The Greatest Showman #996 - Perseverance

Alfonso Cuarón, standing in front of Renly, looked thoroughly embarrassed. His black windbreaker was wrapped tightly around his body, but it did little to protect him from the howling wind. He was shivering, his normally neat curly hair now a tangled mess, and his beard looked unkempt, as though he'd aged ten years in just half an hour. Even his signature black-rimmed glasses couldn't hide his discomfort.

Renly, waiting at the crosswalk as the traffic light changed, first mistook the approaching figure for a homeless person. But as the man drew closer, Renly was taken aback to realize it was Alfonso. He quickly stepped forward, concerned.

"Mr. Cuarón, are you alright?" Renly asked, hurrying over to him. "Can I help?"

Alfonso waved his hand dismissively but seemed unable to communicate his meaning clearly. "I just wanted—" His words were cut off by a sudden, violent sneeze. He quickly covered his nose, apologizing profusely, "Sorry, I'm really sorry. I just wanted to talk to you."

Renly blinked, momentarily unsure of how to respond. Was he just tired from the show, or was the cold affecting his mind? Regardless, the situation was absurd and comical, and Renly stifled a laugh. But seeing Alfonso in such distress made it clear that this wasn't a laughing matter.

"We can talk tomorrow," Renly said, his voice warm. "Or you can come into the theater, but..." He trailed off, realizing there wasn't much else to offer at this hour.

It was already nearing 2:00 AM, and the West End was winding down. Compared to New York, London's nightlife was much more subdued. Bars were a common hangout, but taxis at this hour were scarce, and getting home wouldn't be easy.

Renly glanced at Alfonso, who was still visibly struggling. His refusal to offer help faltered, and he finally said, "You really need to stay warm. You'll get sick if you're out here in this weather. London's April and May can be unpredictable like this. You really should take care of yourself."

At that moment, Renly heard Matthew's voice calling out in the distance, "Renly? Everything alright?"

Renly turned and nodded, then looked back at Alfonso, deciding to extend an invitation. "Why don't you sit in the car for now? It's warmer in there. We can talk more when you're feeling better."

Alfonso apologized again, his face full of guilt, but another sneeze interrupted him. "Sorry. Uh, thank you."

Renly gestured that it was no trouble, then moved to the car and opened the rear door. "No need to apologize. It's freezing out here, and you need to warm up. Just relax."

Once Alfonso was in the car, Renly climbed into the passenger seat. Matthew had already turned the engine on and began to pull away from the Almeida Theater.

The car's warm air gradually revived Alfonso. Though his hair was still a mess and his nose was red, he seemed to be recovering from the cold. However, the exhaustion on his face lingered.

"Welcome to London," Renly joked, his tone lighthearted. "Though, I'll admit, New York has its bad weather, but London's is in a class of its own. I can't believe June is already around the corner."

Alfonso let out a long sigh, clearly still processing what had happened. "God, Renly, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I know you have a performance tomorrow, and you're probably exhausted. You don't deserve this hassle."

Alfonso rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated with himself. "I've been told I'm too impulsive, and now I understand what they mean."

"Calm down," Renly said, his voice gentle but sincere. "You didn't cause any inconvenience. You just ended up in my car—that's all. If it makes you feel better, you can thank me. This is Matthew, my friend, and this is Alfonso, a brilliant director."

Matthew gave a friendly nod, and Alfonso returned the greeting, though his nerves were still palpable. Renly continued, "So, why didn't you leave? Were you waiting for me? I thought we finished our chat backstage?"

Alfonso looked even more embarrassed. "Jesus. I should've just gone back to the hotel. I'm sorry, Renly, sincerely. I'll call for a taxi to take me back. Please, I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'll contact your agent formally later, and I understand if you're upset with me."

Renly, understanding Alfonso's genuine remorse, could tell he wasn't trying to be disrespectful. While he'd prefer to rest after a long performance, Renly was still willing to listen. "Alfonso, don't apologize so much. But I have to ask—why did you stay? Are you waiting to talk? We already wrapped things up backstage."

Alfonso hesitated before answering, sorting through his thoughts. Finally, he spoke. "I know your schedule is packed, and I understand if you can't fit me in right away. But I'm willing to wait. You're the best candidate for this film, and honestly, I can't think of anyone better. I want you to play the lead, and whenever you have the time, we'll start shooting. I can wait as long as it takes."

Renly listened, surprised by the sincerity in Alfonso's voice. The director's excitement was palpable, and his words spilled out almost uncontrollably. "I just had to say it. I'm waiting because I believe in you as the right person for this role. I wanted to make sure you knew that."

Renly sat quietly for a moment, reflecting on what Alfonso had said. He smiled slightly and then chuckled. "Well, that's quite the compliment. You know, you remind me of another director I worked with, Drake Doremus. He was just as enthusiastic when we worked on Crazy in Love."

Though Alfonso and Drake had very different personalities, Renly couldn't help but notice the shared passion for film that both directors had. It was infectious.

"Maybe we should sit down and talk more about this," Renly suggested, his tone more serious now. "But not tonight. I need to rest. How about Sunday? We can meet then and discuss the details."

Alfonso's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Sunday? That works perfectly! My schedule is open; just let me know when. I'm so excited for this."

Renly smiled, enjoying the director's genuine enthusiasm. "Great. Let's make it happen."

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Renly." Alfonso looked like he might explode with joy. "I'll be ready whenever you are."

Renly turned to Matthew, then looked back at Alfonso. "By the way, where's your hotel? Let's get you back there. It's hard to find a taxi at this hour, so it's no trouble for us to drop you off."

Alfonso seemed grateful, and without hesitation, he accepted Renly's offer.