615: INT. MICHAEL & RACHAEL'S HOUSE (HOLMBY HILLS, LIVING ROOM) DAY FADE IN:
One month later, June 4th, 2009. Michael is getting ready for another day of rehearsals.
RACHAEL: (Yells up to Michael) Michael! Are you almost ready honey?!
MICHAEL: I'll be right down.
RACHAEL: (Phone rings, answers it) Hello?
PRINCE: (On the phone) Hey Rach.
RACHAEL: Prince? Hey, what's up?
PRINCE: (On the phone) What are you doing today?
RACHAEL: I'm going to rehearsals with Michael, why?
PRINCE: (On the phone) I'm in the studio. I thought maybe we could work some tracks. It's been awhile since you've recorded anything.
RACHAEL: Well, I'd like to, but we gotta be at rehearsals in 30 minutes.
PRINCE: (On the phone) Are you and Mike doing any duets today?
RACHAEL: No, but I think we're rehearsing the routine for "The Way You Make Me Feel" again.
PRINCE: (On the phone) Come on, can't Mike get one of the backup dancers or something?
RACHAEL: I guess he could, but I don't feel right missing rehearsal.
PRINCE: (On the phone) Oh come on Rach, I mean, you can get away with one day, can't you? You've been at every rehearsal so far, right?
RACHAEL: Yeah, I guess you've got a point. I'll talk to Michael and let you know.
PRINCE: (On the phone) Alright, bye Rach. (hangs up)
MICHAEL: (Comes downstairs) Who was that on the phone sweetheart?
RACHAEL: That was Prince, he wanted me to come over and work on some songs with him.
MICHAEL: What did you say?
RACHAEL: I told him we had rehearsals today.
MICHAEL: Rachael, I don't mind if you wanna go record.
RACHAEL: Are you sure? I don't wanna miss rehearsal.
MICHAEL: Of course, we're just going over the same songs as last week, and you're not singing today anyway. I don't mind if you skip today.
RACHAEL: Well... Alright. Call me if you need me though, ok?
MICHAEL: (Kisses her forehead) Of course I will, but I'll be fine.
RACHAEL: I love you honey.
MICHAEL: I love you more.
They leave.
616: INT. PAISLEY PARK (STUDIO) DAY
Rachael arrives to start working on her next album.
RACHAEL: (comes in)
PRINCE: There she is. (hugs her) How you doing Rach?
RACHAEL: I'm good.
PRINCE: It's good to see you, I've missed ya.
RACHAEL: (Smiles softly) I've missed you too.
PRINCE: So, you ready to get started?
RACHAEL: Yes, what song are we doing first?
PRINCE: (Plays the track) I call it "Don't Call It Love".
RACHAEL: (Starts singing) Nobody believes that I really care for you They don't think my heart is true I don't think you agree You know I'm a lifetime guarantee So if they ask you what you mean to me Don't call it love, Heaven's above we got a better thing Don't call it love, that ain't enough just tell 'em you're my everything Nobody believes we got something they ain't got They never seen a fire this hot they never got that far We're burning as bright as any star So if they ask you what your feelings are Don't call it love, Heaven's above we got a better thing Don't call it love, that ain't enough just tell 'em you're my everything Feels so good holding tight loving you through the night they can call it what they like but they ain't got it right Don't call it love... Don't call it love, Heaven's above we got a better thing Don't call it love, that ain't enough just tell 'em you're my everything Don't call it love, Heaven's above we got a better thing Don't call it love, that ain't enough just tell 'em you're my everything Don't call it love, Heaven's above we got a better thing Don't call it love, that ain't enough just tell 'em you're my everything...
