In the office of Burbank Angel Acting Agency, Helen-Herman hung up the phone, leaned back in her executive chair, raised a hand to rub her temples, and let out a soft sigh. She seemed much more relaxed.
"A movie poster…" Amanda, her cousin, spoke without reservations. "Do you really need to call personally and waste so much breath? The money we made from the 'Gladiator' deal isn't even enough to cover the company's rent."
Helen-Herman crossed her arms and asked, "Darling, how do entertainment agencies make money? The most basic way."
Amanda answered without hesitation, "Of course, by taking a percentage of our clients' income. The more money a client makes, the more we take."
"What kind of clients make big money in Hollywood?" Helen-Herman asked again.
"Of course, big stars make the most." This question didn't stump Amanda. "Those famous big stars, a single film can earn them millions, even tens of millions of dollars, plus endorsement deals…"
Helen-Herman interrupted her. "Do you think those big stars would join Angel Agency?"
"No!" Amanda shook her head. "Which big star would want to come to a small company like ours?"
"That's why…" Helen-Herman looked extremely confident. "We need to cultivate Angel Agency's star clients."
Her gaze instantly sharpened. "I chose to start my own business before my internship in the mailroom even ended. Many people are waiting to see me fail. If I can't even bring out one star client, how will I face those mocking faces when I go back?"
Amanda knew her cousin was a very strong-willed person; otherwise, she wouldn't have started her own business.
"If I return someday with an A-list or super A-list star," Helen-Herman continued, "and get what's rightfully mine, who will dare to say anything?"
"It's difficult," Amanda said truthfully. "We're a small company. You're the only one with some resources. We can't compare to the five major agencies, and we won't produce a big star like Leonardo DiCaprio who becomes famous overnight all over the world."
Helen-Herman spread her hands. "That's why we need to take things one step at a time. My goal of getting a company client on the 'Gladiator' promotional poster is paving the way for the next step."
Amanda asked curiously, "Are you that optimistic about Matthew Horner?"
She had a good impression of him. He would sometimes come over and chat with her; he was a very enthusiastic and cheerful person.
"No," Helen-Herman shook her head slowly and firmly. "Matthew Horner knows how to scheme, he's thick-skinned, and a bit shameless. While these are essential qualities for becoming a star, we can't just throw resources at anyone."
"Oh!" Amanda nodded knowingly. "We've signed long-term contracts with over a dozen people, precisely to find truly valuable individuals."
Helen-Herman turned her chair to look out the window. "You could say, the wider the net we cast, the more likely we are to find the most vibrant one." She thought for a moment, then added, "My father and the early promotional poster for 'Gladiator' are just a stepping stone. Who knows which one they'll choose? I have reliable information that Jive Records, when choosing a male lead for a music video to get a singer to sign a new long-term contract, will first consider the singer's personal opinion."
She raised her arm, resting it on the armrest of the chair. "I've met that singer a few times. She seems to have some emotional intelligence issues, so no one can be sure of her choice."
"Who cares who she chooses? Aren't they all from our company?" Although she had a good impression of Matthew Horner, Amanda wasn't about to speak up for him. "Being able to get such resources will make those small agencies green with envy when they hear about it!"
Helen-Herman smiled.
"It's not finalized yet."
Although she had to use her father's connections, Helen-Herman felt no guilt. For someone like her, family connections were inherently a resource for starting a business.
After more than a week of acting classes, Matthew felt he had learned a lot. And from his agent Helen-Herman's call, he received good news: a live photo of him as the barbarian leader, roaring with his barbarians, would be used as an early promotional poster for 'Gladiator' and distributed by Universal Pictures for the film's initial publicity.
Matthew was still a little excited; after all, it was the first time he might appear in the media.
He had seen the on-set photos taken at the time. Although his fur and big beard made him unrecognizable at first glance, with a bit of scrutiny, his highly recognizable face could still be made out.
Lately, Matthew hadn't landed any more roles, but he was in a good mood. The news from Helen-Herman and the fruitful learning in acting class were one reason. The fact that the 'Forbidden Tarot' crew hadn't sent any more lawyer's letters was another.
They seemed to have completely forgotten about him; he hadn't received a lawyer's letter in a long time.
Matthew, with the lucky mentality of a small-timer and the principle of saving money wherever possible, hadn't sought a lawyer again for the time being.
If he could save that expense, he could start planning to buy a used car.
In this country, not having a car was too inconvenient.
