Michael Jackson out on the town for fast food
ASSOCIATED PRESS
6:15 p.m., May 20, 2003
SOLVANG – Reclusive pop star Michael Jackson, wearing a red-and-blue Spider-Man mask, popped into a congressman's field office seeking an answer to a critical issue.
"How come Solvang doesn't have any fast food restaurants?" the costumed Jackson asked Steve LavagNiño, deputy director in the new office of Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Santa Barbara.
The masked encounter took place about two weeks ago.
After being told the only chain restaurant was a Subway sandwich shop, he said, "I love Taco Bell."
The entertainer then pulled his webbed-crusader disguise off his face and apologized for disturbing LavagNiño, although Jackson didn't know what kind of office he'd wandered into.
"I've seen you on TV," said LavagNiño, whose father Larry is the mayor of nearby Santa Maria.
"Don't believe everything you see on TV," replied Jackson, who isn't registered to vote in Santa Barbara County. His sprawling Neverland Ranch is nearby.
After a few more pleasantries and an autograph, Jackson rode off in a black Bentley.
LavagNiño's boss didn't believe his tale until he faxed him the autograph.
"Elton laughed," LavagNiño said. "It's very hard to top that visit. My first week in the office and I get the most famous person on the planet."
Jackson later was seen at a Taco Bell/Pizza Hut drive-through window in Buellton.
After ordering two cheese pizzas, breadsticks, water and three chicken soft tacos, Jackson was spotted in the passenger seat. As his pizzas cooked, Jackson, face exposed, talked to employees and signed autographs, said Ana Torres, restaurant assistant manager.
"He was great," Torres said. "We all got his autograph. He talked to customers."
Jackson also had his son, Prince Michael, with him, she said.
"He had blond hair, he was really cute," Torres said.
Jackson, wearing a Spider-Man mask, asked Lavagnino why their surrounding area doesn't have more fast food restaurants. Lavagnino replied by pointing out there's a Subway sandwich shop. Jackson retorted: "But I like Taco Bell!"
By the time this hit the wire services yesterday, Lavagnino had already been put on ice by the congressman's office. All calls were referred to the Washington office, where Tom Pfeiffer handled calls.
So did this really happen? "It did," Pfeiffer told me. He assured me that the now sequestered Lavagnino was a longtime resident of the area and knew Jackson from an impostor. Pfeiffer did say that Lavagnino was alone at the time and there were no other witnesses.
This all comes a day or so after Jackson had his picture taken wearing a fake Afro in Miami, and on the heels of his settlement with Sotheby's over paintings he hadn't paid for. What's going on? Is Michael crazy?
Crazy, I would say, as a fox. Jackson knows how to manipulate the press, and this week he's already gotten two good publicity hits for strange behavior. But believe me, it is orchestrated by the Gloved One.
As nuts as you may think he is, Jackson knows that riding around in a Bentley looking for fast food will get him the attention he craves.
Think of him as a publicity vampire. Attention is the blood he needs to suck. So hey there, Mike, we haven't forgotten about you! We're just taking a rest before your next trial starts. We have duly noted your Miami appearances and await your purchase of a new home there.
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 21 May 2003 13:11 (twenty-two years ago)