very hard to explain too, how to do it."
BASHIR: "What...when...what...when your describing...
MICHAEL: "Do it one more time, do it one more time. Just use that heel. Don't slide back on your toes, slide back on your heel, okay?"
BASHIR: "Okay, so I slide back..."
MICHAEL: "You'll wanna go on your toes, but don't go on your toes, go on the heel. Not on the toe when you go back. Always on the heel. Heel. Heel. Heel."
BASHIR: "That's pretty unnatural because normally you lift your foot as you walk."
MICHAEL: "I know, that's part of the illusion."
BASHIR: "Right, So, I slide back..."
MICHAEL: "That's very good though!
(Bashir laughs self mockingly)
MJ: "That's the idea."
BASHIR: "You're a very kind man"
MICHAEL: "That's the idea."
(Cut to montage of Bashir driving up to Neverland gates in a version of the bat-mobile. Followed by scenes of the amusement rides, the giraffes and elephants and then a close up of a Peter Pan garden statue outside the main house.)
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "Michael Jackson's home Neverland is a 3000 acre ranch 3 hours north of Los Angeles. As with most of his life, it has to be seen to be believed. Inspired by the children's fairy tale 'Peter Pan' - about the little boy who never grew up. It's a multi-million dollar, man made slice of make believe. As well as the full size fun fair, there's a zoo with giraffes, elephants, tigers and a couple of orangutans Bubbles the chimp has been moved out to an animal sanctuary.
It literally paradise for a 10 year old child but Michael Jackson is now almost 44.
(00:00:00 Opening scene - close up of a Peter Pan garden statue adorning the gardens of Neverland)
BASHIR (voiceover): "The inspiration for Neverland, Peter Pan, why is Peter
Pan a (00:00:08 camera cuts to Michael listening to the question) figure of such interest and inspiration to you?"
MICHAEL: "Because Peter Pan, to me...uhm...represents something that's very special in my heart. (00:00:17 Camera cuts to Peter Pan figurine perched high in the rafters)
"You know, he represents youth, childhood, never growing up, magic, flying- (00:00:24 cut to a Captain Hook figurine that is sword fighting with Tinkerbell) Everything I think that children and wonderment and magic - (00:00:28 cut to a figurine of a marching band drummer beside a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree ) what it's all about. And to me I've just never, ever grown out of loving that or (00:00:32 cut to camera doing a sweeping pan of the rafters ending on the quizzical expression of the police officer/security guard mannequin) thinking that is very special."
(00:00:40 cut back to Michael)
BASHIR (off camera): "You identify with him?"
MICHAEL: "Totally!"
BASHIR (off camera): "You don't want to grow up?"
MICHAEL: "No. I am Peter Pan"
BASHIR (off camera): "No, you're not. You're Michael Jackson."
MICHAEL: "I'm Peter Pan in my heart."
(00:00:50 cut to Michael driving the bat-mobile. When he stops Bashir goes up to him)
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "The climate is a problem for Jackson. He says the color changing skin condition, vitiligo, (00:00:55 cut to a shot looking up into the giving tree with sunlight streaming through the leaves) has made him allergic to the sun. (00:01:00 cut back to Michael walking with an umbrella) So, shielded by his umbrella he took me to his most secret place."
MICHAEL: "I call it my giving tree because it inspires me. Uhh...I love climbing trees in general, but this tree I love the most because I climb up high and I look down on its branches and it gives me...I just love it - so many ideas! I've written so many of my songs in this tree. I wrote...uhm...'Heal the World' in this tree...'Will You Be There', 'Black or White'...uhm...'Childhood'...
BASHIR: (off camera): "You're actually saying that you climb that tree..."
MICHAEL: "Yeah"
BASHIR: "Wh-...How far do you climb up it?
MICHAEL: "All the way to that...see...all the way to that...kind of spot up there...kind of like a deck, where it's like a bed..."
(00:01:40 camera pans from Bashir & MJ to the giving tree, in the background you can hear and see the water fountain in the lake)
BASHIR: "Do you want to climb it now?
