The Greatest Showman #718 - Absurd Prank

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a figure sitting in a makeup chair. Their back was straight, resting against the chair's backrest, head tilted back slightly, eyes closed, and legs long and relaxed. The soft light from the vanity illuminated the contours of their face, and golden-brown curls casually framed their serene, disciplined expression. They looked calm, almost like the tranquil expanse of the sea.

Was that... Renly?

Renly arriving at the dressing room at four in the morning was quite unexpected. Actors weren't required to report until much later, but here he was, earlier than everyone else. It was obvious he was exhausted, and yet he had already settled into his chair. Paul stifled a chuckle—he'd better not disturb Renly's nap, as doing so might set back the shooting schedule for the day.

Before Paul could make his way over, he saw a petite figure approach. A black man with short, coiled hair and a mischievous expression was rummaging through the makeup station. Paul watched as he picked up an eyebrow pencil and some lipstick, an evil grin creeping across his face.

That was... Donald Glover.

Paul recognized him instantly, though not from TV shows or music. Donald was famous for his stand-up comedy, having performed at local comedy clubs. Paul had seen him perform a few times, and the entire room had been in stitches. Donald was a talented entertainer who kept a low profile, and Paul had always admired his work.

But what was he doing here? And what was he planning?

Before Paul could gather his thoughts, he noticed Rami Malek walking up. Rami, Renly's co-star from War in the Pacific, had joined them in the bar once for a drink. The two men exchanged a quick greeting before Rami shook his head at Donald in warning.

"I don't think it's a good idea to wake him up," Rami murmured. "Renly is not a morning person."

Donald paused, glancing at the blush in his hand, then at Rami. "Did he wake up angry?" he asked.

Rami nodded, his large, round eyes wide with sincerity. "Trust me, you don't want to be the one to wake him."

But Donald wasn't scared. In fact, his eyes lit up with excitement, like a child about to get into mischief. Rami looked on in disbelief as Donald made his way toward Renly, and Paul couldn't help but chuckle.

"Donald, no—" Paul started, but before he could protest, Donald handed him a lipstick, his face eager. It was a silent invitation to join in on the prank.

Before Paul could refuse, a voice cut through the air. "Give me one," Jennifer Lawrence said, striding toward them.

Paul's eyes widened. Jennifer was here? The last he'd heard, she was deep in the Hunger Games franchise, not part of Edge of Tomorrow. This was a surprise.

But Jennifer didn't notice their confusion. She immediately took the blush from Donald's hand, wrinkling her nose. "Too little color," she muttered, strolling toward the vanity. She picked up an eyeshadow palette, flashed a smug smile at everyone, and began applying it to her own face.

"Jennifer!" Paul called, half laughing, half exasperated, trying to stop her, but she shushed him with a raised finger. "Shh!" she whispered dramatically. She was on a mission.

Before anyone could react, Jennifer applied a bold swipe of color to Renly's face, mixing vibrant shades of green, yellow, and red. The mix was clashing but undeniably eye-catching. Renly, however, remained asleep, oblivious to the commotion.

Paul blinked, still processing what was happening. The sight of Jennifer leaning in to paint Renly's face without hesitation was too surreal. He held his breath as the brush met Renly's skin, and Renly stirred slightly, but otherwise, remained undisturbed.

Jennifer quickly froze, hands raised in mock surrender, eyes wide with horror, pretending she'd gone too far. The exaggerated look on her face was a masterstroke of overacting.

The rest of the group stood frozen, watching in disbelief, unsure whether to laugh or run for cover. Donald had raised his hands like a T-Rex, while Rami stood like a robot, his expression filled with innocence and fear.

Paul didn't fare much better. He was so stiff, he might as well have been part of the set. The awkward silence stretched on, and no one dared to move.

Then, from the corner of his eye, Paul saw two new figures approaching: Kaya Scodelario and Alexander Skarsgård. They had arrived just in time to see the chaotic scene unfold. Kaya's eyes widened, and a mischievous smile tugged at her lips. Alexander, towering over everyone else, leaned forward, unable to hide his amusement.

Donald passed the eyebrow pencil to Kaya, who hesitated before taking it. She bit her lip, looking at Jennifer, and both of them shared a quiet, conspiratorial laugh.

Paul couldn't help but shake his head as he reluctantly took the lipstick from Donald. He was now part of the madness. There was no turning back.

In that moment, all thoughts of normalcy flew out the window.