The Greatest Showman #1091 - Fame

As Renly stepped out of the cabin and entered the terminal, he immediately felt the eyes of the crowd. The gazes from all directions were intense and charged with heat, swirling in the air like a turbulent wave. It was as though the energy had physically swept over him, setting every pore alive with the intensity of the moment. For a brief second, it felt less like New York and more like the sweltering atmosphere of Miami.

A strange, instinctive feeling told Renly that something had shifted, but he couldn't quite grasp what had changed or why it felt so different.

"Hey, Renly."

A cheerful, plump Italian woman appeared in front of him, her eyes full of warmth. She spread her arms and enveloped him in a tight hug, her voice quivering with excitement.

"You're the kind of person everyone just has to like! God bless you, thank you, thank you so much!"

With that, she patted him enthusiastically on the back, clearly overwhelmed by emotion. Without giving him a chance to respond, she released him, gave his arm another quick pat, and walked off.

Renly stood in place, momentarily speechless, watching the woman walk away. He turned to Roy and Nathan, confusion evident on his face. "What just happened?"

Nathan chuckled, a wide grin spreading across his face, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Roy, with a half-smile on his face, shrugged his shoulders innocently. "I just got off the plane too. Your guess is as good as mine."

It was a strange interaction—a random moment of warmth—but it wasn't an isolated incident. Soon after, Renly was approached by more strangers, each offering high-fives, enthusiastic thumbs up, or congratulatory shouts of encouragement. There was no screaming, no frantic fandom, just an overwhelming sense of praise and goodwill. It felt less like a fan encounter and more like a communal show of support.

Some even clenched their fists and yelled, "Go for it!" It was a bit surreal, and Roy, despite his experience, was equally perplexed.

Nathan seemed to have an idea, though, his voice unsure, "Do you think it's... the ice bucket challenge?"

As soon as he voiced his theory, Nathan seemed to lose some confidence, his words trailing off.

Nathan, younger and more attuned to social media, was well aware of the frenzy surrounding the ice bucket challenge. After Renly had created his social media accounts, Nathan had been the one managing them, updating and organizing the posts since Renly's busy schedule left him little time to engage.

Seeing Renly's contemplative expression, Nathan continued, "I mean, after the ice bucket challenge, people are seeing a different side of you. Not just because of the charity, but... everything that came after. People are looking at you differently now."

Nathan's tone grew hesitant by the end, as though unsure of his own thoughts.

Roy nodded in agreement, his expression firm. Renly, however, stood silently, his face unreadable. He seemed deep in thought.

Before returning to New York, Renly had met with Edith. Edith, despite enduring her own controversies and pressures, had flourished. She had completed two significant projects with the United Nations and expanded her studio's presence to Europe. Busy as she was, her work had given her a sharper, more defined edge.

Even Arthur, who was usually reserved, had teased, "I didn't think Chris was too high on you, but now I finally have to admit it."

Due to their packed schedules, Edith and Chris Evans had seen little of each other. Edith, focused on her work, hadn't minded. Still, Chris had made the effort to visit her in London.

During a brief meeting, Renly also encountered Chris. It was during the ice bucket challenge, when Chris had posted his own tweet, and Renly distinctly remembered the look of surprise on Chris's face when he learned that both Edith and Renly shared the same family name. Chris had stumbled over his words.

Edith had also mentioned the ice bucket challenge. At the time, Renly had only launched the campaign a week before, yet Edith could already feel the shifting winds in the upper echelons of society. "Renly Hall" was becoming a name of note in London's nobility—not just because of his acting achievements, but also due to the high-profile figures from education, tech, sports, and finance who had taken notice of him. Even the Queen had commented on the challenge, calling it "very interesting."

In the eyes of the aristocracy, fame and reputation mattered more than wealth or glory. Thanks to the ice bucket challenge, Renly had cemented his place in London's social circles—not as the Hall family's youngest son, but simply as Renly.

"I suppose if this campaign really helps raise awareness and advances ALS research, it might even give George and Elizabeth a reason to rely on your reputation someday," Edith had joked, speaking of the noble connections Renly had gained.

Looking back now, three weeks after the start of the campaign, Renly couldn't help but be amazed at the unexpected results. Fame, gained through charitable work, was not something he had planned for. He never imagined that his involvement in this event could propel him to a level where he could stand toe-to-toe with figures like George and Elizabeth.

But if Edith and Nathan were right, then this moment marked a turning point—a pivotal moment in Renly's journey.

"Isn't it?" Nathan asked again, watching Renly's face intently.

Nathan could sense that Renly's mood had shifted subtly, though he couldn't pinpoint the reason. He gave another quiet, uncertain question.

"Maybe yes, maybe no," Renly replied, finally snapping back to the present. "After we leave the airport, ask Andy. He'll know the truth."

As they made their way to the pick-up hall, it didn't take long for Renly to get the answer. A swarm of reporters surrounded them, all eager to ask about the ice bucket challenge.

Questions about the ice bucket challenge dominated the conversation—its origins, its success, and all the social media buzz it had created. Everyone wanted to know more about the celebrities who had joined, from actors to athletes, and even tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

The reporters were eager for answers—about Renly's involvement, the future of the campaign, and the reasons behind the choices made during the challenge. For Renly, it was clear that the story had taken on a life of its own, far beyond what he had ever imagined.

Despite the barrage of questions, Renly's focus remained on the core of the campaign—raising awareness for ALS. He reminded everyone that while the viral nature of the ice bucket challenge was impressive, the real focus was the disease itself and the lives it affected. He thanked everyone for their support but made sure the charity remained at the forefront of the conversation.

In the end, Renly's quiet leadership had turned the ice bucket challenge into a global movement—changing lives, raising awareness, and, perhaps most importantly, reminding people that even the smallest spark can ignite a fire that changes the world.