The Greatest Showman #1301 - A Different Kind

The recording of The Norton Show had concluded.

The entire audience stood in unison, sending a wave of applause that seemed like a tsunami. Two hours of recording had flown by, but the experience had been anything but meaningless. The only reminders of the thrilling roller-coaster ride were the raw throats and slightly stiff lower backs, marking an unforgettable experience.

It wasn't just the audience that felt this way; the program staff did too.

Lena Crabbe, a member of the crew, was one of them. At first, her excitement was solely due to seeing Renly in person, but now she was completely captivated by his charm. Her joy overflowed as she clapped wildly, her palms numb from the repetitive motion, yet she couldn't stop. The surge of emotions needed to be released, her blood boiling with enthusiasm.

And Lena wasn't alone.

The bustling staff stood, quietly overwhelmed by Renly's magnetic presence. Even the directors and producers were not immune to his effect.

Through the glass window, they watched the bustling scene in the studio, exchanging glances filled with both helplessness and excitement. The chaotic turbulence of last night had finally paid off. They had the show, and that was the ultimate reward.

"It should be over now," one of the crew members said.

"Yes, we need to get back to work," another replied. "Let's rest for an hour to reset; we've still got two tough sessions ahead. Hopefully, the other teams won't face any more setbacks."

"I'll have them start clearing the audience."

"Wait, look."

In the studio on the second floor, the conversation faded as everyone looked down at the first floor through the glass. Their expressions were a mix of amusement and awe.

Renly had returned.

After the recording, Renly and the other guests had left the stage, returning to the waiting room alongside Graham, the host. They had exited together to ensure the safety and order of the scene while the audience began filing out.

Today, the energy in the studio had been electric, buzzing with excitement as everyone discussed every little detail of the program. Their voices had been hoarse, but their enthusiasm was unstoppable.

Suddenly, Renly's figure reappeared on stage.

The commotion quieted instantly. It was as if all the dust in the air settled, and a golden halo seemed to shine down on him, making the world feel just a bit lighter. The atmosphere shifted, the energy felt palpable.

Renly's smile was warm and shy, his presence gentle yet commanding. The crowd, united in their admiration, followed his every move. His humility, his charm—everything was captivating.

He looked around, searching for something, and as if on cue, the audience joined in, collectively scanning the space.

It was a spectacular sight.

After a brief moment, the sound engineer finally caught on and handed Renly a microphone.

"Thank you," Renly said, his voice sincere. He smiled warmly at the crowd. "Hey everyone, I'm Renly." A simple greeting, but the audience responded eagerly, waving and cheering.

"Without the host here, I made a special trip back to the stage. Please forgive my rudeness," Renly continued, his tone lighthearted.

From backstage, a voice shouted, "I'm here!" It was Graham, still trying to maintain his role as the host, even off-screen. His words sparked laughter from the crowd.

Renly chuckled, "That's perfect, right under the master's watchful eye..."

More laughter followed.

Renly smiled. "I want to express my apologies and my gratitude. I know many of you were excited for the presence of Iron Man in this episode. Unfortunately, it wasn't me. If I were you, I'd be very disappointed. So, I just want to come back here to apologize—not only to you, the audience, but also to the crew. You all worked so hard."

Lena, standing in the crowd, placed her right hand over her heart. The overwhelming happiness almost made her melt. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Renly on stage. The exhaustion, the stress, the irritability—all of it became insignificant in that moment. Every effort had been worth it.

Renly continued, "Thank you all for your support today. We had a great time together. If you can avoid spoilers, that would be amazing. I'd be more than happy to support you all in return. Thank you!"

After his heartfelt words, Renly scanned the room, handing the microphone back to the sound engineer.

The sound engineer, a burly man, stood beside Renly, the two chatting quietly. Renly chuckled, giving the engineer a polite hug.

That simple act sent the audience into a frenzy.

Two fans, both women, were quick to rush forward. They were polite but eager. Renly noticed them and gave a helpless smile, shaking his head slightly. "I thought the British didn't like hugs," he said with a playful tone.

One of the women replied quickly, "It depends on who's offering the hug."

The audience erupted in laughter.

In the past, Renly had always been cautious around fans, carrying the weight of past lessons. But today, surrounded by this level of warmth and friendliness, he felt at ease.

He opened his arms to the woman in front of him. "Then, it's my honor."

The crowd roared in excitement as more fans lined up. The queue quickly stretched around the studio, with people eager for their turn.

Lena, caught up in the excitement, found herself walking on tiptoe, feeling as though she were flying higher and higher. She looked around and caught sight of Valentina McDowell. Their eyes met, and both women smiled knowingly.

Meanwhile, in the second-floor studio, the atmosphere shifted. No words were exchanged, but the tension in the air was palpable.

"So, he really is different," one crew member said.

"Yeah, he is. Do you think he'll have the same impact as Princess Diana?"

"I don't think he'll have the same influence on the royal family."

The conversation trailed off, but there was no mistaking the admiration in their voices.

After a pause, one of the producers remarked, "I'm starting to wonder about the story behind the Hall family. His background must be something special."

The director and producer exchanged a glance, content to observe the scene below. They didn't need words; the sight before them was enough.

"I think we should delay breaking up the audience," one suggested.

"Yeah, no rush. The Man of Steel crew... shouldn't be an issue," the other replied.

"Honestly, I'm considering joining in the fun. Should we go down and mingle?"

"Why not? I've got an invite to a box at the Almeida Theater. Let's see if we can catch Renly there."

"Great idea!"

What followed was a 45-minute hug fest. The audience, the staff—everyone joined in. The line grew longer, the excitement more palpable. The crew had to intervene, guiding Renly back to the backstage area to ensure the next show could begin.

But the fun didn't end there.

As the studio started to clear, the staff from other programs joined in, eager to join the excitement. The Norton Show crew had no choice but to curtail the festivities.

Just as they thought the madness was over, Henry Cavill barged into the waiting room, shocked by the crowd inside. "Oh, sorry, sorry," he stammered, realizing he had interrupted. He quickly apologized and closed the door.

Outside, Henry paused to catch his breath, his mind still racing. "Wait, was that... Renly Hall?"