The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 103: $100,000

"Listen up, Matthew."

The makeup artist was applying Matthew's makeup while the bearded Jack stood beside him, offering some last-minute advice. "Ridley and Jerry Bruckheimer will be here in a few minutes. The audition is happening right here, so don't be nervous. They just want to see how you look the part."

"Alright." As the makeup artist stepped away to get something, Matthew turned his head and smiled at Jack. "Thanks."

Jack shook his head slightly. "It's nothing."

He added, "My family and Helen go way back. Of course, I'd do her a favor."

Matthew understood the rather direct subtext: Jack wasn't interested in building a connection with a small-time actor like him; he was doing this purely as a favor to Helen.

The casting for Black Hawk Down was being done through internal auditions, a relatively straightforward process. It was far less grueling than open calls and involved only a small number of actors.

The makeup was finished quickly. Since the audition was for a military role, the artist simply enhanced the lines of Matthew's face to give him a harder, more severe look, making his features appear more defined.

After that, a stylist brought out two uniforms for Matthew to choose from. Having prepared for the audition, Matthew naturally recognized one as belonging to the Army's Delta Force and the other to the Rangers.

Both were combat uniforms, though they came without helmets or weapons.Matthew was still in the dressing room, changing into the Delta Force uniform, when he heard brisk footsteps outside, followed by the sound of Jack's greeting and then two men's voices in conversation.

He assumed it had to be Ridley Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer.

"The actor's name is Matthew Horner, he's from Texas." Jack was clearly trying to put in a good word for him. "Matthew has a few credits, all in military-type roles. Gladiator, where he played the Teutonic barbarian chief fighting the Roman legions, and Band of Brothers for DreamWorks and HBO. He was in continuous military training from last November through May of this year."

Jerry didn't offer a specific reply, and Matthew only heard him say curtly, "Got it."

Outside the dressing room, Jack fell silent. He was only an executive producer and had already laid out all of Matthew's strong points for Jerry; there was nothing more he could say.

Ridley remained silent while Jerry glanced at his watch. Just then, the door to the dressing room swung open, and a tall soldier emerged. He walked toward them, snapped to attention, and delivered a standard military salute.

Jerry looked Matthew over, slightly taken aback.

"Were you in the service?" he couldn't help but ask.

"No, sir." Matthew knew his carefully prepared appearance had paid off. "I went through military training for Band of Brothers."

Jerry averted his gaze and turned to Ridley standing beside him. "What do you think? Does he fit?"

Ridley didn't answer, merely nodded.

"Alright then." Jerry turned back to Matthew. "No need for an audition."

He walked over to Matthew and extended his hand. "Welcome to the cast, Matthew Horner."

Matthew quickly returned the firm handshake.

Without another word, Jerry said to Ridley, "Let's go. Jonny Lee Miller and his agent should be here soon."

Jonny Lee Miller? Matthew caught the familiar name and repeated it in his mind.

Ridley and Jerry left. Instead of immediately going to remove his makeup and change, Matthew asked Jack, "Is Jonny Lee Miller auditioning too?"

It wasn't a secret. Jack answered casually, "Yeah, he's here to talk about a contract. The part was originally offered to Ewan McGregor, but he had a scheduling conflict, so he recommended Jonny Lee Miller."

Curious, Jack asked Matthew, "Why, do you know him?"

"No," Matthew quickly explained. "I saw him and Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting. I was just impressed with their acting."

Jack didn't question it. "Why don't you get out of makeup," he said. "I'll go find Helen. We need to get her to negotiate your contract and get it signed as soon as possible."

Matthew nodded.

He knew it was wisest to lock down the contract quickly. It wasn't uncommon for actors to pass an audition for a Hollywood production only to be replaced later on.

After removing his makeup and changing back into his own clothes, Matthew left the room and headed for the lounge. Helen wasn't there; it seemed she had already left to discuss his contract.

