The Greatest Showman - Chapter 920: On Stage
The hour hand has just passed three o'clock in the afternoon, leaving plenty of time before nightfall. In California, even February afternoons are immersive. Today, however, the entire city pulses with an even greater energy—the Oscars. The annual spectacle has ignited a wave of excitement, drawing in thousands of fans and tourists eager to witness Hollywood's grandest celebration.
The streets are adorned with promotional posters of the Best Picture nominees, and the official Oscar banners hang proudly from street lamps and bar façades. Even buses and taxis sport images of the coveted golden statuette—everywhere one looks, the city breathes Oscar fever.
A wave of humanity surges towards the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Despite extensive traffic controls closing six blocks around the venue, an endless line of cars snakes outward in every direction, pulsing like the city's very heartbeat. The awards season frenzy has reached its climax.
Hollywood Boulevard has been transformed into a glittering spectacle. The iconic red carpet stretches in dazzling splendor, flanked by bustling reporters and diligent event staff. To the east, Highland Avenue has been fenced off entirely, leaving only a narrow two-lane passage in the middle. On either side, eager spectators press against the barriers, their eyes fixed on the approaching spectacle.
At least 1,500 fans have crammed into every available inch of space. The air is thick with anticipation, voices mingling in an electrified hum. Beyond this core crowd, thousands more stretch along the street, shoulder to shoulder, forming an endless sea of eager faces.
Tonight marks the 84th Academy Awards.
After four months of heated debate, controversies, and speculation, awards season will finally reach its grand conclusion. This year's journey has been anything but predictable—filled with unexpected twists and uncertainty, making the final results all the more tantalizing.
Yet, despite the spectacle, this has been labeled a "small year" for cinema. Even within the past decade, it stands out as one of the least commercially successful lineups. Among the nine Best Picture nominees, only The Help has surpassed the $100 million mark at the North American box office. Strikingly, it failed to secure nominations in major categories like Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, significantly diminishing its chances of winning the top prize.
The remaining eight nominees all grossed under $80 million domestically, with half failing to even reach the $40 million mark. The lowest-grossing contender, The Tree of Life, barely managed $13 million.
In stark contrast, last year's race saw five of the ten nominees exceed $100 million, with two surpassing the $290 million milestone. The buzz, audience engagement, and overall market presence were significantly stronger. Compared to that, this year's Oscars feel quieter, more subdued—perhaps even underwhelming.
Yet, where the films may have lacked box-office clout, the stars have shone brighter than ever.
Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Alexander Payne, David Fincher, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Kenneth Branagh, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Rooney Mara, Gary Oldman, Ryan Gosling, Jennifer Lawrence—the sheer weight of these names alone has been enough to keep audiences engaged.
And then, of course, there's Renly Hall.
More than 3,000 spectators have gathered, hoping for a glimpse of Hollywood royalty on the red carpet. Over 500 reporters have arrived, setting a new record for media attendance at the Oscars—surpassing the previous high of 400. By mid-afternoon, Hollywood Boulevard is packed to capacity, pulsating with anticipation.
Standing amidst the crowd, Hope Baze is almost swallowed whole. The heat of so many bodies pressed together makes it feel as if the very air is burning. Yet, despite the chaos, everything remains orderly. The crowd is composed of devoted fans, bound by a shared purpose.
Navigating the sea of people is an arduous task. Moving from the front row to the rear and back again takes 45 minutes, leaving Hope flushed and breathless, as if stepping out of a sauna.
"All set?" William Taylor hands Hope a bottle of water. Taking two grateful gulps, Hope nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, everything's good! What about Graham? Has he come back yet? We confirmed that big banner before leaving, right? As long as Tyron and Timsey get it up on time—"
"The Academy's staff just came out," William interrupts. "They're saying our banner is too big. They think it might be a safety hazard, so they're negotiating."
"What?!" Hope's eyes widen in disbelief. "That's ridiculous! We sent countless emails for approval, double-checked everything, and made sure we followed the size restrictions! How is this happening now?"
Frustrated, Hope turns, ready to storm off and handle it personally. But William catches their arm in time.
"Chanel and Tessa are with Graham. We anticipated this and brought printed copies of all our emails as proof. We also have backup solutions prepared. Trust them. They'll get it sorted."
Hope still shifts on their feet, restless. "The Academy's organization is terrible. We planned everything down to the last detail, and now they're throwing in last-minute roadblocks." Taking a deep breath, Hope exhales sharply before turning back toward the railings.
"No matter," Hope mutters. "Let Graham handle it. Our focus is here. We need to keep the crowd orderly. No pushing, no chaos. Otherwise, the media will pounce, twisting everything to make Renly look bad."
Three weeks ago, the so-called "Hypegate" controversy erupted online, unleashing a storm of vitriol and mockery. The relentless attacks had placed Renly in an incredibly difficult position. For Hope, William, Graham, and the others, the ordeal had been a whirlwind of anger, disappointment, and heartbreak.
But their loyalty never wavered.
They understood Renly's passion. They knew the significance of the Don Quixote album. They believed in his dreams. And they refused to let the world dictate his worth.
So, they turned their emotions into action, rallying like never before. What started as a group of film fans had evolved into a tightly-knit community. Organizing through social media, they pooled resources, coordinated efforts, and meticulously planned their show of support.
The Oscars would be their stage.
Tonight, the Don Quixotes would make their presence known—not just for Renly, but for themselves. They would prove that not everyone is swayed by clickbait headlines, not everyone blindly follows the crowd, and not everyone succumbs to the fleeting trends of internet culture. There are still those who believe in art, in dreams, in perseverance.
They are Don Quixote.
Tonight belongs to Renly. And the Don Quixotes will be there, unwavering, as his most loyal audience.
"The only question now," William grins, clenching his fists in excitement, "is when will Renly arrive?"