Chapter 10: The Thief

"For the movie?" Angelina Jolie's voice came again, furious and biting, "Winona Ryder, you really know how to glorify yourself!"

"Jolie!" The cool voice raised in volume.

Were the two leading actresses of the film clashing? Matthew's curiosity was piqued.

Angelina Jolie seemed very angry, not at all concerned about Winona Ryder's feelings, "Do you think I don't know what you're up to? You want the scene from yesterday scrapped because I overshadowed you, the leading lady! You want my scenes cut because I've been outperforming you since shooting began!"

Her voice grew louder, "You're doing this just because you're worried I'll steal your spotlight!"

"Say whatever you want."

Unlike the enraged Angelina Jolie, Winona Ryder's voice remained cool, "This is within my rights as a producer, and you... hmph... are just a supporting actress, you have no say!"

Matthew remembered something Dennis Kurlt had mentioned: not only was Winona Ryder a lead actress in "Soul Shifters," but she was also credited as a producer.

Even without a deep understanding of Hollywood, he knew that the film industry there was producer-centric.

The room suddenly fell silent, clearly, Winona's words had stung Angelina. After a while, Angelina's voice was heard again.

This time, her tone was less angry, "Don't think just because you pushed this project forward, you can do whatever you want!"

Suddenly, Angelina's voice soared again, "Don't think I can't see what a bitch you are! Real bitches always like to play innocent! Play pure! Just like you!"

Bang—

After her statement, a loud door slam followed, and Angelina Jolie stormed out, walking away coldly.

Matthew watched Angelina Jolie's retreating figure, having no intention of getting involved. In this production, whether it was Angelina Jolie or Winona Ryder, they were figures of immense stature. He, a minor character, could only make things worse for himself by intruding.

Soon after, two other women came out of the room. Unlike Angelina Jolie, they walked towards Matthew.

"Winona..." One of them, apparently an assistant wearing glasses, started to speak but stopped when she noticed Matthew sitting on the hallway bench, staring intently at Winona Ryder.

The women approached, and Matthew saw a look of surprise in Winona Ryder's eyes. He knew of her because of Johnny Depp, though he couldn't remember exactly what she looked like.

Winona Ryder, dressed in a white shirt and light blue jeans, her black hair cut short at the ears, had flawless features that were delicate and pure...

Matthew was sure he had seen her before, just days ago, and he couldn't be mistaken!

Wasn't she the woman he had seen stealing books in the bookstore? That was the real shocker for Matthew. Johnny Depp's ex-girlfriend, the producer and lead actress of the film, Winona Ryder, was a thief!

She surely wasn't short of money, so why steal books? Could it be that stealing books didn't count as stealing?

As Matthew pondered this, Winona Ryder and her assistant walked past him. Perhaps because he had been staring or because he was decent-looking, Winona turned her head curiously for another glance.

At that moment, Winona didn't recognize Matthew, and soon turned away, continuing on with her assistant.

"This guy…" The assistant seemed to recognize Matthew, "I've seen his information at Rubin's. I heard from Rubin that he was referred by Vanessa and came through Angelina Jolie's recommendation."

Hearing her assistant's words, Winona turned back to give Matthew another look.

Matthew sat on the bench, bored out of his mind.

He couldn't understand why someone like Winona Ryder, a beautiful woman with money, status, and stature, would need to steal a few inconsequential books.

Time passed quickly, and more extras arrived under the guidance of another agent. They formed a small group, gave Matthew a glance, but did not interact with him.

Matthew continued to wait quietly. After a while, his agent, Dennis Kurlt, came back with the casting director Rubin. Dennis looked pleased, as if he had been successfully ingratiating himself; for agents handling temporary acting gigs, casting directors held significant sway.

Rubin entered his office, and Dennis sat next to Matthew. He glanced at the other extras and said, "I did what I could for you. Your role will be as a male nurse standing behind the lead actress Winona Ryder. Although there are no lines, you'll be in the frame."

