Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 201: Before Sunrise

Rooney carefully examined Renly before her. Despite spending most of the day together and watching two movies, she had never truly taken a good look at him until this moment.

Under the firelight, his cheeks were warmly flushed. His well-defined eyebrows seemed sketched by an oriental ink brush, and his deep, vast eyes were like a boundless starry sky, with countless stars twinkling within them. Beneath his gentlemanly and elegant features lay rare determination and sharpness, but his thick eyelashes concealed his bright eyes, making them hard to notice.

Sensing her gaze, Renly turned his head, showing a puzzled expression. His dark brown eyes reflected the faint firelight, resembling a deep ocean with the glow of Atlantis. "God, you're a lunatic," Rooney didn't shy away but simply smiled and replied.

They spent the night by the campfire, talking about everything from "Buried" to "The Social Network," "127 Hours," "The King's Speech," and other great films, even revisiting their previous debates about "The Shawshank Redemption," "Forrest Gump," and "Pulp Fiction," arguing which was truly a classic.

The debate grew more intense as the night deepened. Through their deep conversation, Rooney learned about the efforts Renly had made for his role in "Buried." She had heard he stayed in a coffin for eight hours but never understood the full extent until now. People only saw the brilliance of "Buried," his Emmy win at twenty, and his stunning debut, not the hard work behind the scenes.

Even geniuses don't succeed effortlessly.

"Hehe." Renly responded with a faint smile, looking into the distance, falling silent.

Only Renly knew he wasn't a genius, at least not in his eyes. All his confidence, persistence, expectations, and fantasies had been shattered during his growth, crushed by George and Elizabeth, who never acknowledged his efforts. If not for his dual life experiences, ten years of bedridden time, and the joy of rebirth bringing him determination and obsession, he might have given up.

Despite winning an Emmy and the success of "Buried," Renly still felt he needed to work harder. Like a duck paddling, appearing calm on the surface but paddling furiously beneath.

Rooney expected Renly to joke back, but he didn't, making her gaze at his profile. In the dim and weak firelight or the thick, chilly night, she caught a trace of fragility in his profile.

She turned away, then looked up again, following his gaze to the silent forest and sky.

Crackling sounds filled the air as the fire popped. Nearby young people came and went, some falling asleep under jackets, others still animatedly discussing.

"Dawn is breaking," Renly's voice softly interrupted the silence like a cello.

At the horizon, a weak but dazzling red light pierced the night, turning the dark sky into a glowing deep blue. The sky seemed to rip apart, with sharp, radiant light tearing through, transforming the heavens into a canvas of stunning colors, leaving one speechless, merely gaping at the natural wonder.

"Another new day." Renly stretched with a bright smile. Though sleepless, he felt invigorated, especially under the lazy morning sun.

Rooney nodded, relaxing her tense face into a light, easy smile. "Time flies, the sun is up, is it time to say goodbye?"

Renly's eyes gleamed mischievously, making Rooney's cheeks flush. Thankfully, the morning sun hid her shyness.

"Before Sunrise," the classic 1995 romance film, had many loyal fans. It told of two strangers who fell in love on a train to Vienna, spending a magical night talking, parting ways at dawn. Nine years later, the sequel "Before Sunset" saw them reunite.

Rooney's comment clearly referenced the film, and Renly's look suggested: Was last night a date?

"I can tell you now, I didn't buy a ticket to leave Telluride," Renly's suggestive response made Rooney blush more, but she quickly recovered, inviting him, "I'm planning to spend the day at the theater, how about you?"

"What a coincidence, me too." Renly smiled.

Sunlight swiftly bathed the land as the young people woke. One rushed over, patting Renly's shoulder, "Last night's chat was great. Now I must queue for 'Buried' again. After our talk, I can't sleep without watching it again." He yelled and ran towards the town.

"Wait for me!" Others followed, waking the rest, turning the quiet camp lively.

Renly looked at Rooney, who pointed at the departing crowd, "I plan to join them for a second viewing of 'Buried.'"

"How could I say 'no'?" Renly's response made them both smile.

Rooney ran after the crowd, with Renly following. "Hey, it's not a marathon!" he called, making Rooney laugh.

In the distance, the line at the town cinema came into view, buzzing with eager film lovers.

Unlike other festivals, Telluride had no official publication, leaving discussions to the audience. The best way to gauge a film's quality was by ticket sales and audience chatter, providing raw, genuine feedback.

On the second day, "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech" stood out, especially the former with its global premiere, generating immense buzz. "Buried" was also quietly gaining traction, from Toronto to Telluride, this small thriller was making a significant impact.

"I don't like the political undertones, I said I don't!"

"But that's what makes it unique..."

"I said I don't like it!"

"You're unreasonable! Look, Renly is here, Renly, come settle this! He says the political undertones ruin the story, but I think..."

"It's a fact, even if Renly is here, it won't change the fact!"

The film had just ended, and Renly and Rooney were stopped by two arguing people. Rooney, who was discussing a scene with Renly, was interrupted, but Renly wasn't annoyed. He felt the genuine passion and madness, trying to calm them, but their debate continued, amusing him. "I think I should leave you some space," Renly said seriously, slightly frowning.