The Greatest Showman #1264 – Pile-Up

One thousand two hundred and twenty-six piled up into mountains.

"Waiter, I'll have an espresso, thank you."

"Espresso? I thought you preferred hot chocolate."

A playful smile tugged at the corners of Renly's mouth and eyes as the rich aroma of the coffee swirled around him. It was a soft, warm afternoon in Los Angeles, and the sun filtered gently through the window. Andy, sitting across from him, returned the smile with a knowing look, his eyes twinkling as he pulled out a chair and awkwardly sat down.

"The culprit's still making fun of my choice? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have this headache." Andy turned to the waiter. "Actually, scratch that—let's go with hot chocolate. And bring two donuts, chocolate flavored—no, wait, make it the original flavor." He paused, turning back to Renly. "Still gotta watch my weight…"

Americans have a funny way of deluding themselves. Choosing Diet Coke, coffee without cream, or pancakes with less syrup—they all claim to cut back on sugar and starch, even if it doesn't actually help them lose weight. It's all about the mental comfort of making an effort, even if it doesn't have an impact.

Renly didn't try to convince him otherwise. He simply nodded with a smile, a small gesture that Andy found to carry more weight than it seemed. Andy widened his eyes in mock protest, and Renly just shrugged, adding, "I'm still more accustomed to your current look. You know, the one that deceives everyone, lulling them into confusion, and then negotiating your way out of things."

"Hey! I'm a good guy! Don't insult my profession!" Andy said, feigning indignation, though the calm expression on Renly's face left him no room to argue.

Andy had gotten used to Renly's mannerisms, especially after learning about his background—nothing seemed unusual anymore. So, instead of dwelling on it, he smoothly changed the subject. "So, about that production project… what's the status? Are you serious about it?"

Renly, raising an eyebrow, picked up his coffee. He didn't immediately understand the gravity of Andy's question, and his puzzled look didn't go unnoticed by Andy.

Andy let out a deep breath, settling himself before continuing.

About an hour earlier, Andy had received an email from Renly mentioning a script project and asking for his opinion on potential producers or production companies that might be interested. The email was brief and casual, but the mention of the Coen brothers and Steven Spielberg reviewing the script left Andy stunned.

It seemed like a simple message, but to Andy, it was a bombshell. He immediately asked for Renly's location and rushed over, his anxiety palpable. Now, seeing Renly's confused expression, Andy realized that Renly had no idea how momentous this moment really was.

"I mean," Andy continued, his tone now calm but carrying undeniable authority, "if you're thinking of producing or starting a movie project based on your own ideas, once word gets out, Hollywood will be buzzing." After pausing to gather his thoughts, he continued, "Let's put it this way—I've got over twenty noteworthy projects lined up right now. And that doesn't even count the ones that are more in the 'reference' pile."

Andy chuckled, continuing, "You know, we've set up a special office for those projects—two interns are dedicated to reviewing them and putting together a systematic list for us. It's like a library."

Renly raised an eyebrow in amusement, "Like a library?"

Andy chuckled awkwardly, nodding. "Yeah, just like a library." He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Renly, you really don't get it, do you? Do you even realize what the name 'Renly-Hall' means?"

Renly tilted his head slightly, his expression nonchalant. "You mean, outside the halo of hereditary nobility?"

Andy laughed, the humor obvious in his voice. "Exactly. Put simply, anything you want to make now, you can." Though it sounded exaggerated, Andy spoke with a confidence that made it clear he believed it entirely. In Hollywood, Renly was the man everyone was after, from Ron Meyer to Harvey Weinstein.

Renly's deadpan response caught Andy off guard. "Including Bumper?"

Andy's eyes widened slightly before he nodded. "Yes, including Bumper."

Renly let out a soft chuckle, then added dryly, "Well, that's good news."

Andy blinked, unsure if Renly was serious or messing with him. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Renly, playing the role of the confused actor, shrugged nonchalantly. "Andy, your reaction today is just too slow." He sipped his coffee, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You might want to speed up."

Andy slumped back in his seat, sighing in frustration, then began to contemplate the gravity of their conversation. After a moment, he spoke with renewed resolve.

"Renly, I thought we agreed to take it easy for now—to rest and regroup before jumping into anything else. But if you're ready now, there's a whole list of projects waiting for you. And I can help you choose." He spoke in a calm, persuasive tone, listing several high-profile offers.

"Marvel Studios has been trying to get you to play a superhero. They're offering roles in Green Lantern, Doctor Strange, and even the new version of Iron Man—it's all up to you. Just pick a role, and we can work out the details later."

He paused, and then went on. "Twentieth Century Fox has an outer space project centered on Mars or Venus. After your work in Gravity, they're eager to have you onboard. The script's ready whenever you want to take a look."

"Then there's Christopher Nolan. I know you've always wanted to work with him. He's got a project called Interstellar, and he's thinking of writing a role just for you. He's eager to meet and discuss it, but only if you're ready."

"And David Fincher… after missing out on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, he's got a new project. It's based on a novel, and he's reached out to see if you're available for it."

Andy continued listing big names: Lucasfilm, Disney, Star Wars—it was a whirlwind of offers, all aimed at Renly.

"Do you get it? Star Wars—that's Star Wars! You'd be the lead in a brand-new character tailored just for you. The entire story's still in development, but you can have your say."

Andy paused, eyes sincere as he looked directly at Renly. "Renly, as long as you speak, anything's possible. Just give me the green light, and I'll take care of everything. You can trust me to get you the best deal. It's an honor to be your agent, and I'm here to get you the best opportunities."

Renly held his coffee in his hands, listening quietly. He recognized the names Andy mentioned—projects that would be dreams for any actor. The excitement he once felt for such offers now seemed distant. Despite the glitz and glamour of these films, Renly couldn't muster the same enthusiasm. He knew these were incredible opportunities, but the allure felt muted. It was like hearing the sounds of a drum that had lost its rhythm.

Renly understood that he needed rest, a time to reflect and recharge before diving back into the world of acting. These offers would still be there when he was ready.

Finally, he set the coffee down, meeting Andy's gaze with quiet sincerity. "Andy, we've already reached an agreement. I'm content with our partnership. Believe me, your role in all of this is more important than you realize. It's an honor to have you as my agent."