Especially for him, who had to go to many places every day. From Monday to Friday, he spent most of his daytime at the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts for acting and language classes, and also used his free time to read to quickly improve his cultural level. In the evenings, he continued to work as a driver for Red Penguin Company. Every weekend, he'd drop by Angel Agency, not for anything else, but to get more familiar with Helen-Herman.
Even Amanda, the company's receptionist, had become very familiar with him, showing a trend towards becoming friends who could talk about anything.
Matthew could say he had entered the acting circle, but looking up, he was completely in the dark. Besides Helen-Herman, he couldn't find a more suitable place to leverage himself.
As for Angelina Jolie, after introducing him to the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts, their scores were settled. Matthew tried calling her assistant a few times, but the calls were directly cut off, a very clear attitude.
Small-timers have their sorrows and helplessness. To climb up, small-timers need to find the right path.
"Hi, Matthew!"
After language class, Matthew came out a bit late because he went to the restroom. Just as he reached the entrance of the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts, a slightly old Ford sedan pulled up beside him. The driver's side window rolled down, revealing Rachel McAdams' face with a bright smile. "Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."
Over ten days, the two had gradually become familiar. This wasn't Matthew's first time riding in Rachel McAdams' car. Since it was on the way, he walked directly to the passenger side, opened the door, got in, and said, "Hollywood Boulevard, the usual spot."
Rachel McAdams started the car and drove onto the road heading northeast. After leaving the busy central area of North Hollywood, she asked, "You're still working part-time as a driver there?"
"Yeah." Matthew adjusted his seatbelt slightly. "I haven't found a more suitable part-time job for now."
"Do they hire female drivers where you work?" Rachel McAdams had heard Matthew talk about his part-time job before. "If they do, I'll apply."
Matthew shook his head, stating truthfully, "The company's cars are all out at night, so they don't hire female drivers." He asked with concern, "Aren't you doing your part-time job at McDonald's anymore?"
This kind of temporary work at a low-end restaurant was actually quite suitable for small-time actors looking for part-time jobs.
Rachel McAdams turned the steering wheel, and after the car rounded the corner, she said, "I don't want to do it anymore. The restaurant is open twenty-four hours, and I have to work eight hours every night. Unlike you, I can't hide in the car and sleep. I get very little rest in between, and it really affects me the next day."
She pointed to her eyes. "My dark circles are getting worse and worse. If I keep it up, I won't even be able to play a pretty face."
Matthew himself could only barely make ends meet. He wanted to help with something like this, but he didn't know where to start.
Rachel McAdams continued, "The restaurant even wants to further cut my pay, lowering it to the minimum hourly wage in Los Angeles. I really wonder if coming to Hollywood to make a name for myself now is the right decision."
"There's always a chance if you come," Matthew replied.
"Hmm." Rachel McAdams nodded slightly. "But the difficulties I've encountered are much greater than I imagined. I'm being bullied everywhere."
Matthew shrugged, recalling a line he had read in the newspaper a few days ago, and used it to joke, "The poor have no right to enjoy democracy and freedom."
Rachel McAdams laughed, revealing two pretty dimples. "You're absolutely right!"
As the car gradually approached Red Penguin Services Company, Matthew reminded her, "Rachel, you're signed with a big agency. When you encounter this kind of trouble, you should go to your agent. The agent might have a solution."
"That's the only way," Rachel McAdams parked the car near Red Penguin Company. "I'll contact him later."
She saw Matthew open the car door and get out, then waved. "Goodbye, Matthew."
Matthew closed the car door, stood by the roadside, and also waved. "Goodbye, Rachel."
After the Ford drove off, Matthew didn't go upstairs immediately. He specifically bought several entertainment newspapers and magazines at the newsstand, including 'Premiere' and 'The Hollywood Reporter,' which focus on film and Hollywood. According to Helen-Herman, the recently released early promotional poster for 'Gladiator' should also have appeared in the media.
As he walked towards the entrance of Red Penguin Company, he eagerly flipped open 'Premiere' and easily found the page reporting on 'Gladiator.' One of the posters showed him standing in front of a group of barbarians, roaring angrily.
The poster was a close-up of his upper body, with his entire face clearly visible. Matthew walked into the company building, wondering if he should keep these as treasures.
"Matthew."
The front desk staff saw him and immediately said, "Mr. Lister instructed that you should see him as soon as you arrive."
In the second-floor office, the bald black man slouched in his chair and said to the tall, thin Lister, "Believe me, there's absolutely no mistake. That Texas hick, Matthew Horner, is still dreaming of being a star!"
The fat man next to him opened his big mouth and let out a disdainful sound. "A fool is a fool! They'll never learn their lesson!"