The Day I Delivered Veggie Wraps and Sushi to George Michael
An unexpected welcoming from the “Wham” Legend
Wearing a light purple velvet jogging suit I never expected the other half of pop-80’s music duo “Wham”, to be greeting me at his New York City townhouse door. Welcoming me with his sunken-in warm brown eyes magnified by a pair of Pugnale prescription tinted glasses, George Michael lived in an exclusive neighborhood with gated entrances and tight building security. Knowing a little bit about Michael’s total wealth, I realized quickly that this was not his only residents. However, the last person I thought would be paying for his own take-out would be George Michael himself. With his soft sweet British accent he greeted me;
“Ello. Come-en for a bit.” widening the door to allow space for me.
Surprisingly tall at about just under six feet he was lean and fit. Even though it was 2 o’clock in the afternoon he appeared that he had just woken from a nap or still asleep from the previous night. The jogging outfit appeared in the name of fashion only as a small monogram “G.M.” adorned the top right chest area as part of this fashion statement. This was the early 2000’s so his partying may have been tempered a little from the hard core 1980’s so I figured it was probably a nap he took after a late or early flight from England. Deciphering George Michael’s sleeping habits was a way to calm me down especially over the shock of seeing the music legend standing before my very eyes.
Abruptly, a man dressed in a suit and tie with a security jacket pushed his way ahead of George in anticipation of foiling a crime in progress. George gently touched the arm of his security detail and in the same low voice let him know that I was not there to do him harm;
“No, No, Drew, this kind chap is here to deliver food. Fall back (laughs)”
“It’s not everyday I answer my own door. It get’s everyone a bit Barmy (Crazy)”
Yes. He used the word “Barmy” which I had to look up later on it’s meaning. I stepped into an enormous entrance way anchored by the biggest chandelier I had have ever seen. What appeared to be a 17th century hand carved entrance table is where George Michael placed his prescription glasses down. Leading into the first living room was gold records laminated into the floor. The first one I could see without taking a step was “Faith” album which sold over 10 million copies. It was certified Diamond by U.S. Billboard 200. The others were spaced far enough so I could not see them but was comfortable enough to probably guess at which albums they were.
Not used to answering the door himself he seemed to be at a loss for money despite having the NYC exclusive town home (among others). I chuckled at the notion that he almost didn’t know what to do as he patted his pockets searching for a wallet as he began to walk in one direction then turned around and walked the opposite way to what appeared to be the kitchen. I could smell the aroma of something baking like a pie or pastry. Being British it may have been a Shepard’s pie. A short woman was at the sink cleaning large pots and pans as she stood about 5 ft. with the one pot almost overtaking her short arms. She turned to George Michael;
“Mr. George can I help you find something?”
Probably embarrassed, I could only hear George Michael mumble something to her with her shaking her head in agreement as she put down the large pot she was wiping. She appeared to walk with a limp as she went out of my sight and George peaked his head out with his hands in his pocket and smiled as if to let me know that he was working on getting me the payment. The other funny part to this is that I never told him the amount? I was holding the receipt and he never glanced at it. I wanted badly to document this encounter but was completely unprepared and this was a time (early 2000’s) before smart phones were everywhere and certainly before I owned one. Therefore, I would have had to have pulled-out my digital camera which of course would have been unprofessional and rude to his already overwhelming kindness and embarrassment. So my mind was the recorder.
As I waited patiently I decided to take another look around while standing in the same position holding the receipt and bag. Above the chandelier was the second floor with the bannister elegantly decorated with twisted hand-made brass spindles suitable for a king’s palace. Peering with his ice blue eyes over the bannister was the security detail who earlier tried to foil George Michael’s food delivery. By his stare, he wanted me to know he was watching me. Perhaps he could have paid me and I could be on my way. However, I was enjoying my time with the “Faith” superstar. I tightly smiled to acknowledge that I could see him and he just kept starring at me so I looked away.
The increased aroma of the pie crust I spoke of earlier was overtaken by a savory smell of ground beef which led me to conclude that it was most likely a Sheppard's pie that I originally suspected. I started to believe that he might ask me to stay for dinner forgetting that I was delivering veggie wraps and sushi. Perhaps the Sheppard's pie was for a later time or even the next day. All these thoughts run through your brain when you are standing in George Michael’s foyer and you do not want to look nervous or impatient. What if it was just the two of us? That would be awkward? Perhaps he would have invited some dinner guests in which I have nothing in common with? Music Moguls or other artists and actors? What would I say to them? I am an out of work Wall Street runner filling time by delivering food while sharing a one bedroom apartment with four guys just to save some money. I could just see it;
“Ello all, I would like you to meet a new friend of mine, fresh out of work and kindly delivered my take-away to me”, I imagined George would say.
