(POIGNANT MUSIC) Captions by Able. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017 (POIGNANT MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) MAN: Michael Jackson was my client, and he became my friend. This is our story. (SIGHS) WOMAN: Mr Whitfield, tell us more about what you do. (SIGHS) People see us on TV in our black suits and` Oh, excuse me. Could you speak into the microphone? (CLEARS THROAT) People see us on TV in our black suits and think we're glorified bouncers, but executive protection is serious business. We're entrusted with the welfare of celebrities, their spouses, children. We set up false identities to move people around the globe in secret. And when we leave, if we've done our jobs right, it's like we were never there. But we're always there, standing in the background, listening, observing. We know the things you wish you knew. Mr Whitfield, the purpose of this deposition is to determine if Dr Conrad Murray killed Michael Jackson. Like I told you, I wasn't there that night. But you were there the two years leading up to that night. May I remind you you're under oath? (SIGHS) Now, when did you start working for Mr Jackson? Just before Christmas, 2006. Z-Y-G-O-T-E-S. Seven letters on a triple-word score. 110 points. I win. What is zy` zygote? It's not even a word. (LAUGHS) Yeah, it is. Good job, baby. Thanks, Dad. Did you just get better while I was away or am I just getting rusty? Me and Auntie play it every night. Sure do. Oh. And she beat me just like that every time. OK. Mm-hm. So, what else did I miss? I got a boyfriend. What? Just fooling, Pops. (LAUGHS) You better be. Cos I told you, no boyfriends until you're 20. You said 16. I meant 25. Oh, come on. (LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) So, Daddy? Yes? Are you really gonna be home for Christmas? -Of course. -That's tight. -(CELL PHONE VIBRATES) (LAUGHS) OK. Hey, Jeff. What's up? Hey. I got a job for you. I'm not leaving home. No, it's here in Vegas. High-profile dignitary. Arrives in two weeks. I just need you to escort him home. OK, A to B? A to B, and I'll handle the rest. All right, short and sweet. I'm in. Now let's get back to this boyfriend situation. (LAUGHS) Two days before the client was to arrive, Jeff and I did what's known as a pre-advance detail. Video camera. No cameras. The client is very adamant about that. Matter of fact, let me check underneath the trunk. (GENTLE MUSIC) (PEOPLE CHATTER) WOMAN: OK, please. Watch your step. Prince, take your brother's hand, please. Hmm? Where's Daddy? (GROUND CREW SHOUT) (MUSIC SWELLS) MICHAEL: Thank you very much. (GROUND CREW SHOUT) So, who was that guy, anyway? You kiddin', right? You didn't see him? I saw a skinny dude with a scar. (LAUGHS) Man, that was Michael Jackson. What? Yeah. I guess he got tired of Bahrain. The most popular dude on the planet is back in the country, and we're the only ones that know it? Mom's the word. I'm John Feldman, Mr Jackson's personal assistant. All right. Mr Jackson would like to say hello. Oh, really? I'm about to meet Michael Jackson? Told you this was a good gig. You good, bro? Yeah. (GENTLE MUSIC) (MUSIC SWELLS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) Hello, Bill. It's nice to meet you. It's an honour to meet you, sir. I'm a huge fan. (BOTH CHUCKLE) Thank you. I saw on your resume that you've done work for Motown. Many times, sir. So I can trust you? Yes, sir. Of course. CHILDREN: Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! I like the pool. It's awesome. (CHILDREN CHATTER) Come on. Hey, hey, hey! You gotta see it! It's awesome. Hey, come on. Wait, wait, wait. Dad, Dad! Wait. Blanket. Blanket. Blanket. What? Come back. Come back. Everybody... Everybody, say hello to Bill. CHILDREN: Hi, Bill. Hi. Bill's our new head of security. (GENTLE MUSIC) You are staying the night, right? Um... Right? (CHUCKLES) Yes, sir. Of course. OK, come on. Please, please, Dad? The tennis court... (CHUCKLES) Let's go and see the pool. Yes! And then` And then we'll see the bedrooms, and then we'll... So where's his staff, his manager? He's travelling only with me and the nanny. So it would just be me? You told him yes. (GENTLE MUSIC FADES) (SIGHS) (INSECTS CHIRP) (DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE) (CURIOUS MUSIC) (SIGHS) (PENSIVE MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC SWELLS) (MUSIC FADES) (SIGHS, EXHALES) MURMURS: I can't... No, I... I can't do this. -(DOOR OPENS) -(BREATHES SHAKILY) Excuse me, Mr Bill? Oh. Hi. Hey. (EXHALES) (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) I'm Paris. It's nice to meet you. (CHUCKLES) It's nice to meet you too. Daddy said to bring you this and introduce myself. OK. Well, thank you. You're welcome. I put the marshmallows in myself. Marshmallows? Very nice. Bye. Bye. Oh yeah, and be careful. It's really hot. Bye. Bye. -SOFTLY: Oh boy. -(DOOR SHUTS) Oh yeah. (SIGHS) I was conflicted. On the one hand, I had my family, but on the other here was this man and his family in this odd situation with no one looking out for them. What else could I do? I took the job. You'll be paid twice a month, on the 3rd and the 18th, and if you have any questions, do not bother Mr Jackson and do not ask the nanny. Ask me and only me. Hi, Bill. Mr Jackson would like to do some Christmas shopping at the mall. Can you arrange it? Grace Rwaramba was the nanny. She was Mr Jackson's right hand, and his kids ` his kids adored her. Now that they were back in the States, the kids couldn't wait to shop in familiar stores, so Mr Jackson arranged a trip to the mall. I hired extra private security. PARIS: I'm so excited. We travelled underground like rats scurrying through a maze. That's the world Michael Jackson had to live in to get anywhere safely. (CHILDREN CHATTER) OK, so, um, Paris is OshKosh. Blanket here is Cuckoo. Now, remember that because he's the rebel. He runs. (CHUCKLES) No need to remember Prince's. He's the oldest. He protects the others, and he never runs, right? Right. OK. OshKosh, Cuckoo? Mm-hm. Copy that. Yeah. Are you ready, sir? Wait, wait, wait. What game do we play? CHILDREN: Dress-up! All right, come on. Let's do it. Ta-da! Hold on. Me first. Me first. Blanket. Blanket. Blanket. I want this one. Where's your manners? Sorry. Please? OK. Come on, put it on. Now, listen, everybody. You gotta stay close to Grace and close to each other, OK? Do not use your real name. Always be polite. I want the Spiderman toy. Listen. Hey, Jehovah's watching you. Are you ready? Yes, Dad. You ready there? 'Mr Jackson made the masks seem like part of a big game, 'but really he was protecting his children from a world that was hungry to get at them.' OK. GRACE: Ready? Are you excited? CHILDREN: Yeah! (LAUGHS) I wanna get a Barbie doll. You do? You want to get a boat and a train? Yeah. And what do you want? MICHAEL: Grace. You want another? OK, we'll see you later. CHILD: I want everything. Where do you want to go first? You want to start at the toy store? Toys, toys, toys. Toy store? Toys. Over there! WOMAN: Oh my gosh, it's Michael Jackson! WOMAN: Michael! Whoo! I love you. (PEOPLE SCREAM, CLAMOUR) I love you. I love you. I love you. Just stay close, sir. WOMAN: Michael Jackson! I love you. -(PEOPLE SCREAM, CLAMOUR) I love you. -We should have disguised you. It doesn't work. It never works. Back up! We need to get out of here before somebody gets hurt. Easy, easy. OK, easy, people. Michael! (PEOPLE SCREAM, CLAMOUR) They could get crushed. -Get away! Hey! -Hey, don't hurt them. -(PEOPLE SCREAM) Back up, people. Back up! My children, Bill. I can't see my children! I love you! I can't see my children, Bill! Dad! I see them! Oh my God, it's his kids! Oh my God, come quickly! (PEOPLE SHOUT, SCREAM) Bill, Michael! Michael, we're going! We need backup right now. We need