Excerpts from the rough draft of The King of Pop written by D.Nesmith:
INT.NEW YORK ART GALLERY-DAY
Michael and Andy Warhol stroll through a gallery in New York
looking at his recent work.COLLECTORS and BUYERS stand
around as Warhol and Michael stand arm and arm looking at
his recent canvas of "Elizabeth Taylor".
ANDY WARHOL
(silent,then--)
Like it?
Michael studies the painting.
MICHAEL JACKSON
I do.
ANDY WARHOL
I wanna paint you sometime...
MICHAEL JACKSON
No, I'm too embarrassed.
Michael laughs--
ANDY WARHOL
I think that's interesting.
MICHAEL JACKSON
You know I always wanted to ask you
something?
Warhol looks at Michael.
MICHAEL JACKSON
You know who I always see you with?
Alfred Hitchcock?...I thought you
were brothers or something.Did you
interview him? He talks funny,
doesn't he?
Andy lets out a laugh, people look at them--
ANDY WARHOL
Liza was right about you.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(confused)
What do you mean?
ANDY WARHOL
Nothing.No,he's not my brother but
this reminds me when you ask about
my mother.
Michael smiles.
ANDY WARHOL
There's this place called Regine's,
the good people go there,I was
going to go tonight.Did you want to
come?
MICHAEL JACKSON
Sure.But can I bring someone?
ANDY WARHOL
Who?
MICHAEL JACKSON
A girl.
INT.STEPHANIE'S HOTEL-NIGHT(1977)
Stephanie sits at her vanity,doing her makeup,looking at
herself in the mirror.She looks at the clock,its 8:30pm.She
gets up,goes over to the closet and pulls out a DRESS--its a
soft pink.
She puts her metallic platform shoes underneath it.Stephanie
puts it on,adjusting the plunging neckline, grabbing her
purse off the bed.She switches off the light and closes the
door.
EXT.NEW YORK CITY STREET-CONTINUOUS
Michael waits on the sidewalk,a little nervous yet excited
when Stephanie steps outside looking stunning.She approaches
him.Stephanie smiles,placing her hand on his shoulder.
STEPHANIE MILLS
Michael?
He looks her over,gazing at her under the street lights.
MICHAEL JACKSON
You look so beautiful...
STEPHANIE MILLS
Thank You.
They get into the Cadillac,driving off into the night.
EXT.REGINE'S-NIGHT-LATER
TRAFFIC HORNS blare in front of REGINE'S,a hip Park Avenue
NIGHTCLUB in New York City.A trendy nightspot for socialites
and the rich and famous,its run by a flamboyant Brazilian
chanteuse known for her prolific parties and high-profile
clientele.
The Cadillac pulls up to the curb,Michael gets out with
Stephanie and cut inside quickly.
INT.REGINE'S-CONTINUOUS
MICHAEL JACKSON
Do you live alone?
ANDY WARHOL
With my dogs.
Michael,Warhol and Stephanie laugh and talk,heading for
their table.Sitting there,they look over the menu.Andy
orders first,Michael whispers in Stephanie's ear.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(whispering)
Order for me.
STEPHANIE MILLS
(whispering)
Okay.
Stephanie orders for them both,handing the waiter the menu
politely.
ANDY WARHOL
Liza told me your real famous.
STEPHANIE MILLS
Michael is a very famous singer and
dancer,him and his family have been
in the music business for long
time, I was discovered by his
brother.
ANDY WARHOL
But you still do Broadway.
STEPHANIE MILLS
Yes.
ANDY WARHOL
(RE:Michael)
So, your a big star.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Not really...not like Liza or
Truman.
STEPHANIE MILLS
Don’t be modest,he’s so sweet
...Its’ quite impressive,I'm always
telling him that.
ANDY WARHOL
Really?
STEPHANIE MILLS
He’s shy, Michael’s shy.
MICHAEL JACKSON
I dunno, I guess so.All my life
I've been famous and all I ever
wanted was to be normal really
Stephanie listens intently.
ANDY WARHOL
What is that like...to be famous so
young?
MICHAEL JACKSON
I dunno...strange,I feel odd around
normal people.
Stephanie grabs his hand underneath the table,holding it.
His long hands are interlaced with hers.
ANDY WARHOL
Normal? How so?
MICHAEL JACKSON
I guess people that are not
famous...I feel like a freak when
their staring at me like that.
Warhol is intrigued.
STEPHANIE MILLS
I never knew you felt that way.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Its just something I had to deal
with.
ANDY WARHOL
Gosh, your voice is high.
MICHAEL JACKSON
I know,I hate it.
ANDY WARHOL
No,No,No...I love it..its neat.
Stephanie smiles.Michael is quiet.Suddenly she brushes her
hand against his,underneath the table,Michael's knees
weaken.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Do you have any kids?
ANDY WARHOL
Me? I don't believe in getting
married.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Really? Why not?
STEPHANIE MILLS
You don't ever want to get married?
ANDY WARHOL
I don't believe in love.
Michael and Stephanie look at one another--
STEPHANIE MILLS
I love Michael, very much.
Stephanie kisses Michael.
ANDY WARHOL
Have you slept together yet?
STEPHANIE MILLS
No...we haven't.
