The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1052: Full of Astonishment

"To all the pilots,

Thank you for caring, thank you for caring about roses, foxes, kings, and several other planets.

My journey is underway and will continue, and I welcome you to follow me along and learn about the stories of the future. However, leave the stories about planet B-612 behind. It belongs to me—a part of me, a personal part that makes me who I am now, but not my future.

Also, Mr. Ned Mullan, please stop snooping on my Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Renly Hall."

Reading Renly's official statement again, Bradley Adams couldn't help but chuckle. The more he thought about it, the more it amused him, and soon, he was laughing uncontrollably.

This was Renly's response to a news article from Empire magazine, posted on Andy Rogers' Facebook page. Renly, notably, had no personal social media accounts. The message was handwritten, scanned, and uploaded—a unique touch in the age of digital communication.

The statement made no reference to his aristocratic background, but cleverly used The Little Prince as a metaphor, indirectly addressing the rumors about his social standing. He emphasized that while his past shaped him, it did not define his future. It was a subtle yet brilliant blend of humor, wit, and childish wonder, all wrapped in a gentlemanly tone.

Of particular interest was Renly's playful "warning" to Ned, which clearly wasn't a literal concern about Facebook privacy but a nod to the ongoing rumors about his personal life—akin to a joke about the paparazzi's obsession with his background. Clever, restrained, and full of charm, the message was entirely in line with Renly's own disposition: lighthearted yet profound.

For those who didn't understand the message? Renly had left it clear: his background was just that—a part of him, but not his focus. His future, and the stories that would define it, were to be written by his own terms. The clarity of his stance was unmistakable.

Bradley couldn't help but feel a slight lift in his mood as he reflected on the message. What had started as a flurry of buzzing media noise had been transformed by Renly's nonchalant, humorous response into something far more meaningful. The contrast between the frenzy of reporters and Renly's calm demeanor was striking, almost like a weight being lifted from his shoulders. Bradley, despite being part of the press, couldn't help but smile.

The sound of wheels on pavement interrupted his thoughts, and as he looked up, he saw Renly approaching.

Dressed casually in a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, ripped sky-blue jeans, and worn-out black skate shoes, Renly exuded an effortless cool. His golden-brown curly hair tousled in the breeze, the sunlight catching his profile like a cinematic moment straight out of a Wes Anderson film.

It's good to be Renly Hall.

The thought flashed through Bradley's mind, a fleeting curiosity creeping in. What must it feel like to be him? More intriguingly, what would it be like to live as Renly Hall, to experience the world as he does? The thought stirred something inside Bradley—a sense of longing, a quiet yearning.

As he raised his camera to capture this moment, Bradley realized how effortlessly Renly lived up to his image—no forced grandeur, no fame-driven poses, just him, at ease with himself. It was the kind of pure, unguarded authenticity that one only found in the most iconic films.

Today's meeting was an exclusive interview for The New York Times, a major piece slated for the Sunday edition. It would occupy two pages and also appear on the newspaper's website. The interview would feature Renly in various outfits, each telling a different side of his personality.

"It's nice to be Renly Hall," Bradley thought as he framed the shot in his mind, knowing that this phrase would later open the article.

The interview had been scheduled two weeks ago, and The New York Times had managed to secure the first interview with Renly during his promotional tour for Edge of Tomorrow—before any other outlets could get their hands on it. But then, of course, the unexpected news story broke.

Still, despite the media storm, Bradley laughed to himself as he saw Renly again, in his trademark casual style—no suit or tie, just a simple white shirt and jeans—looking every bit as effortlessly handsome as his posters in Times Square.

"Good morning." Renly's cheerful greeting came as he stepped forward, rolling his skateboard lightly beneath his feet before holding it in one hand. "How about starting your morning with a cup of coffee? I know a nice place nearby with Colombian beans."

Bradley, caught off guard by Renly's calmness, was momentarily speechless. Renly's presence didn't carry the weight of celebrity. Instead, he felt like any other person, just someone casually starting their day. The chaos of Edge of Tomorrow's success seemed like a distant memory, as if it had never happened at all.

Finally, unable to contain his amazement, Bradley asked, "Renly, how do you do it? You're everywhere, but somehow, you never feel... different?"

They both looked up at the massive Edge of Tomorrow posters plastered around Times Square, each featuring a lone image of Renly—his face larger than life, yet Renly himself seemed untouched by it all.

"Would you believe me if I said I've never seen myself this big?" Renly laughed, gazing at one of the posters. "It's not really me. Just a moment captured during a performance. A snapshot, but not the whole story."

Bradley was puzzled by his words, yet Renly's easygoing nature made it all seem natural. "I tend to avoid these places," Renly added with a shrug. "To me, this isn't New York. But come on, I'll treat you to coffee."

As Renly walked ahead, Bradley watched him, reflecting on his journey: from Eugene Sledge in The Pacific to his breakout roles in The Fast and the Furious and Edge of Tomorrow. It had been a meteoric rise, leaving Bradley to ponder: was Renly merely lucky, or was there more to his success?

Despite the fame, the talent, and the wealth, few saw the struggles and burdens Renly carried. For every red carpet moment, there were unseen moments of pain, exhaustion, and perseverance. Yet, despite it all, Renly carried on.

"Renly Hall: A genius in the spotlight or a lunatic behind the scenes?"

The question lingered in Bradley's mind, but before he could dwell on it further, Renly stopped and turned to him with a grin.

"What are you waiting for, Mr. Adams?" Renly asked, snapping Bradley out of his thoughts.

They resumed walking side by side through Times Square, blending in among the crowd, no different from any ordinary person. It was as if the weight of celebrity had evaporated entirely, replaced by a quiet intimacy that left Bradley feeling dazed.

Then, a shout broke the moment. "Oh my god! Is that Renly Hall?!"

Finally, the reality of the situation hit Bradley with full force.