Britney was at the height of her fame; the premiere of the "Sometimes" music-video drew nearly a hundred outlets, and the vast media center was packed with reporters. When Matthew stepped in he even spotted a camera Crew broadcasting live.
Led by a staffer, he took an unobtrusive seat on the front dais. As at the last press conference, Helen Herman stood behind him like an ordinary aide.
Matthew had faced the press only a handful of times; Helen's presence gave him confidence. Even if reporters noticed him and tossed out thorny questions, he had nothing to fear.
"Bu Bu, who was in your Room the night before last?"
As he accompanied Britney toward the dais, her Agent asked in bewilderment, "You ordered that much dinner?"
Remembering that night, Britney's lips curved in a sweet smile. Recalling Matthew's sensible advice, she answered casually, "No one. I was just starving, so I ordered whatever I felt like."
The Agent looked worried. "You have to watch your figure."
The words made her think again of Matthew praising her "snake waist" and how those rough hands couldn't stop caressing it. She nodded quickly. "I know—I'll stay in shape."
The moment they stepped into view the media center erupted. Ignoring the reporters, Britney first sought Matthew; when their eyes met she gave him a sugary grin, then finally took her seat.
Her Agent stationed himself behind her.
The hired emcee lifted the Mike, and the premiere officially began.
Because Britney was red-hot, the launch had lured not only a swarm of reporters but, thanks to the label's efforts, a live feed on MTV2.
In the San Fernando Valley, greater Los Angeles, studios cluster thickly, served by a host of agencies. Among them is Hanson Entertainment & Talent Services.
Morris is one of the firm's partners—though only a minor one. Still, he enjoys some standing in the business and rates a private office.
Seated behind his desk, he glanced at the wall clock, calculated the time difference with New York, and flicked on the TV. Having already tracked down Matthew Horner and Helen Herman's earlier remarks, he tuned straight to MTV2.
Sure enough, MTV2 was airing Britney Spears's "Sometimes" premiere. The video opened with the sizzling Britney swaying her slender waist in a sizzling beachside dance with a pack of teens. The shot cut: a tall, sunny, built hunk strode onto the sand, and little Britney gazed at him shyly, eyes brimming with adoration.
Morris rubbed his bald scalp, expressionless. The hunk's face was all too familiar—Matthew Horner, whom he'd met only days earlier!
He actually was the male lead in Britney Spears's music-video!
The fact wasn't hard to swallow; yesterday Morris had rung to confirm that Matthew Horner had indeed passed the band of brothers audition produced by Tom Hanks and Spielberg, landing a weighty role, contract signed.
Beyond absurd, Morris could find no words for what he felt.
A guy who'd nearly shot a romantic-action flick was now making waves in Hollywood, trending toward bona-fide stardom—impossible to accept.
Especially since the bastard had caused him no end of trouble, forcing him to grovel and apologize everywhere.
Watching Britney and Matthew Horner lock eyes in the video, Morris stroked his bald head,
thinking: no way would he let this scumbag rise while he watched.
Otherwise everything he'd paid to fix the mess would have been for nothing.
A sudden knock sounded. "Come in," Morris said off-handedly.
A tall, handsome young man entered. Morris pointed to the chair beside the desk. "Sit anywhere, Mike."
Today Morris had summoned him to talk new contract—per guild rules they could now sign a formal long-term deal.
Michael Sheen had barely sat when he heard noise behind him; he turned to see a music-video playing on the TV facing the desk.
Onscreen a fresh, sexy, vibrant girl was tearing up the dance floor.
"Britney?" Michael Sheen recognized the star at once. "Her new video?"
The shot switched: on the beach Britney hugged a young man. Michael Sheen's face darkened. "Matthew Horner!"
The words were soft, yet steeped in boundless hatred!
Morris heard it clearly and couldn't help asking curiously, "You know Matthew Horner?"
"Of course I know him!"
