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Perhaps Angelina Jolie truly performed poorly in many areas, but when it came to trustworthiness, she didn't disappoint. In just over ten days, she helped Matthew find a decent acting training school. Similar institutions were everywhere in Los Angeles, most of them pay-to-enter types, but this one had some entrance requirements.
According to Vanessa, the school was called the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts, mainly collaborating with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and William Morris Endeavor (WME), training actors specifically for these two companies.
Actors not signed with these two agencies needed an influential industry figure to vouch for them in order to be accepted.
For someone like Matthew, getting into such a high-level acting school without Angelina Jolie's recommendation would have been incredibly difficult.
It was just like back where he used to live—training institutions were everywhere, but most were scams. Only a few were genuinely reliable.
After getting off in North Hollywood, Matthew casually asked around and easily found the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts.
"Hello, sir."
At the open gate, a security guard stopped him. "This is private property."
"Oh, hi." Matthew quickly replied, "I'm here to register—for the acting training course."
The security guard glanced at him, pulled out a list, and politely asked, "May I have your name?"
"Matthew Horner," he replied.
The guard scanned the list, then nodded. "Go ahead, Mr. Horner. Turn left ahead, then go straight for about 200 feet. There's a white building—the registration office is on the first floor. You'll see it as soon as you walk in."
The staff were very polite, so Matthew was equally courteous. "Thank you!"
Following the directions, he soon found the registration office. Just as he walked in and was about to speak, his phone rang. He looked down—it was a call from Angel Agency.
"Excuse me." He gave an apologetic smile to the middle-aged woman who was about to help him. "I need to take this call."
He stepped outside and answered, "Hello, this is Matthew Horner."
"Hi, Matthew."
A crisp, somewhat familiar female voice came through. "This is Helen Herman."
Matthew immediately remembered the sharp, capable female agent he'd met before.
Helen spoke quickly, "I have a job that's perfect for you. If you're interested, come to the agency before 10 a.m. tomorrow. We leave at 11 sharp. Bring your ID, luggage, and a change of clothes."
Though he had no idea what kind of job it was, Matthew agreed immediately. For a background actor like him, jobs chose people—not the other way around.
After hanging up, he returned to the registration desk and said to the woman, "Hi, I'm Matthew Horner. I was notified to come register today."
The woman flipped through a stack of papers, pulled one out, and said, "Take a look—see if the information's correct."
Matthew glanced through the form—it was the basic info he had filled out for girl, interrupted. "Everything looks good."
"Okay." She handed him another form. "Please fill this out."
Luckily, the form only asked for simple information. Otherwise, it would've been difficult for Matthew.
Thanks to Angelina Jolie's arrangements, everything went smoothly. As he filled out the form, the woman continued, "The acting course lasts six months, with no fewer than 22 hours of weekly classes and hands-on practice. During this period, the school will provide audition opportunities. If you perform well, they'll recommend you to major talent agencies to help you secure a formal actor contract."
Matthew nodded slightly. It sounded quite legitimate.
Then came the catch. "The total tuition is $6,000," the woman added.
Matthew immediately looked up. That amount far exceeded what he had expected.
Fortunately, her next sentence eased his worries. "The fee can be paid in installments."
That made sense. Most students here were likely struggling actors. $6,000 was no small sum, so installment plans helped ease the financial burden.
"You'll need to pay $2,000 today," she explained. "Another $2,000 before classes begin in May, and the final $2,000 in September."
Matthew did a quick mental calculation: he had earned $5,500 from his deal with Angelina Jolie, $180 from the girl, interrupted gig, and just under $1,800 from his first month with Red Penguin Company.
Total income so far: $7,400.
Expenses included $2,400 for six months' rent, plus living costs for the past month. He had pinched every penny, but the cost of buying professional books and subscribing to newspapers to improve his reading skills had added up.
Currently, he had less than $4,000 in his account.
