“I just got fired!”
“Oh no! What happened?”
I was talking to my cousin on the phone, whining about my new unfortunate situation. I had been working as a waitress in a small restaurant in L.A, trying to make ends meet which wasn’t easy. The pay sucked, as did the customers. And today I got the boot.
“I told a woman customer to fuck off. She treated me like shit and I was tired, so I snapped. I tried explaining it to my boss, but he wouldn’t budge. Asshole!”
“So what are you gonna do now?” she asked.
“I have no idea. Do you know of any job openings?”
“No, but I have the job section right here. Let’s see…Baker, dishwasher, lifeguard, teacher….Wait, here’s something: Maids wanted for ranch in Santa Ynez”.
“Ooh, a ranch! Like with horses and stuff?”
“It doesn’t say. The ad is very short. There’s a phone number. You got a pen?”
****
Later that day I called the number and set up an interview. I may have lied a bit on the phone, telling the man I talked to that I liked servicing people, which I in fact hated, but I really needed a job and a change.
Later that day I called the number and set up an interview. I may have lied a bit on the phone, telling the man I talked to that I liked servicing people, which I in fact hated, but I really needed a job and a change.
The next day I arrived at a huge office building in downtown L.A and on the 17th floor I met the other hopefuls. Most of them were women, but a few males were also amongst them.
I had to wait for about an hour until it became my turn. In the conference room I saw two men. One looked Hispanic and the other had a blond mullet. Mullet-guy extended his hand to me.
I had to wait for about an hour until it became my turn. In the conference room I saw two men. One looked Hispanic and the other had a blond mullet. Mullet-guy extended his hand to me.
“Hello Miss. My name is John Branca and this is Señor Martinez. I’m the lawyer of the owner of the ranch and Señor Martinez will act as your boss if you get the job”.
“Hi. Pleasure to meet you both. Wow, I’ve never been to a job interview that required a lawyer before. Is the ranch owner some sort of king or something?” I said jokingly and smiled.
“Well….Uhm…Some might say that. Let’s just say that he’s a known figure. I’m here to make sure the right people get hired. There’s a lot of agreements that needs to be signed and stuff. Normally this is not a part of my job, but I have found out that I might as well get used to going beyond my services” He said and winked at me. “Shall we begin? I hope you don’t mind that the interview is being videotaped? My client wants to look over all of the interviews himself”.
I nodded and said it was fine with me.
The interview lasted about half an hour and I had to answer a ton of question: did I have a criminal record? What kind of experience did I have? How was I at keeping secrets? Did I like children? Additionally I had to sign a confidentiality agreement. The name of the ranch owner was painted over with a black marker, so his identity was still a secret. My curiosity was killing me.
****
Days went by and I heard nothing from Mr. Branca. My food supply was running low and I was getting nervous. Did I get the job or did I have to look elsewhere or move back in with my folks? I rolled my eyes at the idea.
Days went by and I heard nothing from Mr. Branca. My food supply was running low and I was getting nervous. Did I get the job or did I have to look elsewhere or move back in with my folks? I rolled my eyes at the idea.
I was scraping the last can of kidney beans when the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hello?”
“Hello Miss, it’s Mr. Branca. Sorry for the wait. But you might be happy to know that you got the job and you start within the next month or so”.
“I’m so glad…Thank you so much Mr. Branca. I can’t wait!”
“We’re looking forward to seeing you once again. Oh and Miss, if you don’t have a place to live, there’s housing available on the ranch property free of charge. Should I reserve one of the cottages for you?”
“That would be absolutely wonderful. Again, thank you and I will see you soon”.
Saved by the bell! I was so relieved… Next stop, Santa Ynez!
****
A month later I arrived at my new home/work. It was the most breathtaking place I had ever seen. Lush green fields, flowers in all sorts of colours and huge beautiful trees covered the grounds. In the far distance I could see hills and valleys that reminded me of the wild west. Some of the buildings on the property were still under construction, but as far as I could see, the finished result was going to be out of this world.
Soon, I met the rest of the staff and they all seemed very friendly. I felt good about my situation. Not to mention that the weather was nice and warm. I was told there was going to be a staff meeting in an hour in the main house. In the meantime I was shown to my cottage. It was not that big, but very inviting. It was already furnished and because of that, I sold my own furniture before leaving my old dump. I just brought my own knick knacks and personal belongings.
