The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood! Chapter 18

Matthew knew just how famous Britney was, so it came as a huge surprise that Helen had managed to land an audition for a music video with a star of her caliber—especially for the lead male role.

"You're going to audition for a Britney Spears music video?"

Ilana asked tentatively, seeing Matthew put his phone away.

Matthew knew she had just overheard him and didn't bother to deny it. "Yeah, tomorrow."

Ilana glanced toward the entrance of the heavily guarded estate, her interest instantly evaporating. What were the antics of some British actor compared to Britney Spears, who had skyrocketed to fame and captured the nation's attention? Why waste time here when a sensational story about Britney was within reach?

Her mind was spinning.

Ilana was abrasive, but she was also sharp. Having worked in an industry connected to Hollywood, she understood perfectly well that arranging such an audition for a young actor still working a part-time job wasn't something an ordinary agent could pull off. It was possible there was already an unspoken agreement about the outcome.

Folding her hands in her lap, her right index finger began to tap against the knuckles of her left. After a moment, she said, "Britney is at the height of her popularity right now, so there's probably a lot of competition for the male lead in her video."

Matthew didn't understand what Ilana was getting at and simply watched her.

Matthew nodded.

It was unclear what Ilana's goal was, but her statement was true.

Ilana adopted the tone of an old friend. "Matthew, you have to seize an opportunity like this."

Given who Ilana was, Matthew sensed that whatever came next would be unpleasant. He discreetly raised his guard but kept a puzzled expression on his face as he replied, "I know I should seize opportunities like this, but how? I don't know the director, the producer of the video, or Britney Spears."

"If you can get a few photos with Britney," Ilana said excitedly, "give them to me. I'll write a story for the papers claiming you're her boyfriend. You'll grab everyone's attention and become famous overnight."

"A lie?" Matthew understood what she meant. "You're suggesting I get famous by faking a story?"

Ilana spread her hands. "Matthew, what star hasn't bent the truth? A lot of celebrities became famous through manufactured hype. It can take your career to a whole new level."

Matthew frowned, considering it. The idea had potential, but it wasn't the best choice. Even if Britney Spears were naive, would the record company and agency behind her really let him use her fame for a cheap publicity stunt?

Besides, Ilana hadn't even mentioned her terms yet.

"You're not saying all this," Matthew asked suddenly, "just to help me out of the goodness of your heart, are you?"

Ilana said with conviction, "Consider it an early investment. I think you have the potential to become famous. When you're a big star, just leak me a few exclusive stories from time to time. That'll be enough."

Matthew had a feeling it would never be that simple. "And that's it?"

"No." Of course, the cunning vixen finally showed her true colors. "If you can get me a few photos of Britney Spears—preferably without makeup—I'd be very grateful."

She added, "And if you hear anything from Britney, you have to share it with me."

Matthew didn't answer right away, pausing for a moment before saying, "You want me to be your source?"

"Something like that." Ilana couldn't deny the simple fact that it was "mutually beneficial."

What she proposed was straightforward, but Matthew didn't think it was a good idea. Something like this, if handled poorly, could end his Hollywood career before it even began. And while he didn't have a fully formed plan yet, he subconsciously knew this was different from his deal with Angelina Jolie. If he helped a journalist get candid photos of a star, he was afraid he'd become an outcast in the industry.

Nevertheless, he didn't voice his refusal, simply remaining silent.

"Here's my card." Ilana pulled out a business card and handed it to him. "You can call me when you decide you want to cooperate."

Without any hesitation, Matthew took Ilana's card.

"Bye." Ilana said her farewell, got out of the Ford, climbed into a yellow Chevrolet, and drove off immediately, seemingly completely uninterested in the party hosted by Jonny Lee Miller.

Matthew watched the Chevrolet drive away, then lowered his gaze to the card. It had only Ilana's name and a phone number. He tucked it into his wallet.

He certainly wasn't stupid enough to go and secretly take pictures of Britney Spears at the audition or anywhere else.

But this journalist could be useful in the future.

He had once owned a smartphone, and with celebrity gossip all over Twitter, he'd read his fair share of rumors about stars, both domestic and international. This included major figures like Tom Cruise and Britney Spears.

It was hard to tell what was true and what wasn't, but some of the most widespread stories weren't just baseless rumors. So, could he use this knowledge in a more... "subtle" way?

Take Britney Spears, for example. Matthew remembered reading on entertainment Twitter feeds that she would go through a very self-destructive phase, shaving her head, wrecking her car, and so on.

The question was, how could he use this information? How could it help him?

His conversation with Ilana had left Matthew wide awake. He pulled out his used Nokia phone and looked at it. It had virtually no features, no 4G network, let alone any social media apps.

The internet? Social media? Matthew tapped his head, recalling how influential internet celebrities had been in his time. Maybe he could leverage that angle?

There was no point thinking about instant messaging apps; they definitely didn't exist yet. But hadn't blogs originated in the U.S.? He'd have to look it up online.

Since his "rebirth," Matthew had been so busy that he hadn't even gone online.

In the distance, an expensive car appeared and turned into the estate diagonally across the street.

Loud music drifted from the estate. Matthew had been at this job long enough to be used to it. Seeing there was nothing else to do, he folded down the back seat and lay down to sleep.

...

The next morning, he drove to the estate to pick up a group of exhausted models, dropped them off one by one, returned the car to Red Penguin Services, and then took a bus to the Angel Acting Agency in Burbank.

"Hello, Amanda." As soon as he entered the office, Matthew greeted her with his usual charm. "You look beautiful today."

"You think so?" Amanda touched her cheek, looking quite flattered. "Thanks, Matthew. It's always a pleasure to see you."

She gestured toward a glass door down the hall. "Wait in the conference room. Helen and the other actors haven't arrived yet."

Hearing there were other actors, Matthew asked, "So it's not just me auditioning?"

"Of course not," Amanda replied. "I think there will be about ten other actors."

Matthew realized this wasn't as simple as he'd thought. "So it's a competition for the role?"

Amanda shook her head. "You could say that."

"Can you give me a little more information?" Matthew smoothly leaned against the reception desk and deliberately lowered his voice. "You know more than anyone else in this company."

Amanda smiled. "There's not much to tell. Helen arranged the audition opportunity for the music video, and Jive Records has agreed to consider actors signed with the Angel Acting Agency. But it's not our decision who they pick. It all depends on how the audition goes."

He had gotten the information he wanted, so he chatted with Amanda for another minute before heading to the conference room.

Over the next hour, people trickled into the conference room—all young men. He recognized three of them from when he signed his contract, but he showed no interest in them, simply sitting quietly in his chair with his eyes closed.

Closer to nine o'clock, more than ten people had gathered in the conference room. They were all actors for the audition, including a familiar face—Michael.

Michael spotted Matthew as soon as he walked in. His brow furrowed for a second, but then his expression relaxed. He walked over, sat down next to Matthew, and was about to say hello when the conference room door was pushed open again, and Helen strode in.

Matthew gave Michael a nod and turned his attention to Helen. Without any preamble, she clapped her hands together, drawing everyone's focus. Then she announced loudly, "The Angel Acting Agency has secured an audition for all of you for the lead male role in Britney Spears's new music video. Whether or not you get the part depends entirely on your performance."

She glanced at her watch. "Alright, everyone. Let's go."