Chapter 16: Letting Him Lose Face

That evening, Matthew Horner received a call from Dennis Kurt, the portly agent, instructing him to come to Starlight Company the next day for an interview and to collect his pay from the "Soul Transfer Girl" crew. After finishing his morning shift and handing over his duties, he immediately rushed to Starlight Company. Upon meeting Dennis Kurt, he first went to the finance department to collect his payment.

Since he was present in person, the cashier at Starlight Company paid him in cash. After deducting a ten percent agent's commission, Matthew received one hundred and eighty dollars.

It wasn't a lot of money, but it was hard-earned through much brainstorming and effort.

"Let's talk in my office," Dennis Kurt invited warmly.

Matthew thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright."

Having received his pay, it was time to make it clear to this unscrupulous agent that their paths would soon diverge. He knew he himself was not without flaws, but he wasn't nearly as unprincipled as Dennis Kurt.

Following Dennis Kurt, Matthew entered an office where about five or six agents were working together. Thankfully, the office was spacious enough and didn't feel too crowded.

Arriving at an empty desk, Dennis Kurt pulled over a chair and gestured for Matthew to sit. "Make yourself comfortable."

Once Matthew sat down, Dennis asked, "Coffee? Or?"

"Just water," Matthew replied casually.

Dennis went to fetch water for Matthew. As Matthew contemplated how to gently end their partnership, a young man sitting across the desk suddenly leaned over, "Are you Matthew Horner?"

Matthew was startled, wondering if he was that famous, then nodded, "Yes, I am."

The young man glanced at Dennis, who was still getting water, and whispered, "Change agents. Dennis Kurt has a terrible reputation here—unethical, and once you're no longer useful, he'll kick you to the curb!"

"Is that so?" Matthew sighed, realizing the agency was not a peaceful place. He forced a smile, "Thanks."

"You're welcome," the young man quickly handed Matthew a business card. "If you can't find a suitable agent, call me. I know many producers and casting directors."

Matthew casually pocketed the card without further comment. The young man looked back briefly then resumed his work as if nothing had happened.

Dennis returned with two cups of water, placing one in front of Matthew and sitting down.

"I have a question," Dennis said curiously. "Matthew, how did you get that role?"

Before taking a sip, Matthew replied, "Someone convinced Winona Ryder for me."

Hearing this, Dennis seemed even more convinced of his previous suspicions and chuckled, "How about this, Matthew, let's sign a long-term contract."

After getting to know Dennis, Matthew had researched to avoid being scammed. He had a basic understanding of some Hollywood contracts, like those between actors and agents. Extra work usually only required registration with an agency, and actual work was on a temporary basis. Agents or agencies only offered official contracts to actors they were interested in, adding them to their vast pool of backup talent.

To protect actors, California had strict laws. The "California Talent Act" stated that the first official contract between an actor and an agent or agency could last no more than one year, with subsequent contracts not exceeding three years each.

In other words, it wasn't difficult for an actor to change agencies if dissatisfied.

This also limited the power of agencies, essentially forcing them to act as service providers.

Matthew was pondering these things and didn't immediately respond to Dennis's suggestion.

"We'll draft a professional contract and notify the company next week," Dennis assumed Matthew's silence as consent and smiled broadly, "No rush on that..."

His smile nearly squeezed all his features together, "Matthew, could you arrange a dinner with Mr. Georgia-Kennedy?"

"Uh?" Matthew quickly understood the bait of a long-term contract.

"Why don't you call him," Dennis tentatively suggested, "and ask Mr. Kennedy when he's free?"

Matthew recalled that during the "Soul Transfer Girl" shoot, Dennis had asked if he knew Georgia-Kennedy. At the time, he neither confirmed nor denied.

This greed-driven man clearly misunderstood.

"Let's talk about that later," Matthew decided to bring up the real reason for his visit, "I can't manage that."

He glanced at the young man across the desk, who seemed to be eavesdropping.

