Chapter 32: The Fool

In the office of Burbank Angels Talent Agency, Helen Herman hung up the phone, leaned back in her executive chair, and rubbed her temples. She let out a sigh, seeming much more relaxed than before.

"A movie poster..." Amanda, her cousin, spoke without reservation. "Was it really necessary to personally make those calls and waste so much effort? The money we make from Gladiator isn't even enough to cover the rent."

Helen crossed her arms and asked, "What's the most basic way a talent agency makes money?"

"By taking a percentage of the clients' earnings, of course. The more our clients earn, the more we make," Amanda replied without hesitation.

"And what kind of client makes big money in Hollywood?" Helen continued.

"Big stars, obviously," Amanda answered easily. "Those famous stars make millions, even tens of millions per film, plus endorsements..."

Helen cut her off, "Do you think those big stars would join Angels?"

"No way!" Amanda shook her head immediately. "Which big star would want to sign with a small firm like ours?"

"So," Helen said with supreme confidence, "we need to nurture our own star clients at Angels."

Her gaze sharpened, "I started this business right after my internship in the mailroom. Many were laughing at me. If I can't produce a star client, how will I face those mocking faces when I go back?"

Amanda knew her cousin was fiercely ambitious, or she wouldn't have started her own business.

"If I return with an A-list or even a superstar," Helen continued, her sentence trailing off, "and get what's rightfully mine, who will talk then?"

"It's tough," Amanda said honestly. "We're a small agency, you're the only one with any resources, and we can't compare with the big five agencies or produce a superstar like Leonardo DiCaprio overnight."

Helen spread her hands, "That's why we take it one step at a time. Getting our client on the promotional poster for Gladiator is just laying the groundwork for the next step."

Amanda asked curiously, "Are you that confident in Matthew Horner?"

She had a good impression of him; he sometimes came to chat with her, a very warm and outgoing person.

"Not really," Helen slowly but firmly shook her head. "Matthew Horner is opportunistic, thick-skinned, and a bit shameless. Although these are essential qualities for a star, we can't afford to gamble our resources on just anyone."

"Oh!" Amanda nodded in understanding, "We've signed long-term contracts with over a dozen people, just looking for someone truly valuable."

Helen swiveled her chair to look out the window, "Exactly, we need a large pool to find the most viable one." She paused, then added, "My father's connection to the early promotional posters for Gladiator is just the beginning. Who knows who they'll choose? I have reliable information that Jive Records, in order to get a singer to sign a new long-term contract, will consider the singer's personal choice for the male lead in their MV."

She leaned her arm on the chair, "I've met that singer a few times; she seems a bit lacking in EQ, and no one can really predict her choices."

"Who cares who she picks? Isn't she picking from our people anyway?" Although Amanda was fond of Matthew, she wasn't going to argue for him. "Getting such an opportunity will make those small agencies green with envy!"

Helen smiled, "It's not settled yet."

Though she had to use her father's connections, Helen felt no guilt. For someone like her, the family's network was an asset for launching her career.

After more than a week of acting classes, Matthew felt he had gained a lot. He was also excited about some good news from his agent, Helen Herman. A photograph of him as the barbarian leader roaring at his troops would be used in the early promotional campaign for Gladiator by Universal Studios.

This was Matthew's first potential media appearance.

He had seen the on-set photos; although initially unrecognizable in fur and a large beard, his distinct face was identifiable upon closer inspection.

Despite not landing any new roles recently, Matthew was in good spirits. News from Helen and the rewarding classes were one reason; the lack of further legal notices from the Taboo Tarot production team was another.

It seemed they had completely forgotten him; it had been a long time since he received any legal correspondence.

With a lucky streak of a small-timer, following a principle of economizing where possible, Matthew hadn't sought out a lawyer again.

Saving that expense could go towards buying a used car.

In this country, not having a car was inconvenient.

Especially for him, needing to travel extensively. From Monday to Friday, he spent his days at the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts attending acting and language classes, using spare time to read and improve his cultural level. Evenings were spent working as

 a driver for Red Penguin Services, and weekends were for visiting Angels to get better acquainted with Helen Herman.

Even the receptionist Amanda had become a familiar face, with their conversations bordering on friendship.

Matthew had entered the actor's circle, but looking up, the path was unclear, except for leveraging his relationship with Helen Herman.

As for Angelina Jolie, after introducing him to the School of Performing Arts, their dealings had concluded. Matthew had tried calling her assistant a few times, but the calls were abruptly ended, the attitude clear.

The plight and powerlessness of the underdog were real. To climb higher, he needed the right opportunities.

"Hi, Matthew!"

After class, delayed by a trip to the restroom, Matthew was leaving the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts when an old Ford sedan pulled up beside him. The driver's window rolled down, revealing Rachel McAdams's cheerful face, "Need a ride?"

Over the past ten days, they had become quite familiar. This wasn't the first time Matthew had caught a ride with Rachel. "Hollywood Boulevard, the usual place."

Rachel started the car and headed northeast, away from the busy North Hollywood center. "Are you still working as a part-time driver there?"

"Yeah," Matthew adjusted his seatbelt, "I haven't found a better part-time job yet."

"Do they hire female drivers?" Rachel had heard about his side job. "If they do, I might apply."

Matthew shook his head, "They only want drivers for the night shift; they don't hire women." Concerned, he asked, "Aren't you working at McDonald's anymore?"

Such low-end jobs were quite suitable for small actors looking for side gigs.

Rachel turned the steering wheel, waiting until after the turn to respond, "I quit. The restaurant is open 24/7, I was working eight hours every night. It's not like you, able to sleep in a car; hardly any breaks, it really affects the next day."

She pointed to her eyes, "The dark circles are getting worse. If I keep at it, I won't even be able to play a pretty face role."

Matthew, barely scraping by himself, was unsure how to help.

Rachel continued, "The restaurant even tried to cut my pay to the minimum wage in Los Angeles. I'm beginning to wonder if coming to Hollywood was the right move."

"There's always a chance as long as you're here," Matthew replied.

"Mm," Rachel nodded slightly, "but the challenges are much bigger than I imagined, and I feel oppressed everywhere."

Matthew shrugged, recalling a phrase he read in the newspaper a few days ago and joked, "The poor don't have the privilege to enjoy democracy and freedom."

Rachel laughed, showing her dimples, "You're so right!"

As they neared the Red Penguin Services, Matthew advised, "Rachel, you're with a major agency; you should talk to your agent about these problems. They might be able to help."

"That might be the only way," Rachel agreed, parking near Red Penguin. "I'll contact him later."

As Matthew stepped out, she waved, "Bye, Matthew."

He closed the door and waved back, "Bye, Rachel."

After the Ford drove off, Matthew didn't head straight up but stopped to buy a few entertainment newspapers and magazines, including Premiere and The Hollywood Reporter, at a newsstand. According to Helen Herman's timeline, the early promotional poster for Gladiator should also be hitting the media.

Walking towards the entrance of Red Penguin, he eagerly flipped open Premiere and easily found the page covering Gladiator. One of the posters featured him standing angrily in front of a horde of barbarians.

His face was clear in a half-body close-up on the poster. Matthew walked into the company building, wondering if he should keep these as keepsakes.

"Matthew."

The receptionist saw him and immediately said, "Mr. Lister asked to see you as soon as you arrived."

In the upstairs office, a bald black man lounged in his chair, speaking to the tall, slim Mr. Lister, "Trust me, there's no mistake, that Texan hick Matthew Horner is still dreaming of being a star!"

The chubby man beside him cracked a wide grin, making a disdainful sound, "A fool is always a fool! They never learn!"