more backup. Get those kids out of here now! Come on, run! Baby, run! (SCREAMING CONTINUES) Where are my kids? Move, move! Let's go! (OMINOUS MUSIC) (SIREN CHIRPS) I just wanna go home. Hey, it's gonna be OK. Why are there so many people? It's gonna be OK. OK, come on. Come on, let's go with Bill. Come on, go with Bill. Thank you, Bill. Baby, you were very brave, baby. Take your time getting in, OK? It's OK. It's OK. You're safe now. (HORN TOOTS IN DISTANCE) -(POLICE RADIO CRACKLES) -(SIGHS) (GENTLE MUSIC) Mr Jackson wanted to give his kids a normal life, so even though he personally didn't celebrate Christmas, he made sure the day was special for them. CHILDREN: Grandma! She's gonna` I think she's coming. CHILDREN: What? Well, I think` CHILDREN: What? But I really want her to be here. Look, she's nearly here. CHILDREN: I see her! Grandma! Grandma! Dad, she's here! She's here! No, no, no, no, no, no. Blanket, no, wait. Everybody wait. (CHILDREN SHOUT) Dad, come on, can we go? Please can we go? Be careful. Be very careful. Be very careful. Presents! CHILDREN: Grandma! Grandma! Oh, I have missed you. CHILDREN: Hi, Grandma! Hi. Look at you, Blanket. Oh, Prince, what a nice young man you are. Thank you, Grandma. Lovely Paris. Now take those presents Grandmother brought you and take them inside. CHILDREN: Thank you, Grandma! Come on. Hi, darling. How are you? I love you. I'm just fine. I love you too. Thank you for being here. Well, Jehovah has blessed me to spend this time with you, and it's a pleasure, my darling. Oh my goodness, look at this. This is wonderful. You like it? Yes. You need to stop running around the world... I know. ...and settle down in one place. I promise I am, Mother. All right. You know that? Yes. It's exactly what I came here to do. Look at this place. It's beautiful. Look at it. This is wonderful. Yes, it is. Oh. Thank you for being here. I'm happy to be here. It means a lot to the kids. I love you, darling. And though I spent Christmas Eve with my daughter, I spent Christmas on the job. (CHILDREN LAUGH) PRINCE: What do you think you got? What do you think I got? Oh, I love it! (CHILDREN LAUGH, CHATTER) Thanks so much, Grandma! I love it. You're welcome, baby. Oh my goodness. Like that Spiderman? You got socks; I got Spiderman. Oh! I love it, Grandma! Thanks, Grandma. I know, baby. Look at me! Hey, Prince. Prince, it's for you. What's in the box? (CHILDREN GASP) Oh my God! He's so cute! (CHILDREN GUSH) I love it! Thank you, Daddy. That's OK. He's beautiful. Can I call him Kenya? He's yours. Come on. He's adorable! Kenya. Hi, Kenya. Hey. Hey, Kenya's not a toy. He's a living thing. Take care of him, OK? I promise I will. OK. Thank you, Daddy. That's OK. Oh, can I hold it? You're too young. I wanna hold him! Hey, look. You see this? Bill, I... I need you to watch my son and my grandbabies. Yes, ma'am. OK. I know it's only a matter of time before folks figure out where they` where they live. Beautiful. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Mrs Jackson was right. The secret was out. I needed permanent help. For the record, state your name. (CLEARS THROAT) Javon Beard. (MICROPHONE FEEDBACK) Uh` Uh, Javon Beard. It says here your job with Mr Jackson was your first celebrity protection job. That's right. With no experience, how did you land such a high-profile gig? Javon possessed the one qualification that mattered. Jeff Adams is my cousin. The guy that got you the job? The protection business is like all businesses. It's about relationships. I trusted Jeff, so I trusted Javon. (TENSE MUSIC) Wait, what am I supposed to do? Curtsey. You serious? No. Hey, come on, man. It's the King of Pop. What you talking about? (EXHALES) All right. When is he coming? He's coming. (GENTLE MUSIC) Hey, Javon. How are you? Oh, excuse me? Bill says I can trust you. Y-Yes, sir. You` You can trust me, sir. Yes, sir. Then welcome. Cereal? Uh, no, thank you, sir. Nice suit. (EXHALES) Wait, wait, wait. So that's it? Like, I'm in? I guess so. Oh snap! Don't let me down. I got you, man! And don't tell anybody who you're working for. Wait, wait. Like nobody? I mean... It's on a need-to-know basis only. Need to know. All right, all right. And don't come back here looking like no pimp. (LAUGHS) Thank you, thank you! Hey. Hey. Raymone Bain was Mr Jackson's publicist during the travel. She parlayed that into a better position ` manager. Miss Bain had power and wasn't afraid to use it. Your money comes from me, gentlemen. So let's get you paid. (FUNKY MUSIC) If you have any questions, do not bother Mr Jackson, forget about Feldman and Grace and ask me and only me. I live in DC, but I'm here all the time. I'm available by phone 24-7. And why don't y'all get the security trailer brought down here? It's heated. (DOOR OPENS) Thank you. (DOOR CLOSES) Yeah, I'll take that. Heated. I was in charge of reading Mr Jackson's fan mail, then passing the letters on to him. Javon. Mm? Check this out. 'Dear Mr Jackson, last year I was diagnosed with cancer. 'The only thing that kept my spirits up was your music. 'I listened to Beat It almost every day, and I did. 'I am now cancer-free. Thank you. Shirley.' Wow. That's real nice. All right, look at this fancy one. So cute. Let's see what we got here. (SIGHS) 'Dear Michael, you are a filthy child molester.' Go ahead. 'You think you're above the law, you black son of a bitch. 'But as God as my witness, I will hunt you down, tear you apart limb from limb, 'then torture each one of your three mongrel children until they call me Daddy 'and beg for the sweet Lord's forgiveness.' Goddamn. Oh, let me get that, Javon. Executive protection 101 ` all threats are real, and we check them all out. Mr Jackson would always remind us that John Lennon was killed by one of his fans. Everything all right out there, Bill? Everything's tight. Have a good night. Goodnight. (TENSE MUSIC) Yes. Yes, miss, I underst` Can...? Can you just take this message, please? All I'm asking is that you ta` Hello? (GRUNTS) I can't believe this. Something wrong? (SIGHS) Paris' birthday is in two weeks, and Mr Jackson asked me to invite some of his friends. Back in the day, he had a lot of them. No doubt. I keep leaving messages, but no one's calling back. No, it... I think he just` He forgets sometimes that people don't want to have anything to do with all that trial mess. But he was found innocent. What's that got to do with anything? (PARTY HORN BLOWS, CHILDREN LAUGH) MICHAEL: Go! There are few things Mr Jackson loved more than a birthday. (LAUGHTER) Make a wish. (GENTLE MUSIC) Yay! (LAUGHS) Hey. Know what I wished for? You're not supposed to tell. I wish we could go back home to Neverland. I said don't tell. Now it's never gonna happen. Yes, it is. We're going back. No, we're not, right, Daddy? We can't ever go back to Neverland. But why not? Because that place has been contaminated by evil. See? Told you. Whatever. (SIGHS) But at least back in Neverland, I had friends. I know. And lots of people came to my party, and they had fun, and so did I. I know. No` And they wanted to come to my party. I'm going to find us a home. I promise you I am. (SIGHS) No, don't do that. Paris. Oh. Paris. (SIGHS) (SIGHS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) We would like to know about Mr Jackson's relationships. Who did he see on a regular basis? Almost no one. What, surely he had lots of people in his life. He was Michael Jackson. Yes, there was plenty of people coming through, but there was no one who was really in his life. He had his children, his mother. And his fans. His fans always found out where he lived. This is an illegal assembly, and you all have to go. We have every right to be here. (PEOPLE CLAMOUR) (PEOPLE SHOUT, SCREAM) MICHAEL: Bill. Bill. The police are harassing my fans. Tell them it's OK for them