MICHAEL: "Yeah"
BASHIR: "Gimme...Let me hold that umbrella..."
MICHAEL: "Yeah"
BASHIR: "You go and climb it...and let me...when you've climbed it, let's see how inspiring it is...
(00:01:47 Michael sprints over to his giving tree and begins to climb it)
♫ Human Nature (from Thriller album, 1982) plays
♪ "Electric eyes are everywhere...See that girl, she knows I'm watching...
MICHAEL: "Aren't you coming?"
BASHIR: "No way!"
♪ 'She likes the way I stare...'
MICHAEL: "This is a big secret. (Cut to a smiling Bashir under an umbrella looking up at Michael as he continues to climb) I never show anybody my giving tree."
BASHIR: "Okay, I'll try."
(Cut from Michael to Bashir commencing his climb) "I'm slightly worried about my shoes slipping."
MICHAEL: "C'mon!"
(Michael has now reached the deck, turns around and waves to the camera below.
BASHIR: "Is it safe?"
MICHAEL: "Of course!"
BASHIR: "I'm frightened!" (laughs)
MICHAEL: "My inspiration..."
BASHIR: "I think I'm going to stop here."
MICHAEL: "You don't climb trees?"
BASHIR: "No, I do NOT!"
MICHAEL: "You're missing out."
BASHIR: "I'll leave you to it."
(00:02:39 Cut to Michael alone is his giving tree, sitting contemplatively whilst the camera does a sweeping pan of the view from Michael's vantage point)
♪ "That way. Why, oh why? Why, oh why? Looking out, across the morning, the city's heart begins to beat. Reaching out..."
(00:03:05 Cut to MJ & Bashir both back on the ground)
MICHAEL: "I love climbing trees. I think it's my favorite thing, having water balloon fights and climbing trees. I think those are two of my favorite..."
BASHIR: "Don't you prefer making love, or..."
MICHAEL: "Huh?"
BASHIR: "...going to a concert, or...you prefer...You really mean that? That you prefer climbing trees and having a balloon fight?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah, a water balloon fight."
BASHIR: "And you prefer that to anything else?"
MICHAEL: "Well...as my pastime, fun." (Bashir nods) "You know, not...you can't compare it to performing. Other people play football, basketball...I like to climb trees."
♫♫♫ 'Big Boy' plays
(00:03:36 Cut to first exterior then the interior of the main house at Neverland, including a sweeping pan of the numerous framed photographs atop the piano).
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "So, how had this singing and dancing genius arrived in this surreal place that is his life today? I started to look for answers back at the beginning. (00:03:56. Cut to David Nordahl painting and the camera pans down to where Michael is seated below bopping away to the 'Big Boy' track.) He played me his first single, 'Big Boy' which was released when he was just eight. By then Michael Jackson had already been performing for three years."
(00:04:17. Camera cuts back to the David Nordahl painting and shoots it for about 9 seconds)
BASHIR (off camera): "Do you remember when you first discovered you had a special musical talent?"
(Cut to Michael answering the question)
MICHAEL: "My mother...caught me...making my bed one day and I was singing. And she said to my father that I could sing and he didn't want to hear of it. You know, he said...uhm...that Jermaine's the lead singer not Michael and Mother said: 'Joe, you really should hear him sing, he can sing.' And he goes: 'No! Jermaine's the lead singer of the group and that's it." (laughs)
(00:04:47 cut to close up of a movie projector then to Bashir & Michael sitting silently in the home theater looking up at the big screen - the men have similar body language; elbow bent allowing the men's chin to rest in their hand)
MICHAEL (now a voiceover): "She forced him to listen to me and once he listened to me and from that moment on I was the lead singer of the group."
♫ 'I want you back' introduction plays
(Cut to behind MJ & Bashir's seats so we can now see what it is they're watching - The Jackson Five performing "I want you back")
♪ "When I had you to myself, I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you stand out in the crowd..."
(Cut to MJ eating popcorn. MJ and Mr. Bashir are having a conversation but meanwhile the voiceover continues)
MICHAEL (now a voiceover): "My entire childhood, I remember people always saying to me: 'He's a 42 year old midget."