PRINCE: Great Job Rach, let's keep going. This next one is called "Let's Visit Heaven Tonight"
RACHAEL: (Starts singing) Lovin' you,it's still the best thing that i get to doyou make it easy and you're keeping it newlet's visit Heaven tonightWe have changedwe're not just children playin' grown up gameswe're slightly older but our love feels the samelet's visit Heaven tonightI'll start the dishesyou lock the back doorthen play some music that is sweet and softon your guitarHeat up the hot tubI'll use your bathrobeand you know it's always true when I say,"I love you"Close your eyesthen dream of us and you'll be safe insideyou're Heaven's treasure and you're lighting the skieslet's visit Heaven tonightTake out a scrapbooklet's turn some time backto see the changes that we madethrough those old photographsRight from that first dayI felt the same wayand you know it's always true when I say,"I love you"On and onwe grew together and we've made our homeit'll last forever and then we are aloneto visit Heaven every nightlet's visit Heaven tonightlet's visit Heaven tonight, oohlet's visit Heaven tonightlet's visit Heaven tonight...
617: INT. STAPLES CENTER DAY
Meanwhile, Michael is back at the Staples Center rehearsing.
MICHAEL: (Rehearsing "Jam") Nation to nation, all the world must come togetherFace the problems that we see then maybe somehow we can work it outI asked my neighbor for a favor, she said laterWhat has come of all the people, have we lost love of what it's about?I have to find my peace 'cause no one seems to let me beFalse prophets cry of doom, what are the possibilities?I told my brother there'll be problems, times and tears for fearsBut we must live each day like it's the lastGo with it, go with it[Chorus]JamIt ain't, it ain't too much stuffIt ain't too muchIt ain't too much for me toJamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain't, don't youIt ain't too much for me toJam[Verse 2]The world keeps changing, rearranging minds and thoughtsPredictions fly of doom, the baby boom has come of age, we'll work it outI told my brothers don't you ask me for no favorsI'm conditioned by the system, don't you talk to me, don't scream and shoutShe prays to God, to Buddha, then she sings a Talmud songConfusions contradict the self, do we know right from wrong?I just want you to recognize me in the templeYou can't hurt me, I found peace within myselfGo with it, go with it JamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain't too muchIt ain't too much for me toJamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't youIt ain't too much for me toJamIt ain't too much stuffIt ain't too muchIt ain't too much for me toJamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't youIt ain't too much for me toJam[Verse 3: Heavy D]Jam, jam, here comes the manHot damn, the big boy stands with an upper handMakin' funky tracks with my man Michael JacksonSmooth criminal hat, the man is Mike, so relaxedMingle, mingle, jingle in the jungleBum rushed the door, 3 and 4's in a bundleExecute the plan, first, I cooled it like a fanGot with Janet, then with Guy, now with Michael'Cause it ain't too hard to JamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain't too muchIt ain't too much for me toJamGet on itIt ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't stopIt ain't too much for me toJamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't youIt ain't too much for me to (Hoo- hoo!)JamIt ain't (Hoo-hoo!)It ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't you (Hoo-hoo!)It ain't too much for me toJam (Hoo!)[Bridge]It ain't too hard for me to jamIt ain't too hard for me to jamIt ain't too hard for me to jam (Chh, chh, chh!)It ain't too hard for me to jamIt ain't too hard for me to jam (Chh, chh, chh!)It ain't too hard for me to jamIt ain't too hard for me to jam, it ain't too hard for me to jam, it ain't too hard for me to jam (Get down, hoo!)Ooh!Chh!Chh!Chh!Chh!Chh!Chh!Ooh!Get on it[Chorus]JamIt ain'tIt ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't youIt ain't too much for me toJamUh- huhIt ain't too much stuffIt ain't too muchIt ain't too much for me toJam (Get on it)Uh-huh (Get on it)It ain't too much stuff (Hee-hee!)It ain't too muchIt ain't too much for me toJamToo muchIt ain't too much stuffIt ain'tDon't youIt ain't too much for me toJam[Outro]Get on itGet on itGive it, babyGive it to meCome onYou really give it to meGot to give itYou just want to give it!