to be here. (SIGHS) Really, sir? (PEOPLE SCREAM, WHISTLE) You are all breaking the law. Thank you. Clear the way. Thank you. Ma'am. Ma'am, listen to me right now. No, no, no. You can't do this. Ma'am, you are breaking the law right this. We're not even doing` You have to l` Sir. It's OK for these people to be here. We own that property. You're the resident? I'm doing private security for the owner of the house. Oh yeah? Yes, and the owner of the house doesn't have a problem with these people being here. Michael Jackson is here! (PEOPLE SCREAM, SHOUT) Is that right? I don't give a rat's fat ass who lives here. Ladies and gentlemen, you all have to stay on that side of the street or I'm coming back and arresting you all for trespassing. Am I clear? (PEOPLE CHATTER) -OK, everybody, let's take it back on the other side of the street. -(PEOPLE CHEER, SHOUT) OK. OK, so he had his children, his mother, his fans. And us. What about the rest of the family? Tell us what you know, please. It was spring of 2007. We looked at the security gate camera, and (SCOFFS) there he was. Michael! (PEOPLE CHEER) (FUNKY MUSIC) I think it's` I think it's Joe Jackson. Joe Jackson! It's Joe Jackson! (PEOPLE CHEER, CLAMOUR) (MUSIC CONTINUES) Want me to go get him? I got it. (PEOPLE CHEER, SCREAM) (FUNKY MUSIC) (CHEERING CONTINUES) May I help you? Yeah. I'm here to see my son. I` I'm coming in. I'm sorry, sir. I can't let you do that. Can I give Mr Jackson a message? (PEOPLE SHOUT, CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) Yeah. Tell him his father's here. Yes, sir. (SHOUTING CONTINUES) -(DOOR CLOSES) -Mr Jackson, your father would like to see you. Has he got an appointment? No, sir. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PLAYS) Tell Joseph to make an appointment. I'm working. Go on, tell him. Yes, sir. (OPENS DOOR) (PEOPLE CHATTER) I'm sorry, sir. You tell him I said to let me in. (PEOPLE CHATTER, CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) Call me and set up a time. I don't need your damn number, boy. Look, I'm the one who started this shit. Bastards like you wouldn't even have a job if it wasn't for me. Hey, hey, don't you walk away from me. Look, I swear to God, don't you come between me and my son. Fools like you come and go every day. I'm his father. I'm always gonna be here. You hear me? Do you hear me? Don't mess with my family. (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) (POIGNANT MUSIC) Get out! WOMAN: Love you, Joe. (PEOPLE SHOUT) FANS CHANT: Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe. (CHANTING CONTINUES) (CHUCKLES) Damn, that's one scary-ass old dude. Well, maybe he's just a father trying to protect his son. (POIGNANT MUSIC) (FUNKY MUSIC PLAYS) And then there was that incident on the night of Elizabeth Taylor's birthday. (FUNKY MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) (LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) You guys have Liz's gift, right? Yes. It's wrapped the way I said? Everything is just the way you wanted it, boss. Everything has to be absolutely perfect. Yeah, we good. (LAUGHS) You're the King of Pop, straight up. (LAUGHS) Come on, what are you watching me for? Get ready. Come on, hurry up. OK, OK. Go. OK, let's go. (FUNKY MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) (MUSIC FADES) How do we look? Like you're going to the prom. Hmm. Hmm. I mean it. You guys look great. -(BANG!) -Damn! (TYRES SQUEAL) (OMINOUS MUSIC) (SQUEALING CONTINUES) (GATE CLANGS) What's happening?! Cover Mr Jackson! Mr Jackson, no! Get down! Get down! (SQUEALING CONTINUES) Sir, stay back. (TYRES SQUEAL, GATE CLANGS) -Sir, please stay back! -(TYRES SQUEAL) -Stop! Stop the car now! (SCREAMS) You got about one second to start talking! Hey, shut up! Hey, get the gun out of my face, all right? It's Randy. I wanna see my brother. Hell, no. Not like this you're not. Hey, he owes me money! Move this car back outside the gate and then I'll tell Mr Jackson you're here. Negro, please. I ain't moving until I get my money, so go on, get him. I got all day. Got nowhere to be. All right, tell him to pay me or I'm going to the press ` CNN, NBC. Go get my money. No. No more press! None! Copy. OK, sir, uh, I'm gonna block the` Sir, sir, please! I will block Randy with one of the trucks. Bill can bring you out through the side entrance, OK? Let's go. Listen, you don't know Randy. You don't know him! He will follow us to Liz's party and cause a huge scene, and she does not deserve that. What do you want us to do, sir? There's only one person that can deal with him. (CAR APPROACHES) (PENSIVE MUSIC) (CAR DOOR OPENS) Did you threaten to call the press on your brother? I want my money, Joseph. I worked my ass off for him all through the trial. Michael owes me. I just want... I don't know exactly what Mr Jackson said to Randy that night. All I know is he took care of the incident. Apparently, he didn't need an appointment to fix a tough situation. Clearly, he was still in charge of the family. (PENSIVE MUSIC) (ENGINE STARTS) This should never have happened. He can't just come up to my house like this. This can never happen again. Do you understand? You understand? BOTH: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. We can still make that party if we hurry. Yeah. It's ruined. I can't bring this to Liz's party. Well, sir, look, the perimeter's totally secure now. We can take you out through the garage just` just like always. He'll be out there waiting. He'll follow me. I can't bring this to her. I won't do it to her. Sir, so...? I'm going to bed. (SORROWFUL MUSIC) Are you sure, sir? Goodnight. As it turned out, he and Miss Taylor never saw each other again. I said that's all. Mr Jackson insisted that there be structure and routine in their education. School started every day at 8am sharp. Who wants to go first? CHILDREN: Me, me, me, me, me, me! All right, all right. Calm down. (CHILDREN SHOUT) Hey, hey, listen. Sit down. All right, it's map study time. Blanket, please finish colouring the western states blue. OK. Prince, Paris... As strict as Mr Jackson was about homeschooling, sometimes we just needed to get the kids out of the house. PRINCE: Can we stop, Dad, please? (CHILDREN CHATTER) MICHAEL: OK, Bill, pull over. Daddy? (GENTLE MUSIC) (CHILDREN LAUGH, CHATTER OUTSIDE) CHILDREN: Whoa! PARIS: Wow. Wow, look at that. Dad. I wanna do that. Whoa. Dad, it's so cool. CHILDREN: Whoa. I like it. Daddy, please. Daddy, please? Oh, come on. CHILDREN: Please? Please, Dad? Javon? Mm-hm? Let 'em go out for 20 minutes. (CHILDREN CHEER) With pleasure. Come on, you guys. Let's go. (CHILDREN CHATTER) Go on. Keep going. Keep going. (CHILDREN CHATTER, LAUGH) (LAUGHS) You seeing this? (LAUGHS) There you go. Blanket's gonna wear him out. Whoa. I feel safe with Javon. (LAUGHS) Oh my God. I just wish I can go out there and play with them. I know, sir. I'm sorry, but it's just too dangerous. (LAUGHS) How old's your daughter? A little older than Prince. And your wife? Don't have one. So you're a single father too? Yes, sir. Raising these kids alone is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Bill, look at them. I want 'em to be happy all the time. They need a home. We need a home, Bill. (GENTLE MUSIC) 10, nine, eight, seven, six, five,... ...five, four, three, two, one! (LAUGHTER) Whoa! (LAUGHTER) Paris, say thank you to Bill. Thank you, Bill. (GIGGLES) You're welcome, Paris. Goodnight. Goodnight. All right, pyjamas and then we read a story. OK. All right? Come on. (CHUCKLES) Daddy? Yeah? Why do people call you Wacko Jacko? Where did you hear that? I saw it on TV. (POIGNANT MUSIC) Paris, sometimes people call me that because I'm different. Is different bad? No. No, not always. But it's not nice to call people names. I know. And Jehovah wouldn't like it. I know. But come on. Daddy? Yeah? If you're different, then I wanna be different too. (SIGHS) Come here. Aw. (CHUCKLES) (GENTLE MUSIC) I love you. Pyjamas, all right? OK. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (JAUNTY PIANO MUSIC) (CHUCKLES) You've been eating for so long. Hey. Me too. (CHILDREN CHATTER) I'm telling you, this guy is` It's gonna start in a minute, Prince. OK. Thanks, Dad. Want some? (CHUCKLES) He doesn't want it. He will. He will... I don't care what anyone says about Michael Jackson trying to turn himself into a white man. Anyone who insists on taking his own spray butter and hot sauce to a movie theatre, that man is black, ghetto and hood. Everybody, wait. Is the movie about to start? No, wait, wait, wait. Come on. Wait. Everybody calm down for a minute. This is Charlie Chaplin. He's my favourite actor. And he's the king of comedy, OK? Mm-hm. CHILDREN: Yeah. Bill. (CHUCKLES) I love him. He is so good. (SLAPSTICK MUSIC PLAYS) (CHILDREN GIGGLE) (PEOPLE CHATTER) It's a go, Bill. Roger that. (ALL CHATTER) You gotta do the walk. You gotta do the walk. Come on, that's it. The car's right over there. The car's over here. Car's over there. Just come on. Come on. Here you go. MAN: There he is! -Dad, go! -(PEOPLE CLAMOUR) -Back up! Everyone back up! Hey! Bill, they're hurting me! Daddy! Stay back! Get back! Daddy! Dad! (PEOPLE CLAMOUR, SHOUT) Daddy! Kids! Get the camera, Javon! Blanket, get down! He's got pictures of the children! Get the camera! -Get it! -(PEOPLE SHOUT, SCREAM) Somebody help her up! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (GRUNTS, SHOUTS) Damn, making me sweat in my good suit. Get up! Get off me! Get up! (BOTH GRUNT) Give me the damn` No! (BOTH GRUNT) Come on! Give me the camera! (GRUNTS) Come on! Get your ass out of here, you punk. (PEOPLE SHOUT IN DISTANCE) (GENTLE MUSIC) I'll always protect you. You should never be afraid. That's what I'm here for. There are good people in the world and there are bad people, and my job is to always keep you from the bad. OK? (HUMS CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S 'SMILE') (CONTINUES HUMMING 'SMILE') (CONTINUES HUMMING 'SMILE') # If you smile through your tears and sorrow. # Smile and maybe tomorrow # you'll find # that life is still worthwhile. # If you just # smile. # (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) (SIGHS) The photographer told the police Michael Jackson and his bodyguards mugged him and took his camera. We're being indicted for robbery. So give him back the camera. Uh, I gave it to Bill. And I gave it to Feldman. I destroyed it. What?! Why would you do that? I don't know. I don't know, but I can't go to jail. I've got a family. I can't go down for this. I'll call my lawyer and make it go away. Mr Jackson paid the photographer $75,000 to make it go away. Feldman went away with it too. You better let me in. I'm... (LAUGHS) I'm telling you, Blanket, open... Blanket! (KNOCKS) Let me in! (LAUGHS) (CLEARS THROAT) Uh, is everything OK, Mr Jackson? What? (LAUGHS) We're playing a game, and they locked me out. (BODYGUARDS LAUGH) Wait till I get Blanket. Oh, can you let me in? Yes, sir, I can let you in. Hey, Mr Jackson? Raymone asked me to have you sign those contracts today. After the game. (LAUGHS) (KNOCKS) I'm telling you now... Hurry up. I'm trying, man. They won't open it. I don't wanna sign these. Should I tell them why, sir? Everyone wants me to do these shows. They say it's the only way that I can pay off my debts. But they don't understand. When people come to a Michael Jackson show, they expect me to perform from the beginning to the end, the whole show. I'm not like these Vegas acts that sit in the corner and sing Kumbaya. They want me to sing and dance. I'm not that kid any more, Bill. (SIGHS) I can't do five nights a week. I just can't. It would kill me, Bill. It would kill me. (SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) You sent for me, sir? (SIGHS) I hate being stuck in this house, Bill. I need to do something different tonight. I need to get out. What would you like to do? For once, I just wanna go out with my children in public like a normal person. (SIGHS) I go through two to three hours of make-up trying to disguise myself. They always recognise me. (SIGHS) Sir, what if I told you I had a way that wouldn't involve an ounce of make-up? (FUNKY MUSIC) (PEOPLE CHATTER, CHEER) No way. This is crazy. Check this guy out, man. ('BEAT IT' PLAYS, PEOPLE CHEER) (BOTH LAUGH) Look at Blanket. Javon, look at Blanket. You see those moves? Get him again. Come on. Come on, Blanket. Come on, Blanket. (PEOPLE CHEER, LAUGH) What is this? What is this? That's my boy. Like his dad. Blanket, go. Look at this. (BOTH LAUGH) (CHEERING) Blanket won that one. Yeah! Come on. Blanket won that. I like the horses. (LAUGHS) Yeah, very nice. Just, like, it's so private. It's very private. This is a` This is a beautiful one. Very. Quite rare. Oh. Very secluded. A private road nearly a mile long. Bill, stop the car. (ENGINE TURNS OFF) (BIRDS CHIRP, WATER RUNS) This is what I wanted to show you. (WATER BABBLES) (LILTING PIANO MUSIC) It's beautiful. I love this tree. (LAUGHS) It's so peaceful. (LAUGHS) There's so many. Oh wow. This sells for 55 million, but it is worth far more than that. (LILTING PIANO MUSIC) There's a wine cellar. Fabulous wine cellar. Do you enjoy wine? I do. But I love this garden. Yes. Well, if you like this, you really must see the inside. I'll go get the key. Please. Oh my God. Beautiful. Look at it. It's just what I wanted. (MAGICAL MUSIC) Bill, this is it. (SIGHS) I can feel it. It's our new house. Really? You're gonna buy it? Yes! It's our new home. Look at it, Bill. (MUSIC CONTINUES) It's magic. (MUSIC SWELLS) Bill, this is Wonderland. This is Wonderland. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (DUCK QUACKS) (CHILDREN GIGGLE) BLANKET: Hi, Daddy! Hi, kids! Come on down. PARIS: Come on, Blanket. Let's go! Let's go! CHILDREN: Whoa. You're too slow. You like it? Wow. Are you kidding me? This place is amazing. It has an indoor pool and guest quarters for the governess. The governor? No, Javon, the governess, the one who watches over the kids. Oh, you mean like a nanny? PARIS: I love it, I love it, I love it! You need to read more. (LAUGHS) PRINCE: Come on, Blanket. Go. (LAUGHS) Look at them. Look at the waterfalls! And there's a turtle! You like it, eh? This place is amazing. Can we have animals? Is it? Of course we can have animals. And call it Neverland? No, no, not that. This place is filled with love and peace, music and magic. It's a place called Wonderland. CHILDREN: Wonderland. (LAUGHS) I wanna see my room. Me too. Can we go inside? CHILDREN: Please, Daddy? I really wanna see my room. The agent said she'll be here in 30 minutes. CHILDREN: Please? Uh, why don't you go and have a look at the, uh, turtles and stuff up there? Come on, guys. I'll show you the turtles. I wanna see the turtles. I want to see the turtles. You guys have something in the car that can open the door, right? Mr Jackson, I'm not sure that's a good idea. Come on, it's fine. The realtor already knows. It's my house. I'm telling you. Come on. There. I see` I see the turtles. And we'll go get the tools out of the car. You know he's gonna get us in trouble one of these days. Hey, it's part of the job. PRINCE: Dad, look. It's the turtles. Dad, come here. (SIGHS) (PEOPLE CHATTER, CASH REGISTER BEEPS) 'Yeah, I'm gonna take you on a nice date, Simone.' Our friggin' first night out, and you brought me to this chicken spot. You bring me to a friggin' chicken spot. No, baby, this is our spot. That's the whole point, all right? We haven't been out in a while. Feel like I haven't seen you in forever, since we had the baby. And we're here now, right? Are you really working? What you talking about? I mean, I just wanna know ` are you really working? I don't know anyone who works as much as you do. Are you seeing someone else? No. Really? Babe, I told you. My boss is really high-profile. I don't wanna get fired, Simone. I got a family to feed. OK, who is it? Babe, I'm not seeing anyone. Who is she? It's just` Don't touch me. Who is she? Are you gonna do this right now? You gonna do this right now? Hmm? We haven't been out in months. Can we just have a good time, huh? This is crazy. Can you go get me some water? Go get me water. You want cold or room temp? Come on, you can't stay mad at me. I'll get you some water, girl. Gotta get some sugar first. (GROANS) Stop. (SIGHS) Hey. How you doing? Do I know you, man? Hey, man, how would you like to earn an easy 50,000? What are you talking about? I know who you work for. Just want one photo, man. One photo. If you give me the exact whereabouts of Michael Jackson and his kids at a specific time next week, the money's yours. 