♪ "...take a second look. Oh baby, give me one more chance (show you that I love you) Won't you please let me back in your heart...
MICHAEL (now a voiceover): "At first, I didn't understand. But what they meant was, the way I, you know, moved on stage and the way I sang...like you say the inflections or whatever."
♪ "...but now since I've seen you in his arms...
BASHIR (voiceover): "Did someone teach you to do that?"
MICHAEL (voiceover): "No. You can't teach that. You can't teach it. It has to come from inside. It's a gift, you know. "
♪ "...All I want...All I need...All I want...All I need (MICHAEL)
Oh just one more chance to show you that I love you baby (JERMAINE)
Baby! (MICHAEL) Baby! (JERMAINE) Baby! (MICHAEL) Baby, I want you back!
Song transitions into ABC
♪...never, never knew before ('I' before 'e' except after 'c')
MICHAEL (voiceover): "I remember precisely going to Motown studios to record. And right across the street from the studio was a park. And I could hear the roar of the, you know, the Little League team. And they were playing soccer and football and volleyball, and they were playing baseball. And I remember a lot of the times looking back and really hiding my face, crying."
♪...sing a simple melody...that's how easy love can be...Yuh! Sit down girl!"
(00:06:45 cut back to Michael)
MICHAEL: "I wanted to play sometimes and I couldn't, you know, I had to go...I had... "
BASHIR (voiceover): "Why...why couldn't you?"
MICHAEL: "I had to go to the studio."
♪ "Show me what you can do...Shake it, shake it baby! C'mon now! Shake it, shake it baby! Ooh Ooh 123 baby! ABC baby! Na Na. Do re mi baby! Hey! That's how easy love can be..."
BASHIR (voiceover at first, then cut to him asking the question before panning completely over to Michael): "When you would be practicing you were very heavily disciplined by your father." (Michael simply says "huhm" in acknowledgement.) "What was that like?" (00:07:12 camera moves in for a close up. Michael laughs uncomfortably and pauses before answering)
MICHAEL: "Uhh...Well I...I didn't...have it that hard... (He says this apologetically) ...cause he used me as the example...it was like: 'Do it like Michael!' you know, he practiced us with a belt in his hand and if you missed a step expect to be...uhhh..." (makes a whipping motion with his hand and does a matching sound effect)
BASHIR (off camera): "Just let me...go back...you just said...that you would practice the dance steps and your father would be holding a belt in his hand, is that what you just said?
MICHAEL: "Yeah. Yes. Yeah, he would tear you up if you missed...and so, we...not only were we practicing, we were nervous rehearsing because he sat in the chair and he had this belt in his hand...and if you didn't do it the right way he would tear you up...really get you. I...I got it a lot of times but...I think my brother Marlon got it the most...because he had a hard time at first...and he tried so hard and uhh...it was always: 'Do it like Michael, do it like Michael!' You know, but...the others were very nervous, and I was nervous too, you know, because...uhh...he was tough..."
BASHIR (off camera): "How often would he beat you?"
MICHAEL: "Hhhm. Too much."
BASHIR (off camera): "Would he only use a belt?"
(Michael places one hand over his face, clearly distressed, but after a pause he does answer)
MICHAEL: "Why do you do this to me? No. More than a belt."
BASHIR (off camera): "What else would he use to hit you with?"
MICHAEL: "Ironing cords...whatever's around...throw you up against a wall as hard as he could...uhm...see, it's one thing to..."
BASHIR (off camera): "But you were only a child..."
MICHAEL: "I know..."
BASHIR (off camera): "You were a baby..."
MICHAEL: "I know...It's one thing to discipline..."
BASHIR (off camera): "And you were producing successful records..."
MICHAEL: "I know...He would lose his temper I just...remember hearing my mother scream: 'Joe, you're gonna kill him, you're gonna kill him! Stop it, you're gonna kill him!' you know and uhh...and I was so fast, you know, he couldn't catch me half the time but...when he would catch me, Oh My God! It was bad...it was really bad."
