The Beautiful Katastrophe

(II) Flaws & All-Meeting My Michael

     For two years I had been working for Changing Faces Artistry as a hair and make-up artist. I started out like everyone else, doing free jobs that eventually grew to low paying. But now with the agency, I was working with elite clientele usually flying out here and there for fashion shows and award ceremonies.  

     Today, I was working with renowned photographer Dick Zimmerman. I've worked with him before a couple of times and it was always a pleasant experience. And the pay was always a nice surprise surpassing my expectations.

     Lovesick and worn out, I dragged myself into the L.A. studio. The bright lights only made my head feel worse. I hardly got any sleep the night before. Once I got home, like the fiend that I am for him, I called Prince and talked to him for a few hours. Things were clearer and we finally came to an agreement. We loved each other without a doubt but we wouldn't do so well in a committed relationship right now.  So, we kind of left it open...

"Zimmerman?" I asked through narrow eyes. I could never address him by his first name. That name was preserved in my vocabulary for jerks. And I loved my Zimmerman.

"Kat? Come here, sweetheart," he said. "How are you?" The camera dangling from his neck was pushed around his shoulder to make way for my hug.

"So good now that I'm here," I said wrapped in his arms.

He took a step back to take a good look at me. "You look beautiful but tired. Are you feeling okay?"

"Oh, it shows?" I never found the energy that morning to put any make-up on. All the crap with Prince the night before really took a toll on my body. I didn't even sleep well on the plane. "I'm running on E but I'll be fine."

He nodded, still with a bit of alarm in his eyes.

"Well, who am I working with today?"

"Oh." He cupped a hand over his mouth and chuckled. "Michael Jackson is shooting his album cover today."

It took maybe a full ten seconds to comprehend what he said.

Zimmerman laughed, breaking my blank stare. "I've never worked with him before so this is a first for the both of us," he said.

Smiling, I just said, "Wow."

"I asked Andre," my boss, "to send you, Kat, because you're the best he has. This is a big deal. I mean, this kid is all over the place."

"I know. This is a great deal." I was a huge Jackson fan like most girls my age. I practically grew up on the Jackson 5 so I was happy I would be working with the golden child. "Is he here yet?"

"No. He should be here within the hour. You a fan?"

"Huge fan," I said cheesing. "When's his album coming out?"

"Supposed to be November 30th."

Zimmerman and I talked a little bit more as I set up my station on set. I caught my image in the mirror and thought twice about my decision to not doll myself up that morning.

But before I could think to get my hands on anything, the presence of the 'man of the hour' brought everything to a standstill.

I watched Zimmerman leave my side to stride towards Michael and his small entourage. They shook hands and shared a formal greeting. I saw Michael glance towards me, giving my heart a quick flutter.

I met the gentlemen in the center of the room.

"This is Katina Desmond, your hair and make-up artist for the day."