Knowing this was likely due to Angelina Jolie's influence, Matthew still said, "Thank you, I'll do my best."

"Don't! Absolutely don't!" Dennis quickly interjected a warning, "Just stand there and act

 as part of the background. Don't do anything else."

Matthew nodded eagerly, "Understood!"

Following instructions from an agent was never a mistake.

They waited almost another half hour before Rubin, the casting director, came out and directed the young man to lead the extras outside to familiarize themselves with the set.

Curious, Matthew looked around as they walked through the set, which was staged like a hospital with long hallways and individual rooms, each with clear spaces for camera placement.

He hadn't seen the film or read the script, only aware that it seemed to tell a story involving psychiatric patients.

The young man led them to a makeup trailer where a flamboyant male makeup artist took over.

"Let them go first." Dennis stopped Matthew, who was about to enter the trailer first.

Although not understanding why, Matthew stepped aside, letting the other extras go ahead.

"Hurry up!" the young man urged. "Don't waste time!"

The makeup trailer was small, unable to hold many people. An older man went in first, and the rest waited outside.

Perhaps because he had managed to make useful connections within the production, Dennis was in good spirits. Seeing Matthew's confused look, he leaned against the makeup trailer and explained in a low voice, "The production differentiates treatment. You non-union extras use the cheapest makeup, which is harmful to the skin. The longer it stays on, the more damage it does."

Matthew understood immediately, "Does that mean the bigger the star, the later they do makeup?"

Dennis nodded, "Pretty much." He added, "Many top stars make the production wait for them."

"Can I, as an extra, not wear makeup?" Matthew touched his face.

The only thing he was pleased with in this ghostly possession was his ruggedly handsome face.

Dennis shook his head, "Anyone who might be filmed from the front has to wear makeup."

He had figured out that this young, tall, handsome fellow was basically a novice. If it weren't for the fact that he had served as a useful stepping stone and might still be useful, Dennis wouldn't bother dealing with such characters.

These extras wouldn't play significant roles; they were just part of the background, and the makeup artist wouldn't focus on them much. A simple foundation was applied in just twenty minutes, covering Matthew and everyone else.

With a layer of foundation on his face, Matthew felt uncomfortable but dared not touch it, lest he smear the makeup.

Their roles as extras were simple, almost trivial, but the preparation was anything but. After makeup, they changed into costumes. Matthew wore a nurse's white coat; the production had prepared many such coats of various sizes, likely why they hadn't been asked to try them on earlier.

Although they were merely background actors, the production was quite strict. After the extras were styled, an assistant director came to inspect them, ensuring everything was in order before leading them into the studio.

In Matthew's view, a movie with a multi-million dollar budget would spare no effort in any aspect.

The assistant director led them to a set designed like a living room with a coffee table, sofas, and a TV, among other furnishings. Two cameras were set up on the side without walls, and the floodlights flickered on and off, apparently being adjusted.

Once they arrived, a middle-aged man with a beard, likely the director, came over and spoke briefly with the assistant director, who then began positioning the extras.

"You, come here." The assistant director called Matthew over to stand behind a single sofa facing the camera. After checking with the camera side, he instructed, "Move a little to the left."

Matthew moved as directed, like a puppet on strings.

The camera crew signaled, and the assistant director said, "Good! Stay there and don't move."

"Okay!" Matthew nodded.

The assistant director cautioned, "When shooting starts, don't smile or make any strange movements."

"Okay!" Matthew nodded again.

The assistant director went off to handle other tasks, leaving Matthew to wait patiently. After a few minutes, female actors began to emerge, sitting in their designated spots as directed.

Then, Angelina Jolie entered the set with an assistant, greeted the director, chatted briefly, and sat down on a prominently placed long sofa.

Angelina noticed Matthew, glanced at him, and he smiled slightly. She seemed not to recognize him and turned her head away.

More time passed, and then Winona Ryder appeared.

She walked toward the single sofa in front of Matthew, her beautiful eyes naturally falling on him, and immediately furrowed her brow.