POP/ROCK - Feb. 29, 1988

While preparing for his present tour in Pensacola, Fla., Michael Jackson said it with flowers, according to Pensacola Hilton employees who witnessed Jackson’s personal chef preparing his meals with flowers added. “I walked into the kitchen once when Damien was cooking,� said Thaisa Betts-Hester, the hotel’s room division manager. “Damien was cooking with an odd-looking flower with brown petals that he kept in a plastic bag. He ordered about $50 worth of flowers every day, but I don’t know if Michael ate them all.� Jackson also ordered 32 cases of Evian mineral water for drinking and bathing, baby corn, fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes from Orlando, hotel employees said. He had a portable dance floor installed in his suite’s living room and was a polite guest, they said.