Michael Jackson Imagine & Story Collection

Blood On The Dance Floor (One-shot story)

1997

My hair pulled back into a slick braid, and attired smartly in a red velvet tuxedo, my appearance is to die for. I'm currently at Suzie's Showbar – a club not far from where I live. My main aim tonight is to find a girl that'll fall for me as much as I fall for her.

Standing off at the side of the dance floor, my eyes scan the room, seeing mostly dancers, couples making out, and the odd alcoholic sharing a laugh with their friends. I plan to join in with the next dance; it'll be the couples' dance, where I will mostly likely find someone for myself.

As I turn my head, she suddenly comes from behind the curtain. Her eyes are heavily made-up with eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara; her cheeks darkened artificially; her lips rouged to match the dress she wears. Her name is Suzie, and she owns the place – hence it being named Suzie's Showbar.

She struts slowly over to the dance floor, earning the attention of every man in the room. Any typical man would be a fool to avoid her – she's effortlessly sexy, and her style unique yet wonderful. Added to that, she's the town's sweetheart; loved by every person who knows her.

However, there is one thing about her that not everyone knows – she's not quite the sweetheart that everyone thinks she is. Every man she's tangoed, fox-trotted or waltzed with has left the Showbar, never to return again. Why? Because once Suzie's got your number, it's a fact that the way she treats you will quite literally be to die for.

Yes – there can sometimes be blood on the dance floor, but only from the men she dislikes. If she dances with a man, only to decide that he's not right for her, he's not going home. Instead, he's got a one-way ticket to death. It's understandable that some people decide not to dance with her – but the ones who do, have no idea about her little game.

And it's not like some men have the choice, either – whoever Suzie wants to dance with, Suzie dances with. Even if the man knows about her little charade, they're forced to face an uncertain doom by dancing with her. Luckily, I know about it, so perhaps I can avoid her.

She takes centre stage on the dance floor, striking a sensual starting pose. The room falls silent, grabbing everyone's attentions. Her eyes move slowly around the room, examining everyone she sees, until her gaze falls on me. Then, she gradually comes out of her position, only to point in my direction.

She's found me.

Her index finger gestures at me to come forward, causing me to swallow nervously. Calm down, Michael. All she wants to do is dance ... maybe she'll like you, and spare your life. You don't have a choice now, anyway ...

Adjusting my tuxedo jacket, and fiddling with the cufflinks on my sleeves, I take the short but nerve-wracking walk towards Suzie. All eyes are on me right now, so with each step I take, the feeling of conspicuousness rises, leaving a terrible anxious pain in my stomach.

Arriving opposite her, she looks me up and down, before taking both my hands in hers. "Name, sir?" she requests, her voice sharp yet seductive. She raises her eyebrows in anticipation of my answer, which I quickly give to her.

"Michael." My tone is confident, but it's all just a front. In reality, I'm dying on the inside from how worried I am about this dance. Why did I come here? I'll never forgive myself for this.

"Hmm ... " She whips her head around, clicking her finger, "Music!" Her head then turns back around to face me, a mischievous smirk spreading across her face, "Now, we dance, Michael."

As the music starts to play, she takes me around the dance floor, whilst I try to keep up as best as possible. One wrong movement could potentially kill me, so I'm going to try and be as efficient with my moves as possible. Before too long, I start to hear clapping and cheering from the other people here, which assures me that I'm doing well. My confidence begins to increase, as I start performing moves with Suzie that even she has probably never learnt how to do.