A month later I arrived at my new home/work. It was the most breathtaking place I had ever seen. Lush green fields, flowers in all sorts of colours and huge beautiful trees covered the grounds. In the far distance I could see hills and valleys that reminded me of the wild west. Some of the buildings on the property were still under construction, but as far as I could see, the finished result was going to be out of this world.
Soon, I met the rest of the staff and they all seemed very friendly. I felt good about my situation. Not to mention that the weather was nice and warm. I was told there was going to be a staff meeting in an hour in the main house. In the meantime I was shown to my cottage. It was not that big, but very inviting. It was already furnished and because of that, I sold my own furniture before leaving my old dump. I just brought my own knick knacks and personal belongings.
The furniture in the cottage was kept in light colours. Except for the floors, the wooden tables, dining chairs, bookcases, window frames and shelves, which were made of dark wood everything else was painted white. I had my own little kitchen with the necessary appliances. My bathroom consisted of a bathtub with a showerhead mounted on the wall above it, a sink with cupboards underneath it and of course a toilet. I was thrilled to find that I actually had gotten a huge bed and two pretty big closets in my bedroom. Next to the bed were two glass doors hidden behind white long curtains. I opened the doors and the curtains lightly blew inwards. The smell of the flowers hit me as I stepped outside. I closed my eyes and felt the warm breeze caressing my face. How lucky was I?
****
“Hi everyone and welcome. I’m Señor Martinez. You might remember me from your interviews. For those of you working in the kitchen, this is Mr. Andrews, your supervisor and head chef. As for the gardeners, this is Mr. Nuñez, head groundskeeper”.
I looked around at everyone assembled in the half-way furnished main living room of the house while Señor Martinez was talking. It too was kept in the same colour scheme as the cottages; dark wood and white walls. But the furniture was very different from mine. I guess it was kind of an old British style or something. To my amazement I was standing next to a huge grey castle encased in a glass vault. Maybe it was a family with children who were moving in here? I could have sworn I saw the top of a Ferris wheel in the distance when I made my way over to the main house, but that seemed a bit out there. Then again, the people living here must be rich, and rich people sometimes do crazy things with their money.
I was assigned to Mrs. Peters who was in charge of all the maids. I got a list of the rooms I was in charge of cleaning. The rooms didn’t need cleaning everyday, so they were distributed out on the different days of the week. Sunday was supposed to be my day off, but at the bottom of my schedule it said that due to special arrangements the day off might be cancelled and switched with another day.
I was assigned to Mrs. Peters who was in charge of all the maids. I got a list of the rooms I was in charge of cleaning. The rooms didn’t need cleaning everyday, so they were distributed out on the different days of the week. Sunday was supposed to be my day off, but at the bottom of my schedule it said that due to special arrangements the day off might be cancelled and switched with another day.
When everyone had been assigned to their supervisor, Señor Martinez cleared his throat and continued speaking.
“Now that everyone knows who their supervisor is, I think it’s time to introduce you to MY boss. As you all know, he is very well known. Some of you may be surprised or shocked, but I must ask of you to behave as if he is like any other person. I may be your boss, but he’s the big man; in the end, you work for him. So try and stay calm, okay?”
He went over to a door and peeked in with a nod, then stepped back. At first, I thought my eyes were playing a trick on me. This could not be! I knew exactly who the man that slowly, almost timidly, walked through the door was. I couldn’t count the many times I had danced and sung myself into oblivion to his music.
My über boss was Michael Jackson! I kept staring at him. I had only seen him on TV and in magazines. If it was possible, he looked even better in real life. He was tall and had the body of a dancer. A very sexy dancer! His black curls were pulled back in a pony tail with the exception of a few strands that framed his face. His clothes were much more laid back than I was used to seeing. Black jeans and a red buttoned up shirt. The loafers were the same though. He wore shades, but took them off as he entered the room.
The other workers looked as surprised as I was, but we all remained calm. Michael looked a bit uncomfortable as he started to speak.
The other workers looked as surprised as I was, but we all remained calm. Michael looked a bit uncomfortable as he started to speak.
“Hi, my name is Michael Jackson and I’m very pleased to meet all of you. I hope you will enjoy working here at Neverland. And um…”
He looked a little bewildered and gestured his hand towards Señor Martinez who took over. I forgot to pay attention to what he was saying because I couldn’t stop staring at Michael. I went over every inch of his body starting with those eyes. I was afraid to linger too long at them, afraid he was going to catch my gaze. So I moved down to his strong jaw and even stronger neck. He was so manly. His shoulders were very broad and that made his upper body and slim waist into a triangular form. His legs were long and…wow…his feet seemed huge! My dirty mind quickly painted an image in my head and I smiled absentmindedly. I couldn’t see his hands as they were tucked away behind his back, but a man with big feet usually had big hands! I looked back into his eyes and realised he was looking at me. When he caught my eye he looked down. I thought I saw a hint of a smile on his seducing lips, but it was probably just in my head.
