Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 264: Confrontation

Alfred stood among the crowd, listening to the assistant director explain the upcoming scene, though everyone's attention seemed to drift toward the main actors. The charged atmosphere was palpable, even to the bystanders.

Alfred watched the reactions with curiosity. Vin was standing off to the side, eyes locked on Renly. His relaxed posture belied the explosive energy beneath the surface, the kind that could ignite sparks in the air. Dressed in a simple white tank top, Vin's commanding presence was undeniable.

Jordana and Tyrese were trying to reason with Paul, but Paul simply waved them off before striding over to Renly. Renly, who had been engaged in conversation with the assistant director, glanced up with a puzzled look. Paul patted Renly's arm and whispered a few words, causing Renly to break into a gentle smile, seemingly untroubled.

Alfred found the situation amusing. Paul, with his boy-next-door charm and unassuming demeanor, wore a loose black shirt and jeans. His handsome face always sported a bright smile, exuding an aura of friendliness and trustworthiness.

Renly mirrored this, wearing a light gray crewneck T-shirt paired with black straight-cut pants and mustard high-top combat boots. An assistant named Nathan was helping him with a camouflage bulletproof vest, giving him a military flair. His short, neat haircut added to the soldierly image, but his ever-present warm smile was disarming.

Alfred wondered what kind of sparks would fly when Renly and Vin finally faced off. If it was a lopsided affair, it would be disappointing. He was curious about the producer's decision to cast Renly as Hobbs.

As the assistant director walked away, the extras started whispering among themselves, clueless about the drama unfolding in the production. Alfred, however, kept his lips sealed, observing the scene intently, sensing that today's shoot would be exceptional.

Paul patted Renly's arm again before returning to his corner—Brian and Dominic were a team. Vin lifted his chin, staring down Paul with a challenging gaze. Unfazed, Paul met Vin's look head-on, stepping back to his place, the tension between them evident but unspoken.

Justin, sensing the on-set tension, sighed softly. The scene called for high drama and palpable tension, and it seemed like the cast was delivering. He signaled the clapperboard operator to ensure everyone was ready to roll.

Renly felt a tinge of nervousness. Though he had experienced large-scale productions during "The Pacific," there were differences between television and film, especially in an action-packed, commercial popcorn movie. His performance needed to be impactful yet nuanced, careful not to disrupt the film's rhythm.

And there was Vin, ever-watchful and formidable.

Taking a deep breath, Renly calmed himself, slipping into Hobbs' character—forceful, sharp-witted, and decisive.

"Action!" The clapperboard snapped, and Hobbs strode forward, his arms naturally swinging at his sides. His upper body leaned slightly forward, eyes focused, radiating authority. The crowd parted before him like a wave, his presence cutting through the throng, drawing all eyes his way. Even the surrounding chatter seemed to hush.

With just his entrance—no dialogue yet—Hobbs commanded the room: T-shirt, pants, bulletproof vest, black fingerless gloves, each element emphasizing his presence. His buzz cut, piercing gaze, solid build, and confident stride were accentuated by a hint of a smile.

Alfred was impressed, tempted to applaud Renly. Instead, he watched Vin, who, facing away from Renly, was unaware of his entrance. This scene was designed to heighten drama, with Dominic's back to Hobbs.

Paul, facing Vin, was visibly taken aback, his surprise evident. He should have been enjoying the party atmosphere like Dominic, but his expression betrayed his true feelings. Alfred couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, Torretto!" Hobbs' voice, gravelly and commanding, quieted the room. He stopped five steps in front of Dominic and Brian.

Brian's party smile faded as he looked between Hobbs and Dominic, his expression unreadable.

Dominic slowly turned, his eyes sizing up Hobbs with a mix of disdain and challenge, as if a jester had stumbled into a Harvard lecture.

Hobbs stood firm, meeting Dominic's gaze without flinching. Their silent confrontation charged the air, the tension building.

Vin, surprised by Hobbs' unexpected defiance, squared his shoulders, glaring back with a defiant stance.

Seconds ticked by, the tension rising, the atmosphere electric. Vin, unintentionally, tilted his chin again, his lower vantage point accentuating the disparity.

Hobbs' eyes flashed, a slight shift in expression hinting at a newfound advantage. "You're under arrest!"

The simple statement, devoid of embellishment, provoked Dominic. "Arrest?" he scoffed. "I don't feel arrested." He glanced dismissively at Hobbs, pausing briefly. "What do you think, Brian?"

"No, not at all," Brian's voice, stiff and distant, suggested he was elsewhere, his gaze meeting Hobbs' directly.

Hobbs studied Brian, his eyes narrowing slightly. Crossing his arms, he adopted a casual stance, jesting lightly, "You have a minute to let it sink in."

The remark, dripping with sarcasm, caught Vin off guard, his momentum stalling.

"We didn't kill those federal agents, Reyes did," Brian's voice broke the silence, continuing the dialogue.

"I don't care." Hobbs cut him off abruptly, the forceful interruption disrupting the flow, leaving Brian and Dominic momentarily speechless.

Hobbs stepped forward, his dominance intensifying. "I'm here to bring in two criminals."

"Yeah, that sounds like a hero," Brian nodded, sarcasm evident.

Hobbs' response was a smile—a subtle, knowing smirk that grew slightly. He looked at Brian, speaking with measured ease, "Interesting, coming from a cop who forgot his vows." Hobbs gestured with a slight shrug, the understated mockery clear.

No further explanation was needed; the weight of his words hung in the air, leaving Brian momentarily flustered.

Hobbs shifted his focus to Dominic, smiling faintly. "And a tough guy who once policed with a taser. Yeah, a real tough guy!"

Hobbs' steady gaze unsettled Dominic, prompting an instinctive urge to avoid eye contact.

Vin's frustration mounted, realizing his own discomfort.