SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Two faces of Michael Jackson – hard-nosed businessman and childlike flake – came to light on recordings played yesterday in a $3.8 million breach of contract suit brought by the singer’s former video producer.

The dueling Jackos – captured on voice mail and videotape – emerged as producer Marc Schaffel’s lawyer made his opening statement in Santa Monica Superior Court.

First came a phone message the pop star left for Schaffel. Schaffel lawyer Howard King said it proves the singer “is very well aware of what is going on” with his business affairs.

“Marc, call [Florida businessman] Al Malnik. I do not want any ifs, ands or buts about releasing ‘What More Can I Give’ at this point,” Jackson says in a falsetto voice laced with ice-cold authority.

“Do it now. Do it now, Okay? Tell Al I want a big deal made out of this. … Listen to me musically. This is my department,” Jackson says, then hangs up without saying goodbye.

But when Jackson was quizzed at a videotaped deposition on Sept. 23, 2005, his well-known childlike persona appeared.

“Did you ever pay him?” King asks the singer.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m sure he got money,” Jackson says in a tiny confused voice.

“Why are you sure he got money?” King asked.

“Because he seemed to be always happy!” Jackson says with a goofy grin.

In his opening statement, Jackson lawyer Thomas Mundell said the entertainer does not owe Schaffel the $3.8 million the producer claims. He alleged Schaffel cooked the ledgers for Neverland Valley Entertainment, a company he formed for Jackson-related projects.