50 G's. Get the hell outta here, OK? (SCOFFS) Hey, hey. In case you change your mind... Yeah, all right. I ain't gonna tell you one more time, bro. Step. (SNIFFS) (BELL TINKLES, DOOR SHUTS) Who was that? Just some clown. I don't know. You know white people? Excuse me. You need to pay for that. Yeah, I was distracted. I'll get you the money for the water. Don't worry about it. You need to get me my dollar right now. Watch your mouth when you're talking to him. I don't need to watch my mouth. Yes, you do. You're not gonna talk to my man like you're crazy. Thank you. I'm not talking to anybody like they're crazy. What you need to do is pay for that water. Look, heifer, lower your voice. Heifer?! Little girl, I'mma come over this counter, OK? Right, so you brought me here... First of all, shouldn't you have a hairnet? ...to kick her butt. That's about to happen. Larry, come handle these people! Yeah, Larry, come handle this. I'll be right here, bruh. Larry gonna get his ass kicked too. I'm going on break. (FUNKY MUSIC) Bill, I love my fans, my fan mail. (CELL PHONE RINGS) Look at that ` I Just Can't Stop Loving You. (RINGING CONTINUES) Well, it's Miss Bain. Maybe I should answer it. No. She's only gonna try and get me to do this thing I don't wanna do. (RINGING CONTINUES) Oh. Sir? Hello, Raymone. Mr Jackson, as you know, you came back to Vegas to do a residency. Listen, Raymone` The hotel has agreed to the money, and they've agreed to build you a custom arena just like they did for Celine Dion. I don't wanna think about that right now. Well, you need to think about this now. If you wanna buy that $55 million house, you better get back up on stage. I told you, I can't do that. OK, well, then I guess you'll just have to sell your music catalogue. No, I don't wanna sell my catalogue! (SIGHS) I won't do it. (GRUNTS) I'm sorry, Bill. Sorry. I'll get you a new phone. It's all right, sir. Is there anything I can do? Play my song, Bill, the one I like. -Yes, sir. -(BOBBY BROWN'S 'MY PREROGATIVE' PLAYS) # Everybody's talking all this stuff about me. # Why don't they just let me live? # I don't need permission. Make my own decisions. # That's my prerogative. # They say I'm crazy. I really don't care. Sing! BOTH: # That's my prerogative. # They say I'm nasty, but I don't give a damn. # Getting girls is how I live. # Some ask me questions. # Ooh! # Why am I so real? # But they don't understand me. I really don't know the deal... (HUMS ALONG) # ...about a brother. # Trying hard to make it right. # Not long ago,... # Whoo! # ...before I win this fight. Sing! # Everybody's talking all this stuff about me. # Why don't they just let me live? # Tell me why. # I don't need permission. Make my own decisions. # That's my prerogative. # It's my prerogative. (LAUGHS) # It's the way that I wanna live. # It's my prerogative. # I can do just what I feel. BOBBY BROWN: # It's my prerogative. # Javon was having his share of problems, and so was I. You like them better than me? Oh, sweetie, no. No. I love you more than anything in this world. -(CELL PHONE RINGS) -Hold on, baby. I gotta take this. Hello? Yes, Mr Jackson. She's coughing. She's sneezing. She can't breathe. She has a fever. OK, OK. I'll take her to the ER. In case you've forgotten, I'm your family, not them. No, no, no, no. There'll be forms and press. (GROANS) I need a doctor here tonight. (COUGHS) Bill, I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to her. Sir, I know, and I will take care of it. Hey. Hey. Hey. I'm sorry, baby. Here, sweetheart. Just a little. You haven't had any` No, no, no, no! Paris. Paris, you've got to eat. I don't want soup! Then what do you want? I wanna go home. I wanna go back to our real house. I wanna go back to Neverland. (GROANS) (KNOCK AT DOOR) Sir, the doctor's here. (SIGHS) Please come in. Good evening, Mr Jackson. I'm Dr Conrad Murray. Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for coming. My pleasure, sir. Please. How often did Dr Murray visit? Five or six times. Did you ever see Dr Murray give Mr Jackson drugs? Not that I recall. So then what happened? I had to stay back to pack up the house for Wonderland. And I went to Virginia with the family for three weeks, thinking we'd return to move into Wonderland. At this point, pay cheques were erratic. Sometimes they didn't come at all. (GENTLE MUSIC) Mr Jackson decided to take the children on a summer vacation back east, so I went to Virginia with the family and Javon stayed in Vegas to pack up the house for the move to Wonderland. (CHILDREN CHATTER) CHILD: Are we here? Are we here? Let's go get Kenya. Who are all these people? Raymone said they're the best security team in DC. I don't like all these strangers around. Got you. (PEOPLE CHATTER) Is something wrong? No. Everything's fine. What is that? Boss wants them to pull back. (TENSE MUSIC) 28, 29, 30. (SHOUTS) Daddy's it! CHILDREN: Daddy's it! Daddy's it! Come on, Blanket. Let's go. Oh, come on. Let's go, Blanket. Let's go, Paris. You see? Mm? They would never have found me if they weren't standing there. (CHUCKLES) I want them off, Bill. I want them gone. Yes, sir. And where's my fan mail? Get it for me. Oh. Boss wants your guys to pull back. Let them do their jobs. Let me do mine. The boss wants his fan mail. I'll bring it tomorrow. He wants it today. Tomorrow. Come on, Blanket. Mr Jackson flew me back to Las Vegas to retrieve some box he wanted. I didn't feel comfortable leaving him, but, hey, he was the boss. Mr Jackson said there's something really important in here. -What do you think it is? -(CELL PHONE RINGS) -Don't know. Hello, Mr Jackson. I don't trust these guys, Bill. Every time` Every time I'm outside with the children, I can see them calling Raymone and reporting everything I do to her. I don't like that. I think they're taking photographs of the children. Call Raymone and tell her to send you guys tickets now. Today. No, Blanket, round. (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS) Like that. (CHILDREN CHATTER) Come back over here. I'll beat you, Paris. No, you won't. (LAUGHS) -(CHILDREN SHOUT) -(LAUGHS) Hey! (OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION) All right, all right, you three. Time for bed. Welcome. CHILDREN: Grace! (LAUGHS) Say goodnight. No, you have to take them back to bed. Bedtime, bedtime. -(OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION) -Dad, I don't wanna go to bed. -(LAUGHS) How was your flight? No flight. Raymone never sent the tickets, so we drove. You drove? From Vegas to Virginia? BOTH: Yes, sir. Wow. How long did it take? Three days. I'm sorry. (SIGHS) Thank you. (LAUGHS) Oh, you got it. Oh. Wait till I show you this. Come inside. OK. Oh my God. I wanna show you this. Oh my God. This is David O Selznick's Oscar for Gone With the Wind. Open the case. Bill, from now on, I want you to be