Chương 46: Chapter 46: Unemployment
As usual, Matthew and Rachel McAdams had a language class in the afternoon and would stay nearby for lunch. Both of them were on a tight budget, so they casually chose an Italian restaurant near the performing arts school. Having been acquainted for quite some time during the classes, Rachel McAdams didn't stand on ceremony with Matthew.
"Just an Italian pasta," she ordered only one dish.
Matthew had dined with Rachel McAdams before and knew that female actors often ate very little to maintain their figure, so he didn't bother with formalities either.
"A Florentine steak and a seafood pasta," he ordered. He was tall and muscular, with a high daily exercise regimen, fitting the typical carnivore profile.
After the waiter left, Rachel McAdams leaned forward on the table, showing concern as she asked, "Did you pass the audition?"
Matthew picked up his water glass and replied before drinking, "I did."
"Really?" Rachel McAdams was somewhat surprised. "You're going to be the male lead in Britney Spears' MV?"
"I signed the contract yesterday." Matthew didn't want to dwell on this topic to avoid sounding boastful. He changed the subject, "How's your job? Did you quit McDonald's?"
Rachel McAdams nodded, "I quit, but I haven't found a suitable part-time job yet."
Matthew asked curiously, "Didn't your agent help you find one?"
Many agents had extensive connections, like Helen Herman, who often found part-time jobs for the lesser-known actors under long contracts with Angel Agency.
Rachel McAdams sighed, "I'm just one of many actors under my agent, not very noticeable."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Matthew asked.
Rachel McAdams smiled and shook her head, knowing well that Matthew wasn't in a much better situation himself.
She changed the subject, "You've gotten rid of your accent pretty quickly."
"Really?" Matthew pinched his chin. "I guess I have more talent in this area than in acting."
Rachel McAdams laughed, showing her dimples. "You're not bad at acting either."
Matthew shook his head, "You're the first to say that."
By then, the waiter had brought their dishes. Despite the restaurant's modest ranking, the food tasted quite good.
"Hasn't your agent sent you for any auditions recently?" Matthew asked as he took a sip of water.
"No, I haven't been to auditions for a long time." Rachel McAdams swallowed her pasta and added, "I suspect he's forgotten he even has me as a client."
She suddenly put down her fork and mentioned, "Oh, the school informed us at the start of class today that we're going to intern on a set next week."
Matthew thought for a moment, "I might not be able to go, the MV could start shooting at any time."
"That's too bad." Rachel McAdams seemed a bit disappointed. "I was looking forward to acting opposite you."
"You enjoy dominating the scene when we perform together, don't you?" Matthew pointed out directly. "You always steal the show."
Rachel McAdams flashed a sweet smile again, "I actually find it troubling; I always seem to overdo it."
"Better than me, who can only act cool and handsome," Matthew referred to David Astor's comments about him.
"That's because you're naturally good-looking." Rachel McAdams examined Matthew from top to bottom. "Not as handsome as Leonardo DiCaprio, but you look more like a real man."
Matthew flexed his arm to show off his muscle playfully. "Do you like this type?"
"Do you like this type?" Rachel McAdams held her chin with one hand, tilting her head to look at him. "Are you trying to pursue me?"
"Uh..." Matthew was at a loss for words.
These Western women are too straightforward, not playing by the usual rules.
He still adhered to typical Eastern-style thinking, quickly shaking his head, "I don't even know what I'll do tomorrow, better not to drag anyone else into this."
The two looked at each other and laughed together.
Both were struggling for their basic survival and had no time to think about other things.
After lunch, Matthew paid the bill and they returned to the performing arts school to continue their afternoon language class.
As Rachel McAdams said, Matthew's Texas accent had faded significantly after this period of study and correction, and the language class involved not just accent reduction but also professional theatrical language training.
Over the next two days, Matthew spent his days in classes at the Los Angeles Performing Arts School and his nights working as a driver for Red Penguin Services Company, using all his spare time to study the MV script and character, occasionally checking entertainment gossip in the "American News Report," which sounded like a serious newspaper.
He was sure that Elena Pojar wouldn't miss big news about Britney Spears and Christina Aguil
era.
During one period, Matthew was particularly curious and almost called Elena Pojar, but restrained himself. It was better to minimize contact with entertainment journalists unless necessary.