Presumably, as long as Helen's terms weren't too far from what the production team was offering, the contract could be settled today.

He sat in the lounge for a while as people filed in one by one, mostly actors and their agents. Matthew occasionally overheard their conversations. Some had already auditioned and were waiting to sign contracts; others were still in line for their turn.

Matthew glanced around, but he didn't see any familiar faces, though the auditions were clearly in full swing.

"Where is Miller?" He glanced toward the entrance of the lounge and muttered, "I wonder if he'll recognize me."

He said it aloud, but Matthew didn't really think Miller would know who he was. The only two people who truly knew about the recording incident were him and Angelina Jolie. She wouldn't leak the information, and he certainly wasn't about to run his mouth.

All in all, he had only driven models to and from Jonny Lee Miller's place twice, and had only met the man on those two occasions.

Matthew was just about to look away when a familiar figure appeared at the entrance. He frowned slightly as his eyes locked onto the man.

Tom Hardy had just stepped into the lounge when he felt a sharp gaze on him. He looked over and immediately recognized the face—a face he couldn't possibly forget after that humiliation.

Without a second thought, he strode over and said with feigned delight, "Matthew Horner, what a surprise to see you here!"

"It's been a while, Tom." Matthew returned a false smile of his own and gestured to the chair beside him. "Have a seat."

Tom stared intently at Matthew, then noticed that everyone in the lounge was watching them. Recalling how Matthew had provoked the bar patrons last time, he quickly pulled out the chair and sat down.

"What are you doing here?" Tom asked, then realization dawned. He pointed a finger at Matthew. "You're auditioning for Black Hawk Down too?"

Matthew shrugged. "That's right. I've already had my audition."

"Good!" Hearing this, Tom suddenly nodded, his tone strange. "Very good! Fantastic!"

"I think it's good, too," Matthew said, his voice deliberately calm. "Tom, we might get to act together again. You know, I was quite impressed by your last performance."

Tom's face instantly darkened. The last time the two of them had shared a scene had been the most humiliating moment of his life.

"Matthew!" Helen's voice called out from the doorway. "Matthew!"

Matthew stopped bothering with Tom, stood up, and waved. "Helen, I'm over here."

Helen glanced sharply from him to Tom, who was sitting with a sullen expression, and gave a slight shake of her head. "Come on. I need your signature."

Matthew immediately left the lounge and followed Helen toward the elevators, asking as they walked, "The contract's been negotiated already?"

"The production is on a tight schedule and has a healthy budget," Helen replied. "You've had three roles, you fit their requirements perfectly, and the terms they offered were generous enough that there was no need to haggle."

They rounded the corner to the elevators just as one arrived. They stepped inside, and seeing that it was empty, Helen asked directly, "Have you already started a fight with someone?"

"No," Matthew reported. "That guy was also in Band of Brothers. He had a scene with me, but his acting was terrible. He pissed off the director, David Frankel, and most of his scenes got cut. It seems he thinks it's all my fault."

Helen, thinking of Matthew's usual behavior, wasn't entirely convinced. "Really?"

"Of course, it's true." Matthew spread his hands helplessly. "It all happened in front of the crew. Plenty of people saw how bad he was."

The elevator doors opened. Helen stepped out first, saying, "There's no need for conflict."

Matthew was about to argue when she added, "But don't be afraid of competition."

After a moment of thought, Matthew said, "Understood."

He followed Helen into an office near the elevators where an executive producer had already drawn up the contract. Matthew took it and gave it a quick once-over, then signed it once his lawyer and a representative from the Screen Actors Guild arrived.

The deal was similar to the one he'd gotten for The Mummy Returns, but with a substantial pay increase to a full $150,000.

While the salary was nothing compared to what a famous actor would command, Matthew was still satisfied.

After all, his career was still in its early stages. Band of Brothers was still in post-production, The Mummy Returns wouldn't be out until next summer, and while Gladiator was a huge hit, his character's presence was too minor for audiences to take much notice.