The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1180: First Meet

Laughter and chatter filled the air at Pioneer Village, creating the lively atmosphere of a bustling Saturday night. The bar was packed with guests, all eagerly awaiting the evening's performance. The crowd reveled in the comfort and relaxation of the weekend, indulging in the carefree energy of the moment, allowing themselves to be swept away by the vibrant party atmosphere.

Renly made his way to the far end of the bar, careful not to disturb the lively scene near the stage. Just as he reached the end, Neil Tucson appeared, prompting Renly to chuckle. It seemed as though Neil's reflex was to always scan the bar, keeping a lookout for approaching customers with a keen eye.

As Neil got closer, he recognized Renly's figure, but instead of a greeting, he immediately scowled. His shoulders drooped, and an exaggerated frown appeared on his face as he muttered under his breath, "Damn it, he disappeared for so long. The Gobi is going to turn into a desert."

The words, without clear context, were puzzling at first.

Renly raised an eyebrow, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. He remained silent, simply watching Neil. In response, Neil caught Renly's gaze, then reluctantly admitted, "I've been in dire straits, you know? Don't you care about your best friend's living conditions?"

"Matthew?" Renly replied, his tone serious, "He's working now, and he's fine. Thanks for asking."

Neil was momentarily stunned, realizing that winning this verbal sparring match wouldn't be easy. He gave up and huffed, "Alright, alright, it's about me, okay?"

"Gone for more than half a year, no word from you, and my YouTube channel went dark for months. Do you know how many people blasted me, thinking I wasn't being nice or that I'd abandoned your videos? How was I supposed to know where you went? I wanted to post something, but without you, what could I do?" Neil vented, throwing a quick, sideways glance at Renly to see if he was amused.

Renly stayed calm, as usual, which only made Neil's frustration grow. With a sigh, Neil mumbled, "Hey, cooperate with me here. You don't know what it's like. The actors need to work together for the scene to flow."

Renly nodded, as if understanding. He asked earnestly, "What, do you want to start all over?"

Neil almost choked, rolling his eyes. "God, I really don't get why people think you're funny. You're the most humorless person I know."

With his usual lazy swagger, Neil leaned on the bar and shot Renly a sly wink. "Truth be told, my love life's taking a dive without the YouTube channel. Want to help me out? How about a performance today, for my sake?"

Renly raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Your charm's deteriorating, huh? You're resorting to tricks now?"

Neil snorted in mock indignation, throwing a rag on the bar. "Hey, can we have a little fun, at least?"

He widened his eyes in mock outrage, before quickly backpedaling. "Just kidding! Of course, we're still friends. How about a selfie to make it official?"

Renly's eyes twinkled with amusement. He could tell that, despite everything, Neil hadn't changed. The banter, humor, and playful teasing were all still there.

Though more than half a year had passed since they last saw each other, despite the ups and downs of 2012, and even though Renly had now become one of the biggest stars in the industry, Neil was still the bartender of Pioneer Village. Yet, despite the passage of time, the bond between them felt unchanged. They had slipped right back into their old dynamic, as if fame had never interfered.

Some friendships, Renly thought, required constant care and maintenance. Like a marriage, they needed effort and attention to endure. But then there were friendships like his with Neil — no need for constant upkeep. Even with time and distance between them, the moment they reunited, the understanding between them picked up right where it left off. It was rare, the kind of friendship that could withstand anything and still thrive.

Renly smiled, casting a sidelong glance at Neil, before turning his attention to the subject of the moment. "Where's Stanley? I thought he'd be here himself, making sure no one messes with this place. This place is his blood, sweat, and tears."

"Oh, don't worry," Neil replied casually, "Joel and Ethan already decided. There's no need to change anything. We're filming with the current setup, but we might need to replace some of the beer brands and mugs. A few of them are from the last couple of years, which doesn't fit the 1960s vibe."

Neil then leaned in close, eyes sparkling mischievously. "But here's the exciting part — Ethan said I could play the bartender in the movie." He raised his eyebrows, his expression filled with exaggerated excitement. "I'm going to be an actor, too!"

After some discussion, the decision had been made: the filming location for Drunken Township Folk Ballad would be Pioneer Village.

Joel and Ethan Coen, having scouted locations for their film, knew they wanted to capture the essence of 1960s Greenwich Village. The street scenes, the energy of the time, all had to be authentic. They decided that Pioneer Village, with its rich history, was the perfect setting.

Stanley Charlesson, who had dedicated his life to Pioneer Village, was overcome with emotion when he heard the news. For him, the opportunity to see this bar, which had seen jazz's golden age, the intellectual fervor of the 1960s, and the folk and rock revolutions, return to its 1960s roots on film was a dream come true. He had no reason to say no.

"Not fair," Renly joked, feigning indignation. "I worked so hard to get to the big screen, and you're getting in without lifting a finger?"

Neil puffed out his chest, grinning widely. He was clearly enjoying the attention. Then, a new voice interrupted the banter.

"Which movie is this casting for? Can I join in? I'm not a great actor, but I'm willing to give it a shot."

Neil and Renly turned to see Justin Timberlake standing before them, accompanied by a small group of others.

"Justin Timberlake," Justin introduced himself with a polite smile.

"Renly-Hall," Renly replied with a friendly grin.

Standing between them, Neil hesitated for a moment before introducing himself. "Neil Tucson." His humorous tone broke the tension, bringing an easy atmosphere to the conversation.

Justin smiled, the subtle humor never leaving his lips. "I've heard all these rumors that Renly is some kind of monster, but I guess I'm the first one brave enough to approach the dragon. Does that mean I'm courageous?"

Renly chuckled, amused by Justin's confidence and charm. Justin continued, smoothly shifting the conversation. "I told a few friends I was working with Renly on a project. They were so excited, but I didn't tell them it was about music, not film. I guess I'd better not burst their bubble."

The lighthearted exchange filled the bar with laughter, shifting the atmosphere from one of casual fun to genuine excitement.