The Greatest Showman

“Renly, are you listening?” Renly, bathed in the radiant orange sunlight streaming through the window, seemed momentarily lost in thought. Andy had to pause his words and ask aloud.

Renly lowered his gaze, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yes, I’m listening. You’re saying not to set high expectations tonight, to relax and attend the Emmys with an open mind, and to enjoy the evening to the fullest.” He turned to Andy, his eyes seeking confirmation.

Andy nodded in agreement. “What were you looking at? So lost in thought?”

“The sunlight. Los Angeles sunsets have this unique shade of orange that’s so different from New York,” Renly replied, his gaze returning to the window. The lazy afternoon sunlight burned brightly on the horizon, painting the entire sky with its warm hues. At the same time, in New York, night had already descended, enveloping the city in deep navy hues. Renly could vividly picture the evening skyline as it unfolded back east.

The three-hour time difference gave the two coasts of the U.S. strikingly contrasting appearances, which was also why the scheduling of nationally televised award ceremonies always felt intriguing.

Typically, the red carpet begins around 8 p.m. Eastern time—or even earlier. By the time the four-hour-long ceremony concludes, it’s past midnight. This excessive length is one of the Oscars’ perennial criticisms. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the festivities start around 5 p.m. local time. By the ceremony’s end, it’s still evening, leaving plenty of time for after-parties and celebrations to continue late into the night.

Tonight, the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards were kicking off at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre. Renly and Andy had flown into the City of Angels two days ago, specifically to attend the first award ceremony of Renly’s acting career. (T/N – Today Nokia Theatre is known as Peacock Theater)

“Isn’t it fascinating?” Renly’s lips curved into a soft smile. “When New York is about to sit down for dinner, Los Angeles is already starting its award shows. I’m worried about one thing, though—what if I get hungry halfway through the ceremony?”

According to tradition, the awards typically ended around 9 p.m. Los Angeles time, well after most people had finished dinner.

Andy couldn’t help but laugh. At times, Renly seemed worldly and mature, as if he had weathered life’s storms. At other moments, he displayed the curiosity and vitality of a wide-eyed newcomer, brimming with enthusiasm. Just when Andy thought he’d gotten a better grasp of Renly’s character, the young actor would surprise him anew.

“When you get inside the venue, you’ll find a buffet table backstage,” Andy reassured him. “It’ll mostly be sweets, bread, and salads, but you can grab a quick bite if you need it. The best strategy is to pick up a piece of dark chocolate beforehand. It’s an energy booster and easy to eat without being messy.”

“Ah, got it,” Renly replied, nodding thoughtfully. “I always assumed people used whiskey or brandy to stave off hunger at these events.” This remark carried a playful air, invoking images of aristocratic banquets.

Andy chuckled, unsure whether Renly was joking or being serious. As the soft sunlight fell on Renly’s shoulders, his features became blurred in the glow. Only the outline of his jawline and the crisp lines of his tailored suit were visible. Despite Andy’s limited knowledge of fashion, he had to admit the suit seemed custom-made for Renly. He recalled last week’s visit to Melvin Blades’s studio vividly.

While Melvin had awkwardly escaped upstairs to avoid interaction, Renly had maintained his gentlemanly demeanour until the end, his polite composure a sharp, ironic contrast. Though Melvin missed it, the look of embarrassment and unease on the blonde assistant’s face was enough to paint a clear picture of Melvin’s shame. Andy couldn’t help but smile at the memory.

That day, instead of seeking out another stylist, they had returned to Fifth Avenue and purchased a suit from Burberry’s flagship store. Renly had chosen it himself.

“You’re quite knowledgeable about suits?” Andy had asked curiously.

Renly smiled modestly. “Just the basics,” he had replied honestly. His custom suits were crafted for him by professional tailors; his role was merely to wear them. He couldn’t claim he is an expert.

Andy found this contrast amusing. Renly’s everyday style was usually casual and relaxed, sometimes even bordering on streetwear. Yet, in a suit, his entire presence transformed. It felt as though this was the real Renly—a version so naturally elegant and poised that everything seemed to fall perfectly into place.