Instead of wasting time on that, he'd rather study the MV script and character more.
The music MV, especially for pop songs, was usually short. The MV Matthew was involved in was planned to be no more than five minutes long, and its visual content and style had to match the style of the song "Sometimes."
From the moment he received the script, Matthew had put a lot of effort into understanding it, even gathering a lot of information, though completely new to pop music. He had figured out the basics of "Sometimes."
"Sometimes" was a teen pop song influenced by bubblegum pop, mainly depicting a shy girl too afraid to confess her feelings to the boy she likes.
The song received mixed reviews from music critics; some thought it was better than Britney's previous single "Baby One More Time," while others found it unremarkable and just a boring portrayal of Britney's innocence.
In the "Sometimes" MV, Britney Spears played the shy girl, while he was to play the boy she was secretly in love with.
In essence, both the MV and the song were typical of the teenage public style.
Thus, the MV and its actors needed to appeal to Britney's teenage fans.
Matthew was well aware that his initial success in the auditions and make-up tests had little to do with acting ability; his decent appearance likely played a significant role.
Based on the information he collected, it was clear that his role as the male lead was to be handsome, cool, sunny, and likable to Britney's teenage fans.
This didn't require much acting skill, just basic filming experience and avoiding low-level mistakes like looking directly at the camera; the rest was largely up to the stylists.
Matthew felt he could handle this job easily, especially since he was only nineteen and didn't need to act younger.
Another afternoon, as the sun slanted towards the west, Matthew got off the bus, dragging his long shadow towards the Red Penguin Company to start another night's work.
As he approached the company's entrance, his phone rang.
"Hi, Helen." It was his agent on the call. "What's up?"
Helen Herman's voice came through the earpiece, "The record company has confirmed the director. Tomorrow all the actors need to go to the studio; the director wants to meet you. Shooting starts the day after tomorrow, be there before 8 AM."
Matthew was about to agree when Helen Herman's voice rang out again, "You should take these few days off, don't go to work tonight, make sure you're rested!"
"Alright, no problem!" Matthew glanced at the company door, anticipating that Lister would have something to say about it. "I'll ask for leave right now."
Helen Herman added, "And keep quiet about the Michael Sheen and Martin Jackson thing; don't mention it to anyone on set."
"I know." Matthew assured her. "I'll keep my lips sealed."
He had already achieved the desired outcome, so why bother bringing up these pointless matters again?
After hanging up, Matthew entered the Red Penguin Company and went straight to the second floor to Lister's office.
As usual, the bald black man, the fat man, and Lister were there, but unlike usual, the bald black man and the fat man acted as if they hadn't seen him, not saying a word.
"Boss," Matthew approached Lister's desk. Lister looked up at him, handing over car keys and documents, "This is tonight's job, go to Santa Monica."
Matthew took them, scratching his head, then said, "Boss, after tonight, I'd like to take a week off."
"What?" Lister's eyes widened. "A week off? How many times have you taken leave this month?"
Seeing Lister getting angry, the bald black man intervened sarcastically, "He's a big star now! Of course, he doesn't see this small job as important!"
Anyone would be annoyed if their employee kept asking for leave, and Lister was visibly upset.
Matthew was about to say something to smooth things over, but the bald black man interjected again, "Big star, what incredible role are you playing this time?"
He couldn't believe this country bumpkin was always so lucky.
Though he didn't want to argue with a fool like the bald black man, his continuous provocation got under Matthew's skin. He turned and said, "The male lead in Britney Spears' MV."
The bald black man immediately shut his mouth, not uttering another word as if he didn't exist in the office.
"You've taken too much leave," Lister stated the facts. "I can't explain this to the boss."
Matthew understood his point. Although he didn't want to lose this job, he couldn't afford to delay the MV shoot either.
He placed the keys
and documents back on the desk, "Thank you for looking after me during this time, Mr. Lister."
The man had his faults, but he had given him a job when he needed it most.
Lister pushed the keys back to Matthew, "Finish tonight, it's almost the end of the month now. Give me your resignation tomorrow, and I'll consider you full-time for the month."
Matthew nodded, took the keys, and left the office. Tomorrow, he would be unemployed.
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