"All our previous guesses were wrong!" Helen Herman leaned on her cue in the recreation Room's billiards area and told Matthew, who had just arrived. "Jerry Bruckheimer took the screenwriter to the U.S. National Archives to research material related to independence, but his new film isn't about American independence—it's an adventure-action movie tied to the declaration of independence!"
Matthew had picked up a cue, ready to challenge Helen Herman, but froze at the table and silently swore an F-word.
He and Helen Herman had assumed Jerry Bruckheimer's new project revolved around American independence or Independence Day; the declaration of independence never crossed their minds.
Helen Herman shook her head gently. "Jerry Bruckheimer went to the National Archives to see the declaration of independence." Noticing Matthew's puzzlement, she explained, "The original Declaration, signed back then, is now kept in the National Archives."
"I see!" Matthew also shook his head, muttering inwardly, "Why didn't I think of the declaration of independence?"
He asked Helen Herman, "Anything more specific?"
Helen Herman set her cue on the table. "I got the project's premise. Roughly: the Declaration is discovered to hide a secret treasure map; the vital document is in danger, forcing the lead actor to steal the Declaration and unlock the Templar treasure."
She added, "The film suits us—it's an action-adventure genre."
After listening, only one figure appeared in Matthew's mind—Nicolas Cage!
He had seen a movie about the Declaration and Templar treasure; straining his memory, he could recall bits. Having assumed the project concerned American independence or Independence Day, he'd never linked it to the Declaration.
The film's content ran opposite to his guess—exactly Nicolas Cage's treasure-hunt flick.
Nicolas Cage was hugely popular with fans on The other side of the Pacific, Matthew included. He'd watched pirated copies online of Cage's non-art-house titles, even the atrocious White Phantom.
Had he not guessed wrong, he'd have recognized the movie called national treasure long ago.
He remembered it even spawned a sequel; the first installment must have succeeded, or there'd be no follow-up.
With that in mind, Matthew asked, "Has the production team been assembled?"
"Not yet." Helen Herman shook her head. "It's still at the script stage. Because of financing issues, Jerry Bruckheimer has temporarily shifted focus to prepping king arthur; this month he's been busy with that."
Since the money hadn't been secured, there was still a chance.
Matthew thought it over and said, "Helen, I have an idea. If—" he stressed, "I mean if—we can help Jerry Bruckheimer raise the funds, could he cast me as the lead in this new project?"
"You can pull in investment?" Helen Herman didn't believe it for a second.
"I'm saying if—" Matthew stressed again.
Helen Herman glanced at him and spoke slowly, "If the investor you bring can cover the tens-of-millions budget gap for Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures, and next week's pirates of the caribbean is a box-office hit, the rest won't be a problem."
Matthew's spirits lifted. Helen Herman went on, "You're different from other actors—you've worked with Jerry Bruckheimer before; he knows you. Once Pirates succeeds, you'll have some box-office pull. If you can also solve his financing headache,
the odds he'll use you as lead actor exceed eighty percent!"
She smiled and added, "Jerry Bruckheimer likes to re-use actors; you can see that with Keira Knightley. And compared with other producers, he has a pretty good reputation."
"Worth a shot," Matthew muttered.
"It is," Helen Herman said, arms crossed as she leaned against the table, "provided you can attract investment."
"I know someone—very rich."
At this point Matthew stopped hiding; he needed help from a seasoned pro like Helen Herman. "He once wanted me to play lead actor in a film."
That jogged Helen Herman's memory. "You mean the guy who invested in Lakeshore's Underworld?"
"Yes." Matthew also leaned on the table. "Nebula—my coach—used to be his boxing trainer. Says the man brought a pile of money to L.A. to invest in the film industry, eager to back big projects for big profits, but so far only Underworld."
Helen Herman understood. "Getting into The Big Six's top-tier productions has its entry requirements."
Matthew nodded. After a few years here, he'd learned a lot; someone waving cash and rushing into the investment arena might still be turned away by those who actually needed money.