Dennis, growing impatient and thinking Matthew was stalling, pressed, "Aren't you acquainted with Mr. Georgia-Kennedy?"

"I am," Matthew said.

Dennis's goal-oriented approach was even stronger than his own, and Matthew didn't want to continue the charade, "Mr. Georgia-Kennedy is the producer of 'Soul Transfer Girl.'"

"You just need to introduce..."

Before Dennis could finish, Matthew interrupted him, "The

 problem is, he doesn't know me!"

"What?" Dennis seemed not to have heard Matthew's words clearly.

"I know Georgia-Kennedy."

This "knowing" was merely awareness of the other's identity. Matthew shrugged and reiterated, "Georgia-Kennedy doesn't know me!"

Dennis stood up abruptly, pointing a finger at Matthew, "You! You... you dared to deceive me!"

"Deceive you?" Matthew also stood, "When did I ever say Georgia-Kennedy knew me?"

"Uh..." Dennis paused, trying to recall.

"Ha... haha..."

Laughter came from across the desk; the young man looked up at Dennis and laughed, "Is this the opportunity you boasted about? Haha..."

Dennis's face turned ashen, shooting a glare at the young man before turning back to Matthew, "Don't expect me to secure any more opportunities for you! Forget it!"

"I don't mind," Matthew shrugged, "Actually, I came here to tell you that we won't be working together anymore."

He sighed, turned, and prepared to leave, adding before exiting, "Still, I have to thank you. You've shown me how tough this profession can be and how cruel people are."

Without another word, Matthew walked out of the office.

Dennis stood there, stunned, like a fool.

"That's the simpleton you talked about," the young man finally got to vent his frustrations, "Dennis, looks like you're the fool."

The other agents in the office looked over, their eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and disdain.

An agent being played by a mere extra was an embarrassing tale to tell.

Pocketing the one hundred and eighty dollars, Matthew walked out of the Starlight Company building feeling inexplicably lighter. He had seen Dennis's true colors, and it was impossible not to despise him.

"Perhaps the moment I agreed to enter his office..." Matthew knew he was not a noble person, "subconsciously, I wanted to let him lose face."

Ending his association with Dennis and Starlight Company, his next task was to find a suitable agency. He had contacted three agencies previously and now had the time to visit them.

He first went to North Hollywood, where two of the agencies were located on Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Like Starlight, these agencies were small, employing fewer than ten agents and primarily handling extras and minor actors.

Although he was professionally received, everything seemed normal, similar to his experience at Starlight. Matthew left his ID, photo, resume, and contact information, completing his registration. He specifically noted in his resume his speaking role in "Soul Transfer Girl."

Returning the filled-out form, Matthew noticed the receptionist circling the line he had highlighted in red ink.

After registering with these two agencies, he took a bus to Burbank, the third agency he had contacted, located in this media capital of the world.

Just as he arrived in Burbank, Matthew's phone rang with an unfamiliar number.

"Could it be a job offer already?"

The red circle on the form fueled his hopes as he answered the call.

"Hello, Matthew Horner! I am Chris Walker, attorney."

The voice on the phone sounded familiar, "I urge you to pay the breach of contract fee for the 'Forbidden Tarot' crew immediately, or we will take legal action!"

Hearing this, Matthew's hopes were dashed, "The past really does haunt you!"

But, it was indeed he who had breached the contract first.

Matthew was out of money and could only stall, feigning a hoarse voice, "Who are you? You've got the wrong person!"

Then, he hung up and turned off his phone.

As for the legal threats, he'd face them if they came. From the movies he'd seen, American lawsuits were notoriously lengthy and unpleasant.

Maybe by then, he'd have the money.

With that thought, Matthew hurried along, finding the newly contacted Angel Agency, located in a standalone three-story office building. Outside the small building, two trucks were parked with workers unloading office furniture.

Following the workers inside, it seemed to be a newly established company.