The crew does a quick stage effect check before Michael rehearses "They Don't Care About Us"
MICHAEL: (Starts singing) Skin head, dead head Everybody gone bad Situation aggravation Everybody, allegation In the suite on the news Everybody, dog food Bang-bang, shock dead Everybody's gone mad All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us Beat me, hate me You can never break me Will me, thrill me You can never kill me Jew me, sue me Everybody, do me Kick me, kike me Don't you black or white me All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us Tell me what has become of my life I have a wife and two children who love me I'm a victim of police brutality, now (Mhhm) I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate Your rapin' me of my pride Oh, for God's sake I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy... Set me free Skin head, dead head Everybody, gone bad Trepidation speculation Everybody, allegation In the suite on the news Everybody, dog food Black man, black mail Throw the brother in jail All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us Tell me what has become of my rights Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me? Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame They're throwin' me in a class with a bad name I can't believe this is the land from which I came You know I really do hate to say it The government don't wanna see But it Roosevelt was livin', he wouldn't let this be, no, no Skinhead, deadhead Everybody, gone bad Situation, speculation Everybody, litigation Beat me, bash me You can never trash me Hit me, kick me You can never get me All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us Some things in life they just don't wanna see (Ah) But if Martin Luther was livin' He wouldn't let this be, no, no Skinhead, deadhead (Yeah, yeah) Everybody's gone bad Situation, segregation (Woo-hoo) Everybody, allegation In the suite on the news Everybody dog food (Woo-ho) Kick me, kike me Don't you wrong or right me All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us
MICHAEL: (Starts rehearsing "Smooth Criminal) As he came into the window It was the sound of a crescendo He came into her apartment He left the bloodstains on the carpet She ran underneath the table He could see she was unable So she ran into the bedroom She was struck down It was her doom Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? Will you tell us that you're okay? There's a sign in the window That he struck you - a crescendo, Annie He came into your apartment He left the bloodstains on the carpet Then you ran into the bedroom You were struck down It was your doom Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? You've been hit by You've been hit by a smooth criminal Ow! Ow! Aw! Annie, are you okay? (I don't know) Will you tell us that you're okay? (I don't know) There's a sound at the window (I don't know) Then he struck you, a crescendo Annie? (I don't know) He came into your apartment (I don't know) Left bloodstains on the carpet (I don't know why, baby) And then you ran into the bedroom (help me) You were struck down It was your doom Annie (dag gone it) Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? You've been hit by You've been hit by a smooth criminal
MICHAEL: (Starts rehearsing "Stranger In Moscow) I was wandering in the rain Mask of life, feelin' insane Swift and sudden fall from grace Sunny days seem far away Kremlin's shadow belittlin' me Stalin's tomb won't let me be On and on and on it came Wish the rain would just let me be How does it feel? (How does it feel?) How does it feel? How does it feel? When you're alone And you're cold inside Here abandoned in my fame Armageddon of the brain KGB was doggin' me Take my name and just let me be Then a begger boy called my name Happy days will drown the pain On and on and on it came And again, and again, and again... Take my name and just let me be How does it feel? (How does it feel?) How does it feel? How does it feel? How does it feel? How does it feel? (How does it feel now?) How does it feel? How does it feel? When you're alone And you're cold inside How does it feel? (How does it feel?) How does it feel? How does it feel? How does it feel? How does it feel? (How does it feel now?) How does it feel? How does it feel? When you're alone And you're cold inside Like a stranger in Moscow Lord have mercy Like a stranger in Moscow Lord have mercy We're talkin' danger We're talkin' danger baby Like a stranger in Moscow We're talkin' danger We're talkin' danger baby Like a stranger in Moscow I'm livin' lonely I'm livin' lonely baby A stranger in Moscow
