The Greatest Showman #1425 - So-Called Professional

Melissa was nervous—so nervous it almost made her sick. Her eyes began to tremble, and she found herself instinctively avoiding Renly's gaze. The thought of meeting his eyes, let alone holding his stare, was unbearable. It felt like a relentless torture in her chest, a growing urge to flee overtaking her, consuming her sanity bit by bit.

In this scene, all the weight falls on Andrew—his cramps, his tension, his youth stand in sharp contrast to the stories that come later. This moment is crucial for shaping the character.

But Nicole? Nicole is at ease. Her sweet smile, full of youthful vitality, is her trademark. Beneath the surface, she holds an impression of Andrew—though not to the point of attraction. She enjoys being around him, getting to know him better. After all, it's normal for young people to date.

For Nicole, this is easy. Relaxed muscles, expressions, and demeanor come naturally. She even has the energy to tease Andrew.

Melissa, however, can't relax. Her nerves have wound her so tightly that she feels like a wind-up doll at the breaking point. Her eyes and movements are stiff, far from Nicole's state of ease. She can't even manage the simplest lines. It's a disaster.

She can't control herself—staring at Renly in front of her, she can't help but recall their confrontation from five days ago. That fear and anxiety are still gnawing at her, swallowing her focus. It's like standing on a landmine, the constant dread of it exploding underfoot. She's afraid to move, afraid to breathe.

Through the haze of her nerves, Damien's voice cuts in. Renly can sense Damien's frustration—after all, the scene isn't difficult.

"Damien, give us some space," Renly says, smiling. "Melissa and I need to discuss how to approach this scene. We're not nervous; we just need some understanding."

Damien is still young, impetuous at times. The excitement around "Boom Drummer" has been overwhelming. It started as a small indie project, but now, with Renly's involvement, it's drawing massive attention. Yesterday and today, at least 40 reporters have shown up. The crowd's energy is contagious, but with the excitement comes pressure.

Damien feels it—the weight of expectations, the green energy of a newcomer. A small mistake could trigger his nerves, making him even more uncertain.

"Are you sure?" Damien asks, the words coming out before he can stop them. His instincts tell him not to doubt Renly, but they slip out anyway.

Renly nods with a reassuring smile. "I'm sure. Give us ten minutes."

Damien hesitates, then sighs. "Ten minutes."

The crew steps back, clearing space for Renly and Melissa to communicate. The atmosphere quiets.

Melissa feels like she might vomit—the nausea is almost overwhelming.

And there she is, alone with Renly, as though they're in a cage together, with the shark watching. It feels completely unfair.

What's she supposed to do now?

What can she do?

"Do you know what it means to be an actor?" Renly asks, his voice steady.

Melissa blinks, her mind spinning. Such a profound topic? Is this really happening?

Renly notices the confusion in her eyes but doesn't mind. His smile remains calm, his tone patient. "As an actor, it means that once you enter the character's world, you leave your personal life behind. You must give yourself completely to the character."

Melissa is still lost, her thoughts jumbled. She can't help but feel like Renly is about to punish her. She stares at him, too afraid to think clearly.

"It's not just indie films, even romantic or comedy films," Renly continues, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Even if you hate someone, when the scene calls for it, you need to show the audience that you're deeply in love with them. Not just for the audience, but for yourself. That's professionalism. That's what acting is."

To an outsider, acting might seem simple—stand in front of the camera and perform, especially in genres like comedy, horror, or romance. But the real job of an actor is far more complex.

Take Gone with the Wind, for example. Despite being over 70 years old, its box office still stands as one of the highest grossing films in U.S. history, adjusted for inflation. The iconic kiss between Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler remains legendary.

However, Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, the actors who portrayed them, hated each other during the shoot.

Vivien thought Clark was rude and temperamental, while Clark found Vivien self-centered, especially since she spent more time with her husband, Laurence Olivier, than on set. Their relationship was strained, to say the least.

During the infamous kiss scene, they were both reluctant. Clark smoked to annoy Vivien, and she retaliated by eating garlic before the scene. Their kiss was a cigarette-and-garlic kiss—but it went on to become one of the most memorable moments in film history.

That's professionalism.

As an actor, it's impossible to always get along with your co-stars. But when the scene demands it, you must show love, passion, or whatever the character needs—no matter your personal feelings. This is what makes the audience believe in the story.

Some might call it hypocrisy. Others call it performance—when an actor immerses themselves so deeply in a role that they forget their personal preferences, entering a new level of authenticity. It doesn't mean the actor won't dislike the other person after filming.

Renly needs Melissa to maintain her professionalism. For him, the scene isn't an issue—he can immerse himself fully in the role. But Melissa needs to let go of her fears, to forget about the past, and step into the character. It should be simple, not an obstacle.

Renly watches her silently, sensing her hesitation. His patience is waning. He doesn't have time to guide her through every emotion; that's not his role.

"What's done is done," Renly says quietly, his voice firm. "I've made my decision, and I'm not going to dwell on it right now. Don't make me regret it, and don't change my mind. Focus on the scene."

Melissa's heart races as she realizes the weight of his words. She knows Renly hasn't forgotten, that he's still holding her to the decision she fears. She knows this was always the risk.

But what can she do?

She can't back down. She can't just leave. She's worked too hard to throw it all away now. She will persevere.

With a clenched fist and determination, Melissa straightens her back. The battle isn't over. This is only the beginning of her journey into Hollywood, and she won't quit now.

She's come too far to stop.

Now, it's time to see it through.