The Greatest Showman #878 - Stop Abruptly

The private party was held tonight at an exclusive residence on the Upper East Side.

This was not the usual glamorous Hollywood event; it was a true "private" gathering, accessible only to those with an invitation. In fact, most journalists probably didn't even know it was taking place in New York. It was hosted by Scott Rudin.

As a producer, Scott had cemented his position at the top of the industry. With landmark films like The Social Network, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood, his reputation was unparalleled. During this year's awards season, he had three films—The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Moneyball, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close—all in the running for Oscars. His influence was comparable to the Weinstein brothers.

However, Scott's skill set differed from theirs. Where the Weinsteins thrived in public relations and festival circuit maneuvers, Scott excelled at gathering powerful casts, choosing strong scripts, and delivering solid films. Hollywood insiders often described Scott as a filmmaker, while the Weinsteins were seen as businessmen.

Tonight's event was a perfect example of the blurred lines between film industry networking and awards season PR. Rumors suggested that the gathering was organized to push Brad Pitt's Oscar campaign, especially since his performance was lagging behind Renly's. The competition was fierce this year, with George Clooney and Jean Dujardin leading the charge, but Brad still had room to maneuver.

In this industry, private parties like these were commonplace during awards season. Officially, they were held to celebrate Scott's acquisition of a new yacht—nothing to do with the Oscars, of course. But everyone knew the game. Academy voters, who were also actors, directors, and producers, frequented these events, and connections were made with ease.

Scott's party was a showcase of Hollywood heavyweights, and Renly, despite not being one of the biggest names yet, was making waves. Andy Rogers had secured Renly an invitation, and his agent had made sure it was clear: despite his relative newcomer status, Renly was well-respected and in the right circles now.

Among the stars at the party were Martin Scorsese and Terrence Malick—two reclusive directors who rarely attended social events. Their presence alone spoke volumes about Scott's influence.

The real excitement, however, came from the interaction between Renly and the big names of the night. Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, and David Fincher each greeted Renly in turn, and it was clear that their interest in him was more than casual. Tom had heard about the reception for Transcendence in Berlin and was eager to see it. David, who had never properly introduced himself, took the opportunity to chat about the Dragon Tattoo and Transcendence projects. And Brad—despite their brief prior encounters—took the initiative to talk about Edge of Tomorrow, joking about the audition pool party, which lightened the atmosphere.

Renly could feel the underlying goodwill from Brad. It was clear that Brad, faced with competition from George and Jean, was positioning himself strategically, and Renly, with his rising star, was an attractive ally. Their conversations hinted at the possibility of future collaborations, and Brad's friendly gestures indicated a desire to connect.

Among the more eccentric personalities, Renly also encountered independent directors Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Wes, a quirky figure, openly criticized Renly's emotional range in Crazy, Stupid, Love, yet oddly respected his acting, calling it "lacking humor." Noah, equally eccentric, had an enthusiastic but odd conversation with Renly, making references to "War and Peace" and abruptly leaving without even introducing himself properly. Still, Renly took it in stride, returning to the party with his trademark grace.

By the time midnight rolled around, Renly had effectively become the center of attention. While some might have felt overwhelmed by such a gathering, Renly moved through the event effortlessly—like a seasoned high-society guest, he blended in with ease.

The phone in his pocket buzzed, breaking his concentration. He excused himself from Rachel Weisz with a subtle gesture and made his way outside. After a brief, unremarkable exit, he returned to the party a short while later, seamlessly rejoining the conversation circle with Scott Rudin and others.

After a few minutes, Renly decided it was time to leave. Just as he was about to say goodbye, Brad found him again, offering a handshake and a smile. "Looking forward to more chances to talk in the next few weeks," he said, his words heavy with implication.

Renly left the party, stepping into the quiet of the cold night. The contrast between the buzz of the event and the peaceful stillness outside was striking, as if two different worlds existed only a door apart.

Once in the car, Renly made a quick phone call to Nathan, who was waiting nearby. Nathan, sensing something was amiss, glanced over in the rearview mirror. "Are we heading home?" he asked, unsure.

Renly shook his head, his tone calm as ever. "Mount Sinai Hospital," he replied.

Nathan paused, confused by the sudden shift in tone. "But... you're tired."

Renly's voice remained steady. "Heather passed away about thirty minutes ago. I need to go to the hospital now before my flight to Los Angeles tomorrow. I might not have the time otherwise."

The words hung in the air, simple, unaffected, almost as though Renly were stating a fact as routine as the weather. Nathan fell silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, processing the news. The street stretched out in front of them, empty and quiet, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of the past few hours.