The Greatest Showman #1219 - A Long Vacation

The filming of Drunken Country Ballads was gradually winding down, but the crew found that the two directors were more energized than ever. They dove in with such enthusiasm, it felt as though they were just beginning.

Once a scene was filmed according to plan, the directors would swap out different crew members, engage in further discussions, and strive to capture additional details. Their focus shifted more toward Renly, as they delved into the structure and environment of the space.

What was initially expected to take five days—at most a week—ended up stretching for a full eleven days, delaying the filming schedule significantly. However, despite the delays and polishing, the filming was finally completed. What was intended to be a three-week shoot had stretched to four, with the production coming full circle, starting and ending in Pioneer Village. The film had begun with Renly's performance, and it ended with Blue Li's performance, marking a symbolic completion. The crew, too, completed the circle and, after returning to the starting point, officially wrapped up.

The night after filming wrapped, Pioneer Village came alive with lights and a carnival atmosphere. The entire crew stayed behind. Though the filming equipment had been packed up, the crew remained in high spirits, celebrating at the bar. With the final scene behind them, the party began, and amid the revelry, Renly was called upon to perform an encore.

Renly wasn't alone in this performance. Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, and others also took to the stage, bringing an energy that went beyond the Drunken Country Ballads soundtrack. Instead, the performers chose songs of their own—far from jazz or folk bar styles. It was, after all, karaoke night.

Stanley Charlesson raised his hands in defeat, exclaiming that it wasn't exactly ideal to borrow the venue for such an occasion, but after a long filming schedule and collaborative efforts, he could only turn a blind eye to it.

Fortunately, every actor who had entered the crew was a proven singer in their own right, and their impromptu performances were still memorable. The karaoke party turned out to be a hit, with Justin Timberlake commanding attention, his charisma lighting up the room. The audience was in awe, and the atmosphere quickly reached its peak. The sounds of clapping and stomping on tables reverberated through the bar.

It was Justin's night. After finishing his duties as an actor and returning to his roots as a singer, he finally exhaled, letting the energy of the crowd wash over him. Standing on stage, he was every bit the superstar, fully in control of the audience, radiating confidence and power.

After his performance, the crowd erupted in an encore chant. The cheers echoed through the venue, reminiscent of a live concert. Surrounded by applause and flashing lights, Justin, caught up in the moment, handed off the microphone and mischievously called, "Welcome Joel Cohen and Ethan Cohen to the stage!"

Instantly, all eyes turned toward the Coen brothers, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Justin escaped to the bar, but his curiosity was piqued. He looked around the room, half expecting to spot one person in particular. What would Renly think of his performance? Would he like it?

It seemed like a childish thought—like the curiosity of a child—but Justin couldn't help it. He was eager to know.

However, when he looked around, Renly was nowhere to be found. Typically, Renly was a magnetic presence, drawing attention wherever he went. But tonight, he was gone.

"Neil, where's Renly?" Justin leaned over the bar, shouting to the bartender, Neil. With the noise surrounding them, he couldn't hear Neil's reply clearly, so he asked again.

"He's gone," Neil shouted back.

"What?" Justin's surprise was evident. "What do you mean? Did he leave for a smoke break or something?"

Neil shrugged, a slight chuckle escaping him. "No, really. He left. Took his bags with him."

The first thought that crossed Justin's mind was, Just like Levine. It was strange, yet fitting. Renly had always carried himself with an air of mystery and solitude. Justin, still puzzled, asked, "Did he go back to his apartment?"

Neil shrugged again. "I'm not sure, but he said he might just grab a car and leave the city. He didn't seem to have a particular destination."

Justin was left standing there, a sense of bewilderment filling him. The time the crew had spent filming the movie—those long days of hard work—flashed through his mind. Renly, always so aloof, a lone figure in a crowd, seemed to be a wanderer, carrying his burdens with an air of quiet determination. His piercing gaze never wavered, carrying a cool arrogance that made it hard to approach him.

It was impossible to fully love him, but equally impossible to completely disregard him.

And now, on the night of the party, Renly had packed his bags and disappeared again.

Justin and Renly weren't friends, not in the traditional sense. Four weeks wasn't nearly enough time for that kind of bond. Yet, in this moment, Justin couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for Renly. It was an emotion he couldn't fully explain.

After Drunken Country Ballads wrapped up, Renly vanished.

No one knew where he had gone, not even Andy Rogers. But Andy was used to this by now. There was no panic, no fuss—just calm, orderly work.

He immediately called Nathan and Roy to gather information about Renly's whereabouts. Although Renly had turned off his phone and couldn't be tracked, the three of them calmly devised a plan to handle the press. Andy then contacted the Coen brothers to assure them not to worry too much, and reached out to Neil and Stanley for additional information.

The college's PR department was notified that Renly would be attending the upcoming awards ceremony at the end of the month, though they would have to inform the press that he regretted not being able to attend several events. Andy also responded to emails from Paul Walker, Ryan Gosling, and others, instructing them to let him know if they heard from Renly.

With all the details handled, Andy still had more work to do.

Since Les Miserables hit Broadway, Renly's schedule had become a whirlwind of opportunities. Hollywood studios had taken notice of Renly's ability to seamlessly transition between big-budget blockbusters and more independent films.

Despite his high profile, Renly's salary expectations were surprisingly reasonable. Even after Edge of Tomorrow, Renly didn't push for outrageous compensation, and when Warner Bros. showed sincerity, he agreed to a reasonable salary. His choice to star in Drunken Country Ballads for just half a million dollars was seen as an example of his artistic integrity.

This willingness to take on varied roles and projects—art films and commercial ventures alike—made Renly a rare and valuable asset in Hollywood. His strong acting skills, versatile appearance, and exceptional marketability made him a hot commodity, even among the industry's top leaders, like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Ridley Scott.

As a result, Andy had to navigate the growing demand for Renly carefully. On one hand, he didn't want to agree to anything too soon. Renly had just wrapped two exhausting projects and needed a break. On the other hand, he couldn't dismiss the offers entirely, as many of these projects would take a year or more to get off the ground.

Andy ultimately decided that Renly needed a long break. He would allow Renly time to rest until at least summer, without the pressure of new roles or performances. This downtime would give Renly the opportunity to recharge and rekindle his creative spark.

For now, Renly was on vacation. And when he was ready to return, Andy was confident the offers would still be there, waiting for him.