The Greatest Showman #1441 - Unfounded

"Hey, why are you hiding in this corner all by yourself? Could it be that the crew's enthusiasm has driven you to find a quiet spot during the break?"

The playful voice reached Renly's ears, but he stiffened like a bird startled into flight. His muscles tensed instantly, and a powerful aura erupted from the depths of his being. It was as though he had entered a sterile space, where every corner was guarded, and every tiny gap was a potential threat. His every movement, every detail, was laden with tension and panic.

Then, Renly realized how foolish and clumsy he was being.

He didn't need to look up. If he only calmed himself and listened carefully, he could easily recognize that bright smile and those warm eyes. He could picture the person standing before him.

But he didn't. He didn't raise his head. His jaw was set low, and his guard was as prickly as a hedgehog, its thorns bristling. Cautiously, he glanced around, his eyes catching the white canvas shoes and light blue jeans. His pupils contracted. The sense of alienation and rejection only made him more alert.

He was panicking.

He had just faced the fear of having his confidence and dignity shattered, and now, he was on high alert. Any minor disturbance could send him fleeing. The worst part was that he had boxed himself into a corner, with nowhere to escape.

What should he do?

He forced a tight smile, trying to hide the confusion and unease in his heart. He mustered all his strength to lift his chin, to meet the gaze of the person who had approached, but it was no easy task. His eyes darted away, unable to stay focused.

As expected, it was Rooney Mara.

Renly couldn't look her in the eye now. "Hey," he greeted, his voice barely a whisper.

The exchange stopped abruptly, hanging in the air. No follow-up. No smooth flow of words. Rooney blinked, a small gesture of surprise, and spread her hands in confusion. Yet Renly remained unresponsive.

She hesitated, unsure whether to back away or stay. "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting? Are you preparing for the shoot? I didn't mean to—"

Renly cut her off with a quick, "No. It's fine. I'm good." His words were dry, separated by pauses, devoid of his usual ease. It was as if a different person had taken his place.

Rooney paused, then a realization struck her. She remembered Renly's intensity before "Gravity" started, the way he threw himself into his performance with a singular focus, like an obsession, terrifying in its power.

Now, she noticed Renly's hesitant steps as he prepared to leave, almost as though he was actively avoiding her, searching for an escape route. It was like a player in a sport looking for a gap in the defense—awkward, yet somehow understandable.

Rooney couldn't help but laugh softly at the situation. She stepped aside, allowing him space to move.

Renly nodded quickly, darting past the gap. His foot paused for a second at the corner, as if he might turn around and say something, but his nerves betrayed him. His back showed hesitation, before he pushed forward again, leaving.

Rooney didn't follow immediately. Instead, she stood still, mulling over what she had just witnessed.

She hadn't read the script for The Bursting Drummer, but she had seen Renly practicing the drums in the studio. His intensity was almost obsessive, an unrelenting focus bordering on madness. The energy he poured into it seemed almost destructive, like a moth drawn to a flame.

Such dedication could only lead to two outcomes: glorious success or total destruction. There was no middle ground.

Now, Rooney found herself wondering: Was Renly becoming too absorbed in the role? Was he blurring the lines between himself and Andrew, the character he portrayed? Was he losing himself to the chaos of his own performance, descending into the same dark place as Heath Ledger with the Joker?

Her palms grew sweaty as the thought crossed her mind.

"Hey, girl," a cheerful voice called from behind. Rooney snapped out of her thoughts and turned to see Paul Walker approaching. "Why aren't you inside? Were you waiting for me? I shouldn't be late… Hey, are you okay? You look a little off."

Paul's concerned expression eased some of the tension in Rooney's chest. She managed a small smile. "I'm fine. Just… a bit worried about Renly. I ran into him outside, and he seemed a little off."

Paul scanned the area, looking for Renly.

"He's already gone inside," Rooney added. "He seemed... restrained. Too involved in the role. You know how he gets."

Paul nodded, understanding at once. "Yeah, every time he dives into a role, he gives it his all. Sometimes it's worrying."

Paul had witnessed Renly's intense performances in Take Off and Off firsthand. He knew what Rooney meant.

"But," Paul continued with a confident smile, "Renly knows exactly what he's doing. He's always been like this—fully invested from the moment he picks up the script until the film is finished. He knows where he's going, and all we need to do is support him."

Rooney blinked, surprised by Paul's certainty. Then she chuckled, shaking off her worries.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself not to overthink. She didn't know the full story. She was only piecing together fragments of the whole picture. It was unfair to make assumptions without knowing more. Trust Renly. That was the best course of action.

Instead of letting her mind spiral into doubt, she focused on the visit.

"So, where's Ryan?" Rooney asked, trying to shift her thoughts. "Isn't he in New York? Why is he the last to arrive?"

Ryan's inquiry had been the reason for today's visit.

He had recently returned from vacation, preparing for Lost River, a film he wrote and directed. He had completed the script during his break, but now needed feedback and opinions. Renly was his first choice.

Ryan had asked Paul about Renly's whereabouts, and upon learning that Boom Drummer had just begun filming, he suggested visiting the set. That's how this trip came to be.

"He's been running around, securing investment, contacting the Screen Actors Guild, looking for actors. It's been a busy time," Paul explained. "Making a movie isn't as easy as it looks."

Rooney nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I'm starting to regret it," Ryan said as he arrived, looking disheveled and tired, his shirt wrinkled and his hair a mess. "I keep asking myself, why did I put myself in this situation?"

Rooney and Paul exchanged a knowing glance before laughing.

Ryan looked confused. "What? Is there something I don't know?"

"Once you get inside, you'll see for yourself," Rooney teased. "I think you and Renly might have some common ground. Who knows, you might find the answers you're looking for."