22. Fragile Friendship

After a day of shooting, Matthew removed his makeup, changed back into his clothes, and followed other extras to a few catering trucks to collect their self-service dinner.

Because Michael had hurried off to another area to try to become familiar with Helen Herman, Matthew, after receiving his meal box, came alone to the outermost part of the dining area and found an empty table to sit down at, ready to eat.

Although the pay and status were not high, the diet of temporary actors was quite good. The meals provided by the Gladiator crew were very rich, including beef, fish, chicken barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, vegetable and fruit salads, rice, pasta, French bread, various drinks, pastries, ice cream, and so on, all for self-service, and there were also tables and chairs.

Just now, he heard someone say that if they had to work overtime at night, there would be an additional meal, and various snacks and drinks could also be freely taken.

For someone like Matthew, being able to live on such a lavish set every day was very helpful, not to mention the good food, good drinks, and good sleep, but also having a salary to take home.

Unfortunately, once this opportunity passes, who knows when the next one will come along.

Matthew was very clear that a production as lavish as Gladiator was only a minority even in Hollywood.

After eating a piece of tender grilled beef, he was about to drink water when his phone, which he had just turned on after removing his makeup, suddenly rang.

He took it out and glanced at it. It was an unfamiliar number, but he still answered, "Hello."

"It's me, Helen." A familiar female voice came through the phone. "Matthew, where are you?"

Matthew didn't know why she was looking for him, so he said, "The extra's dining area, the easternmost place."

"Okay, wait for me."

After that, the other party hung up the phone.

Taking a sip of water, Matthew picked up his pace, finished his lunch, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and waited for a while. He soon saw Helen Herman, dressed in professional attire, approaching.

"Over here, Helen." Matthew waved as if the two were very familiar, and when Helen came over, he asked, "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet." Helen Herman adjusted her glasses and went straight to the point, "I have a role here that you should be suitable for."

She had heard Ridley Scott's words at the time, and the first person she thought of was Matthew, who occasionally crossed her mind, she remembered that he had played a speaking role on the set of "Soulmates," so there shouldn't be a problem.

Matthew immediately perked up, "What role?" He was somewhat skeptical, "I participated in the shooting this morning..."

"It's okay." Helen Herman sat opposite him and explained in detail, "The morning shots were all long shots and didn't show your face. This role tomorrow is a barbarian chief, with several action scenes."

"Barbarian chief?" Matthew felt a pleasant surprise.

Helen Herman nodded, "There are close-up full-body shots, and the character will appear in multiple scenes."

"I'll take it!" Matthew didn't hesitate, "Helen, when do I sign the contract?"

"Wait a minute..." As an agent, Helen Herman had to make it clear, "Action scenes have a certain degree of danger! I went to see the script with Ridley Scott this afternoon, and the level of danger isn't high."

"Isn't there protective measures?" Matthew asked.

Helen Herman crossed her hands on the table, "There will be very comprehensive protective measures, and your chances of getting injured won't exceed one percent. And I'll negotiate with the crew again to have them sign a new contract with you. The crew must purchase insurance for you."

"What about the pay?" Matthew asked the most concerned question, "Will the pay increase?"

"It will!" Helen Herman said directly, "Not counting other rewards, you'll get $8000 for this role."

Hearing the salary of eight thousand dollars, Matthew urged, "Helen, pick me!"

The tuition fees for drama school had to be paid, and the penalty was imminent. He really needed money now.

"Alright." Helen Herman stood up, "I'll go talk to the crew, don't go back for now, wait for my call, there might be an audition later."

She stood up, turned around to leave, and reminded before leaving, "Keep your phone on!"

"Okay!"

Matthew nodded vigorously. Since he arrived at the set, he had been trying to leave an impression on Helen Herman. Of course, this wasn't to pursue her, but to make sure that in situations like this, she would think of him first.

Now it seemed that his efforts during this time hadn't been in vain.

Helen Herman hadn't taken a few steps when a tall young man approached her. When he saw her, a pleasing smile appeared on his face. "Hello, Miss Herman."

"Hello!" Helen Herman remembered that this was a temporary actor brought by Angel Agency.

She was hungry and didn't care about the young man's pleasing smile, so she walked away directly.

Michael saw Helen Herman leave and furrowed his handsome brows. Did she seem to dislike him a bit?

Then he turned his head to look at Matthew, not understanding what was going on. He had been looking for Helen Herman everywhere, but she came to inform Matthew on her own?

"Don't think too much." Matthew interrupted Michael's thoughts, "She got a role and thinks I'm more suitable, so she came to tell me."

"What role?" Michael Sheen widened his eyes.

Matthew casually said, "Germanic barbarian chief."

There was nothing to hide about this matter. After all, shooting was scheduled for tomorrow, so he gave a brief overview.

Michael's eyes widened even more, "Why did she think of you and not me?"

"Oh..." He realized he had misspoken and quickly smiled, "I didn't mean anything by it, just thought you were more familiar with her."

Matthew smiled too, "It has been certainly useful."

Although Michael and he were both very purposeful in their actions, they got along very well, and Matthew had classified him as a friend.

"Seeing you, I feel envious." Michael Sheen sighed deeply, seeming a bit depressed, "Your first role has lines and you're acting alongside big stars like Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie..."

For some reason, Matthew felt that there was something off about the meaning behind his words.

Michael's face turned bitter, "Look at me, I've been in Los Angeles for three years, acted in so many roles, but haven't had a single line."

He shook his head repeatedly, "Sometimes, I just feel like, the world is really unfair."

The world was unfair to begin with, Matthew thought to himself, but didn't say it out loud.

Michael continued, "To come to the set this time, I quit all my jobs. After filming is over, if things haven't improved, I don't know what to do next."

Matthew understood what he was saying a bit and didn't respond, instead saying, "Don't worry, finding a part-time job isn't difficult."

"You don't understand?" Michael's eyebrows furrowed even tighter. After a pause, he decided to be direct. He didn't want to miss out on such an opportunity.

"Matthew, can you help me?" Michael's eyes were full of hope as he looked straight at Matthew, "Help a friend out in times of need!"

With the conversation reaching this point, Matthew gradually understood Michael's meaning. However, such an opportunity was rare for Michael, and equally rare for him.

This was a job with a reward of $8000, and he had so many expenses coming up. Where could he find a short-term opportunity to earn so much money?

"Mike, it's not up to me." Matthew smiled and declined politely, "I'm just a small actor, Helen gave me this opportunity, I don't have a say in it."

But Michael kept shaking his head, "No! It's not like that! Matthew, among the actors brought by Angel Agency, you're the most familiar with Helen. If you're willing to recommend me to her, I think she'll consider it! She will!"

Matthew fell silent and looked across. Was he really going to give up this $8000 job? The problem was, even if he wanted to, Helen might not be willing to use Michael. Such wishful thinking could lead to disappointment.

Sitting here, Matthew thought for a while, sighed softly, and said again, "Sorry, I can't help you."

On second thought, such matters weren't something he could help with, after all.

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