(cut to footage of Jackson Five performing ABC)
♪ "I'm gonna teach you (teach you teach you) all about love yeah"
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "I looked up at the screen and couldn't help wondering what effect this violence had on young Michael."
♪ "ABC. Easy as 123"
(Opening scene is Michael with his chin resting in his hand in his home theatre. Cuts to footage of the Jackson Five performing ABC)
♫ "Doe ray me, ABC, one two three, Baby you and me girl, ABC, Easy..."
MICHAEL: "We were terrified of him...terrified, I can't tell you. I don't think he realizes to this day (00:00:14 cuts to Michael saying this) how scared...scared...I mean scared. So scared that we...I would regurgitate.
BASHIR (off camera): "You would vomit?"
MICHAEL (emphatically): "UH-huh!"
BASHIR (off camera): "When would you vomit? What...what would produce that sort of reaction in you?"
MICHAEL: "His presence. Just seeing him... And...uh...sometimes I'd faint and my bodyguards would have to hold me up...uh..."
BASHIR (off camera): "When he was beating you, did you hate him?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah...strong hate. That's why to this day (Michael shakes his head no as his says the next part) I don't lay a finger on my children; I don't want them to ever feel that way about me. Ever! And he didn't allow us to call him 'Daddy' and I wanted to call him 'Daddy' so bad. He said "I'm not Daddy I'm Joseph to you!" you know? And I totally forgive him for all of it, you know, you have to...but...uh...I don't allow my children to call me 'Michael'. I say: "I'm Daddy!" (Laughs) It's just the opposite. So when people say the abused abuse, that's not true...that's not true at all!
(00:01:36 Cuts to Jackson Five performing ABC)
♪ "Counting up to three, sing a simple melody (ABC that's how easy love can be) ABC Girl! Thank you..."
(00:01:46 Cuts back to close up of Michael in home theatre with his chin resting in his hand then a cut to Michael and Bashir sitting together in the home theatre; chatting)
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "30 years on, the memories seemed as raw as ever. But there was little time now for reflection."
♫ Instrumental plays of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." from Bad 1987
(00:01:58 Cuts to footage taken depicting leaving Neverland. You see a large white stretch limo driving along a highway. The sun is setting as evidenced by an artistic shot taken of the side view mirror.)
"It was late summer and Michael Jackson was leaving Neverland. He called me on my mobile to say he was off to spend a few weeks in Las Vegas and I could join him. In Las Vegas he would reveal his bizarre experiences of love and sex, his obsession with his face and, most extraordinary of all, I'd get to meet his children."
♫ 'Thriller' instrumental plays
(00:02:30. Cut to a shot of the night sky with a three quarter full moon. The stretch limo is now driving past a small airfield and can be seen arriving at the lights of Las Vegas timed to coincide with the first crescendo of "Thriller'.)
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "In the summer, Michael Jackson set up temporary home in the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas."
♪ "It's close to midnight, and something evil's 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...
(00:03:27 Cut to the empty corridor of a hotel, then cut to Mr. Bashir striding purposefully towards the door to Michael's suite)
An example of one of the suites of the Four Seasons Hotel
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "I went to see him at the Four Seasons Hotel where he'd taken out no fewer than 7 suites. I wanted to know why he would leave Neverland to spend months on his own in a hotel room."
♪ "Thriller! Thriller night...and no-one's gonna save you from the beast that's about to strike...You know its Thriller..."
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "Especially as it would become quickly apparent that Jackson was deeply bored and isolated. In fact, he was delighted to have some company other than the bizarre collection of mannequins and gadgets that I found in his room. (Cut to a shot of Michael on a LCD screen which appears to be security equipment)
♪ "You hear the door slam...and realize there's nowhere left to run..."
(00:04:10. Camera pans from the view from Michael's suite overlooking the Luxor Hotel to near the window where both Michael and Mr. Bashir are standing. It is now broad daylight.)
BASHIR: "This is your suite... What do you like about Las Vegas?"
