Forgiving Michael Jackson

  

In 1984 Michael Jackson was flying high with Thriller, voted the most influential pop music video ever. I was managing a jewelry store in Oregon at the time and Jackie, one of my employees, approached to ask for a few days off.

      

“Why?” I asked.

     

 Jackie was one of my best salespeople when she wasn’t attending classes at the local college. She seldom asked for time off. “I want to buy tickets for the Michael Jackson Concert at the Tacoma Dome up near Seattle. The concert is in a few months and tickets go on sale in two days. I plan to camp on the sidewalk in front of Ticketmaster to have a crack at choice seats.”

      

Here was the solution to a problem I’d been struggling with; what to give Mrs. Chatterbox for her upcoming birthday. Mrs. C. was a big fan of the King of Pop. “Sure, I’ll give you time off,” I told Jackie. “And while you’re at it, pick up two tickets for me.”

      

Tickets were $35.00 and I handed over $70.00. Birthday problem solved. Two days later Jackie entered the store, dirty and disheveled but smiling. She handed over two tickets, dated the night before Halloween. “These are worth much more than you paid so be careful with them,” she said. “Scalpers will be selling them outside the gate on concert night for hundreds of dollars."

      

Two months later Mrs. C. was ecstatic when she opened her birthday card and the tickets dropped out. Her birthday was October 22nd and that left a week for the excitement to build. The day before the concert she was delirious with anticipation. An hour before my shift ended, Jackie approached the counter where I was polishing jewelry. She looked upset; her bottom lip was sticking out and her eyes were damp. “A friend just called to give me the bad news. Michael Jackson cancelled tomorrow night’s concert. He has a sore throat.”

     

 “Will the concert be rescheduled for ticket holders?” I asked.

      

“No. But Ticketmaster will refund the face value of the tickets,” she explained. “Damn! This is the second time Michael Jackson has cancelled on me.”

      

I wasn’t looking forward to telling Mrs. C. about the cancellation, but a fellow had entered the store and taken a seat in front of the diamond engagement rings. I set personal business aside to earn my salary.

     

 An hour later I was wrapping up a thirty-six hundred dollar sale. The commission I was about to receive almost made up for the sting of the concert cancellation. When I asked the young man if he’d like to open an account to finance the ring he smiled and shook his head. “I have an interesting way to pay for this ring,” he said. “Three weeks ago I bought ten tickets from scalpers for tomorrow night’s Michael Jackson concert. I’ll make a killing selling these outside the gate tomorrow night. Hold onto the ring and I’ll be back with cash after the concert.”

      

He looked pleased with himself; I hated to break the news. “So you haven’t heard?”

      

His eyes widened. “Heard what?”

     

 “Jackson has a sore throat. He cancelled the concert.”

      

He let out a long moan. “Shiiiiiiiiit! What about refunds?”

      

“Ticketmaster will refund the face value.”

      

“But I didn’t pay face value. I paid scalpers a hundred bucks apiece for ten tickets.”

      

I didn’t know what to say.

      

He took a last look at the sparkling diamond in his hand before returning it to me. “Can’t afford this now,” he said.

      

He stood and walked out the door, taking my fat commission with him.

      

Mrs. C. was quite understanding about the cancellation. I tried to make it up to her with my employee discount and bought her a piece of jewelry. We never did see Michael Jackson perform live and I’ve held a grudge against him since 1984.

      

I guess it’s time to say: I forgive you, Michael. 

Submitted to my friends at Dude Write.