ANDY WARHOL
You haven't slept together?
Warhol looks at Stephanie and Michael.
ANDY WARHOL
Are you...are you virgins?
Michael locks eyes with her,his mouth opens into a gasp,
nothing comes out.
ANDY WARHOL
(silent,then--)
Your virgins?
Silence.Neither one says anything,Stephanie just smiles at
Warhol's question.
ANDY WARHOL
You are,aren't you...Gee.
STEPHANIE MILLS
We haven't slept together but we
want to.
Stephanie bumps Michael's knees underneath the table,
wrapping his arm around hers.Andy smiles.The dinner
continues.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Why? everyone believes in love?
Really?you don't? you just date
people?
ANDY WARHOL
Yes, I love to date.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Really? I've never really been on a
date outside of the Dating Game...
STEPHANIE MILLS
(laughing;eating)
Michael.
ANDY WARHOL
What's that?
STEPHANIE MILLS
A TV show.
ANDY WARHOL
So you've never been on a date?
MICHAEL JACKSON
no,never...except for that,and it
was work...and the one were on now.
Stephanie and Warhol smiles.
ANDY WARHOL
I just haven't found the right one.
MICHAEL JACKSON
I sure she's out there.
Andy smirks.Finishing their food,Stephanie rests her head on
his shoulder.She turns to Michael and taps him on the
shoulder.
STEPHANIE MILLS
Excuse me.
Fixing her dress,Stephanie gets up and goes to the ladies
room.Michael and Warhol are left alone,both silent,then--
MICHAEL JACKSON
What are truffles?I like meat and
potatoes,I drink lots and lots of
water...I guess that's why I'm
skinny.
(pointing to Andy's plate)
Is that caviar?
ANDY WARHOL
Would you like to try it?
MICHAEL JACKSON
I'm not to anxious to try some,
maybe just a little.
Michael tastes it.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Do you honestly like this stuff? I
can't understand that.How can you
eat this stuff!?
Warhol laughs as Stephanie returns.
STEPHANIE MILLS
What are you laughing about?
MICHAEL JACKSON
(offering a spoon)
Try this.
Stephanie frowns.
STEPHANIE MILLS
What is it?
MICHAEL JACKSON
Caviar.
STEPHANIE MILLS
Alright.
Stephanie tries it.
STEPHANIE MILLS
I DON'T like that.
EXT.REGINE'S-NIGHT-LATER
Michael and Stephanie hug Andy before cutting outside to
their car.Saying there goodbyes,Stephanie quickly cuts
inside the Cadillac.
CAR
Stephanie looks out the window,watching Michael and Andy
Warhol talk about Star Wars.Michael waves once more,cuts
around the car and hops inside.
From behind his sunglasses,Andy watches it disappear into
the night.
DRIVER
Where to?
MICHAEL JACKSON
Central Park West.
INT.MICHAEL AND LATOYA'S APARTMENT-LATER
Michael turns on the lights,the luxury suite glows.Stephanie
looks around in amazement.Stephanie follows Michael to the
first bedroom door.
Drawings line the wall,small objects sit on a small desk:a
FIGURINE,PHOTOGRAPHS,an old NEWSPAPER,PENS,MARKERS,PENCILS.A
STEREO with a cassette player sits in the corner,with
speakers adjacent.But something catches her eyes:Albums.
Finally she finds one she likes,placing it on the player
--The Commodores "ZOOM".
Suddenly,Michael grabs her by shoulder--Stephanie turns and
faces him.They smile,locking eyes.A passion passes between
them...She unbuttons his shirt,touching Michael's chest
delicately.
STEPHANIE MILLS
(silent,then--)
Michael...
A Beat.
MICHAEL JACKSON
...I don't wanna sleep alone...
They both hesitate,Stephanie pushes the shirt off his
shoulders to the floor--
STEPHANIE MILLS
...you don't have too....
Their lips find each other,timidly thus progressing to
something more.Falling into the bed...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT.MICHAEL'S BEDROOM-CONTINUOUS
Music continues.Michael lays in bed with Stephanie beside
him.They kiss one another passionately and slowly,a sensuous
display of rhythm.
Stephanie places her hand on his chest, moving her hand
along his body,she lets her fingertips rest at the top of
his jeans.In a simple motion,she begins to unbutton them
when--he stops her.
MICHAEL JACKSON
(sigh,then--)
...No...
STEPHANIE MILLS
Why not?
MICHAEL JACKSON
I can't...
She kisses him,then--
STEPHANIE MILLS
C'mon.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Not until I'm married...I don't
believe in that.
He takes her hand away and holds it gently.Stephanie moves
closer to him,resting her head on his chest,falling quickly
asleep.
INT.MICHAEL'S BEDROOM-DAWN
Michael is asleep.He sleeps on his side,his arms carefully
supporting his face.Stephanie lies in front of him,watching
him.Suddenly a pair of HEELS echo....STOVE TURNS ON,DOOR
KNOB TURNS.Stephanie wakes up.
Waiting.She sits up,turns over to look at Michael--he's
still sleeping.Stephanie slides out of bed,wearing only one
of Michael's old t-shirts,creeping to the door.She turns the
knob,looks in and sees Latoya(on the couch)watching TV while
sipping hot chocolate.
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