Early in the morning, after sending someone off, Matthew hurried to Universal Studios to meet with his agent, Dennis Kurt. He didn't mention a word about what happened yesterday — it was useless now. Accompanied by Dennis, Matthew signed another agreement with the crew, changed into his white coat after makeup, and entered the soundstage to wait for filming to begin.
Perhaps because his role had lines, the assistant director handed him a one-page script with just a few simple lines.
Matthew's role was a bit more than an extra but still less than a regular supporting actor.
Wearing the same white coat from yesterday, Matthew stood outside the set reviewing the script. Dennis peeked over his shoulder, eyes scanning the lines.
"Not only a close-up, but you even have two lines!" Dennis whispered, astonished. "A role like this usually requires a formal audition… unless there's some backstage connection."
Matthew just shrugged, saying nothing.
Dennis stared at him in disbelief. Yesterday, Winona Ryder had tried to push him out, but tonight things turned around 180 degrees. Who exactly was this Matthew Horner?
Could he have ties to Angelina Jolie? Dennis shook his head. Angelina was just a supporting actress—she couldn't possibly outmatch Winona.
Then a new thought struck him: maybe Matthew was connected to another producer, Georgia Kakendis?
Dennis grew more convinced the more he thought about it. Otherwise, how else could this be explained? It couldn't be the executives at Sony Pictures suddenly interfering, could it?
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Dennis leaned toward Matthew and quietly asked, "Do you know Georgia Kakendis?"
Matthew turned his head, smiled slightly at Dennis, and said nothing — neither confirming nor denying.
Dennis took this as a yes and quickly started planning how to leverage this. One thing was clear: Matthew Horner had to be kept happy and not mess up like yesterday.
"Um… Matthew," Dennis began, "about yesterday—I really had urgent matters…"
"I know," Matthew said, tapping the script, "I was memorizing lines."
Dennis raised his hands. "Okay, okay, I won't bother you."
Matthew stayed silent, focused on the script. The role was simple and easy to understand; the lines were only two short sentences.
After a while, Angelina Jolie arrived on set. Matthew smiled at her, and she nodded slightly — just like yesterday. Winona Ryder, the lead actress and producer, was the last to show up.
Director James Mangold completed the setup and gathered the actors for a briefing. Matthew was called over too.
"Let's do a run-through," Mangold said, leading several actors into the constructed hallway. At the first room's door, he explained, "In this scene, the lead and the supporting actress don't know each other yet. Winona, your character is curious about the supporting actress and sees the male nurse walking toward her room."
He pointed at Matthew. "Follow his back as he walks into Lisa's room."
Winona nodded lightly — this scene was simple for her.
Mangold then gestured at the door. "The two characters pass each other here."
He looked at Matthew. "Walk down the hallway at a normal pace, not too fast or slow, then enter the room. Got it?"
Matthew quickly nodded, "Got it."
Mangold signaled the assistant and said, "Alright, let's run it once."
The assistant director came over to arrange their positions. Matthew knew he had to follow the crew's instructions precisely.
Angelina went inside the room while Winona waited outside the previous door. Matthew took a medical kit prop and stood in the lobby where they filmed yesterday.
Two cameramen got ready, and a crew member held a light blocker by his side.
Though it was just blocking and walking, the setup looked like a real shoot.
Matthew felt a bit nervous; his legs trembled slightly. Though he dreamed of being a Hollywood star rolling in money and beautiful women, this was his first time performing in front of a camera.
Nerves were normal.
"Just relax," the crew member holding the light blocker whispered. "Your role is simple — just be natural."
Matthew turned and gave a slight smile and nod.
Inwardly, he sighed — it's easy to add beauty to something already good, but much harder to come through when it really matters. Everyone avoided him yesterday, yet today someone was helping him.
"Action!"
Director Mangold's voice rang out. Matthew pushed aside distracting thoughts and stepped forward. But just as he took his first step—
"Cut!"
Mangold called out. "Too slow!"
Embarrassed, Matthew smiled awkwardly, about to reply, but Mangold snapped loudly, "Back to start! Again!"
No one argued — cast and crew quickly returned to their spots. This time Matthew cleared his mind and waited for the director's command.
"Action!"
The crew kicked into motion. Matthew walked forward. Winona approached, and as they were about to pass, she turned to look at him. The camera filming her eyes turned toward Matthew too.
The camera movement caught Matthew's attention.
"Cut!"
Mangold shouted, "You looked at the camera!"
Matthew apologized, "I did it unconsciously…"
"Watch out next time!" Mangold seemed patient. "Everyone back to position — again!"
Though just a filming director, Mangold knew the crew's dynamics well. Winona had clearly conceded to Angelina. Rumor was that the extra (Matthew) went into Winona's office with Angelina last night. No one knew what happened, but the results were obvious.
Mangold didn't want to get involved in such drama. Just a random extra — let it be.
Matthew returned to the starting point. Dennis was nearby. Seeing him, Dennis said, "Don't be nervous! Don't act! Walk and talk just like you normally do. Don't think of this as acting!"
Matthew took a deep breath twice and nodded. Dennis was a shady agent, but this advice sounded more trustworthy.
While the crew took longer to return, Matthew focused on calming down. He cleared his mind. His trembling legs stopped. His nervousness faded.
When Mangold called "Action!" again, Matthew's tension vanished. He walked forward calmly, eyes not on the camera, director, agent, or Winona — only on the path ahead.
He passed Winona and entered Angelina's room.
In a normal tone, Matthew said his two lines:
"Lisa, you must take your medicine on time! Otherwise, I'll report you to Dr. Potts."
"Cut!"
Matthew shook his head, then heard Mangold say, "That take's a keeper!"
Matthew was puzzled. "Keeper? This was just blocking, right?"
"It's normal," Angelina replied from across the room. "If the blocking shot is right, the director uses it."
She stood and said, "In Hollywood, time is money."
Matthew smiled politely. "Thank you."
Though Angelina kept her distance and sometimes acted superior, she was relatively kind to him on set.
Matthew guessed that maybe he had helped Angelina a little these two times.
Angelina left the semi-closed room to film her next scene. Matthew's work on the set was done.
Still, he had signed a daily contract, so even working less than half a morning, he would earn two hundred dollars.
"If only I could make two hundred dollars every day," Matthew sighed. "Over five thousand a month — that'd be pretty good."
Unfortunately, such chances were rare for a new extra, maybe one every few months.
"Great acting!"
Outside the set, Dennis followed Matthew, his round face lit up with a smile that made his features almost unrecognizable. "For a newbie, finishing a scene in three takes or less is rare!"
"Really?" Matthew asked and smiled — Dennis was clearly flattering him.
Dennis said seriously, "In my experience, you have some talent! I won't say you're amazing, but definitely above average."
Matthew didn't take the compliment seriously. Dennis asked, "You leaving?"
"I'll hang around here for a bit," Matthew said. Who knew when he'd get called back?
Dennis hesitated but said, "I'm heading off to handle your pay."
Matthew nodded. "Go ahead."
The crew prepared for the next scene. Matthew stood outside, eyes shifting between Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. These famous stars were valuable models to learn from.
Suddenly, someone approached and asked, "Are you Matthew Horner?"