responsible for this case. (GASPS, WHISTLES) I take that with me wherever I go ` passports and $200,000 in cash ` in case of emergency ` the kids need a doctor or we need a flight. Just for an emergency. Miss Bain. (SIGHS) Miss Bain, wait. Miss Bain. Miss Bain, it's been four months. All you have to do is get boss to sign those contracts and then we all get paid. I'll even throw in a $25,000 bonus when he does. (TENSE MUSIC) (OPENS DOOR) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (STARTS ENGINE) Those are the loan documents from Raymone Bain. OK. These are the loan documents from your other attorney, Greg Cross. Mr Cross says do not sign Miss Bain's under any circumstances. OK. Miss Bain says do not sign Mr Cross' under any circumstances. Oh. Wh`? What should I do? I can't tell you, sir. (TENSE MUSIC) Meet the all-new King Meaty at BK. With Ploughman's Chutney, a third-pound Angus beef patty, Tendercrisp chicken, bacon and a hint of vegetable. It's all part of the irresistible new Meatatarian Range. (FUNKY MUSIC) # Why don't you understand? # See it in my walk. # Don't you act like you don't recognise. # No frontin' or fakin'. # And there ain't no putting on. # Kind of hard to fake being this fly. # See the way I move so smooth. # So dapper, man. # Girl, I'm not your average kind. No, no, no. (SONG CONTINUES) (ENGINES REV) # On my mind. (CHEERING) # On my mind. # On your mind # for all of time. # Maybe... # I don't mean no disrespect. # Mm, but I know, said I know that you want me. # I can tell by the way you run. # Ooh, love the way you run. Why not put it on me? # I might be what you need. Girl, I'm what you want. # Girl, you know I'm what you want, yeah. # Girl, I want you feeling me even after I've gone. # Ooh, when I'm gone. Oh, close to you. On your mind. # Hey, hey, hey. # On your mind. (ALL CHEER) # All the time. # Wanna stay on your mind. # Truth is ` we had broken security protocol. We had become attached to our clients, and that's not good for business. (GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS) TV: The giant pandas like their privacy. At one point, there were thousands living in the wild. Now there are only about 2000 left in the world because humans destroyed their habitat. Oh. Daddy? Huh? Can we have a giant panda? Oh... I want one. They can live with us in Wonderland. Oh, um, Bill? I need you to, uh, find us two giant pandas. No, wait. Prince, you want a giant panda? I'm good. Just two, Bill. Yes, sir. (SIGHS) (HUMS TUNE) (SIGHS) Paris, where did you disappear to? I was looking for you after dinner. I watched the movie again, the one you like with Fred Stairs. (SIGHS) Fred Astaire. Oh. And Gene Kelly. I'm trying to do the dance they did. I just can't seem to get it right. Come on, show me what you got. OK. Five, six, seven, eight. (HUMS TUNE) (HUMS TUNE) (HUMS FAST TUNE) (HUMS FAST TUNE) One, two. BOTH: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. (HUM) BOTH: Yay! (LAUGHS) I'm proud of you. I grew up watching those guys create magic. Just like you were. (GIGGLES) Let's do it again. OK. You're a pretty good dancer, Dad. Oh my God. Come on, let's do it. (KNOCKS) Did I wake you? No. I don't sleep. What's wrong? I just read the strangest thing online. They said you were dead. (CHUCKLES) That's why I keep the kids off the internet. It's so cruel. (SOMBRE MUSIC) 'Michael Jackson dead' sells newspapers. Sometimes I wonder if people wish I was dead. Why would you say that? A lot of people believe terrible things about me. They wish I was dead. MALE ATTORNEY: I'm confused. Why were you so worried about random gossip about a pop star? Look, at this point, he was not the King of Pop, at least not to me. He was just a man. He wanted the same thing normal guys want. What is that? Family, friendship, safety, love! (HORNS TOOT) (SOFT R & B MUSIC PLAYS) (LAUGHS) OK, now I'm thirsty. Why don't we go to a bar instead? You know I can't do that. Why not? You don't know how difficult it is for me ` for me to go in that bar. You just go in and you just go, 'Bartender, give me a drink.' I just can't do that. Tonight you are. Come on. Let's just try it. (LAUGHS) One night. For me? (LAUGHS) Hey, Bill? Sir? Pull over. OK. You did it. I actually got you out. We're a normal couple now. I don't know. I` Do you remember our first date? I do. Do you remember strolling around`? Freak! Hey! Move on! Move on. Don't let it ruin our night. No. No. Please. Please, it's just` No, I can't do this. No. It's just one night. I'm asking you for just one normal night. Let's` Baby, please. MAN: That's incredible. MAN: Did you get a good look at him? (OVERLAPPING CHATTER) (TENSE MUSIC) (CHILDREN MURMUR) Everybody, we're leaving. Are we going back to Neverland? Blanket, we're never going back to Neverland. We're going to Wonderland, right? (CHILDREN GASP) We're going somewhere else first. (CHILDREN GROAN) Why can't we just go home? We don't have one. Come on, we're going. # You make me... # You don't have a girlfriend. You don't need a lot of calls or text. You need data ` for dating sites, like Honey Badger. (LAUGHS) You do have a girlfriend. You need less data and more calls ` lovey-dovey calls. # You make me... # You don't have a girlfriend again. She won't return your calls. You need more text. Things change. Now your Prepay can too. Get more of what you need and less of what you don't with Vodafone My Flex Prepay. (PEOPLE CHATTER) (BOBBY BROWN'S 'MY PREROGATIVE' PLAYS) The hotel will keep the pool closed to the public for two hours. (LAUGHS) Two hours? Kids, we got two hours. (CHILDREN CHEER) We got two. Come on. No, thank Bill. Thank you. Whoa! # ...let me live. Come on! # ...permission to make own decisions. That's my prerogative. Oh, Paris. (CHILDREN CHEER) # I really don't care. That's my prerogative. (CHILDREN CHEER, SHOUT) # But I don't give a damn. Getting... (CHILDREN SHOUT) # ...live. Some ask me questions. # Why am I so real? # But they don't understand me. I really don't know the... # Javon. # ...hard to make it right. # Not long ago, before I win this fight. Sing! (CHILDREN SHOUT) # ...stuff about me. Why don't they just let me live? # Tell me why. # I don't need permission. Make my own decis... # I told you about this! I told you! I` (SHOUTS) Mr Jackson. No! Mr Jackson, it's OK. (SHOUTS) Mr Jackson, it's disconnected. I hate you! Stop! (SHOUTS) It's not on. It doesn't work. Mr Jackson, please! Oh damn! (SHOUTS) Oh! Oh! Javon, get over there! (HOWLS) Sir, uh, let me see that. (HOWLS) Let me see. Oh God! (WAILS) Jesus, are you OK? Get me some more towels, please. OK, I got it. Get off! I'm sorry, sir. Please let me` Are you`? No! (CRIES) Let me see. Let me see, please. You guys gotta look out for this. You gotta take care of this! OK, OK, OK. (SOBS) These are my children. I don't want anybody to get pictures. They're my children. Just keep the pressure on it, sir. (SOBS) It's OK, sir. Bill, I'm sick of that. OK, OK. I just wanna be left alone. OK. Why don't they leave me alone, Bill? Why? (SOBS) (WHISPERS) You know I would never do anything to hurt a child. I'd slit my own wrists, Bill, before I did anything to hurt a child. You know, right? Yes, sir. You believe me? Of course, sir. Of course. (SOBS) You believe me, Bill? SOFTLY: Yes. Shh, it's all right. (SOBS) It's OK. It's OK, sir. It's all right. Shh. (TENSE MUSIC) That day was the first real indication I had that Mr Jackson was on something. I saw him drink wine from time to time and get a little silly, but this was different. You know what I think? I think Mr Jackson was on drugs, and I think you two kept quiet to save your jobs like the rest of the staff. Man, if that ain't the dumbest shit your ass said all day. We weren't getting paid. Don't you get it? We loved that man We were the only two people actually looking out for him. We