Adam's POV

I'm awaken by someone lightly kicking my shoe. I open my eyes. The stranger's shadow is shading me from the sun. It's an old woman. She looks concern. She asks,

"Young man, are you okay? "

Let me explain my situation. I'm an orphan and I've been in an orphanage my entire life. I guess no one wanted me. Anyway, when I turned 18, I ran away. For reasons I refuse to talk about.

I've been homeless for six years. My birthday is coming up in a month. I'll be 25. That was random.

Anyway, I'm used to the harsh life of the streets. I've fought many and nearly killed a few people. My anger sometimes takes over me.

I smile at the woman and say,

"Yes, I'm fine. I must've fell asleep while waiting for the bus. "

I was at the bus stop. And also, that was a lie. I didn't want to tell her the truth because people automatically feel bad for you and even try to give you money. I'm no charity case.

I get up and say,

"I'm just gonna walk though. Have a nice day, ma'am. "

She smiles and says, "Stay safe, young man. "

I smile and nod. I think she knows I'm homeless. I begin to walk down the street. The first thing I do in the morning is fine a new place to sleep. I check my old watch. Well, it's way past morning. It's freaking 3pm! I really need some kind of alarm.

I wonder where I should lay my weary head tonight? A big circular building appeared. I think that's the arena where Michael Jackson was having his auditions. It should be empty now. I can find a way in.

I go around the back and pick the lock to the door. I don't want an alarm to go off. I pick the lock successfully. I open the door and step in. It seems quiet. That's good. It's also dark. As I walk around carefully, begin to hear the echo of my shoes.

Where am I?

Suddenly, a bright light shines from above, blinding me. I use my hand to block the light and ask loudly, "God?"

I hear a light voice whisper to someone, "I thought we saw everyone."

An Italian voice replies, "I did too."

I'm on a stage! I can't believe it. I walked straight through backstage. I look off stage and see a table. My eyes slowly adjust to the light. The Italian voice asks me, "What's your name, kid?"

I say, a bit insulted, "I'm no kid."

"We really don't have time for this, kid."

As I finally see who's talking to me, my eyes widen. Michael freaking Jackson says, "You can't dance in that."

I say, "If I wanted to I can."

He asks, "If you wanted to? Why are you here then?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

I admit, that was a stupid question. He begins to say something back, but his friend says, "Mike, hold up. Excuse me, kid, if you're gonna dance, then please do. We've been here for hours. We'd like to go home."

Dance? They're still having auditions? The first concert is like in two weeks. Talk about unprepared. Mm..this should be interesting. I say,

"I don't have anything prepared."

Michael sighs from frustration and says, "Well, you said you can dance. We're gonna play Thriller. Dance to that."

Thriller begins to play. I toss my bag on the stage a few feet away from me. I take off the long black leather jacket. Michael is shaking his head the whole time I'm trying to get ready. I admit, I probably should tell them I never signed up. But, how many times will something like this happen again? I can dance, I just never thought about doing it as a career. I freestyle the entire song, until it gets to the best part. Then I do the Thriller routine.

I feel free when I'm dancing. As if all my problems are gone. I really do love it. Dancing is the only thing I had during my years at the Orphanage.

I spin and do a MJ pose as the song ends. I'm not out of breath at all. I go back to my normal stance and look at Michael and his friend. I wait for a reaction.

Michael's eyes are widen. He has a big grin on his face. I have a feeling I did good. He stands and begins to clap rapidly. I smile. He says to his friend,

"That's the best routine we've seen all day! "

His friend nods and says, "It was. "

Michael turns to me and asks, "Did you freestyle until you got to the Thriller routine? "

I nod and say, "Yeah. "

Michael goes around the table and gracefully gets on the stage. He walks over to me and says,

"Do you think you can dance for an hour, probably two, with small break times? "

No way I just got the job. I say,

"I can dance for 3 hours with no breaks. "

Which is true. Whenever I got in trouble, 'Mother' would lock me in the basement for hours. That's where I taught myself to dance. There was an old radio down there and I would just feel the music in my tiny soul and move to the beat. I would dance non stop until I was able to leave.

It made me feel as if I was somewhere else. If I wasn't dancing down there, I would just cry myself to sleep.

That's why I'm in such good shape. I can run for a long time also. That comes in handy when I need to steal something. I only steal food and clothes.

Where do you think I got this leather getup?

Michael smiles and says, "You're hired. All I need is your audition paper. "

Aw crap.

"I..I lost it. That's why I was..um..late. "

He studies my face then says, "Don't worry. You can feel out another one. "

I smile. As I follow him to the table off stage, Michael says,

"This is my manager, Frank. "

I shake hands with him. Frank says,

"I don't recall your name, son. "

I clench my jaw. Visions of my horrible days in the orphanage floods my mine. My head begins to throb. I clench my eyes shut and place my thumb and index finger in the corner of both my eyes.

Michael puts his hand on my shoulder and asks,

"Are you ok? "

3..2..1

The visions stop. My head stops hurting. I open my eyes and say,

"Sorry...um, my name is Adam- It's just Adam. "

Michael chuckles and looks at Frank. He then looks back at me and questions,

"You don't have a last name? "

I force a smile and ask,

"What kind of benefits do I get? "

I look at the paper on the table and begin to carefully fill it out. Frank asks,

"Benefits? "

I nod and say, "Yeah. Do I get hot meals and a place to sleep? "

Frank laughs and says, "Of course you do. We aren't slave owners. "

I look at Frank and ask, "I even get hot showers?! "

Michael answers this one, "Well, I don't want you to stink. That would be unfortunate. "

I say, "Wow. This is the best. "

I knew I had them both confused, but I needed to know these things. I can't guarantee myself that I'll have something to eat or a shower. Hell, I have to sleep in trees sometimes.

The last time I had a hot meal was back at the orphanage. It was a rare occasion. Mother had just gotten her tax return check and she was so happy about the amount that she cooked a BIG dinner. It was delicious.

The government, or whoever does the tax return, realized they gave her too much. She soon went into debt and that was it for her good mood. Every so often father would cook, but that was extremely rare. He usually came home drunk and hit us children. Even mother.

I fill out the paper and say,

"What's next? "

Michael says, "I'm having everyone meet right back here tomorrow for a quick rehearsal. Don't worry. We'll have private sessions before the concert so you can get the routine. It's simple. "

I nod and say, "I'm a quick learner. "

Michael smiles and says,

"Well, we'll see you tomorrow. "

I nod and go up onstage to get my stuff. Michael says,

"I'll walk you out. "

Aw geez. I wanted to sleep in here tonight. I can't decline. I say,

"Um, ok. "

I follow him back stage. Frank calls out,

"I'll meet you around back. "

Michael yells, "Alrighty! "

We travel back stage to the back door. Michael opens it for me. Crap!

I walk outside just as Frank pulls up in a black Cadillac. Wow.

"Nice car. The engine sounds perfect. "

Michael smiles and says, "Thanks. I don't really know much about cars. "

Whew..that's good. Neither do I. Michael asks,

"Do you want a ride home? "

I say, "I don't live far from here. I can walk. "

He nods and says, "Alright. If you ever need anything. Let me know. "

I nod. He gets in the car. I pretend to walk away. Once the car is out of sight, I run back to the door, unlock it, and stay there the rest of the day. I'll find food tomorrow.