The moment Matthew Horner was mentioned, Michael Sheen felt a burning pain on his butt. Pointing at the TV, he said loudly, "Originally, I was the lead actor for this music video! The director had already finalized me as the lead! Matthew Horner used despicable means to sabotage me, made me perform poorly during the audition, and stole my role!"
"He..." Morris probed, "how did he steal it?"
Michael Sheen was speechless, unconsciously shifting his butt. "The director is gay; he sold his ass to the director!"
Morris immediately became interested, "Really?"
Michael Sheen forced himself to say, "Really!" He sensed something wrong and asked, "You also know Matthew Horner?"
"Yes." Morris said directly, "He used to be my signed actor."
"What?" Michael Sheen stood up excitedly, "You mean, he participated in filming these kinds of movies?"
At this instant, he felt much more balanced inside.
Morris shook his head, "No. Right before shooting he suddenly backed out and caused me a series of troubles. I only cleared them up recently."
"How could he not?" Michael Sheen felt unbalanced again and sat down blankly, "How could he not?"
He looked up at Morris, "Isn't backing out a breach of contract?"
"The production company just reached an out-of-court settlement with him a few days ago," Morris continued. "He's preparing to pay the company thirty thousand dollars in penalties."
"Thirty thousand dollars?" Hearing the huge sum, Michael Sheen said, "Can he even pay that? I know Matthew Horner—he has no money."
Morris rubbed his bald head, "I checked yesterday; he signed an actor agreement for the WWII epic project band of brothers, produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. The total investment for the series exceeds 100 million dollars. The penalty for Matthew Horner and the Crew is as high as 300,000 dollars. Judging from that, his salary won't be less than fifty thousand."
Michael Sheen was completely stunned, only unconsciously repeating key phrases, "Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg? A WWII epic? Total investment over 100 million? Penalty up to 300,000 dollars...?"
He suddenly stood up again, "That bastard Matthew Horner—if he hadn't stolen my MV lead role, all of this would've been mine!"
It must've been Helen Herman who got him that role. If he had won the audition back then, all this glory would belong to him.
Michael Sheen looked at Morris, "Why don't you leak to the media that Matthew Horner acted in these kinds of films? Then he wouldn't land the role!" He clapped his hands, "Right! I've got something to say too—that ass-selling bastard who gets roles, I'm going to expose him!"
"You think I don't want to?" Morris rubbed his bald head, "Matthew Horner has already signed the formal contract with the band of brothers Crew. Do you think anything we say could influence Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg? Would the Crew risk breach of contract and replace an important actor with a 300,000-dollar penalty just because two people in this industry bad-mouth him?"
He could see now that Michael Sheen looked shrewd but was actually a fool.
"What should we do?" A common enemy made Michael Sheen treat Morris as one of his own, "We can't just watch him get famous, right?"
A hint of malice appeared on Morris's face, "I'll keep watching him. Next time he negotiates a contract with a Crew, we'll leak the news. As long as the formal contract isn't signed, the Crew will have concerns, and then..."
Michael Sheen grinned, "When the time comes, don't forget to call me."
In New York, the premiere event had reached the Q&A session, but hardly any reporters asked Matthew questions; everyone's focus was on Britney.
"Hello, Britney." A female reporter stood up to ask, "I'm a reporter from The New York Times. Rumor has it your first World Tour is already in the works."
Her Agent whispered a reminder from behind, and Britney then answered, "Yeah."
She raised her voice slightly, "I'm thrilled to announce that starting next year—January 2000—the Baby One More Time World Tour officially kicks off and will run until October!"
Warm applause filled the venue, and Matthew also clapped for Britney, even though he felt a World Tour seemed a bit fast for a newly famous singer.
The MV Premiere ended smoothly; Matthew only had time for a brief goodbye with Britney backstage before they each went their separate ways.
Britney was off to Nashville for more promotions, while Matthew had to return with Helen Herman to Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank to report, then head to the U.K. with the Crew to prepare for band of brothers.