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Former-Commodore Lionel Richie is, as his recently concluded divorce proceedings state, "a well known composer, lyricist, musician, singer, performer as well as a producer". However, there is so much more to Lionel: he is also a stalker. I am at a loss as to why this was not mentioned as the evidence is clear throughout his career.
'Hello' is from 1983, from his 'Can't slow down' album. In the video he gives a heartfelt performance as a schoolteacher. He begins his lesson by saying, "Listen up everybody: Tony Billy-Boy has been in prison for 25 years. He's only been out three days." No-one appears suprised by his doing this.
He then continues in the second person, addressing one of his students. "The last time you were a free man, the Brooklyn Dodgers were still the Brooklyn Dodgers and Eisenhower was your president." In doing this, he shows himself to be both a man of the people and of historical knowledge. No-one appears suprised by his unshakable belief that one of his students is a man in his 50s called Tony Billy-Boy.
It is at this point that the object of Lionel's desires, Laura, is introduced. Recognising the impropriety of his feelings towards her, Lionel channels his sentiment through Tony Billy-Boy.
Tony Billy-Boy proves to be an excellent conduit. What realism the fantasy loses in Tony being a completely different age and race to Lionel is more than made up for by his insurpassable knowledge of what Brooklyn was like when he was jailed in 1958. "We could go to the Paramount!" he exclaims. "There is no more Brooklyn Paramount!" Laura laments.
His class engrossed in this ridiculous activity, Lionel proceeds to sit in the unused half of the room and sing about how he feels.
Class is over. Lionel knows Laura is about to leave, and watches helplessly and sings with a pained expression on his face. As she rises, she picks up a white cane. Laura is blind, and Lionel finds this a desirable quality because only the blind can like him for who he is without first being drawn to his devastating good looks. It does, however, make the accompanying line "Hello, is it me you're looking for? I can see it in your eyes." most inappropriate. Lionel follows her down the school corridor while continuing to sing. No-one appears suprised by this. One can only assume that he does it a lot.
Laura's next class is pottery. She is making a bust of Lionel. That she does this will her eyes shut shows the deep connection of the soul that she feels too.
Following her timetable closely, Lionel catches up with Laura in the cafeteria. He starts to make his move, but her friends come to join her. There can be no witnesses in case it all goes wrong and he has to kill her.
Lionel has "just got to let [her] know", so interupts her evening ballet class.
It is now night, but Lionel harasses her a final time before bed. He pauses for several seconds after she answers the phone to allow the solo to finish, then asks if it is him she's looking for, hanging up before she is able to give a reply.
Back at school, the video finishes on an educational note, Laura rubbing her clay-covered hands over Lionel's face and informing him "This is how I see you". In order to retain the spotlight, Lionel asks if it is him she's looking for a final redundant time.
Part two: more Lionel, and his disciples
