The Box Office King of Hollywood

Sitting in front of the makeup mirror, Matthew moved his wrists, already twenty minutes in with the makeup artist still working on the wig. Bored, he turned to his right, where two of the four makeup stations were vacant, and the one furthest right was occupied by a young male actor in his early twenties.

The makeup room door opened, and a staff member escorted a remarkably tall and muscular actor to the station next to Matthew, saying, "Mr. Johnson, please sit for a moment. I'll notify the makeup artist."

After the staff member left, Dwayne Johnson didn't sit immediately but looked around curiously.

Matthew also observed him, estimating the man to be around 1.95 meters tall, with explosive muscles visible even under his clothes.

Johnson noticed Matthew and smiled, about to extend his hand but then retracting it upon seeing Matthew in the middle of styling, "Hello, I'm Dwayne Johnson."

Perhaps due to his first foray into movies or the demeanor of a famous star, Johnson seemed very approachable.

Matthew returned the smile, introducing himself, "I'm Matthew Horner."

Unlike Matthew's memory, Johnson wasn't bald at the time.

Another makeup artist arrived promptly, beginning with the wig, and Johnson, sitting calmly for a bit, likely found it dull and looked around, his gaze returning to Matthew.

"Hey, buddy." Johnson spoke when Matthew looked back, "You don't sound like you're from California?"

"I'm from Texas," Matthew responded.

"Oh..." Johnson joked, "Never mess with Texas."

"Never heard that one before," Matthew inquired, "Is that a saying?"

Johnson pointed to his head, "Just made it up."

They both laughed, with the makeup artists working on their wigs, trying to contain their amusement.

Matthew found Johnson to be quite interesting.

"Surprising," Matthew, skilled at networking and seeing Johnson as easy to get along with, commented, "You're a big surprise to me."

Johnson was puzzled, "What surprise?"

Matthew, keeping still, explained, "For such a big star, you're really down to earth."

"What star?" Johnson humbly replied, "This is my first movie audition. Not sure if I'll succeed."

"You'll definitely fail," Matthew joked, "Because the successful one has to be me!"

Johnson didn't get angry or excited, "So confident? Matthew, can I call you that? Well, Matthew, I'm someone who never gives up."

Matthew chuckled, "Sorry, I'm the same."

As their makeup artists left temporarily, the two exchanged a look and laughed together.

With their makeup artists back, Johnson dropped the smile, asking, "I watch a lot of movies. How come I've never seen you?"

"I've never seen your matches either," Matthew countered, "Don't know how you won those championships."

Entering the makeup audition with only four actors, Matthew doubted Johnson hadn't reviewed their profiles.

While the makeup artists were busy, Matthew and Johnson chatted intermittently.

Although Johnson appeared harmless, Matthew remained cautious, knowing better than to trust easily in this industry. Even with Helen Herman, it took nearly a year to build mutual trust.

After an hour and a half, their wigs were done, and the makeup artists left to fetch other supplies. Sitting and waiting for their wigs to dry, the makeup room's door opened again, admitting the last actor for the audition, whom Matthew glanced at, suspecting he was the final one to audition.

"Hello, everyone…"

The last to enter, known to Matthew as Derek Munster, had been struggling in Hollywood for over a decade without major success. He greeted everyone with a smile, handing out bottled water, starting with Matthew.

"Sorry for being late; traffic was bad. Didn't mean to interrupt," Derek apologized, offering Matthew a bottle.

"No problem," Matthew thanked him.

Derek seemed sociable, then offered Johnson a bottle, "It's hot out. Stay hydrated."

Johnson accepted with thanks, and Derek distributed water to everyone, including the makeup artists and the staff member who escorted him.

Finally, sitting at the last makeup station, Derek drank from his own bottle.

Matthew watched, leaving the water untouched on the makeup table, not intending to drink it.

Johnson observed the water and Matthew's reaction before placing his own bottle on the table, then looked at Matthew, who turned to meet his gaze, both shrugging and smiling.

Matthew glanced right, noticing the actor there drinking a small sip from his bottle, but said nothing, recalling the actor had entered the industry after him but had a smoother path due to his background.

Both makeup artists returned, and Matthew and Johnson focused on getting made up for the audition.

This was a makeup audition, crucial for matching actors to their roles, with makeup artists and costume designers playing significant roles. Any sabotage at this stage would be evident to the experienced eyes of the director, casting director, and producer, risking the saboteur's career and reputation.

After makeup, Matthew, now fully costumed and armed, saw the last actor head to the audition room, looking vibrant and untroubled.

With the makeup artists' help, Matthew completed his look, ready to audition second, followed by Johnson, then Derek Munster.

Matthew glanced at Derek Munster, suspecting he might be overthinking, attributing his caution to his long struggle in the industry's darker aspects and Helen Herman's warnings. He wondered if Derek's gesture was just a polite apology for being late. Despite his doubts, Matthew didn't touch the water, and neither did Johnson or their makeup artists.

Noticing a different brand label on another water bottle on the makeup table, Matthew saw it was from the same brand but a different mineral content. Looking at Johnson's table, he saw two bottles with distinct labels.

"Can't be that coincidental?" Matthew murmured to himself.

He glanced at Derek Munster, who sat calmly, letting the makeup artist work on his wig.

Matthew smirked, "Is this the craft of a decade-old veteran actor?"

Footsteps approached, and a staff member entered, "Matthew Horner! Your turn for the audition room!"

Matthew, weapon in hand, stood and followed the staff member to the audition room.

"Was the earlier audition that quick?" Matthew inquired.

"Don't even start. That guy had a stomach issue..." the staff member shook his head, "He had to use the restroom twice right after starting. How could the director and producer wait?"

Approaching the audition room, Matthew entered without further comment.

Back in the makeup room, Johnson, having his wig set, visited the costume and prop departments before returning to find all the water bottles gone.

"Where's the water?" he asked Derek Munster, "I'm thirsty now."

Derek Munster's cheeks twitched as he replied, "The cleaning staff came and took them all."

Johnson nodded, dropping the subject.

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