The Greatest Showman #868 – Full House

New York, in the middle of the night, is enduring its fiercest cold wave today. The wind howls, and the chill bites through to the bone. The air itself seems to freeze, the wind's relentless screeching, the creaking of old buildings, and the frosted glass causing people to stomp their feet, trying to warm their stiff toes.

Just after eleven o'clock, the entirety of Manhattan falls silent. The neon lights above Times Square continue to flicker, casting reflections on the wet streets, outlining the city's silhouette. Yet, the streets themselves are desolate and still. There's no traffic, no hustle and bustle. The vibrant energy of the city that never sleeps seems to evaporate in the cold air.

The city's liveliness gradually fades, leaving behind the quiet comfort of thousands of dimming lights. There's one exception – Madison Square Garden.

Rain or shine, Madison Square Garden remains brightly lit and noisy all year round, a giant that waits patiently for the city to awaken, bringing the streets alive every night with energy and passion. Tonight is no different. A spirited concert is underway, and outside, a group of reporters is gathering.

As the clock ticks closer to eleven, the crowd outside the Garden only grows. They carry cameras, recorders, and briefcases. Their attire speaks a clear message: they are reporters.

Wrinkled shirts, faded sweaters, windproof jackets, and oversized coats for lenses, recorders, and tools. Sneakers with intricate patterns or light loafers, dark-colored trousers – every detail screams "I'm a reporter."

In the past week, the most talked-about and controversial news in the U.S. wasn't about the latest gossip from award season. No, it was "One Person's Concert."

The media, led by Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times, has been divided into two camps: the conspiracy theorists and the supporters. Ordinary people and netizens have weighed in, too, with heated debates that have almost overshadowed the awards season itself.

The reason for the buzz? The speed at which everything unfolded. Within two days, or even just four days from Eleven Studio's announcement, the event exploded in a flash. Discussions and controversies erupted quickly, and before anyone could make sense of it, the concert was already underway.

Suspense, expectation, criticism, questioning, cheering, support – the air is full of it. Everyone's waiting for the "truth" or at least a "trend," trying to make sense of what's going on.

Tonight, the concert begins, and with it, answers—at least, partial ones—are about to be revealed.

Such a significant event cannot escape the attention of reporters, especially after the live broadcast of the Today Show this morning. Viewers across the U.S. saw the long line at Madison Square Garden's entrance. The concert tickets, it seems, sold without a hitch. But what's the real story? What's the attendance like? How did the audience react? Is the concert a genuine performance or just a marketing stunt?

"One Person's Concert" didn't officially invite media into Madison Square Garden for interviews or coverage, but there were no restrictions on ticket sales. Anyone could buy a ticket.

But with the powerful cold wave and a ticket queue stretching over 3,000 people this early in the morning, most reporters chose to back off.

They complained endlessly, some even calling Eleven Studio and Andy Rogers, protesting, condemning, and even threatening: "If you don't issue media passes, don't blame us for reporting whatever we want."

It's clear that media passes have been deliberately withheld, fueling conspiracy theories and fueling the tit-for-tat between reporters and the studio.

The same news event can be twisted with a small change in perspective, and reporters still hold the power to shape public opinion, even in the internet age.

Yet Eleven Studio refused to budge, taking a haughty stance of "listening and respecting," leaving reporters baffled. This concert, with a 20,000-seat capacity, proved too overwhelming for any single report to capture.

Only a few reporters braved the queue, purchasing tickets, attending the concert, and gaining the chance for close-up interviews. The others stationed themselves outside, waiting for the concert to end.

In less than 20 minutes, hundreds of reporters filled the area around the Garden, eagerly awaiting the exits. Their numbers only increased, turning the scene into a chaotic but exciting spectacle—remarkable for such a cold February night.

However, what was even more unbelievable was the concert itself. Reporters were stunned to find the venue actually full, with no empty space.

Despite seeing the long lines from the Today Show broadcast, few believed that Madison Square Garden could fill with 20,000 enthusiastic fans. It seemed impossible—more impossible than anything.

Some reporters still refused to believe the "rumors" they heard. "How could it be? Are we supposed to believe that after tickets sold out, people were begging for tickets outside with signs?" Cornell-McGregor sneered.

"Yes, and there were three or four hundred fans still hanging around 30 minutes after the concert started," one reporter replied.

"Renly heard about it and, considering the bad weather, arranged for 20 security guards to let these fans in for free. They had to stand, but they got in," another added.

"I saw a few reporters sneaking in too. If I didn't have to wait here, I'd have gone in too."

Cornell attempted to respond but was drowned out by the growing murmurs around him. The realization hit him hard: the concert was more successful, more popular, than he had imagined.

The headline alone—Madison Square Garden is Full Tonight—was enough to send shockwaves across North America. First, the box-office success of Crazy in Love and My Cancer-fighting Me, then this—One Person's Concert filling Madison Square Garden in just four days.

For the general public, Renly Hall, known primarily for his role in Fast and Furious 5, was an actor with limited reach. But for the seasoned professionals, he was an artist—a dreamer achieving his goals, expressing his creative style through film and music. His album Don Quixote encapsulated his artistry in profound ways.

And after listening to Don Quixote and reflecting on his career choices, everything began to make sense. From a star to an actor, from an actor to an artist, Renly's journey was nothing short of inspiring.

The audience that truly understood Renly's music, his artistry, and his vision gathered tonight. Not many, but passionate and devoted.

The 20,000 seats in Madison Square Garden felt too few for the fans who resonated with Renly's work. And this concert was just the beginning.

Father, like son.

People hadn't fully realized Renly Hall's star power until tonight.

Every reporter was now digesting the implications of this latest news:

Did this mean Renly would perform better at the box office? Did it signal an increased influence on studios? Did his attention rise during awards season? Was this the beginning of him shedding his rookie status and stepping into superstardom?

Before any of these thoughts could fully develop, the concert ended, and the Garden's exit gates opened.