Clearly, Renly had many more layers waiting to be uncovered. Tonight might just be the perfect opportunity—a rookie stepping onto the Emmy Awards’ grand stage for the first time, under the dazzling spotlight, and becoming the focus of countless camera lenses. This was a world apart from the premiere of ‘The Pacific’. Andy couldn’t help but wonder how Lanly would perform.

The Staples Center came into view a few blocks away. Andy knew they were close to the Nokia Theatre. “Don’t stress too much,” he said reassuringly. “It’s still early in the red carpet event. None of the major stars will be here yet. Plus, tonight’s lineup of TV series casts is massive. The spotlight won’t linger on any one person for too long, so just try to relax.”

Due to the sheer number of professionals involved in the television industry, the Emmy Awards have the highest attendance among the four major award ceremonies. This is also why the Nokia Theatre was chosen as the venue—it has a seating capacity of 6,500, double that of the Kodak Theatre.

Moreover, television has an immense pool of supporting actors. There are many well-known names, but even more that remain unrecognized. As a result, the red carpet is always bustling with activity.

“Is there a strategy for when to arrive at the red carpet?” Renly asked curiously. During the ‘The Pacific’ premiere, he hadn’t yet had a manager and had simply chosen a random time to attend. But now, it seemed there was more to it than he’d thought. Could their arrival time today also be deliberate?

Andy chuckled, seemingly amused by the question. “Of course there’s strategy. The real A-listers usually appear in the latter half of the event, closer to the peak viewing time, but not so late as to fall into the closing ‘dead time.’ At ceremonies like this, there are so many big names that no one wants to compete for attention by appearing simultaneously. Agents coordinate with each other, and organizers communicate to stagger the arrivals as much as possible.”

Renly thought for a moment and said, “But wouldn’t some people intentionally arrive at the same time to compete for the spotlight?”

Andy merely smiled without confirming or denying, then gestured ahead. “We’re here.”

Looking up, Renly saw a building with a façade of glass walls. Its minimalist style was characteristic of Nordic design—simple, clean, and understated. If one were driving past, it might easily be overlooked. Only the light blue “Nokia” sign at the top gave the building a distinctive touch.

At the theatre entrance, a sea of lights illuminated the area. The pale yellow glow of the lamps blended with the orange hues of the setting sun, making the world seem almost overly bright. The bustling crowd gathered below was cast in shadows, stretching endlessly. The sheer scale of the crowd was immeasurable, and saying it numbered in the thousands wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

The plaza in front of the theatre was packed, with the throngs spilling onto the nearby roads. The main street was gridlocked with a dense crowd, all cheering, shouting, and screaming in the direction of the dazzling lights. Under the fiery sunset, the surging crowd seemed like a blazing inferno, igniting the entire sky. A wave of heat swept over them, bringing back the intensity of midsummer, and even the air seemed to boil.

The deafening roars penetrated the car’s windows, pounding against their eardrums. Renly could feel his blood beginning to quicken. Each beat of his heart was powerful, and the adrenaline coursing through his veins left his throat dry.

Renly took a deep breath to steady himself. This time, things were entirely different. If ‘The Pacific’ premiere had been an experience of bewildered curiosity, like Alice exploring Wonderland, tonight he could feel the searing heat of the spotlight and the frenzied energy of Vanity Fair. A sense of nervous excitement surged uncontrollably, as though his blood had turned into gasoline, needing only a spark to ignite.

It was only at this moment that the reality of the situation hit Renly with full force. This was the Emmy Awards. He was about to attend the ceremony as a nominee. The thought magnified in his mind, overwhelming the surreal detachment he’d felt since Fischer Morgan had first delivered the news. Now, it felt sharp and undeniable.

Tonight, he would be competing alongside Al Pacino, Jeff Bridges, and Ian McKellen.

What a thrilling surprise, wasn’t it?

A smile tugged at Renly’s lips. Straightening his back, he braced himself for the blazing spotlight ahead.

“Renly, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Rose Byrne,” Andy said loudly in his ear as they prepared to disembark. “She’s also one of my clients and will be attending the ceremony tonight.” Giving Renly a firm pat on the shoulder, Andy flashed him a thumbs-up. “Go conquer Hollywood, buddy!”

The smile on Renly’s face blossomed. Without a moment’s hesitation, he pushed open the car door.

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T/N – Question of the day – Will Renly win the Emmy award? I know the answer but do you?

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