The Greatest Showman #1422 – Reckoning After Autumn

"In ancient Greek mythology, no father willingly sacrifices himself for his son. To be precise, in most of Western culture, no father is willing to do so. On the other hand, Eastern culture is full of such sacrifices and acts of selflessness.

Now, the question is: if Fletcher were aware of his role, would he be willing to sacrifice himself? Or would it be a passive sacrifice? Does Fletcher's notion of artistic perfection require Andrew to complete it? Could Andrew truly accomplish it again? Furthermore, is the father-murder/father complex one-sided, or is it a dynamic, interactive process between both parties? This question impacts the core themes of the entire story and, more importantly, the shaping and perfection of its characters.

Does JK need to be in the know? That's up to you."

Renly finished articulating his thoughts and fell silent. Damien, deep in thought, didn't respond immediately.

Although Damien was a director with a clear vision, he was still a newcomer—"Whiplash" being his second major work. His ideas were still maturing, and imperfection at this stage of a career was inevitable. Even the most gifted masters stumble early in their careers.

Renly, on the other hand, was an actor with a well-established sense of his craft. After years of performance, he had developed a unique understanding of his work. Now, as a first-time producer, he wasn't entirely sure how to exert control over the project. Instead, he wanted to offer his perspective while giving Damien enough space to think and create on his own.

The conversation between them had begun as a simple exchange, but it had ignited an unexpectedly intense spark. Neither of them had anticipated how far their divergent thinking would lead them.

Renly, as the producer, now had to leave it to Damien to decide whether JK-Simons should be informed about how the story would unfold. More specifically, it depended on the story and script Damien envisioned.

Renly always believed that a good script and a compelling character possess a soul. These elements can speak, think, and resonate with life. However, such scripts and roles are rare.

Billy Wilder and Woody Allen were revered as master screenwriters because their stories and characters seemed to live and breathe. They could write with brilliance and eloquence.

Now, it was Damien's turn to sort through his thoughts. How should he handle the "father-murder" complex? How should the roles of Andrew and Fletcher be defined? And crucially, how should the ending's foreshadowing be woven into the narrative? The answers to these questions would be decisive not just for the film, but for the performances of both lead actors.

Renly had been thinking about the role of Andrew, alongside drum practice, in preparation for the role. Today's conversation, meant to be a brief exchange, had turned into something far more stimulating. Renly felt a sense of excitement, and it reminded him of why he missed working on set. Or, more specifically, why he missed acting. It had been a long time.

As the conversation slowed, Damien fell into his thoughts while Renly relaxed a little. That was when he noticed the presence of Melissa and Blake.

Confusion flickered in Renly's eyes. He had no memory of them arriving—nor could he understand why they were there.

Renly assumed they were there to greet the director, so he smiled and nodded toward the actors. He began to stand, preparing to leave and give them space.

But then he remembered: he was the producer.

Damien was deep in thought, and Renly realized that perhaps it wouldn't be ideal for the cast to interrupt Damien's musings.

Renly paused, his steps halted. "Good morning. We'll begin reading the script in about thirty minutes, but you can sit and relax now. Feel free to chat with each other. JK was just discussing custom clothing with the costume team—Melissa, if you're interested, you can join them."

Renly's tone was like a soft breeze, calm and welcoming.

Melissa could barely hide her disbelief. It almost felt like everything that had happened earlier that morning was a dream.

"Renly," Blake said, stepping forward, a little hesitant, his voice tinged with something unspoken.

Renly raised an eyebrow, noticing the shift in Blake's expression. His smile never faltered, yet he could tell something was amiss. "If I were you, I'd turn around and head over to the costume team to discuss Melissa's custom dress, instead of standing here like this."

Blake froze, momentarily stunned by the words.

Damien, suddenly buoyant, jumped up enthusiastically. "Renly, I've got it! Let's keep it as planned. You handle your part, and the rest will follow."

What Damien meant was clear—he would hide Simmons' role in the plot for now.

As the story progressed, Fletcher (played by Simmons) would slowly come to realize Andrew's growth. At first, he would welcome this with joy, seeing Andrew as his inheritor. But as time passed, Fletcher would start to sense the threat Andrew posed, feeling panic and fear—only to realize too late that Andrew had grown powerful enough to overthrow him.

With Simon's drum playing, Renly's performance would naturally build tension, creating a layer of progress. By the time the father-murder moment arrived, Damien would give Simon further direction to heighten the emotional sacrifice and form visual tension on screen.

Damien was clearly a talented director with a keen sense of how to merge character and story. His potential would soon be realized in "La La Land."

Renly nodded. "No problem."

Only then did Damien notice Melissa and Blake's presence, and he quickly greeted them, "Ah, you're both here? Welcome! Take a break and we'll start the script reading soon."

"Damien," Melissa interrupted softly. She had apparently come forward from behind Blake, standing before Damien. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier with Renly. I didn't mean it. I really didn't mean to offend him. Please accept my sincere apology. It won't happen again."

Blake realized something was off. He paused, trying to process Renly's earlier words. He understood now—Melissa's apology wasn't genuine; it was a strategic move. In an effort to smooth things over with Damien and prevent Renly's retaliation, she was playing the victim.

Renly, however, saw right through her. He didn't need to say a word to expose the attempt. His previous offer to overlook the situation had been made on the condition that Melissa would remain silent. But now, Melissa had revealed herself prematurely.

Renly wasn't a saint, nor did he intend to act like one. He wasn't going to let her off the hook. The past would be addressed later, but since she had chosen to expose herself, Renly had no reason to cover for her.

Blake, realizing what had just happened, quickly attempted to control the situation. He apologized repeatedly before pulling Melissa away, eager to avoid further conflict.

Damien remained oblivious to the drama unfolding, his confusion written all over his face. "Uh… what's going on?"

The moment had passed, and the tension was palpable. But for Renly, it was just another test of character, and Melissa had failed it spectacularly.