did our damn jobs and then some. Drugs weren't his issue. He hadn't worked in years. He spent tons of money on lawsuits, legal fees, shopping and family. Money was his issue! He owned the Beatles catalogue. Sure, he was rich on paper, but that was all tied up. The only way or anybody else was gonna get paid was if he got back on stage. And like I said, we hadn't been paid in months. Man, Mr Jackson was basically homeless. MICHAEL: Connie. CHILDREN: Connie! Mr Cascio was the general manager of Mr Jackson's favourite New York hotel. They became great friends, and he often stayed with the Cascio family in New Jersey. (GENTLE MUSIC) (SCOFFS) Man, of all the rooms in this big-ass house, the boss wants to sleep in a corner. What's up with that? And why's the King of Pop staying in a Jersey suburb, anyway? You haven't figured it out yet? (SCOFFS) Man, the longer I stay in this job, the less I know. Hey, he doesn't want to be the King of Pop. He just wants to be Mike, a normal American dad. Right, you know? Bring the bread! Would you like a piece of bread? Thank you, Connie. You guys enjoying it? Is it`? (CHILDREN CHATTER) I can't believe you're putting hot sauce on my spaghetti. PRINCE: He puts it on his popcorn. He puts it on his popcorn? I love it hot. Welcome home, Michael. Thank you. We love you. I love you too. You're welcome, honey. Well, we have a spaghetti factory in the basement. Dom. Spaghetti and meatballs, that's what we're making. Is everything OK, kids? Because Blanket` Blanket's on his 20th meatball. Prince, Prince, Prince. Kids, eat up. No, honey, I'm glad you like it. Honey, this is beautiful. Eat. Eat, everybody. Give him a meatball. Blanket, honey, would you like another meatball? Yeah. Blanket, I said you don't talk with your mouth full. Mike, Mike. Come on, eat some more. I am, Dom. I am. I'm full. We got dessert coming. Who likes chocolate cake? CHILDREN: Me, me, me, me, me! I do. Me, me, me, me, me! Looks like Mike got his wish. Hey, guys. Come on in. CONNIE: That works out. Hi, fellas. How are you? Come on in. How are you? Hi. Michael, let me make your bodyguards a plate. The thin one looks hungry. He looks a little skinny, doesn't he? (LAUGHTER) Spaghetti and meatballs, guys? Make yourself at home. Yeah. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Which one of you is Italian? Everybody's Italian in this house. Yeah. (ALL CHATTER) (KNOCK AT DOOR) JAVON: Open the door. Javon? Open the door, Bill. Yeah. Javon, what's up? I need some money to get my suit cleaned. What the hell? We both need to get our suits cleaned. I've maxed out all my credit cards, Bill. My car got repossessed. Simone... Simone says she's gonna take my baby and leave me. The man is a gazillionaire. Tell him to sell that library or that Oscar, empty the emergency suitcase or make a record, something. Javon. Shit, he's the King of Pop. We need to live too. What`? What are we doing here, man? What are we doing here?! Javon, bring your voice down! (SIGHS) Listen, OK? Now, we can't leave, man. If we leave, we're not gonna get that back pay, OK? Why won't you say something? What the`? What do you want me to say? He listens to you. Listen` Why won't you stand up for us, man? Javon. Javon, we ain't going that way, all right? You just be patient and do your job. For how much longer? Hey, hey. How much longer are we gonna be patient, huh? I feel you, man. You ain't thinking about your daughter? I hear you, man. Say something. I said` You ain't feeling shit, Bill. Don't blow this! Blow what, man?! Ain't shit left to blow! (OPENS DOOR) You guys are doing a great job. I'm gonna give you guys a raise. Thank you, sir. Aren't you guys happy about that? Sir, we haven't been paid in five months. Yeah, and they even cut off our per diems now. Get Raymone on the phone. (PHONE DIALS, RINGS) How can I help you, boss? Raymone, I want you to pay these guys now. But` I don't want any excuses. They are protecting me and my family, and without me this machine doesn't run. Pay them. You know it's not my fault, right? Yes, sir. Brahms, please. (SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYS) Mr Jackson got a call to do a photo shoot for a national magazine. The next thing I knew, we were in New York City watching him transition to the King of Pop. Around that time Mr Jackson had struck up a friendship with a young film student, Michael Amir. They were spending time together scripting an animated movie about King Tut. Raymone Bain was out, and Michael Amir was in. Excuse me. (PEOPLE CHATTER) (JETTA'S "I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD") OK, get me the 200 ready. All right? OK, thank you. Is it ready? All right, Michael? Hmm? We're ready for you, so` One minute. One minute. All right. Thank you. Thank you. OK. Uh, get me this light over there. Thank you. Right here. ("I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD" CONTINUES) Thank you. Bill, Javon, I got a surprise for you. # But I don't know what to... I told you I'd get your money. Thank you, sir. It's OK. I just` I just need your morale back. I need your smiles, OK? Michael, we're ready for you now. In a minute. In a minute. Look, I know it's only half of what I owe you. I'm figuring out a way to get it, to pay you everything. I have it. I just can't get to it right now. You guys trust me, right? Come on. All right, come back here. OK, girls, thank you. Michael. Michael, let's do this. Yes, OK. Let's make magic together. All right. OK. Ready? (PEOPLE CHEER) # I'd love to change the world, # but I don't know what to do. # So I leave it all to you. # OK, bring it up, Michael. Bring it up. (MUSIC SWELLS) # Oh, oh. # Well, I don't know what to do. # Well, I don't know what to do. # Oh, oh, oh. # But I don't know what to do. # Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh. # But I don't know what to do. # So I'll leave it up to you. # Oh. # But I don't know what to do. # (LAUGHS) I want one of these. WOMAN: Absolutely, Mr Jackson. Oh my God. Bill, I'm getting that for Wonderland. Yes, sir. (MURMURS) I want candy. Yes, sir. Big bag. Please. Love candy. (SONG CONTINUES PLAYING) Bill, I need this. And what colour? I'll get blue. Oh my God. I want this, Bill. Can I get one of these? Yes, Mr Jackson. Oh. (LAUGHS) So... Oh. Paris would love this, Bill. No, wait, wait, wait. I want this for Prince. I love it. Spiderman, Bill. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) I need a Spiderman. Yes, sir. Uglydoll? It's not ugly. Bill, I'll take this and his friends, all of 'em. OK. Did we get the giraffe? Yes. Yeah. Mm-hm. What about this one? Did we get this? No, you haven't gotten that one yet. Oh. I can take that, Mr Jackson. OK. Thank you. Thank you. Blanket would love this, Bill. Blanket would love this. Get that for Blanket. Oh my God, wait, wait, wait. I want this guy. We can put this in Wonderland. Christmas. (CHUCKLES) Oh my God. ('DANCE OF THE SUGARPLUM FAIRY' CONTINUES PLAYING) I like this. Paris again. I want one of these. Yes, Mr Jackson. Absolutely. Yeah? Mm-hm. I want it tonight, though. OK. OK. OK, I'll start ringing you up. Thank` Merry Christmas, Mr Jackson. Merry Christmas. Are you gonna get anything for your daughter? No, sir. We haven't been paid yet. (CLEARS THROAT) All right, Mr Jackson. Uh, with the car, that brings the total to $39,612.19. (LAUGHS) How do you wanna pay for this? Mr Jackson, we need your card. My card. There. Thank you. Mm-hm. (REGISTER BEEPS) Uh... (CHUCKLES) (REGISTER BEEPS) Um, this card's not authorised. Oh, let me see. Mr Jackson. Huh? Did you authorise the card? I authorise you to use this card, Bill. Just try that one more time. Put this on there. Mm-hm. OK. (REGISTER BEEPS) Um, I'm` I'm so sorry. Uh... Try it again. There's plenty of money on that card. It'll work. OK. Yeah, absol` Absolutely, Mr