The Greatest Showman #1259 - Waiting for the Opportunity

The paparazzi waiting at the parking lot opposite the back door of the Sunset Tower Hotel caused a stir. They all turned their attention to the street on the right, and soon three paparazzi hurried back, shouting excitedly, "It's true! Renly actually went into the trailer! He chatted with the waiter, ordered a coffee and a sandwich!"

The paparazzi buzzed with excitement, exchanging glances.

"Do you think we should follow this lead? Maybe Renly's waiting for someone special in the trailer? Some juicy gossip?" one of them suggested.

"I think it might be something big. Why else would Renly leave the Oscars night alone?" another replied.

"I don't think so. He didn't attend the Oscars last year or the year before, so why would this year be different? I think he just didn't want to stay longer, so he left on his own. It makes sense with his personality."

"So... will Renly come back?" another asked, still uncertain.

Elliott, standing quietly to the side, didn't join the conversation. He knew better than to speculate on Renly's movements. If Renly was just stepping out for a sandwich or hamburger and planned to return to the Oscars, it was entirely plausible, given Renly's unpredictable nature. But he refused to follow that lead. He firmly rejected it.

After a brief commotion, the paparazzi calmed down. Despite Renly being one of Hollywood's biggest stars, there had been a lack of breaking news recently, and tonight, his departure from the Oscars didn't appear to signal anything major.

A couple of paparazzi still weren't convinced. They crossed the street to investigate but returned disappointed, finding nothing of interest. Elliott, observing all of this, felt satisfied with his decision to avoid the chase.

Once a thriving hotspot in Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard had gradually fallen into decline. Many mansions and estates had been abandoned and left to rot, no longer recognizable in their former glory.

The open space near the west end of the boulevard remained, though. A weathered red train carriage sat awkwardly amid the weeds and bricks. On one side was a luxury resort, and on the other, a traditional Western cowboy restaurant. Opposite, the famous Sunset Tower Hotel loomed. Surrounded by these three establishments, the small open space stood stubbornly alone, bearing silent witness to the changes that had swept through the boulevard over the years.

Renly was sitting in that very train carriage.

It wasn't really a train—it was a restaurant serving American breakfasts and Mexican food, much like the countless roadside diners scattered across the American highways. The food was simple but had a distinct American character: a plate of scrambled eggs, a sandwich, two slices of bacon, and a cup of coffee.

Renly sat by the bar in the train carriage, facing the Sunset Tower Hotel. The hustle and bustle outside were palpable, but inside, there was an air of calm confidence. It was as if he was sitting by the side of the road, watching the world pass by, detached from the madness of the Oscars.

Perhaps this was the essence of Sunset Boulevard.

He sipped his coffee, savoring the bitter taste that lingered on his tongue. Frowning slightly, he glanced at the waiter and asked, "Is this coffee burnt?"

The waiter laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, I was distracted by the excitement outside. I didn't notice the coffee brewing, and it burned. As an apology, I'll bring you a puff pastry—trust me, you'll love it." The waiter placed the pastry next to Renly's coffee with a wink.

The Sunset Tower Hotel, especially during Oscar night, attracted a steady stream of Hollywood's biggest names. The train carriage was a familiar stop for many actors and directors, who sought a brief respite from the chaos. A food truck nearby also had its share of customers, busy as ever.

Renly wasn't the only one seeking a moment of peace. Just after the Oscars, a group of stars had gathered at the train car. Even Lee Ann, tonight's Best Director winner, had been seen devouring a hamburger while clutching his golden Oscar statue.

The waiter didn't make a fuss when he saw Renly. After all, he had seen his fair share of famous faces.

Renly, smiling, turned to the young man seated to his left, who had been staring at the hotel across the street. "Is it just me, or is your coffee burnt too?"

At that moment, the young man, who had been so absorbed in the scene outside, seemed to notice Renly for the first time. He took in Renly's suit and shoes, then shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm used to it. Been here for three hours, and after countless refills, my taste buds are probably shot."

Renly chuckled. "Fair enough. But I do mind," he said with a grin.

The young man looked at his coffee cup and added, "Could I get another refill, please?"

Renly raised an eyebrow, amused, as the waiter returned with the refill. The young man took a sip, then winced. "Wow, that's a tough one. It's like a wake-up call, right?"

His appearance was striking—curly hair like a poodle, untamed and messy. He had the face of someone just out of college, still youthful but with a look of exhaustion. Dressed in a dark grey shirt, black suit, and a loosely knotted tie, he looked the part of someone who wanted to seem polished but was still clearly learning the ropes of the business world. His shirt didn't fit quite right, and his tie had loosened.

After a moment of silence, the young man glanced at Renly, who was watching him. "So, you're also waiting for someone?" he asked, his attention briefly diverted.

Renly raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the question. The young man looked back at him, then shrugged. "Anyone, really. Director, writer, actor, producer... I don't care. I just need someone to look at my project and hopefully help me find an investor."

He let out a bitter laugh. "I know, it's old-school. This is the '80s approach. But... I don't have many options left. The last two years, I've been chasing investors across New York, L.A., Seattle, Chicago... I'm broke now, and still, no one's biting."

He shook his head in frustration, then added with a self-deprecating grin, "I even shot a short film and went to Sundance. Won an award, even. But two months later, nothing... it's hard."

Renly smiled sympathetically. "Yeah, waiting is tough. The worst part is not knowing if it'll be worth it in the end."