MICHAEL: (Starts rehearsing "The Way You Make Me Feel") Hee hee Ooh Gon', girl Ow Hee Hey, pretty baby with the high heels on You give me fever like I've never ever known You're just a product of loveliness I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress I feel your fever from miles around I'll pick you up in my car and we'll paint the town Just kiss me, baby, and tell me twice That you're the one for me The way you make me feel (the way you make me feel) You really turn me on (you really turn me on) You knock me off of my feet (you knock me off of my feet) My lonely days are gone (my lonely days are gone) I like this feelin' you're givin' me Just hold me, baby, and I'm in ecstasy Oh, I'll be workin' from nine to five To buy you things to keep you by my side I never felt so in love before Just promise, baby, you'll love me forevermore I swear I'm keepin' you satisfied 'Cause you're the one for me The way you make me feel (the way you make me feel) You really turn me on (you really turn me on) You knock me off of my feet now, baby (you knock me off of my feet) My lonely days are gone (my lonely days are gone) Gon', girl! Gon'! Hee hee, ow! Gon', girl! I never felt so in love before Promise, baby, you'll love me forevermore I swear I'm keepin' you satisfied 'Cause you're the one for me Way you make me feel (the way you make me feel) You really turn me on (you really turn me on) You knock me off of my feet now, baby (you knock me off of my feet) My lonely days are gone (my lonely days are gone) The way you make me feel (the way you make me feel) You really turn me on (you really turn me on) You knock me off of my feet now, baby (you knock me off of my feet) My lonely days are gone (my lonely days are gone) Ain't nobody's business (the way you make me feel) Ain't nobody's business Ain't nobody's business (you really turn me on) Ain't nobody's business but mine and my baby (you knock me off of my feet) Ooh! (my lonely days are gone) Give it to me (the way you make me feel) Give me some time Come on, be my girl (you really turn me on) I want you to be mine Ain't nobody's business (you knock me off of my feet) Ain't nobody's business but mine and my baby (my lonely days are gone) Gon', girl! Ow! Hee hee! Ooh! Chika, chika Chika, chika, chika Gon', girl! The way you make me feel You really turn me on You knock me off of my feet My lonely days are gone Give it to me (the way you make me feel) Give me some time Come on, be my girl (you really turn me on) I want you to be mine Ain't nobody's business (you knock me off of my feet) Ain't nobody's business but mine and my baby (my lonely days are gone) Gon', girl! Give it to me (the way you make me feel) Give me some time Come on, be my girl (you really turn me on) I want you to be mine
KENNY ORTEGA: Great job today Michael, we'll see you tomorrow.
Sorry for the short filler chapter. Most of the rehearsal chapters will most likely be fillers unless there's specific scenes from the movie to be used, but I do plan to still include scenes of Rachael recording her next album just to mix things up. As you know, Karen Carpenter portrays her in this series, but I ran out of Carpenters songs at the beginning of this book and so I substituted with Captain and Tennille. The album her character is currently recording is based on C&T's 1982 album, "More Than Dancing" which was an independent release by them and their last album until 2007. I have to admit, it is not my favorite album of theirs, probably my least favorite from them in their prime, it's not that it's a bad album, their first 5 albums were amazing, and all of them were already recorded in this story, so if you don't like the songs on this one I do not blame you, there is one song on it I liked though, "Tango" which is actually a great song, that will be included later. Since we're now in June, I'm hoping to have this book done by January. February at the latest. Even though Michael died in 2009, this story is planned to go into June of 2010. I won't give away any more details than that, just know that I do plan to do more updates the rest of the month and into next month and try to publish every other day. I'm in absolutely no rush to finish this book, but Janurary will mark two years that this book has been going for. "When You Were Mine" was started in August 2020 and finished by November 2021. I know I don't necessarily need to have these books finished within a year, but I like to try and be diligent. Next chapter will be up when I finsih it. Thanks for reading!!
And one more thing, I know that this year I asked you guys for opinions on a lot of potential story ideas, and please know that in time I will write them, but I've been so focused on this book and Nikki's Rock that I just don't have the time to start another book. Once this book is finsihed, I'll be uploading more of the "my favorites" books, starting with movies and TV shows, that way I can work on the fourth and final book in this series, but just know I do have more planned, and again I apologize for the jumbled lyrics.