The Greatest Showman #1086 - Ice Bucket Challenge

On the hollow, carved coffee table, various colored pencils were scattered haphazardly. The coffee cup beside them was empty, though the remaining aroma still lingered in the air, wafting in the hot midsummer sun of New York. Pencil sharpeners, mobile phones, and half-finished sketches were strewn across the table, capturing the careless nature of an artist at work.

Seated at the table was a woman around twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in a bohemian-style dress. Bright reds, greens, blues, and purples clashed in a vivid display, much like a blooming flower under the lazy warmth of summer. Her long black hair was loosely braided in a fishbone style, the stray strands swaying gently in the breeze. Though her facial features appeared ordinary, her sharp, stubborn eyes radiated a captivating energy.

Cecilia Wilton, poised with a pencil over her sketchbook, took a moment to review her latest drawing. She made a few quick revisions with her eraser and, satisfied, placed the final artwork on the table. She then lifted her coffee cup, took a sip, and let out a sigh of contentment.

She closed her eyes for a moment, soaking in the afternoon sunlight. The warm rays stung her face slightly, but after enduring the long winter and unpredictable spring, she treasured these moments. Cecilia adored the summer in New York—its restlessness, its energy, its pulse.

After sitting quietly for a while, Cecilia sat up straighter, picked up her phone, and opened her social media account, just like countless other young people today. But unlike most, Cecilia had become an internet celebrity.

Although Cecilia didn't self-identify with the term, it was undeniable that social platforms were now her livelihood.

Cecilia was an illustrator, specializing in watercolors and sketches, particularly adept at capturing fleeting moments in her subjects' expressions. Back in high school, as Facebook began to gain traction, Cecilia began sharing her works. Her growing popularity led to collaborations with fans who paid for commissioned pieces of their favorite artists, actors, and singers. Her art began circulating widely, especially after she painted portraits of the stars of Twilight, just ahead of the release of New Moon in 2009. The series of twelve paintings, priced at $500 each, went viral, garnering more than 3 million views on Facebook.

With her newfound fame, Cecilia's online presence exploded. The account "Brando Mania," a fan page devoted to actor Marlon Brando, quickly became a platform for Cecilia's art, drawing attention from her growing fanbase.

Now, Cecilia's focus had shifted. She was in the process of publishing a book—a collection of watercolor illustrations about life in New York, told through short, four-panel comics. Along with freelance commissions and magazine features, her schedule was always full. But Cecilia had the freedom to choose her projects.

While fans continued to request commissioned pieces—such as a $6,000 offer to paint Thor and Loki from Marvel—she had turned them down, preferring to work on projects she was truly passionate about.

Cecilia's fascination with Renly Hall was the spark that ignited her social media fame. Her Instagram was practically a shrine to the actor, and she painted portraits of him regularly. Unlike the traditionally handsome stars like Chris Hemsworth or Brad Pitt, Renly's allure was far more enigmatic—captured not in a perfectly posed photograph, but in the subtleties of his expressions. Cecilia loved trying to portray the charm in his gaze, even if it was an elusive task.

Her biggest anticipation lately was the Broadway debut of Les Miserables, where Renly was set to perform. She couldn't wait to see him on stage.

After checking her inbox for job offers and responding to messages from her followers, Cecilia indulged in her usual routine of scrolling through social media. At first, it was a way to seek new inspiration. But when the latest feed didn't deliver, she began browsing suggested accounts from the platform's algorithm.

Her finger paused, and her eyes landed on a video that caught her attention. The username was "Sisyphus." The name piqued her curiosity. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to endlessly push a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down every time. The name felt peculiar—why would someone use it?

Still, Cecilia clicked on the video.

What she saw took her completely by surprise. It was Renly Hall, standing in front of the camera. He was dressed casually in a white shirt and light blue jeans, sleeves rolled up, white sneakers on his feet. He stood in an empty backyard next to a mint-blue swimming pool, a large red bucket beside him.

The setting was so ordinary, yet there was no mistaking it: it was Renly. He flashed a smile and addressed the camera.

"Hey, everyone! I'm Renly Hall. I'm here today to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge, a campaign to raise awareness for ALS. The goal isn't just to raise funds, but to bring attention to the cause and encourage people to get involved."

As he spoke, Cecilia couldn't believe her eyes. Was this really happening?

Renly, ever the gentleman, grabbed the red bucket and poured its contents over his head with a dramatic splash. He was drenched instantly, but his smile remained intact. The thirty-second video ended with him wiping his wet hair from his face and giving the camera a final wave.

Cecilia was speechless. How could this be? Was this some kind of prank? But no, the charisma of Renly could never be faked. It was him, no doubt about it.

She had never imagined she would see Renly, the object of her admiration, participating in such a public stunt—yet here he was, embracing the Ice Bucket Challenge with good humor and enthusiasm.

What on earth was going on?