I realized I was getting ahead of myself but between the Sheppard’s pie and the dizziness of being the presence of music greatness I was just about to lose my mind. Not to be rude but I was almost willing to let him slide with the payment and just pay for it myself. $82.50 for vegetables and rolled fish was super expensive but I would take the hit if it meant that I left with my dignity and sanity. The top of the take-out bag was rolled so many times I could feel the top of the take-out containers being crushed under my crippled hands. Suddenly my cell phone rang and it was my boss at “Trendy Edibles”, the place I delivered take out from for George Michael. He wanted to know if I was lost or drunk somewhere at a bar. I whispered that I was at George Michael’s townhouse waiting to get paid. All he said was “Hurry-up” and then hung-up!
My mountain bike was double parked in front of George Michael’s home on the carefully crafted cobble stone lined roadway. For a moment I was actually afraid that someone might tow me. Of course I am kidding but I did think the grumpy security detail “Lerch” (LOL) would take my bike just to be spiteful. So I tossed my head back a few times to see if I could see my hot mode of transportation. Biking was the way to go in NYC even when delivering food. The restaurant was just a few blocks away and it was my second week working so my boss wasn’t sending me out too far because as he put it:
“I don’t want you getting killed your first week. Then I’ll be short a worker again”, the boss ignorantly shouted at me.
“Trendy Edibles” was an over-priced exclusive take-out restaurant that catered to the high-end residents of New York City. The average person couldn’t afford $82 for a spicy roll and glorified spring rolls. Some called it “Spago on wheels”. Similar to the Beverly Hills restaurant “Spago” where you get a little food for a lot of money.
To me it was fufu food that with small portions with pink and beige cream sauces to make it look high-end. The delivery people, like myself, banked on big tips from big stars. If you think about it, other than George Michael, most of the time you are being greeted by a maid or butler or personal assistant and they have no allegiance to you. House staff come and go usually from other countries and many times they don’t even know how or even that you have to tip at all. The biggest tip I ever received was $100 from Ron Howard of “Happy Days”. He was having his town house wall papered and he invited me in to have lunch with him along with the workers. We spoke for about an hour until I had to get back to work. He was great!
I felt George Michael’s aura enter the room before he did. This was the kind of existence he had. It was more than “star quality”. He didn’t walk across the floor he glided. Hard to explain but those who have met him (I found out later) all felt the same way. You could feel the artistic waves coming off of him. I would never say he was God-like as there is only one God and Jesus Christ but you felt he was special and humble to the core with an undertow of some sadness. It made you want to hug him and tell him;
“everything was going to be o.k.”
even though he appeared to have it all! Crazy.
Now George Michael enters back into the foyer area where I stood holding his take-out. He places his glasses back on that he had rested on the 17th century hand carved table, and apologizes for keeping me waiting. Of course I quickly squash any embarrassment he might have and let him know it was my pleasure.
“Well this was a damp squib (failure). My apologies for the wait. It would have been fasta (faster) if I had come by and whipped it up myself” (laugh).
He handed me a rolled up $100 dollar bill but was padded with what appeared to be additional money.
“Oh gosh! I don’t even know the price?” he exclaimed
My reaction to him was he need not worry what the the price was because whatever he gave me would be plenty. Even though I had no idea (other than the $100 dollar bill he handed me shyly). This would have at least covered the bill along with the remaining amount being the tip. For some reason I bowed? That was awkward as he chucked and slightly bowed back.
“Thank you Mr. Michael and I hope you enjoy your evening”, I declared
“Call me George and I am afraid I have delayed you. Please tell Rolf (my boss) that I kept you waiting and it is my sincere apology.”
Again for some reason I bowed as I was walking out the front door? I guess this was the British thing to do because he slightly bowed back. With a wink and a coy smile he answered my strange urge to bow:
“I am not knighted yet chap, but when I am you can do all the bowing you want”. he laughingly stated.
When I learned of George Michael’s passing in 2016, I was working back in Wall Street at a new firm trading stocks. We had just lost Whitney Houston and Prince in the previous years and this was another sad ending to singers I loved form the 1980’s. My brief encounter with him will always stick with me and every once in awhile I think about his final quip to me about “bowing” and it makes me chuckle. If he wasn’t knighted in life than he certainly was knighted in heaven.
