As usual, Matthew and Rachel McAdams had a language class in the afternoon and would stay for lunch. Neither of them had much money, so they chose a casual Italian restaurant near the performing arts school. After so many performing arts classes, the two were very familiar with each other, and Rachel McAdams didn't stand on ceremony with Matthew.
"One portion of Italian pasta," she ordered only one item.
It wasn't Matthew's first time eating with Rachel McAdams, and he knew that actresses ate very little to maintain their figures, so he didn't bother with pleasantries.
"One Florentine boneless steak," he was tall and strong, and his daily exercise was extensive, making him a typical carnivore. "And one seafood pasta."
After the waiter left, Rachel McAdams rested her hands on the table and asked with concern, "Did you pass the audition?"
Matthew picked up his water glass and said before drinking, "I passed."
"Really?" Rachel McAdams was a little surprised. "You're going to be the male lead in Britney Spears' MV?"
"The contract was signed yesterday." Matthew didn't want to talk much about it, to avoid sounding like he was showing off, so he changed the subject and asked, "How's your job? Did you quit McDonald's?"
Rachel McAdams nodded, "I quit. I haven't found a suitable part-time job yet."
Matthew asked curiously, "Didn't your agent help you with that?"
Many agents have extensive connections in this area. For example, Helen Herman helped many of the young actors who signed long-term contracts with Angel Agency find part-time jobs.
Rachel McAdams sighed, "My agent has a lot of actors under her, and I'm just a very inconspicuous one."
"is there anything I can help with?" Matthew asked.
Rachel McAdams smiled and shook her head. In fact, she knew very well that Matthew's situation wasn't very good either.
She changed the subject, "Your accent correction is progressing very quickly."
"is it?" Matthew pinched his chin. "Perhaps my talent in that area is better than in acting."
Rachel McAdams smiled, revealing a pair of pretty dimples. "Your acting talent isn't bad either."
Matthew shook his head, "You're the first person to say that."
At this point, the waiter brought out the dishes they had ordered. Although the restaurant wasn't high-end, the food tasted pretty good.
"Has your agent not sent you to any auditions recently?" Matthew asked, taking a sip of water.
"No, I haven't been to an audition in a long time." Rachel McAdams swallowed her pasta and said, "I suspect he might have forgotten that he has me as a client."
She suddenly put down her fork and added, "Oh, right. At the beginning of class today, the school announced that we'll be interning on a set next week."
Matthew thought for a moment, "I probably can't go. The MV here could start filming at any time."
"That's a shame." Rachel McAdams seemed a little disappointed. "I was hoping to act opposite you."
"You really enjoy the feeling of completely dominating me when we act together, don't you?" Matthew exposed her directly. "You always steal the scene."
Rachel McAdams showed another sweet smile. "Actually, I'm also quite troubled; I always feel like I'm over-exerting myself."
"It's better than me, someone who only knows how to show off and act cool," Matthew said, quoting David Astor's assessment of him.
"That's because you have good natural conditions." Rachel McAdams specifically looked Matthew up and down. "Although you're not as handsome as Leonardo DiCaprio, you're more like a man."
Matthew deliberately flexed his arm to show off his muscles. "You like my type?"
"Like your type?" Rachel McAdams rested her chin on one hand, tilting her head to look at Matthew. "Are you trying to pursue me?"
"Uh..." Matthew was speechless, unsure how to respond.
These Western women are too direct; they don't follow the usual script.
Still rooted in typical Eastern thinking, he quickly shook his head, "I don't even know what I'm going to do tomorrow after today. It's better not to drag anyone else down."
They looked at each other and both burst out laughing.
Both of them were currently struggling for basic survival and had no mind for other considerations.
After lunch, Matthew paid the bill and returned to the performing arts school with Rachel McAdams to continue their afternoon language class.
As Rachel McAdams had said, after this period of study and correction, Matthew's Texas accent was already very faint when he spoke. Moreover, the language class was not just about correcting accents; it also included professional dramatic language exercises.
For the next two days, Matthew primarily attended classes at the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts during the day, continued his driver's job at Red Penguin Services at night, and spent all his free time studying the MV script and role he had received. Occasionally, he would also pay attention to entertainment gossip in the "American News Report," a tabloid whose name sounded like a serious newspaper.
He believed that Elena Boyar would definitely not miss big news like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
At one point, Matthew was particularly curious and wanted to call Elena Boyar, but he held back. It was better to have less contact with entertainment reporters if it wasn't necessary.
