The Greatest Showman #1526 - Tacit Understanding

On the red carpet, where a steady stream of important guests glided past, the scene was a whirlwind of faces—some familiar, others less so, and a few completely unknown. The entire movie palace square was teeming with a sea of people, and the audience's cheers fluctuated like the tides.

The frenzy lasted for nearly two hours and showed no signs of slowing down. But as the evening wore on, the excitement seemed to wane. The crowd's energy was starting to feel fatigued, and it was clear they were beginning to numb to the spectacle. When another guest made their appearance, the first reaction wasn't an enthusiastic cheer or applause but rather a curious glance.

Who is this person? Should they cheer? Do they know them? Are there any other notable guests still to arrive? Is it time to save their energy, or should they keep their enthusiasm going?

If the guest was truly worth the excitement, the crowd would erupt into applause once again, but only if it was justified.

This was Rooney Mara's first time in Venice.

Objectively speaking, Rooney had already made a name for herself in the world of art films, with her standout roles in David Fincher's The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo earning her significant attention. However, she had never debuted at one of Europe's three major film festivals, and her influence remained somewhat limited.

Originally, Her, the film she had participated in earlier that year, had been slated for a promotional push at Venice and Toronto. But due to delays in post-production, the film missed its submission window. Instead, it was confirmed for the New York Film Festival and the Rome Film Festival.

Though Her missed the opportunity, Gravity had made the cut.

Unfortunately, Rooney's filming schedule conflicted. She was in the middle of shooting Trash Boy in Rio de Janeiro, which presented logistical challenges.

Her agent was eager for Rooney to attend Venice, followed by Toronto and New York—vital promotional opportunities for an actor involved in art films. These events often provided more exposure than even big summer blockbusters.

On the other hand, Rooney didn't want to disrupt the rhythm of Stephen Dedley's film shoot. She had already delayed joining the cast by a few days before filming began, and she didn't want to risk appearing unprofessional by being absent during production.

In the end, attending Venice was a result of negotiations and compromises, and until the very last moment, it was unclear if Rooney would make it.

But she finally arrived.

She landed in Venice on the day of the opening ceremony and premiere, barely having time to rest. A quick grooming session was all she could fit in before rushing to Lido Island. Even so, she was "late" to the red carpet—the event was nearly over by the time she arrived.

The whole journey had been rushed, and not only was she physically exhausted from the travel, but she also felt a sense of unease. Despite standing on the red carpet in the Plaza of the Movie Palace, Rooney's mind was still spinning.

She didn't have the energy to focus on the photographers or the cheering audience; her thoughts were solely on getting to the event without causing any disruptions to the premiere's schedule.

In the vast sea of people, the change in time zones had left Rooney feeling disoriented. The combination of the sunset and artificial lights created a blur of colors under the blue-purple sky, and her focus wavered slightly.

Then, she spotted Renly.

He was standing quietly in the crowd, his gaze gentle but steady, without any exaggerated movements or expressions. He was simply waiting, eyes locked on hers, as if expecting her to return to herself and acknowledge him.

The distance between them was at least twenty steps, but it felt like a vast chasm on the red carpet. Despite the physical separation, Rooney felt as if she could catch the warmth in his gaze, and a subtle smile seemed to flicker across his face, easing the anxiety that had been building in her chest.

Without thinking, her nerves settled. A soft warmth spread through her cheeks, and she looked down in embarrassment—this wasn't like her at all. It was strange and awkward, but the corners of her lips still curled into a shy smile.

When she looked up again, she saw Renly stepping away from his group of friends and walking toward her, his pace deliberate and calm.

The long stretch of the red carpet felt both distant and immediate. The sound of his footsteps, measured and determined, resonated in her chest like the beat of a drum. As he closed the gap, the noise and chaos of the world seemed to fade away. The gorgeous night sky brightened, as though the entire scene existed solely for them.

Calm. Calm down, she thought to herself. You don't need to get this worked up.

She took a deep breath to steady herself, but even then, there was still a sweetness lingering on the tip of her tongue. She nearly didn't recognize herself—this is ridiculous.

Renly stopped in front of her, and for the first time, Rooney realized that despite her flustered state, her gaze never left him. She raised her head and met his eyes, her emotions clear in her expression. But for some reason, she didn't care. She didn't want to look away.

"You're still here," Renly's voice was soft. "Did everything go smoothly? No issues at the dock, I hope?"

Rooney blinked, momentarily thrown off. Then she understood: Renly had come over out of concern for her. She had heard about the minor incident at the pier while getting ready at the hotel, but never knew that Renly—who often seemed so distant and cool—could be so thoughtful.

"Yes, everything's fine," Rooney said, with a slight tiredness in her voice. "But I'm still adjusting to the jet lag, so I'm feeling a little off-balance. But don't worry—I'm in good shape overall. When the movie starts, I won't fall asleep, or else Alfonso will be disappointed."

Renly nodded, gesturing toward the rest of the red carpet. "Well, that's a relief. Come on, let me introduce you to a few people I've just met. I'm sure the reporters are eager to interview you. Alfonso kept sending me distress signals earlier."

Rooney couldn't help but smile. She had been apprehensive at first, but now, with Renly's calm presence, her nerves were slowly melting away.

Renly turned back to her and offered his right elbow in a gentlemanly gesture. "You don't mean you're still feeling light-headed, do you?"

Rooney chuckled lightly. "Ah, I know. My reactions are a bit slower right now. Looks like I won't be rescuing Alfonso tonight—he'll have to bear the full responsibility. All the pressure's on you now!" She patted his arm seriously, as if the situation were a matter of utmost importance.

A smile flickered in both their eyes, and without a word, Rooney took his arm, walking side by side down the rest of the red carpet.

The world, which had felt blurry and hazy, now seemed to sharpen. Rooney could feel the excitement of the crowd swelling around her, like a wave crashing onto the shore. She raised her chin, asking with curiosity, "Did the cheers just now feel different? I swear, they seemed to have changed in intensity."

Renly's lips curled into a small smile. "Maybe like you, they're struggling with jet lag. Their reactions might be delayed, too."

It was a joke about the cheers, but Rooney couldn't help but feel a bit caught off guard. She shot him a look, only to find him grinning innocently, as though he were answering her question with the utmost seriousness. It was clear now: she had misinterpreted his words.

But in that moment, Rooney was certain of one thing: she had arrived in Venice, and she had seen Renly—still the same familiar Renly.

At that moment, Alfonso Cuaron appeared, walking toward them with a wide smile. "Rooney, you made it after all!"

The crew of Gravity was small—just Renly, Rooney, and Alfonso. Without Rooney, Renly and Alfonso would have to bear the full brunt of the reporters' questions.

"Director, it's been too long," Rooney greeted with a smile, glancing at Renly. Alfonso's joy was unmistakable. They both laughed lightly, and she added, "I've been waiting for this movie to debut. Of course, I wouldn't miss it."