Britney Spears was at the peak of her popularity, and the premiere of the "Sometimes" music video attracted nearly a hundred media outlets. The vast media center was packed with journalists, and when Matthew appeared, he even noticed cameras set up for a live broadcast.
Guided by the staff, he took a seat at an inconspicuous spot at the front of the media center, similar to his position during the last press conference. Like a regular staff member, Helen Herman stood behind him.
Having limited experience with the media, Matthew felt reassured by Helen's presence behind him. Even if journalists noticed him and asked tricky questions, he wasn't worried.
"Brit, who was in your room the other night?" the agent asked as they walked towards the media center's front desk, puzzled. "You ordered so much dinner?"
Recalling the previous evening, Britney smiled sweetly but remembered Matthew's advice, casually replying, "No one was there. I was just hungry and picked a few things I wanted to eat."
The agent seemed concerned, "You need to watch your figure."
This reminded Britney of Matthew's comments about her "snake waist" and his affectionate caresses, so she quickly nodded, "I know, I'll maintain my figure."
The duo then proceeded to the front desk. The media center immediately buzzed with activity. Britney ignored the reporters and first looked for Matthew. Once their eyes met and he smiled sweetly at her, she took her seat.
The event's temporary host picked up the microphone, and the music video premiere officially began.
Due to Britney's soaring popularity, the event not only attracted a plethora of journalists but also, through the record company's efforts, was broadcast live on MTV.
In the Greater Los Angeles area, particularly in the San Fernando Valley, there are numerous production studios and talent agencies serving them, including Hanson Entertainment Talent Service, where Maurice was a minor partner. Although a small stakeholder, he had a respectable position in the industry and his own office.
Sitting at his desk, Maurice glanced at the wall clock, calculated the time difference between New York and Los Angeles, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV. He had previously looked up information about Matthew Horner and Helen Herman and switched directly to MTV.
Sure enough, MTV was broadcasting the premiere of Britney Spears's "Sometimes" music video. The video started with a sexy and spirited Britney dancing on the beach with a group of young men and women. Then the camera switched to a tall, muscular man emerging on the beach, and Britney shyly looked at him, her eyes seemingly filled with admiration.
Maurice touched his bald head, expressionless. The muscular man was unmistakably Matthew Horner, whom he had seen just days ago.
He was indeed the male lead in Britney Spears's music video!
This reality wasn't too hard to accept since Maurice had confirmed yesterday that Matthew had indeed passed an audition for a significant role in the new project produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, "Band of Brothers," and had signed an official contract.
Beyond absurd, Maurice couldn't describe his feelings. A man nearly stuck in a romantic action film was making a name in Hollywood, seemingly on the verge of becoming a star—this was unacceptable to him.
Especially since this man had caused him considerable trouble, forcing him to grovel and appease everyone involved.
Watching Britney and Matthew gaze affectionately at each other in the music video, Maurice plotted. He couldn't stand idly by and let this nobody become famous.
Otherwise, all his efforts to resolve past troubles would have been in vain.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Maurice called without looking up.
A tall, handsome young man entered. Maurice gestured to a chair beside his desk, "Have a seat, Mike."
This was a young actor Maurice had lured from a bar a few months ago. After some efforts and exploiting Mike's desperation for money and lack of steady employment, he had become a signed actor under Maurice, already starring in a movie.
Today, Maurice had called him to discuss a new contract, following industry regulations that now allowed them to sign a long-term agreement.
Just as Michael sat down, he heard a noise from behind and turned to see the TV broadcasting a music video with a vibrant and youthful girl dancing energetically.
"Britney?" Michael recognized the star of the MV. "Is that her music video?"
The scene switched to Britney embracing a young man on the beach, and Michael's face contorted with anger, "Matthew Horner!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried boundless hatred.
Maurice, intrigued, asked, "You know Matthew Horner?"
"Of course, I do!" Michael spat out, remembering the pain and humiliation he felt, "That was supposed to be me in the MV! The director had decided I would be the male lead! Matthew Horner sabot
aged me, causing me to perform poorly during the audition, and stole my role!"
"How did he steal it?" Maurice probed.
Michael grimaced, unable to hide his discomfort, "The director is gay. He sold himself to the director!"
Maurice's interest piqued, "Really?"
"Really!" Michael said, suddenly realizing something off. "You know Matthew Horner too?"
"Yes," Maurice admitted, "He was once signed with me."
"What?" Michael stood up in excitement, "You mean he participated in those kinds of films?"
For a moment, this revelation brought him some comfort.
Maurice shook his head, "No, he backed out of filming at the last minute, creating a whole set of problems I only recently resolved."
"How could he not have?" Michael sat back down, baffled, "Wasn't that a breach of contract?"
"A few days ago, the production company reached an out-of-court settlement with him," Maurice continued, "He's agreed to pay $30,000 in damages."
"$30,000?" Michael was shocked by the figure, "He has that kind of money? I know Matthew Horner; he's broke."
Maurice adjusted his bald head, "I checked yesterday. He signed with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg for a WWII epic, 'Band of Brothers.' The project's total investment is over a hundred million dollars, and Matthew's penalty fee with the crew is $300,000. From this, it's clear his salary won't be less than $50,000."
Michael was stunned, repeating key phrases in disbelief, "Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg? A WWII epic? Total investment over a hundred million dollars? A penalty fee of $300,000?"
He stood up again, anger flaring, "That bastard Matthew Horner! If he hadn't stolen my role in the MV, all of this would have been mine!"
It must have been Helen Herman who helped Matthew secure that role. If he had won the audition, all this success would have been his.
Michael looked at Maurice, "Why don't you release a statement to the media that Matthew Horner participated in those kinds of films? That way, he wouldn't get any roles."
"Think I haven't thought of that?" Maurice ran his hand over his bald head, "Matthew Horner has already signed an official contract with the 'Band of Brothers' crew. Do you think our words could influence Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg? Would the crew risk breaching a contract to replace an actor with a penalty fee of $300,000 just because of something two industry professionals said?"
He could see Michael wasn't as shrewd as he looked—quite the opposite, in fact.
"What should we do then?" Sharing a common enemy made Michael see Maurice as an ally. "We can't just watch him become famous, can we?"
Maurice's expression turned sinister, "I'll keep an eye on him. The next time he negotiates a contract with the crew, we'll leak the news. As long as no official contract is signed, the crew will have reservations, and then..."
Michael grinned, "Don't forget to call me when the time comes."
Back in New York, the premiere had reached the Q&A session. Few journalists questioned Matthew; all focus was on Britney.
"Hello, Britney," a female journalist stood to ask, "I'm with the New York Times. I hear your first world tour is already being planned."
Her agent whispered a reminder, and Britney replied, "Yes."
She raised her voice, "I'm thrilled to announce that starting January 2000, the 'Declaration of Love' World Tour will officially kick off, continuing through October!"
The room erupted in applause, and Matthew clapped for Britney, even though he felt a world tour was quite ambitious for a star who had recently risen to fame.
The music video premiere ended successfully. Matthew only managed to exchange a few words with Britney backstage before they went their separate ways.
Britney was off to Nashville for further promotions, while Matthew had to return to Burbank's Warner Studios with Helen Herman and then head to the UK with the crew to prepare for the filming of "Band of Brothers."
___________________
Read Ahead
Patreon.com/INNIT