Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 275: Watching out for each other

In the bustling Landmark Cinema at midnight, excitement filled the air, and everyone's faces were lit with joy.

The unexpected appearance of the "Fast & Furious 5" crew undoubtedly added some buzz to the special screening of "Buried," and the allure of newcomer Renly was indeed impressive. It's easy to imagine that discussions about "Buried" will be lively in the coming days, though how long that will last depends on the quality of the film itself.

"Is that Renly?"

"Yes, that's Young Master Renly! My God, he's even more charming in person than on screen, with an indescribable aura that's utterly captivating!"

"I think he has a subtle elegance about him. You could call him a refined gentleman, yet he also has the fresh, youthful energy of a young man. On the other hand, he carries a poised dignity that's almost aristocratic. God, why can't I remember what his role in 'The Pacific' was? Did you say you all call him 'Young Master'?"

...

A brief appearance, but it left a lasting impression.

Strictly speaking, Renly is still a complete newcomer. He hasn't really established a strong public image, let alone any significant influence. The audience's impression of him is mostly based on fleeting media reports and snippets of news, making it hard to piece together a clear picture of who he is. The midnight screening's buzz is mostly the result of media hype.

However, that face-to-face encounter subtly sketched a more tangible image in the audience's minds, linking the name "Renly Hall" with a face, a body, and an impression.

As Renly hurried into the theater, he felt a wave of relief. He knew that the crowd that surrounded him earlier was nothing compared to the frenzy Robert Pattinson might experience, but for him, it was still overwhelming and a bit chaotic.

When you're surrounded by a crowd, things quickly spiral out of control. Those reaching hands and excited shouts can be impossible to manage, leaving you flustered. Even an elephant can be overwhelmed by a swarm of ants. Clearly, Renly doesn't have superhuman abilities.

"Wait, wait!" A breathless voice called out from behind, causing Renly and his companions to stop and turn around. It was Bradley, coming up quickly. "Can I get a quick interview? Just two minutes. Did Renly invite the entire crew here tonight? Paul, how's the filming of 'Fast & Furious 5' going? How's Renly's performance? What are your expectations for tonight's movie?"

Among the group, Paul was undoubtedly the main focus, and naturally, Bradley directed his questions at him, with everyone else instinctively looking his way.

Renly paused, thinking it might be interesting to watch the interview. After all, tonight was a great opportunity to promote both "Buried" and "Fast & Furious 5," and he was involved in both projects, so promoting them was his duty. But just as he turned around, he noticed someone lurking by the restroom, trying to stay out of sight.

A smile played on Renly's lips as he stared at the spot, making no attempt to hide his gaze.

Edith Hall knew she'd been caught. Continuing to hide would only make her look more ridiculous, so she composed herself, stepped out confidently, and adjusted her outfit. She then scrutinized Renly, remarking critically, "My God, you look like you've been caught sneaking around with a maid in the kitchen. Your appearance is absolutely disgraceful."

After being surrounded by fans, Renly's shirt was slightly disheveled, his coat's belt undone, and his collar tucked into his neck. He did indeed look a bit of a mess, which for someone of noble bearing, was utterly humiliating.

But Renly remained unperturbed, standing tall as if nothing was amiss with his attire. This nonchalant attitude added an unexpected touch of relaxed charm, making him appear even more attractive than his usual meticulous self.

Edith rolled her eyes in frustration. This was exactly why she didn't like Renly! He always managed to make her feel foolish, without even trying. Though she enjoyed watching Renly and Elf clash, each encounter brimming with sparks, she preferred not to be the one on the receiving end.

"Jesus Christ, you've really been corrupted by Arthur," Edith muttered in exasperation, but the smile on Renly's face only grew, prompting her to add, "And that's not a compliment."

Today, Edith wore a sharp outfit: a silk blouse in a vibrant lake-blue, paired with black wide-leg pants, and red pointed heels. She topped it off with a short black blazer, her hair tied back in a sleek ponytail, exuding an air of effortless confidence and style.