"If I can reach him…" Matthew knew he didn't yet have the clout. "Can the company be the gate?"
Helen Herman said calmly, "As long as pirates of the caribbean succeeds."
Walt Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer were already planning a sequel; they were just waiting for a big opening-week number. When that happened, they'd have to work with Matthew and Angel Talent Agency for the long haul, and any investor the agency brought in would definitely get serious consideration.
Matthew knew what to do. "I'll feel him out first and see how it goes."
"All right." Helen Herman nodded, then added, "If he's genuinely interested and has enough cash, leave the talks with him—and later with Jerry Bruckheimer—to me."
Matthew had no objection. Helen Herman might have her own agenda, but if the deal went through, he would be the biggest beneficiary. Having an Agent as a buffer would also keep his fairly good relationship with Jerry Bruckheimer from being strained, whatever the outcome.
After that, he called Nebula and asked him to keep an eye on Fox Sherman.
"I'm heading home." Seeing nothing else was needed, Matthew prepared to leave. "I've got Red Penguin Company coming to fix up the Room."
"Hmm?" Helen Herman was puzzled. "You're renovating a rental? Did the landlord agree?"
Matthew shook his head. "No, I'm clearing out a Room at home so Keira Knightley can move in."
Helen Herman waved him off and said nothing more.
Matthew left Angel Talent Agency, went home, and the Red Penguin people arrived right on time.
The firm catered to Hollywood: besides special services, they handled plenty of normal jobs.
The three workers cleared out a storeroom per Matthew's request. He didn't remove the door, treating Keira Knightley's remark as a joke.
With the Room cleared, he went to a nearby furniture store and bought a bed and some furnishings—he couldn't have Keira Knightley sleeping on the floor.
If Keira Knightley were willing, Matthew wouldn't mind sharing a bed, but these things had to be mutual; coercion held no appeal. He might be shameless and morally flexible, but he wouldn't stoop to forcing a woman.
Three days after Keira Knightley's Room was ready, Nebula called: Fox Sherman had booked an afternoon boxing session at the gym.
After lunch, Matthew showed up at the gym. He and Fox Sherman were fairly close; once he said he needed to talk, Fox followed him into the lounge on the first floor.
"Fox, last time you said you wanted to invest in movies," Matthew cut to the chase. "I've got a project—production budget over a hundred million, very solid profit prospects."
He stressed, "It's a top-tier, hundred-million-plus blockbuster from one of The Big Six!"
"Sounds great," Fox Sherman perked up, then frowned. "Before I put money into Underworld, I thought about backing a Big Six project, but they'd rather take a bank loan than my cash."
He gave a wry smile. "Investing in The Big Six has a threshold."
Matthew said outright, "My agency can partner with you."
This was only the first feeler; cooperation would involve many more steps.
Fox Sherman thought for a moment. "Matthew, there's a threshold for your kind of partnership too, right?"
Matthew nodded—of course. If Fox Sherman didn't have money, he wouldn't have bothered coming.
"How much? Give me a rough figure." Fox Sherman asked.
"Ten million dollars and up." Matthew answered as casually as he could.
Fox Sherman's eyes widened, then his face showed even more frustration. "I can only apologize—most of my money is tied up in Underworld. I can't raise that amount anytime soon."
He sighed deeply, chatted a bit more, then stood and walked off shaking his head.
Matthew scratched his head as he watched Fox Sherman's back, never expecting this outcome.
Sitting alone for a while, he quickly rationalized it: Fox Sherman's available funds weren't as large as he'd guessed. The family might be rich, but there was clearly a limit to what Fox could access.
The plan had looked perfect, yet an unexpected snag had appeared; Matthew could only smile wryly.
Still, he understood that even the best-laid plans can hit surprises—nothing ever goes exactly as plotted.
He then phoned Helen Herman, who suggested waiting until after pirates of the caribbean opens.