--- WARNING! This chapter contains segments of mature content. Proceed with caution.---
* * *
Michael
Friday March 6th, 1987 – Los Angeles, California
"Next!" I hear Frank call out as I rub my temples, trying to fight a headache.
We're holding auditions for the next short film, and all the girls so far have either been too boring or too forward. Unlike 'Smooth Criminal' where I just need a group of professional dancers, 'The Way You Make Me Feel' has more of a fun and interactive storyline. The lead girl needs character – I just can't figure that character out yet. We're on the last casting file, so I flip it open and take a look at the picture of the girl on the top page - her giant silver hoops and red lipstick are bold and edgy yet subtle. The girl in the picture walks into the dance hall soon after.
"What's your name, miss?" Joe asks while turning over a new score sheet.
"Tatiana Thumbtzen," the girl says softly, yet confidently. Maybe this girl is worth seeing.
"Hi, Tatiana," he smiles briefly. "My name is Joe Pytka, and I'll be directing Michael's new music video. The process is very simple – I tell you what I'd like to see, and you do your best."
She nods simply, preparing herself to begin. Her short and curly brunette hair falls just below her shoulders, framing her slim yet defined face. She's petite-figured, wearing a tight-fitting short black dress with tights and boots. Bangles and earrings decorate the outfit nicely, but I'm a little put off by her heavy makeup.
"Hello, Miss Thumbtzen," Frank greets. "Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself before we start?"
"Alright," she smiles. "I was born in Clearwater, Florida in April of 1960, but have lived in New York since I was a kid. I've been a ballet dancer since grade school, and also modelling since my teen years."
"Tatiana, hi," I say after jotting down a note. "How long have you been living in California?"
"A couple months," she says. "I'm actually here on a modelling gig, but my agent said this would be a good chance to come through and audition."
"You're not an actress?"
"No, sir."
I nod, taking down another note before I turn to Joe. "Let's begin."
Joe gives Tatiana a brief description of the character he's looking for, and then asks her to do basic things like walking and posing. After that, I ask her to do some simple facial expressions like smiling and giving attitude. At the end of her audition Tatiana is dismissed, and we give scores based on her movement, face, look and personality. On my score sheet, she seems a pretty good candidate for the role.
"Are we done?" I ask, feeling the headache coming back.
"We're done," Joe says while closing up his file. "When can we do the selection?"
"First thing on Monday," Frank says.
"Monday it is," I sigh, relieved and excited to be going home.
* * *
Friday March 6th, 1987 – Encino, California
"Man, that was great," Randy says after swallowing the last of his dinner.
"So you like my chicken better than Katherine's?" Miya asks cheekily while collecting the plates.
"I never said that," Randy retorts.
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Streets of Gold - A Michael Jackson Story
FanfictionHe's been a star for as long as he can remember. She's a diamond in the rough. They bring out the sparkle in each other... On a promotional tour for his upcoming album 'Bad', Michael Jackson discovers the extraordinary talent of a young and beautifu...
