Chapter 46 – Unemployed

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Like usual, Matthew and Rachel McAdams had language class in the afternoon, so they stayed back and had lunch nearby. Neither of them had much money to spare, so they just picked a small Italian restaurant near the performing arts school. After so many acting classes together, they were already quite familiar with each other, and Rachel didn't bother being polite anymore.

"I'll just have the pasta," she ordered casually.

Matthew had eaten with Rachel before and knew that actresses usually didn't eat much to keep in shape, so he didn't fuss either.

"I'll take a Florentine T-bone steak… and some seafood pasta," he added. He was tall, well-built, and exercised regularly—definitely a meat-lover.

Once the waiter left, Rachel leaned on the table with both arms and asked with concern, "Did you pass the audition?"

Matthew raised his glass, took a sip of water, and replied, "Yeah, I did."

"Really?" Rachel looked surprised. "So you're the male lead in Britney Spears' new music video?"

"Signed the contract yesterday," Matthew said, not wanting to brag, so he quickly changed the topic. "What about you? You quit McDonald's, right?"

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, I quit. Haven't found a good part-time job yet though."

"Didn't your agent help you out?" Matthew asked curiously.

Many agents had good connections for side jobs. Helen Herman, for instance, had arranged gigs for quite a few young actors signed under her agency.

Rachel sighed. "My agent has a lot of clients. I'm just one of the small ones."

"Anything I can do to help?" Matthew offered.

Rachel shook her head with a smile. She knew well enough—Matthew's own situation wasn't great either.

She changed the topic. "You're fixing your accent really fast."

"Yeah?" Matthew rubbed his chin. "Maybe I'm better at this than at acting."

Rachel laughed, dimples showing. "You're not bad at acting either."

"You're the first one to say that," Matthew grinned.

Just then, the waiter brought over their food. The place wasn't fancy, but the food tasted alright.

"Your agent didn't send you for any auditions recently?" Matthew asked while sipping water.

"No. It's been a while," Rachel said as she chewed her spaghetti. "I'm starting to think he's forgotten I even exist."

She suddenly put down her fork. "Oh right, school told us today that next week we're going to intern with a film crew."

Matthew thought for a moment. "I probably can't go. The MV shoot could start any time."

"Too bad," Rachel looked a bit disappointed. "I was hoping we could act together again."

"You just want to crush me on camera again, right?" Matthew teased. "You always steal the scene."

Rachel giggled. "Honestly, I'm a little troubled. I feel like I'm overdoing it every time."

"That's still better than me, just standing there acting cool." Matthew quoted what David Astor had once told him.

"You've got natural looks, can't help that," Rachel glanced him over and said, "You're not as handsome as DiCaprio, but definitely more manly."

Matthew flexed his arm jokingly. "So you like this type?"

"Do I like this type?" Rachel leaned her chin on her hand and tilted her head at him. "Are you trying to ask me out?"

"Uh…" Matthew froze, unsure how to answer.

Western girls were just too straightforward—not following the usual playbook at all.

He was still very much the conservative type. So he quickly shook his head. "I don't even know what tomorrow holds… better not drag someone else down."

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Right now, both of them were focused on surviving day to day—there was no room for anything else.

After lunch, Matthew paid the bill, and the two of them returned to the performing arts school for their afternoon language class.

Just like Rachel had said, after all that practice, Matthew's Texas drawl was already much lighter. And the language course didn't just fix accents—it also included drama-based language training.

Over the next two days, Matthew mostly attended classes during the day, worked his night shift as a driver at Red Penguin Services, and spent all his free time studying the MV script and his character. Every now and then, he would glance at gossip headlines in American News Report—a tabloid that looked more like a serious newspaper.

He was sure Elena Boyar wouldn't miss out on a juicy story involving both Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

At one point, he got so curious he nearly called her—but held back. It was better not to talk to entertainment reporters unless absolutely necessary.

Better to spend time studying the MV script and understanding his role.

Music videos, especially pop ones, were short—usually under five minutes. The one Matthew was in would be no different. The style and vibe needed to match the tone of Sometimes, the song.

From the moment he got the script, Matthew had been digging into background material. Even though he wasn't really into pop music, he managed to figure out the essentials.

Sometimes was a bubblegum pop-style teen song about a shy girl too afraid to confess her feelings to the boy she liked.

The song got mixed reviews—some said it was better than Britney's earlier single Baby One More Time, while others felt it was just a forgettable, immature track.

In the video, Britney played the shy girl, and Matthew would be the boy she secretly liked.

So, whether it was the song or the MV, it was all tailored to the teen crowd.

Matthew was very self-aware. He knew he hadn't gotten the part because of his acting. His looks must have helped a lot.

From everything he had read, it was clear what the MV needed: a guy who looked good, had charm, was cool, and gave off positive energy—someone teen fans would love.

It didn't call for great acting skills—just some basic camera awareness and no rookie mistakes like staring into the lens. The rest was up to the styling team.

Matthew felt confident he could handle this. After all, he was only nineteen. He didn't need to try to "look young"—he was young.

One afternoon, with the sun sinking in the west, Matthew got off the bus, casting a long shadow behind him as he walked towards the Red Penguin office for his night shift.

Just as he was about to reach the door, his phone rang.

"Hey, Helen," he answered. It was his agent. "What's up?"

Helen Herman's voice came through the line. "The record label confirmed the director. All cast members have to meet at the studio tomorrow. The shoot starts the day after, be there by 8 a.m. sharp."

Matthew was about to say "Okay," but Helen added, "You better take a few days off—don't work nights this week. Make sure you're fully rested!"

"No problem!" Matthew looked up at the company door and sighed. "I'll apply for leave now."

Helen added one last reminder. "Also, don't bring up anything about Michael Sheen or Martin Jackson on set."

"I got it," Matthew promised. "I won't say a word."

He'd already gotten what he wanted. No need to stir things up again.

After hanging up, Matthew walked into the Red Penguin office and went straight to the second floor, to Lester's office.

As usual, the bald Black guy and the fat guy were there, along with Lester. But this time, neither of them said a word—almost like Matthew didn't even exist.

"Boss," Matthew said as he reached Lester's desk. Lester looked up and handed him some keys and paperwork. "Tonight's assignment—Santa Monica."

Matthew took them, scratched his head, and said, "Boss, after tonight, I'd like to take a week off."

"What?" Lester's eyes widened. "A whole week? How much leave have you taken this month already?"

Seeing Lester getting annoyed, the bald guy chimed in, "He's a big star now! Doesn't care about this petty job anymore!"

It was understandable—any boss would get upset if an employee kept taking time off. Lester's frustration was showing.

Matthew was about to soften things up with some kind words, but the bald guy spoke again, "So, what amazing role are you playing this time, Mr. Star?"

Matthew didn't want to argue with a fool, but the repeated jabs annoyed him.

"Lead in Britney Spears' new music video," he said flatly.

The bald guy shut up immediately. Not another word, as if he had vanished into thin air.

"You've taken too much leave," Lester said honestly. "I can't explain this to the higher-ups."

Matthew understood. As much as he didn't want to lose this job, he wasn't going to miss the MV shoot for it either.

He placed the keys and paperwork back on the desk. "Thanks for everything these past few weeks, Mr. Lester."

Lester had plenty of flaws, but he had given Matthew a chance to earn a living when he needed it most.

Lester pushed the keys back. "Finish tonight's shift. Tomorrow, send me a resignation letter. I'll mark you as full attendance for this month."

Matthew nodded, took the keys, and walked out of the office.

Tomorrow, he'd be officially unemployed.