Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 246: Physically and Mentally Exhausted

Silence, just silence, and more silence.

The whole apartment was quiet. From silent communication to tough confrontations, from clear dialogue to indistinct screams, the atmosphere remained tense, yet the sound was like a roller coaster, fluctuating up and down. Emotions experienced this thrilling ride as well. But when all the noise finally disappeared and only silence remained, the helpless sigh and lonely desolation left one speechless.

It wasn't until the olive oil in the frying pan began to splatter violently that Drake finally called "cut." After calling out, he realized he had no voice left and had to gesture for Brian to call it out, thus ending the shoot.

Drake started watching the playback, reviewing the scene.

However, Renly didn't join him. He remained seated, the joy of performing still coursing through him. He could feel the difference between reality and illusion, and between himself and Jacob, yet he remained deeply immersed in the helpless and confused emotions from the scene. He needed a moment.

Footsteps came from the doorway, and Renly looked up to see Felicity.

Felicity's face was also marked by exhaustion, a fatigue emanating from the depths of her soul, making it impossible to even muster a smile.

The two of them quietly looked at each other, saying nothing. The exchange and communication of their gazes spread under the bright yellow light. The emotions in their eyes and the curves of their lips were so similar. They were still Jacob and Anna, but also Renly and Felicity.

She tried to pull a smile but failed, so she pursed her lips. "Thank you," she said softly.

She needed to thank Renly, not only for the inspiration from that earlier scene of "unwavering belief" that helped her regain her clarity but also for Renly's powerful performance presence that controlled the rhythm of the scene. She didn't need to think or hesitate. Following Renly's lead, the performance flowed smoothly.

It was a new experience; she didn't consciously remember her lines, but the words emerged from deep within her soul. It felt like she was Anna, as if she had gone through all those hardships with Jacob, as if she was genuinely exhausted. That realism made the performance an enjoyment and also a nightmare.

Immersed in Anna's emotions, unable to extricate herself, Felicity felt physically and mentally drained, not wanting to move even a finger.

"Thank you," Renly responded.

Felicity was momentarily stunned but then realized it wasn't Renly's response, but Jacob's—deep down, they both knew it was over. "Thank you" was for the happiness and pain of the past years, and also for Renly, for the cooperation and connection during the filming.

The line between reality and illusion blurred again. She was Felicity, and also Anna. She looked deeply at the man before her, so calm, without waves or awkwardness, as if looking at a stranger—or an ordinary friend. His handsome face began to blur. She couldn't tell if it was Jacob or Renly.

But it didn't matter anymore.

Felicity saw Renly lower his eyes and avoid her gaze; she also lowered her eyes and turned to leave.

The last spark between them seemed to extinguish at that moment, fading away bit by bit, just like Anna and Jacob's exhausted love, gradually sinking into silence.

In the ending of "Like Crazy," Anna and Jacob overcame countless obstacles to finally obtain the visa. Anna resolutely quit her job, rejected Simon's proposal, and came to Los Angeles; Jacob also had Sam move out again to welcome Anna. The two lonely and tired figures finally reunited, embracing tightly. Their persistence, efforts, and love finally overcame the constraints of time and space.

The film ended there. It seemed to be a happy ending.

But Renly knew they could never go back. The fractured reunion was just a continuation of unfamiliarity and alienation; the forced reunion was the beginning of mutual harm. Just like in real life with Drake.

Now, at this moment, Renly saw the same ending in Felicity's eyes, and she in his. They saw Jacob and Anna in each other, felt the rise of love, and now its demise. In just two weeks, they had experienced ten years of hardship. The sparks of love that never had a chance to ignite vanished just like that.

Acting is indeed a unique profession, isn't it? They never truly loved, yet they had already truly loved.

"Great, the scene just now had no issues." Brian hesitantly raised his voice, and after getting Drake's nod of approval, he gave a thumbs-up, "Perfect!" and saw Drake smile brightly.

After hours of struggle, Renly and Felicity finally got into the groove, which was the best news. However, the scene was still not finished, and they reshot it from different angles and perspectives. The whole crew remained busy until after 10 PM, wrapping up the day's work.

Generally, Hollywood ensures actors' working hours are protected. Each actor's daily work time must be within eight hours. If it exceeds eight hours, it requires the actor's consent; similarly, working during non-standard hours like night or early morning also requires prior agreement.

But "Like Crazy" was a special case. With limited funds, they truly raced against time. With the consent of the two actors, their daily work hours exceeded twelve, ensuring all scenes were filmed on schedule without going over budget.

Leaving the set, Felicity took the initiative to bid farewell to her colleagues and then jogged straight ahead. A man got out of a car parked in front, opened his arms, and gave her a big hug. Felicity buried herself in his embrace, took a deep breath, and after a while, exhaled, lifting her head to reveal a faint smile. "Let's go home."

"Looks like you're exhausted today." The man affectionately patted her head, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders, escorting her to the passenger seat. He circled back to the driver's seat, started the car, waved goodbye to the crew, and drove off.

That was Felicity's boyfriend. After returning to London, he picked her up from work every day. He never formally introduced himself to the crew, only nodding from afar, maintaining professionalism and not interfering with Felicity's work. Yet everyone on the crew had recognized him.

"A model boyfriend," Brian's voice came from beside, making everyone joke, "Do you want a boyfriend too?" The atmosphere lightened again.

Following the dark blue streets, a silver-gray four-door sedan with its interior light on came into view. Renly knew it was his ride. He waved goodbye to his colleagues, looked at the voiceless Drake, pointed to his throat, suggesting he rest well tonight, and then walked towards the car.

Matthew retrieved his briefcase from the passenger seat, carefully putting away the legal documents he had been reading. Every move was orderly. As Renly approached, Matthew opened the passenger door, watching Renly sit in, and smiled, "You finished twenty minutes early today. Are you sure you can wrap up filming tomorrow?"

Renly shrugged, "My parts are done." Tomorrow, Felicity still had scenes with Charlie Bray to wrap up, but they weren't too challenging. "Today's work is done, the biggest hurdle is over. Finally, we can breathe a sigh of relief..."

Suddenly, Renly's voice trailed off. Matthew, who had been checking the rear, turned to find Renly already sound asleep against the seatback. One moment he was talking, the next he was out, making Matthew chuckle and shake his head. Renly was completely exhausted.

Matthew confirmed Renly's seatbelt was secured and noticed a piece of art paper falling from Renly's pocket. It was crumpled and irregularly shaped, as if torn off somewhere. Anyone else would think it was scrap paper, but Matthew knew better. It was likely important. Classic Renly style.

Matthew flattened the paper to check if it was important, and saw Renly's familiar handwriting. The first line read "Believe," followed by... a poem?

"You may call it in this evening. But you've only lost the night"

Matthew read it carefully, once, then again.

Turning to look at Renly's peaceful face, Matthew carefully folded the paper into a square, put it in his breast pocket, then turned off the car's dim light, started the engine, and pulled away.

The car moved steadily and smoothly through the night.