MICHAEL: "Uhm...I like the entertainment."
View from the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas
(Cut to shots of the various attractions along the Strip: you can see the Luxor, MGM, Excalibur and New York, New York amongst many others)
BASHIR (voiceover): "The entertainment?"
MICHAEL (voiceover): "Yeah...It's a fun place to visit!"
♪ "You close your eyes...and hope that this is just imagination"
(00:04:19. Panning shot of the waiter mannequin)
♪ "Girl...All the while..."
BASHIR (off camera): "What's this?"
MICHAEL: "Oh I...uh...I...When I'm bored I...
(00:04:28. Cut to motorized wheelchair)
MICHAEL: "I ride in the hallways of the hotel on this...I cruise through...
(Laughs. The camera pans back to Michael and Mr. Bashir)...the hallways late at night sometime..."
BASHIR: "You are joking?"
MICHAEL: "No. I am serious."
(00:04:39. Mr. Bashir laughs, Michael motions the motorized wheelchair which the cameraman obligingly pans back to)
♪ "There ain't no chance against the thing with the forty eyes girl..."
(00:04:43. Cut to close ups of the facial expressions of two other mannequins)
♪ "Thrller! Woo hoo Thriller night...You're fighting for your life inside..."
(00:04:49. Cut to close up of video game screen before panning out to show Michael playing the game as Mr. Bashir watches with folded arms.)
MICHAEL: "This is...uh...a game that I like."
BASHIR: "It's got a skate board, has it?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah."
BASHIR: "Oh, that was a bit unfortunate...
MICHAEL: "Yeah, I got hit that time."
BASHIR: "You crashed into a car...There you are."
MICHAEL: "You make points. Here comes a car! Woo!"(Cut to Michael's pajama clad legs that are imitating the motion of a skateboard rider) "Whoa! When I'm in my room when I'm bored late at night..." (Pans out to a long shot so that the chef mannequin appears briefly in the foreground) "...in between writing music I play with this thing. Whoa! (Makes screeching sound) Whoa! I just got hit then..."
BASHIR: "I wouldn't like to see you drive a car!"
(Cuts to a clothing rack that has a pale green maid's uniform hanging on it)
♪ "They will possess you...unless you change that number before you dial..."
(Cuts to Michael walking behind Mr. Bashir and they stop beside another mannequin.)
BASHIR: "Is that the Incredible Hulk?"
MICHAEL: "Noooooo! The Green Giant..."
BASHIR: "The Jolly Green Giant."
MICHAEL: "It's an old commercial...American commercial to make kids eat green peas. ♪Ho, Ho, Ho. Green Giant."
(Cuts to a toe to head pan of the Green Giant mannequin.)
BASHIR COMMENTARY: "I soon learnt that Las Vegas was full of uneasy memories for Jackson."
(Cut to Michael seated in the hotel room with at least two of the mannequins visible in the background.)
MICHAEL: "I had to share bedrooms with one of my brothers on the tours and... uh...there was some action going on in my room every night. I could hear it. (Laughs) And I used to...my job was to play sleep. And...and I was told by one of my brothers 'No matter what don't get up; don't open your eyes!' I go "I won't I promise I won't"
(Cut to Bashir listening attentively)
MICHAEL (off camera): "and so I would hear these girls come in and I would hear them say..." (Cut back to Michael) "Is that little Michael?" and my brother would say 'Yeah' and they would go "Oh, he's so cute!" like that and I heard everything...and then I would hear..."
BASHIR: "What did you hear?"
MICHAEL: "With the girls?"
BASHIR: "You heard them having sex?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah."
BASHIR: "In the same bedroom as you?"
MICHAEL: "Uh...Let me see...uhm..." (Michael pauses.) "Sometimes and sometimes not...yeah"
BASHIR: "So on some occasions, you're lying down pre...pretending to be asleep and your brother is having sex with someone in the same room?"
MICHAEL: "Uh huh..."
(Cut to a shot of the drinks waiter mannequin)
BASHIR: "Did you have many girlfriends during your adolescence?"