He could easily afford the first $2,000 payment. The second one wasn't due until May, and with continued work at Red Penguin, it shouldn't be a problem as long as he stayed frugal.
As more people came in to register, Matthew even noticed a few familiar-looking faces—perhaps extras he'd seen in films—but he wasn't in the mood to socialize. After registering, he went upstairs to the finance office, paid the initial $2,000 fee with his card, and received his course materials. Then he left the school to await the start of classes in May.
Back in Westwood, Matthew bought two newspapers and went straight to his apartment. He didn't have a shift at Red Penguin tonight and had no plans to go out—he just wanted to relax.
After reaching the second floor and opening his door, he immediately noticed a letter placed on the floor near the entrance. Picking it up and opening it, his good mood was instantly ruined.
The debt collectors had found him!
Sitting on the sagging couch, Matthew read the letter several times. Though he didn't understand everything, he was pretty sure it was a lawyer's letter. It was signed by the same lawyer for Chris Walker, who had already called him twice. The letter listed breach-of-contract terms and demanded $50,000 in damages.
"Damn bastards!" Matthew tossed the letter aside. "They actually tracked me down!"
On second thought, it wasn't that surprising. The other party had left their real information, and Matthew hadn't gone out of his way to hide his whereabouts. In this modern world, finding someone wasn't that hard.
"I need to consult a lawyer," he muttered.
After all, he had breached the contract first. Running from it wouldn't help. "Maybe I can settle out of court."
From what he had seen in Hollywood films, out-of-court settlements usually ended up with the defendant paying less than the full claim. But even if the Forbidden Tarot team cut the penalty in half, it would still be $25,000.
With the letter now in hand, Matthew felt a real sense of urgency—and frustration over being poor. If he had $100,000, he'd gladly throw $50,000 at those scammers just to shut them up.
Being broke really sucked.
He decided to check out the job at Angel Agency the next day, then find time to consult a lawyer.
Later that evening, he picked up a book and resumed studying. Every moment of learning was an investment in his future. The next morning, after a run and a quick shower, he changed into his only suit, packed the luggage he had prepared the night before, and took a bus back to North Hollywood—to Angel Performing Arts Agency.
"Hi…"
As soon as he entered, a young woman approached him. "Are you here to apply as an actor?"
"Yes." Matthew responded politely. "My name is Matthew Horner. I got a call from Miss Helen Herman yesterday."
"Please have a seat." The woman jotted his name down in her notebook. "You'll have to wait a bit."
Matthew stepped into the first-floor lobby. Unlike his last visit, the room was bustling. Over sixty young, strong-looking men sat scattered across benches. Some chatted quietly in groups.
It was clear—they were all background actors like him.
"Hey, Matthew!"
Someone suddenly stood up and waved at him.
Matthew turned and recognized a familiar young face—it was the mover he had helped last time. He seemed to be named Michael Sheen.
Matthew walked over and greeted him. "Hi, Michael."
"Call me Mike," Michael Sheen said, motioning for him to sit. "I was just wondering if I'd run into you again."
"I haven't had any gigs in a while." Matthew shrugged. "Figured I'd come and try my luck."
"How have you been lately?" he asked.
"Same old," Michael Sheen sighed. "Working as a mover. Occasionally landing background roles in small productions."
Matthew chuckled. "Hang in there. Things will turn around."
Michael Sheen had a solid build and good looks—tall, strong, brown hair, blue eyes. Matthew figured he had potential in youth-focused productions.
Then again, that was just his own opinion.
"Yeah!" Michael nodded firmly. "I've been in L.A. for three years—I will make it big! I'm going to become a star!"
"When that day comes," Matthew joked, "don't forget to give me a hand."
Michael laughed.
Clap—clap—
Suddenly, someone clapped loudly. Matthew and Michael looked toward the staircase, where Helen Herman was now standing.
Seeing that everyone's attention was on her, she raised her voice and said, "Everyone, there's a job that may last for a week…"