On Monday morning, Matthew sat early in front of his computer. He refreshed his email, finding no new messages, and then called Helen Herman. She hadn't received the relevant data yet but told him to come to Angel Agency around ten o'clock to sign a new contract.
Matthew and Helen had discussed in detail and both wanted to continue their collaboration. There were no significant differences over other conditions. For now, he couldn't find a more suitable agent than Helen, so staying at Angel Agency seemed like the best choice. Moreover, Helen had voluntarily reduced her commission to 8%, a fair rate for an actor of his level.
They were about to sign the industry-standard longest contract of three years.
After ending the call, Matthew checked the web. BoxOfficeMojo, an Amazon-owned website that systematically calculates movie box office, hadn't updated "The Scorpion King's" latest figures yet. Although the website was the most famous in North America for box office statistics since its founding in 1998, the internet's timeliness back then was not as fast as it would become later.
Seeing no updates on the website, Matthew refreshed his email again but still found no new messages. He then opened the IMDB website to check the fan ratings. Upon opening "The Scorpion King's" page and noticing its score remained at 6.0, he saw that his name in the cast list had become a clickable link. Curious, he clicked on it.
The pop-up window displayed his IMDB profile, with a half-body portrait of him in formal attire on the left and a brief text introduction on the right, including his hometown and birthdate. Below that were stills and links to his films, in chronological order: "Gladiator," "Band of Brothers," "The Mummy Returns," "Black Hawk Down," and "The Scorpion King." His earliest passerby role in "Moving Soul" was not listed, probably due to its insignificance.
However, "Moving Soul" was mentioned in the "Did You Know" section of his profile page.
After browsing his IMDB profile, a clear result of "The Scorpion King's" impact, Matthew logged into his personal blog to recommend his IMDB page.
His blog's visitor numbers had surged recently, with daily visits exceeding 3,000 and total followers reaching five digits.
He received an email notification while blogging. Switching back to his email, he eagerly opened a new message from Helen. Waiting for the page to load, he was a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
Despite good box office results in the first two days and an expected weekend surge, he hoped for higher numbers, as this was his first lead role.
The email finally loaded, revealing the numbers that made Matthew smile genuinely, a smile of pure joy.
"The Scorpion King" saw a near 35% drop on Sunday compared to Saturday, earning $11.07 million, bringing its three-day weekend total to $40.37 million. Not only did it effortlessly top the North American box office, but it also set a new record for an April movie premiere.
Achieving the production budget in the first weekend meant success, both now and in the future.
Relieved, Matthew knew that even if "The Scorpion King" performed poorly during the week, the overall outcome was already secured.
He stood up, took a deep breath, and let out an uncontrollable laugh of excitement.
This indescribable feeling might be what success felt like. He had made it!
He flopped onto the couch, not wanting to move, just savoring this hard-earned success. From this day, he was a bona fide Hollywood star!
Although not a top-tier celebrity, he was undoubtedly a star actor!
Lying back on the couch, Matthew felt an immense satisfaction, even greater than his intimate moments with Brittany.
A man needs a successful career, and such success ignites the greatest passion.
At this moment, Matthew threw everything else aside, purely indulging in the excitement and joy of success.
Although alone, he was content in his success. He had worked hard for over three years, and while luck and opportunity played their parts, his efforts were equally crucial.
In the privacy of his home, he freely expressed his emotions, shouting and pumping his fist in the air.
Everything else – Helen Herman, Angel Agency, Universal Pictures, media reporters, and film directors – could wait. He deserved to enjoy this moment.
But success is a long, winding journey, and its enjoyment is fleeting.
After a few minutes, Matthew calmed down, returning from his emotional high to reality. He still had a long road ahead.
Collecting himself, he changed clothes and prepared to leave. Just as he opened his front door, a barrage of camera flashes blinded him, and he was surrounded by at least a dozen reporters.
"Matthew Horner, have you seen the latest box office stats? Any thoughts?"
"Having just become famous, what's the first thing you want to do?"
"Rumors say Universal Pictures is planning a sequel to 'The Scorpion King.' Will you continue as the lead?"
The reporters were more enthusiastic than before, creating a near-chaotic scene. Matthew was trapped at his own doorstep.
Some reporters asked questions, others took photos. Unfortunately for them, Matthew, being a man dressed in fitting trousers, didn't provide any revealing shots.
Paparazzi joined the reporters, asking more intrusive questions.
"Your house lights were on all night. Were you partying with a woman?"
"Someone saw three women enter your house. Did you..."
Unable to respond to such questions, Matthew quickly retreated and closed his door.
Although this wasn't the first time reporters and paparazzi followed him, such fervent attention was new.
"The Scorpion King's" box office success and his favorable role had made him a hot news figure.
Realizing his situation, Matthew called Helen for assistance. Escaping the press without security seemed impossible.
Half an hour later, Helen arrived at his door. Matthew let her in amid flashes and quickly shut the door.
"Did you bring the contract?" Matthew asked.
Helen nodded, handing over a document bag. "Check it, and after these reporters leave, we'll go to the Screen Actors Guild for registration."
Matthew took the bag, intending to open it, but Helen suggested moving inside, feeling uncomfortable in the yard.
Matthew led her into the house. As he opened the door, he noticed a figure in the glass and turned to see a reporter with a camera perched in a tree, aiming into the yard.
"These guys..." Matthew grumbled, "Are they crazy?"
Helen's arrival, a tall and beautiful woman, had further excited the reporters.
Helen glanced at the tree and said, "Normal. You're newly famous; the intense attention will pass in a few days."
Inside, Matthew handed Helen a seat and began reviewing the contract. He had already discussed it with Wilson, his lawyer.
After confirming there were no issues, Matthew signed the contract. As a Screen Actors Guild member, he knew it also needed to be registered with the Guild.
He passed the contract back to Helen, who put it in the bag and said, "Matthew, now that you're a star actor, there are some things I need to discuss with you."
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