The Eras Of Michael Jackson: Brotherhood

Chapter 2: Smooth Recruit

The engine hummed as Bad drove through the isolated suburb, passing various extravagant mansions. It had been a while since he'd seen Smooth, but it was crucial to find his counterpart in this dire time.

Knowing how old-fashioned Smooth was, it wouldn't be surprising to find him at the same old nightclub, a place that felt like stepping into a time machine back to the '30s and '40s.

Finally arriving downtown, Bad parked the car alongside the curb and stepped out. He walked past a small group of patrons who quietly snickered at him, mostly due to his outfit, as everyone else was dressed to the nines in their best film noir getup.

The old club was just as he remembered, and he made his way to the owner, Nina Osaka. She fanned herself with a brown peacock-feathered fan, turning her attention to Bad as his buckles jingled with each step. Just as her personal guards moved to stand between them, she held up her fan, and they paused.

"Nina, same old, same old, I see," Bad greeted.

Nina extended a gloved hand. "The same can be said for you. You still refuse to suit up. It's a shame; you would effortlessly pull off the gentleman look."

"You know that's more of my brother's thing." Bad took her hand and kissed it.

"I can see his charm is rubbing off on you. I assume you're here to see him?" Nina pulled back and began to fan herself.

"Yes, it's a very urgent matter. Life-threatening, to be exact."

Nina pointed her fan to the staircase. "You'll find him upstairs, sitting in one of the booths."

"Thank you." Bad left Nina and ascended the staircase, walking along the aisle.

"Come here often?" a high-pitched voice called out from near the railing. Bad turned to see a blonde woman and her friend ogling him as he walked by.

"Not really, toots," Bad replied, as the woman and her friend chuckled to each other.

Smooth was easy to find, dressed in his classic white zoot suit with blue accents, looking like a true hero. He was chatting up a beautiful woman in a gold dress with an elaborate diamond headpiece but stopped when he caught sight of Bad.

"Hey, man, it's been a while." Smooth got up and hugged his brother.

"Likewise, man. Listen, I've got to tell you something; it's serious and has to do with the old man."

"Michael?" Smooth turned his attention back to the young woman. "I'm sorry, sweetheart; we'll talk another time. This is really important." The woman nodded and gave Smooth a peck on the cheek before leaving the two alone.

"Sit down; tell me what's going on."

"It's bad, man. Michael actually summoned me this time."

Smooth's eyes widened. "No way, he hasn't done that in years. It must be serious if he had to summon you. Is it the same feeling he had before?"

"It is, and it's much worse than last time too. I mean, he looks so weak and has lost so much weight. It looked like he was dying by the second."

Smooth lowered his eyes. "Jesus, is it an illness?"

"Worse, it's his essence."

Smooth looked back up at Bad. "No. Are you serious?"

"Yes, he told me he could barely move, barely even come up with a good song anymore, and could hardly dance. The man is dying, Smooth."

"I think I need a drink." Smooth waved over the waiter.

"Yes, sir?"

"I'll take a Coke. You want anything?"

"No, that's fine."

"As you wish, sir." The waiter left to fetch Smooth's drink, who then sipped it and set his glass down. "Almost like his soul is separating?"

"I think that's the best way to describe it. But get this: what's happening to him will eventually happen to us. If he dies, we die along with him, and our legacy is gone."

Looking dejected, Smooth glanced over across the railing at the two women chatting, then glanced down below to see the woman in gold dancing, and looked over to Nina, who waved her fan flirtatiously at him. He couldn't bear the thought of losing this place, along with the people, being wiped away. He sipped his drink and looked back at Bad. "So what do we have to do to stop this?"

"He wanted me to recruit you, Thriller, and Dangerous as his ambassadors."

Raising a brow, Smooth took another sip of his drink. "Ambassadors?"

"Yeah, he says for our loyalty since we were the very last ones to leave."

"So, as ambassadors, what do we do?"

"He wants us to find the others and bring them back home. This is the only way to reverse his health and save all of us. Are you in?"

"Of course, I'm in. There's no way I'm giving this place up." Smooth made eye contact with the woman in gold, who smiled at him.

"I knew I could count on you." Bad shook his hand.

"Well, let's not waste any more time; we've got people to find." Smooth got up and started walking towards the staircase, with Bad following behind him.

"Don't be a stranger, toots." The blonde woman gave Bad a passing squeeze on the arm.

"I'll try not to." Bad winked at the woman and continued downstairs.

Smooth said goodbye to his favored woman and walked through the crowd of dancing patrons. Bad caught up with Smooth and joined him by his side. "Leaving so soon?" With her fan fluttering, Nina strutted over to the two Eras.

"I'm afraid so, Nina. I've got some personal business to attend to." Smooth tipped his hat as he started to take another step.

Nina placed a gloved hand on his chest, stopping him as she stared into his eyes. "I'm hoping you'll come back?" She covered her mouth with her fan, only her kohl-lined eyes visible. Bad rolled his eyes and smirked at her dramatics.

"You know I will." Smooth took her hand off his chest and kissed it, only for Nina to flutter her fan.

"I don't mean to interrupt this picture-perfect moment, but we've got to move. I'll go start the car; Nina, it was great seeing you again. We'll be sure to come back. I'll be waiting outside." Bad smiled as he hurried outside.

"He's nice, but I think he needs a little bit more of your charm, don't you think?" Nina fanned.

"Don't worry; I'll give him a few more lessons. I'll see you soon, Nina."

"See you soon."

Smooth left the club and got in the car with Bad, driving off into the city.

"Was all that really necessary?"

"What? It's just the gentleman's way of doing things. You know I could teach you a few things."

"Still the same old Smooth, always the gentleman." Bad smiled.

"What can I say, I'm a classic man; I never go out of style." Smooth laughed. "So who are we searching for next?"

"Well, Dangerous might be on the road, you know how he's been touring lately. So I guess we'll pay Thriller a visit, see what's going on with him."

"I think I have a good idea of where to find him."