The Greatest Showman #1499 - Officially Set Sail

Renly raised his eyebrows in surprise, his expression momentarily revealing genuine astonishment. After a beat, he laughed, his tone light, "Sisyphus? Seriously, Andre? That's a tragedy, my friend. Why would you pick such a name? Even Icarus seems like a better fit."

"I know," Andre said, shrugging nonchalantly. "But Don Quixote's a tragedy too, isn't it?"

Renly's smile faltered, and for a moment, both men exchanged silent glances.

For most people, the myth of Sisyphus represents endless frustration—a man condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down each time he nears the top. It's a never-ending cycle, a punishment. But isn't Don Quixote's journey much the same?

To truly persevere, to keep chasing a dream that seems doomed from the start, requires more than just hope. It's obsession. A foolish obsession perhaps, but one pure enough to be its own reward.

Andre thought back to the private party at the Earl of Oxford's place not long ago, and the song "This Is Me" echoing through the night. So much had changed since then—he had changed, they all had—but Renly? Renly hadn't changed at all. Despite all the twists life had thrown at him, Renly remained just as relentless as Sisyphus, pushing forward with unwavering determination.

Sometimes, the weight of tragedy can carry more meaning than anyone expects.

After a long pause, Renly gave a small nod in agreement, raising his coffee cup. "Here's to Sisyphus."

Andre smiled and mirrored his gesture, taking a sip before continuing, "I've handled the copyright issues, finished the registration—Sisyphus Pictures is officially up and running. We've even got the company's official social media accounts, directly linked to yours."

Renly furrowed his brow, confused.

Andre added with a hint of amusement, "You do remember your social media handle is 'Sisyphus,' right?"

Renly froze, thinking hard before a sheepish look crossed his face.

"Right, I forgot."

Andre sighed, shaking his head. "Can you please update your profile? You know, a lot of people are watching your every move."

Renly shrugged, not particularly bothered by the idea.

With a resigned sigh, Andre changed the subject. "So, do you think it's better for me to stay in New York to establish things, or should I head out to Los Angeles? Both cities have a production base, but let's be honest, LA is still the hub of the industry."

Renly didn't rush to answer. After a moment of thought, he responded, "You're right. LA does have more talent concentrated in one place, especially when it comes to commercial filmmaking. But New York has a lot to offer too, especially for independent films. You'll find professionals here with a different mindset—people focused on artistry over assembly-line production."

Renly paused, considering. "But if you're leaning toward commercial films, LA's where you'll want to be. Everything opens up faster—just hit up a union, find a top producer, and you're in."

Andre nodded thoughtfully, processing the advice.

"You'll need to get a clearer sense of your direction," Renly continued, "at least a three-year plan. And if you're aiming for independent films, you need to start building relationships for Academy outreach now. I'm not a fan of that scene, but if you want to be in the running for the Oscars, that's how it's done—just like in London."

Renly's voice softened as he added, "As for production, distribution, and marketing—I'm not an expert, but I'm sharing what I can."

Andre seemed deep in thought again, his expression distant. The room fell into a comfortable silence as both men sat, processing the conversation.

After a long pause, Eaton, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke, his tone firm. "Renly, I want to give this a shot. I'm not sure what impact I can make, but it's something that needs to be tried, right?"

Eaton turned to Andre. "What project are you working on with Renly? If it's possible, I'd like to join the crew, watch the costume design process, learn how everything comes together."

Andre blinked, momentarily taken aback. "The project is with Renly. We just discussed it today, but I don't know the details. You'll have to ask him."

Renly gestured toward the script on the coffee table. "It's this."

Eaton picked it up, scanning through the pages. "What should I focus on? What should I pay attention to?"

Renly smiled knowingly. "It's a lot like a play script, you know? Each person gets different pieces of the puzzle. The difference between film and theater is obvious, but they still share the same artistic spirit."

Renly noticed Eaton's nervousness and chuckled. "Don't worry too much. The actor I'm recommending should be here soon. You can talk to him directly, see if he fits the role."

Eaton and Andre exchanged confused glances.

"What?" Andre asked, perplexed. "You didn't mention an actor."

Renly grinned mischievously. "I didn't? Well, the project actually started with Andy, but after reading the script, another actor came to mind—someone who's just perfect for the role. I reached out to him, and he's on his way. If you like him, we can talk next steps."

Eaton looked disappointed. "I thought we were just having tea today."

Andre frowned. "Shouldn't this be the producer's job? Talking to actors isn't my area of expertise."

Renly, undeterred, reassured him, "Don't worry. This actor's professional and down-to-earth. If you talk to him directly, you'll get a feel for his personality. Plus, you'll get involved in the process, even if you don't know much about the industry."

Eaton, still unsure, muttered, "I thought it was just an afternoon meeting."

Renly raised an eyebrow. "It's not just tea, Eaton. It's a chance for you to experience the full process."

Andre, stunned by Renly's casual approach, could only shake his head. "Renly, please don't make a habit of this."

Renly nodded seriously, but a smirk tugged at his lips.

"You're not going to stop, are you?" Andre asked, shaking his head. "Why are we even friends?"

Renly shrugged dramatically. "Fate."

At that moment, Eaton burst into laughter, looking at Andre's bewildered expression.

Just then, someone approached the table, and Renly looked up, expecting it to be a waiter or another guest. Instead, a familiar face came into view.

"Hey, Jack. You made it!" Renly greeted warmly.

Jake Gyllenhaal stepped forward, smiling as he shook Renly's hand. "Sorry, I'm late. Don't let me interrupt your conversation. I'll just take a seat."

Renly grinned. "If that's the case, then I guess you're obligated to say yes to whatever I ask of you today."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I'm all yours."

Renly smiled slyly. "Be careful, Jack. Don't trust anyone too easily or you might end up in trouble."

Jack smiled back, unphased. "But you're not just anyone, right?"

Renly blinked, caught off guard by the response. He couldn't argue with that.

Eaton and Andre exchanged amused glances, already impressed by Jack's character.

Renly spread his hands. "Well, I've got no comeback for that."