MICHAEL: "Uh...Not a lot... I did...My first girlfriend...uh...who I really loved a lot was Tatum O'Neal."
(Cut to Bashir asking this next question)
BASHIR: "And was it a typically romantic adolescent love affair?"
(Cut to Michael for his answer)
MICHAEL: "Yeah it was, but I don't think I was ready for some of the things she was talking about." (00:07:10. Cut to picture of Michael with Tatum)
"I was pretty naïve, I'm not joking! I hope she forgives me for telling this story. Okay, Tatum, please forgive me. Uh...I remember her telling me to come over to the house...to her house...a Beverly Hills too...and...what she's going to do to me when I come...you know, all the..." (Michael makes a motion as if to say you know what I mean)
BASHIR (off camera): "Well, what did she say?"
MICHAEL (grimaces reluctantly but then answers): "All the sexual stuff. So I am scared to death."
BASHIR (off camera): "So she rings you and says: 'Michael, come to my house. I'm going to make love to you'?"
MICHAEL (grimaces): "Yeah."
BASHIR (off camera): "And you...you're really scared?"
MICHAEL: "I'm scared...scared... Cause I've never done anything like that. I came over there trying to be Mr. Big Shot and brave. I remember she cut out all the lights in her bedroom, opened the curtains, you could see the whole skyline of the city, over the cliff - it was beautiful...and she told me to go over and lie on the bed, and I did, I laid on the bed...and she slowly walked over... and... she...(Michael moves his hand to the top button his shirt) touched the button of my shirt to open it and I took my hands like this (Michael covers his face with both hands) and I wouldn't let them down... and she... just walked away. She knew I was too shy for it. That's what happened.
BASHIR (off camera): "Did you not feel tempted at all? (Michael shakes his head no.) You just felt frightened."
MICHAEL: "I was frightened. I was afraid. I don't think I was ready for that."
♫ 'The Way You Make Me Feel' from Bad 1987 introduction plays
(00:08:43. Cut to Las Vegas strip where white stretch limo is driving along)
BASHIR (off camera): "Now we are going shopping to this spectacular place.
(Cut to Mr. Bashir inside the limo.) Do you like shopping?"
MICHAEL (off camera): "Love it." (Camera pans over to Michael after he speaks.)
BASHIR (now off camera): "What do you love about it?"
MICHAEL: "Not so much the buying. (Michael clears his throat) and I'm not cheap but...I love seeing how people make things...I love craftsmanship...what people can do with their hands and their imagination."
(00:09:10. Cut to Las Vegas strip where white stretch limo is passing a building with a giant clown face. Cut to other scenes of Las Vegas streets where the sun can be seen beginning to set.)
♫ 'Hey pretty baby with the high heels on, you give me fever like I've never ever known'
BASHIR (off camera): "Have you always been good with your money? Have you always been..."
MICHAEL (off camera): "With my money?"
BASHIR (off camera): "Yes."
MICHAEL (off camera): "Yes. I remember getting $200,000 checks in the mail when I was like 12, 13 years old. (Cut back to Michael inside the limo.) I used to get these monthly. My father would say: 'What you want to do with it?' (Laughs) and I'd say: 'Well, of course we should...we should put it away and..."
BASHIR (off camera): "You were 12 years old?"
MICHAEL: "Yeah, he would give me a certain amount to...to buy things that I wanted to buy. (Michael clears his throat) What I would buy was uh...some bubblegum and some candy and stuff like that."
BASHIR (off camera): "How much do you think you're worth?"
MICHAEL: "It's way up there...but I don't want to..."
BASHIR (off camera): "Well go on now, go on, just...how much?"
MICHAEL: "C'mon Martin! Uh..."
167: INT. NEVERLAND RANCH (BEDROOM) NIGHT DISSOLVE TO:
Later that night...
MICHAEL: (crawls into bed next to her) I think our first day went well.
RACHAEL: Yeah, it wasn't bad. Well, goodnight honey. (kisses him)
MICHAEL: Goodnight sweetie.
Next chapter will be up when I finish it. As always thanks for reading!!