Jackson. I... (REGISTER BEEPS) (REGISTER BEEPS) I'm so sorry. There must be something wrong with the machine. Hmm. Yeah. Ask her if we can take everything tonight and pay for it tomorrow. Did you hear that? Can we do it? Um, no. I'm sorry. I could` I could lose my job and... (CLEARS THROAT) OK. Um... Call my lawyer, Londell McMillan. Tell him to put it on his card. Sir, it's 4am in the morning in New York. (SIGHS) Bill, my kids need their presents. Oh my God. I'm so sorry. I` Just take your time. -(ELEVATOR DINGS) -Let me get that. -OK. Here. All right. Oh my God, look at all this stuff. Yeah. (CHUCKLES) OK. Things are about to change, Bill. I'm talking to AEG about London. (SIGHS) OK. I'll do 10 dates max. And then after that, we don't have to worry about money no more. (SIGHS) OK. (CHUCKLES) (SIGHS) You understand? -That sounds great, sir. -(ELEVATOR DINGS) -Oh. (ELEVATOR BUZZES) Bill, I wanna warn you that the vultures are gonna start coming in. Everybody's gonna want something, and nobody's gonna trust anybody. Bill, I need you to look for golf carts. Sir? We need golf carts to patrol Wonderland after we move in. Michael Amir used the new money from AEG to rent Mr Jackson another temporary house. Amir also brought in a small army of Fruit of Islam security guards who answered only to him. Javon and I were marginalised, pushed aside and damn near pushed out. CHILDREN: Hi, Bill! Hey! How you doing? How you doing? We miss you. Miss you too. We love you. Bye, Bill. All right, bye-bye. All right. CHILDREN: We love you. Yeah. Bye! Bye. Mr Jackson would like for you to have the fan mail, all legal correspondences, everything, sent directly to me now. Not a problem. Should we set up the trailer? We're not gonna be here long. Just use the garage. I'm gonna need you and Javon to sign NDAs. What? Protecting Mr Jackson. In the two years I've been working for Mr Jackson, have there been any information leaks? In those two years, Mr Jackson wasn't working. It's a new day. What if I say no? You and Javon don't get paid. Man, you know me. You've seen what we've done for Mr Jackson. How you gonna look me in the eye and tell me you're not gonna pay me until we sign some bull-crap non-disclosure? New day, new rules. I'll take it up with the boss. (WHISPERS) I'll take that. -(CELL PHONE RINGS) -Hello? Bill, I don't know what in the world is going on. I've been trying to get in touch with my son. His phone number has been changed. I'm sorry, ma'am. He's got this new team. Well, I'm worried about him and my grandchildren. Mrs Jackson, please don't worry. I'm gonna have him call you. Thank you, Bill. He trusts you. I trust you. Yes, Mrs Jackson. (DOOR OPENS) Mr Jackson won't be seeing you today. I know. He's busy. Yeah, working on something big. I heard it all before. Look, man, I get it. You're doing you, but I'm not here trying to get anything from Mr Jackson. I'm here because I'm concerned. Don't be. He's taken care of. (SOMBRE MUSIC) You tell him to call his mother. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (CHUCKLES) (CHEERING CONTINUES) Hold on. (CHEERING QUIETENS) I love you, I really do, from the bottom of my heart. (WILD CHEERING, APPLAUSE) ALL CHANT: This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it. CROWD CHANT: This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it. (CHEER) When I say this is it, this is really it. (CHEERING) This is the final curtain call. I'll see you in July. (WILD CHEERING, APPLAUSE) (CHEERING CONTINUES) Mr Jackson was rehearsing in Los Angeles, and we were in Vegas preparing for London. (CELL PHONE RINGS) Hello? (CELL PHONE BEEPS) Are you sure it's not him? -It's not his number, but I'mma find out who it is right now. -(KEYPAD BEEPS, LINE RINGS) CROAKILY: Hello? Who is this? May I help you? You called me first, asshole. (LAUGHS) -(CELL PHONE RINGS) -See? Same friggin' guy. Who the hell is this? Bill, it's me, Mr Jackson. Oh, Mr Jackson. I'm sorry. I thought it was a prank call. You really didn't know it was me? You got me. It was a good voice. What happened to you guys? I` I'm in LA. Why aren't you guys here with me? I told Michael Amir to send you guys tickets. Tickets never came. (SCOFFS) I need you and Javon in Los Angeles. I need you here now. Oh, we'll see you in London in a couple of weeks. So, how's it feel to be going back on stage? (SIGHS) When this is over,... (SIGHS) I'll have` I'll have enough money to get out. (POIGNANT MUSIC) No more debts. I'm gonna` I'm gonna buy that house... for my children. And you guys are gonna be fine. Bill... (SIGHS) God bless you, Bill. God bless you too, boss. (POIGNANT MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC SWELLS) Something in my gut told me I needed to go. I booked a flight to LA for the next day. Baby, I'll be in LA for a couple of weeks for rehearsal, and then I'll be in London for four months. Can I come visit? Only if you behave. (CHUCKLES) (GRUNTS) -Take care of my baby. -I got you. -(CELL PHONE RINGS) Hello? Turn on the news. MAN: ...an incredibly fast-moving story. WOMAN: And, Phil, I'm being told right now that Jermaine Jackson, the pop star's brother.... (PEOPLE CHATTER) (MOURNFUL MUSIC) (PEOPLE MURMUR) WOMAN: Oh my God, you see this? (PEOPLE MURMUR) (MUSIC SWELLS) WOMAN: No, no. (GASPS) WOMAN: No way. And it's, uh, very, very sad news that both the Los Angeles Times and CBS News... Oh my God... ...both now reporting that Michael Jackson has died. (SIGHS) I'm so sorry. Um, my brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away at 2.26pm. He suffered a cardiac arrest in his home. His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did the paramedics who transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. A team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour, and they were unsuccessful. Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time. (CRIES) (SORROWFUL MUSIC) (SIGHS) I sat there at that memorial with all those people talking about what a great friend Michael was and how much he meant to them. The only thing I could think was where the hell were they? Where were they when the phone didn't ring for days, when he couldn't sleep at night and had nobody in the world to talk to? And when Paris' birthday came and nobody showed up except for the nanny and a couple of security guards, where the hell were those people when he needed them? FEMALE ATTORNEY: You said that you think Mr Jackson would still be alive if you were there. I don't know about all that. But I know we definitely would have done things differently. I heard those people on the phone talking about, 'We have a gentleman here, and he's not breathing.' Man, to hell with that. I would've thrown him in the car and took him to the hospital myself. Yeah, straight up. Did Dr Conrad Murray kill Michael Jackson? Michael Jackson was going to die in LA. This show, all this pressure, it was going to happen. VOICE BREAKS: And it's so hard, because I don't know if those kids are ever gonna find their Neverland. Maybe they have, you know? I mean, maybe Neverland is just a normal life. (POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC) What else do you wanna know? (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC SWELLS) (HAUNTING MUSIC) (POIGNANT MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC FADES) (COVER VERSION OF 'SMILE') # Smile # though your heart is aching. # Smile even though it's breaking. It was never gonna be right for him. Never. Not in this world. He was never gonna have the life you and I have to just get up and go, free. Now he'll rest. The worst part is they were the happiest children, the happiest family, always. # Smile and maybe tomorrow # you'll see the sun come shining through. # If you # just # smile. # Captions by Able. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.