The Greatest Showman #863 - No Encore

Madison Square Garden is alive—no longer just a venue but an erupting volcano of energy. The storm outside rages on, but inside, the concert has become a continuous wave of excitement, transforming the night into a sleepless spectacle. The gleaming lights outline one of the most unforgettable corners of the New York skyline, creating a chaotic yet beautiful fusion of nature's tyranny and human spirit.

Who could have predicted that a concert hastily prepared in just four days would fill every seat? Who could have foreseen that performers who initially seemed unprepared would leave the audience in awe? From its chaotic beginning to its explosive climax, "One Person's Concert" is nothing short of a celebration of youthful defiance.

And so, the show continues.

Faced with the crowd's unified demand for an encore, Renly remained steadfast. He refused to give in to public pressure and declined to perform "Cleopatra," instead choosing "Simple Life." The song had already captured the audience's hearts during its debut on "Pioneer Village Night," but tonight, it lit up the massive space of Madison Square Garden once again, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

This was a night of unrestrained passion, a night of celebration. From "Ophelia" to "Simple Life," from "Your Bones" to "A Piece of Nothingness," from "Budapest" to "Be Sure"… every track from the "Don Quixote" album was delivered with raw energy and emotion.

Fans of "Don Quixote" already knew that the album was a deeply personal work, one that captured Renly's essence as both a singer and an artist. But tonight, the audience began to fully grasp the layers hidden beneath the melodies and lyrics.

A music critic once called it a near-perfect album—a work of art so close to perfection that it could be considered flawless. Every note, every lyric, every performance reflected the artist's devotion to creation, freedom, dreams, and life itself.

It was only now, in the midst of the concert, that the audience truly understood the depth of these words.

The sixteen tracks of the album each held its own unique meaning, yet they were all interconnected, forming a cohesive narrative around the dream of Don Quixote. And as they listened, the audience shared a common thought: they would need to experience the album again, to absorb it more deeply.

Just as the crowd began to settle into the idea that the concert was nearing its end, Renly spoke into the microphone, breaking the spell. "I think this is the end." The audience let out a collective sigh, a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

In an instant, the mood shifted from exhilaration to a sense of sudden loss. It felt as though the concert had just begun, and yet, it was already coming to an end.

But despite the brevity of the night, everything remained vivid in the audience's mind: the hoarseness from cheering, the aching muscles from standing, the sweat-soaked clothes, the tangled hair, and the heat of the moment—all so real, so clear, so unforgettable.

In that moment of realization, the crowd also recognized that they had been on their feet the entire time, never once sitting down. This wasn't a rock show, nor was it a dance party, pop extravaganza, or country concert. Yet, they couldn't sit still. They couldn't help but stand, becoming part of the vibrant energy that filled Madison Square Garden.

As the end approached, the calls for an encore surged. Screams, shouts, and chants for "Encore" echoed through the venue. Renly stood quietly at the center of it all, watching as the excitement slowly began to ebb. With a smile, he finally spoke, "I haven't left the stage yet, so calling for 'Encore' now... is a bit premature, don't you think?" The crowd erupted in laughter, their calls softened by his teasing.

"There's no encore," Renly continued, "because 'Don Quixote' only has sixteen songs. Even if I wanted to, I don't have any more to give. And as for my creative inventory… well, it's not quite time to unveil that yet."

The humor and self-deprecation sparked more laughter, followed by whistles and applause. The energy remained high.

At that moment, a staff member appeared on stage, quickly setting up a stool for Renly. He turned to address the audience with a grin. "Typically, this is the part where a magician disappears, and then reappears with a different stage setup. But, due to time constraints, this is the reality of magic." Another burst of laughter filled the venue.

Renly adjusted the microphone, then sat down on the stool, cradling his acoustic guitar. "There are still two songs left…"

Before he could finish, the crowd began chanting, "Beast! Beast!" Their voices grew louder, rallying support from every corner of the venue.

Renly had intentionally left out "The Beast" from tonight's setlist. He thought the audience might not notice, as the track was relatively subdued compared to the others. But clearly, he was mistaken.

With a smile and a brief pause, Renly explained, "This song is part of an agreement. I'm waiting for someone to take the stage and sing 'The Beast.' But, tonight… that won't happen."

The crowd laughed, clearly in on the inside joke. Renly was referring to Heather, who had promised to sing the song on the stage of "American Idol," though she had missed this year's audition and would have to wait until the next. Heather laughed along, making a playful remark, "Was that waiting too long?"

Though her voice was barely audible over the roar of the crowd, Heather didn't mind. She locked eyes with her parents, a silent promise passing between them. "I'll complete the agreement. Believe me."

Renly, in his usual way, chuckled. "Tonight, there will be no encore and no 'Beast.' To make up for it, though, I'll perform a brand new song." The crowd fell into an expectant silence, the stillness almost palpable.

Renly looked out into the sea of faces, feeling the weight of their anticipation. He could see the eyes of the crowd, full of eagerness and hope, and it filled his heart with joy. He smiled, feeling both humbled and a bit shy.

"This song was completed just four days ago," he began. "The lyrics were written in collaboration with another creator, and I added my own touch to it. It's a very special song, and I hope you'll listen to it carefully."

The significance of the timing—four days ago—made the crowd's curiosity surge even higher. Everyone turned their attention to Heather, wondering if she knew something they didn't. But she was as confused as everyone else, shrugging innocently.

The lights dimmed once again, leaving only a single spotlight on Renly. The darkness of the room seemed to press in around him, but he stood undaunted, adjusting his guitar, completely focused. His movements were deliberate, his expression serious, as if he were preparing for something monumental.

The air was thick with anticipation. In the stillness, Renly plucked the strings of his guitar, and the melody began to rise, soft and delicate at first, like the first light of dawn. It shimmered with the warmth of gold, delicate yet powerful, cutting through the darkness and lighting the world around him.

The notes danced in the air, each one resonating with a sense of hope, faith, and promise—small but mighty. It was a melody that seemed to echo across the universe itself, a song that would forever remain etched in the hearts of those who had witnessed it.

As the song played on, it was clear: this night would live forever in the annals of history.