After the staff meeting we all went in our own directions. I headed back to my cottage, but before I went out the door, I looked back over my shoulder in Michael’s direction. This time there was no doubt: he was looking at me. I smiled, but I wasn’t sure he saw it because he hurried back through the door he came from.
After the staff meeting we all went in our own directions. I headed back to my cottage, but before I went out the door, I looked back over my shoulder in Michael’s direction. This time there was no doubt: he was looking at me. I smiled, but I wasn’t sure he saw it because he hurried back through the door he came from.
****
I wasn’t supposed to be working for the next five days. Some furniture still needed to arrive in my work areas, some of the floors needed to get a fresh coat of varnish and some walls still needed to be painted. That suited me just fine. That way I could get used to my new surroundings.
Once I got back to my cottage I started to unpack. I put all my knick knacks in various places, making it more like home and then went to unpack my clothes. As I walked into my bedroom I noticed a cardboard box sitting on the bed. I opened it and found my uniforms. They were pretty cliché. Black knee-length dresses with a round neckline, short sleeves and, of course, a white apron. I would have to try it on later. Right now I wanted to relax, and I was pretty hungry and thirsty. I remember Mrs. Peters told us that our refrigerators would be stocked this once, but from then on it would be our own responsibility to go shopping for food.
I made a tuna sandwich, grabbed a cold Pepsi and headed outside to enjoy the last rays of the day. On the side of the cottage I found a lawn chair and dragged it to the front. I settled in and closed my eyes and thought about my first day at Neverland. I actually didn’t know it was called Neverland until Michael welcomed us. Michael Jackson was my boss! How weird was that? Aw man, those eyes…That body! I wondered what was underneath his clothes. Probably something amazing and big I thought as I remembered his feet. I giggled out loud and took a bite of my sandwich.
“Hi.”
I made a tuna sandwich, grabbed a cold Pepsi and headed outside to enjoy the last rays of the day. On the side of the cottage I found a lawn chair and dragged it to the front. I settled in and closed my eyes and thought about my first day at Neverland. I actually didn’t know it was called Neverland until Michael welcomed us. Michael Jackson was my boss! How weird was that? Aw man, those eyes…That body! I wondered what was underneath his clothes. Probably something amazing and big I thought as I remembered his feet. I giggled out loud and took a bite of my sandwich.
“Hi.”
I flinched and opened my eyes. Michael was standing in front of me smiling, but his smile soon faded and his face turned puzzled.
Oh my god! I couldn’t breathe. I literally couldn’t breathe! I was chocking on my sandwich!
I started waving my one arm franticly while I grabbed my throat with the other. He quickly caught on and raced to my aid. He yanked me up from the lawn chair and put his hands around my stomach and started jerking my body against his. By the second jerk, the piece of sandwich went flying out and I took a deep desperate breath of air. My body jolted as I coughed like there was no tomorrow.
After a few minutes I was able to calm down. Then I remembered that Michael was there. I turned to face him and he looked extremely guilty.
After a few minutes I was able to calm down. Then I remembered that Michael was there. I turned to face him and he looked extremely guilty.
“Oh gee, I’m so so sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you I swear. Are you ok?”
“Yes I think so. Wow, that was scary!”
“It sure looked scary. Can’t believe I caused that. Can you forgive me? Please don’t quit your job!” He really looked like he was sorry and I could see his hands were shaking a bit.
“Oh, I won’t. Besides almost dying, I quite like it here” I said with a smile. I could see his shoulders relax back into place and he smiled too. I swear I almost did die from being exposed to his perfect row of white teeth.
“I’m gonna try again and hopefully the outcome will be a bit less dramatic: Hi, I’m Michael”.
He extended his hand to me and I took it. I was right about his hands; they were big and the fingers long. I giggled and Michael raised his eyebrows questioningly.
“What?”
“Oh nothing…Hi very nice to meet you”.