"You're not here to support me, are you?" Renly asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.

Edith rolled her eyes again, her lips curling into a scornful smile. "I've told you not to learn from Arthur, being so self-absorbed. I'm here on a date, to see a movie. Who knew the classic black-and-white film I wanted to watch wasn't showing? Instead, they picked such a boring movie."

She shook her head in disgust. "Seeing your face on the big screen, I'm sure I won't sleep well tonight. If my date hadn't insisted there was no need to switch theaters, I'd have left already."

Despite Edith's sharp remarks, Renly just laughed, "So, today's date is an older gentleman?"

The bold red lipstick Edith wore, with its sultry undertone, was his clue. When her date was younger, she preferred to project a more domineering vibe, once even donning black lipstick to intimidate a younger suitor into submission.

Edith smirked, "Of course. If it were a younger man, we'd already be in a room by now." The implications were left to the imagination.

Renly chuckled, "Then I should remind you to be mindful of your elder's heart condition."

Edith caught on immediately, realizing Renly was teasing her about the age of her date. She shot back without missing a beat, "If you look for a teenager, I won't say anything. If it's a broken back, let me know so I can go and watch."

(A/N: Broken back means a gay guy, cause the character in the movie Brokeback Mountain was gay)

Seeing Renly's mock-serious expression of "I'll be sure to invite you," Edith couldn't suppress her frustration and rolled her eyes for the third time before deciding it was best to leave quickly.

Indeed, Edith was on a date, but it was her idea to watch the midnight screening of "Buried."

Edith wasn't curious about Renly's performance or the quality of "Buried," but she was concerned that the movie's screening might be a complete disaster.

Deep down, she wanted Renly to succeed because, like her, he was a rebel, someone who defied expectations.

She wouldn't go out of her way to gather friends to support Renly's movie in the theater; that would be far too sentimental. Her personal appearance at the cinema was the most she would do.

What she didn't expect was a packed house at the midnight screening, which was a surprise; running into Renly was another surprise. Edith didn't want her true feelings to be exposed because they were both "Halls." The Hall family didn't engage in such emotional, supportive gestures—those were far too sentimental.

Pointing to the theater, she warned, "I don't want to keep my date waiting too long. There's still plenty we can do before the lights go down." She then seriously cautioned, "Don't come and bother me! If the date doesn't go well tonight, you'll regret it." She playfully threatened with a fist, her vibrant red nails glinting.

Renly shrugged innocently, his expression pure and harmless, as if saying, "How could I possibly do such a thing?" This made Edith's eye twitch as she mimed a gagging motion before turning to leave.

But after a few steps, Edith stopped, turned back, and asked, "I've got a job next week, a 'Rolling Stone' photoshoot, and your name is on the backup list. Has your agent mentioned it?"

"No," Renly replied, shrugging. He was scheduled to head to Rio de Janeiro next week, and all the previously arranged publicity, including radio interviews, magazine features, and talk show appearances, had been canceled. However, with the promotion for "Fast & Furious 5," he was actually getting a better deal.

Edith shook her head in mock disdain, "Good thing it's not you, I'm relieved. I'm sick of photographing you; it's really getting boring." Then, with a smile, she added, "But is this really okay? 'Buried' will hardly get any publicity, and the box office results might be awful. Arthur will probably laugh his head off."

"No, he'll pour himself a glass of fine Dalmore whiskey, put on a Beethoven record, and savor the news," Renly corrected her with a straight face, making Edith laugh.

"Hope I don't fall asleep during your movie," Edith teased, giving Renly a wink before disappearing into the theater.

Renly didn't hesitate either, turning back to see Bradley still talking to Paul and the others. He then heard Bradley call out, "Renly, if you were recommending 'Buried' to a friend, what would you say?"

Renly thought for a moment before replying, "The savior of claustrophobia?" His serious tone had an absurd humor to it that made everyone chuckle.