Instead of wasting time on that, it was better to study the MV script and role more.
Music MVs, especially pop song MVs, are generally not long. The MV Matthew was involved in was planned to be no more than five minutes, and the visual content and style had to be consistent with the song style of "Sometimes."
From the moment he received the script, Matthew put a lot of effort into this, collecting a lot of information. Even though he was a complete novice in pop music, he still managed to understand the most basic aspects of "Sometimes."
"Sometimes" is a teen pop song influenced by bubblegum pop, mainly depicting a shy girl who dares not confess to the boy she secretly likes.
The song received mixed reviews from music critics. Some comments considered the song stronger than Britney's previous single, "...Baby One More Time," while others found it unremarkable, merely a boring representation of Britney's youthful innocence.
In the MV for "Sometimes," Britney Spears' character is the shy girl who dares not confess, and he plays the boy Britney secretly likes.
In short, both the MV and the song were typical public teen style.
Therefore, the MV and the actors in it would inevitably have to appeal to teenagers.
Matthew was self-aware; his initial audition success and advancement to the makeup audition had little to do with his acting skills, and his decent looks likely played a significant role.
Based on the information he gathered, Matthew easily concluded that his role as the male lead was to be handsome, cool, sunny, and appeal to Britney's teenage fans.
This didn't require much acting skill from him, just basic filming experience and avoiding elementary mistakes like looking at the camera. Most of the rest was the stylist's job.
Matthew felt that handling such a job shouldn't be difficult, as he was only nineteen and didn't need to pretend to be younger.
It was another afternoon with the sun setting in the west. Matthew got off the bus, dragging a long shadow, and walked towards the Red Penguin Company, ready to start his evening shift.
As he neared the company entrance, his phone rang.
"Hi, Helen." It was his agent calling. "is something up?"
Helen Herman's voice came through the receiver, "The record company has confirmed the director. All actors need to go to the studio tomorrow; the director wants to meet you all. Filming officially starts the day after tomorrow; be on set by 8 AM."
Matthew was about to say 'okay' when Helen Herman's voice spoke again, "It's best if you take off completely these next few days. Don't go to work at night; make sure you have plenty of energy!"
"Alright, no problem!" Matthew looked up at the company gate. He guessed Lister would have something to say now. "I'll go ask for leave right now."
Helen Herman then reminded him, "Also, don't mention anything about Michael Sheen and Martin Jackson to anyone on set."
"I know," Matthew assured her. "I'll keep my mouth shut."
He had already gotten the result he wanted; why bring up those boring things again?
Hanging up the phone, Matthew entered the Red Penguin Company, went directly to the second floor, and arrived at Lister's office.
As usual, the bald black man, the fat man, and Lister were all there, but what was different was that the bald black man and the fat man seemed not to see him, not saying a word.
"Boss." Matthew approached Lister's desk. Lister looked up at him, handed him car keys and documents, "This is tonight's work, going to Santa Monica."
Matthew took them, scratched his head, and then said, "Boss, after tonight, I'd like to take a week off."
"What?" Lister's eyes widened. "A week off? How many days have you taken off this month?"
Seeing Lister get angry, the bald black man deliberately interjected, "He's a big star now! Of course, he doesn't care about this small job!"
Anyone would have an opinion if their employees kept taking leave, and Lister was clearly getting angry.
Matthew was about to say something nice, but before he could, the bald black man spoke again, "Big star, what amazing role are you playing this time?!"
He didn't believe this country bumpkin could be so lucky every time.
Although he didn't want to bother with an idiot like the bald black man, his continuous sneering made Matthew a little annoyed. He turned and said, "The male lead in Britney Spears' MV."
The bald black man immediately shut his mouth and didn't say another word, as if he wasn't even in the office.
"You've taken too much leave," Lister said, stating the truth. "I can't explain that to the boss."
Matthew understood what he meant. Although he didn't want to lose this job, he didn't want to delay the MV shoot even more.
He placed the keys and documents on the desk. "Thank you for your care during this time, Mr. Lister."
This man had many flaws, but when he needed it most, he gave him a job that allowed him to survive and establish himself.
Lister pushed the keys back to Matthew, "Finish tonight's work. It's almost the end of the month now. You can give me your resignation tomorrow, and I'll count you as having perfect attendance for this month."
Matthew nodded, took the keys, and left the office. He would be unemployed tomorrow.