I went to the side of the house and fetched a second lawn chair and gestured him to sit. I took one look at the remains of my sandwich, but for some reason I wasn’t hungry anymore. I asked him if he wanted a drink or something, but he declined. I wondered what he wanted…Then he spoke:
I went to the side of the house and fetched a second lawn chair and gestured him to sit. I took one look at the remains of my sandwich, but for some reason I wasn’t hungry anymore. I asked him if he wanted a drink or something, but he declined. I wondered what he wanted…Then he spoke:
“So you used to work as a waitress, right?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“Well, I viewed the tapes from the interviews… John picked a few he thought I should hire, so I did, and then I chose some myself. You were one of them”. He smiled again but looked down at his hands like a shy little boy.
“Wow…Well thank you. I really needed the job! Why did you choose me, if I may ask?” I thought I saw his face blush. He still looked down when he answered.
“Well I…. I dunno. You seemed like a nice person. And you’re young.”
I raised my eyebrows and when he looked up at me his eyes widened.
“No no, it’s not like that! I meant that all the others who applied for the job were either male or in their forties. I guess I liked the fact that you were a bit closer to my age. I’m turning 30 in about three months, so you’re about five years younger. When is your birthday?”
“November 11th … So I’m actually only four years younger than you”.
Michael nodded.
“So, do you know anyone here in L.A?” he continued.
“I have a few friends here and my cousin. But my mom and dad lives in San Francisco
“Well you also kinda know me now. Let me know if you need the day off or something for your birthday. I mean, that’s the least I can do after almost killing you, right?” he said and winked at me.
“Well you also kinda know me now. Let me know if you need the day off or something for your birthday. I mean, that’s the least I can do after almost killing you, right?” he said and winked at me.
Well, he didn’t wink as much as he just blinked! But man, he looked so cute doing it.
“Unfortunately I won’t be here for your birthday. I have to go to Europe to kick off the second leg of my tour and won’t be back until November. And then I have to leave for Japan
“Wow, that sounds stressful. When are you leaving?” I asked, but at the same time I wondered why he apologized for not being home for my birthday. Did he make it a habit of celebrating with his employees? I didn’t think so. Maybe he was just making small talk, which actually seemed kinda weird too. I wondered if he had been making rounds, personally welcoming every single employee.
“May 18th … So I still have about a week here to relax”.
We sat there talking for a while about all sorts of things. I kept wondering why he was singling me out. Didn’t he have tons of friends? I didn’t mind though. He was so nice and listened very intensely. It seemed like he wanted to know everything about me. I had nothing to hide, so I guess I blabbered away like a maniac. But I stopped talking when I saw his failed attempt to hide a big yawn.
We sat there talking for a while about all sorts of things. I kept wondering why he was singling me out. Didn’t he have tons of friends? I didn’t mind though. He was so nice and listened very intensely. It seemed like he wanted to know everything about me. I had nothing to hide, so I guess I blabbered away like a maniac. But I stopped talking when I saw his failed attempt to hide a big yawn.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I just never know when to shut up” I said apologetically.
“No it’s fine. I’ve just had a hard couple of days since I got back from the tour. I really enjoyed talking to you. It’s nice to talk to someone for a change”.
He emphasized the word “talk” and a quick shadow of sadness came about his eyes.
“But I guess I should be heading back to my house to hit the sack… Uhm… Would you be interested in talking to me some more one day…or…maybe not…I don’t know?” His eyes were avoiding mine, and it almost seemed like he was holding his breath.
“Sure, that would be very nice Michael” I said with a huge smile on my face.
As soon as he heard me say yes, he exhaled and smiled. “Alright then! I’ll see you around. Goodnight girl”
“Goodnight.”
As he turned around and walked away, I suddenly realised it was getting a bit cold. I took my sandwich and Pepsi can inside and threw it away and got ready for bed.
****
Right before I fell asleep, I started thinking about what had just happened. Had I just spend the last two hours talking to Michael Jackson? The Thriller!? Damn, that was so odd! And he wanted to spend more time with me! It was so hard to believe, but wonderfully true. He was only giving out a friendly vibe, but even that was huge! I remembered him doing the Heimlich on me, and I remember what I felt against my backside. And as far as I could tell, it was pretty impressive. A smile crept across my face and all sorts of naughty thoughts rumbled around in my head, reminding me it had been too long since I’d been with a man. I soon drifted off to sleep, tired from all the new impressions of the day but also very happy and content. I had a feeling this job was going to bring about it a lot of great experiences and maybe servicing people wouldn’t be so bad after all. Michael’s smile was the last thing I saw as I headed of to dreamland…
