Leading a modest life

In the late hours of the night, New York transformed into a different landscape. The subway's aging carriages clanged and rattled, bearing witness to the passage of a century in their graffiti-covered, grimy, and dilapidated interiors. Worn seats, occasional exposed wires, and the momentary flickering of the lights painted a historical tapestry of unseen stories in the dark, narrow tunnels.

Departing the bustling heart of Manhattan, the subway ferried its passengers towards another world. It was a journey from heaven to hell, from prosperity to decay. The surreal scenes outside were reflected in the numb and vacant expressions of the passengers, much like the film "Detachment" itself—seemingly calm on the surface but harboring profound transformations within. Watching the occasional dim light filtering in through the windows, Renly had the illusion of shooting an epic film.

During this period, Renly didn't reside in his downtown apartment but instead opted for a rented room in the Bronx. It was just a street away from the rental house of Henry in the movie. He could walk to work every day, and he was surrounded by prostitutes, addicts, alcoholics, and homeless individuals—a chaotic abyss that felt eerily genuine.

Renly aimed to maintain his acting state while delving further into the everyday life of the Bronx, genuinely immersing himself in the entire story.

Sitting in the subway was quite an intriguing experience. Occasionally, he overheard people discussing "Fast 5". Of course, not all the comments were positive; some criticized it while others reveled in its excitement. However, they never knew that their subject of conversation was sitting right there, just a step away.

For Renly, leaving behind the camera lens and the screen meant being an ordinary person, a young man just like anyone else. Occasionally, he'd join friends for a drink, engage in discussions about movies they liked or disliked with strangers, contemplate what to do on his next vacation, or simply sleep in until he woke up naturally. At least, the last time he checked, he didn't possess any superpowers, and wearing his underwear outside wouldn't make a difference.

The train arrived at its destination, and Renly briskly exited, blending into the crowd as they left the subway station. The cold wind outside made him shiver involuntarily, a slight alcohol-induced buzz in his head. Originally, they had agreed on having just one beer, but it had turned into three beers and a glass of whiskey. Renly knew it wasn't the initial plan, but he had no regrets.

His mind was surprisingly clear, yet his steps felt somewhat light as he made his way back to his temporary apartment. It was more like a single room; apart from a mattress and a table, there was nothing else. Even if someone were to break in, there was nothing to steal. So, when he noticed a sliver of light seeping under the door, he didn't pay it much mind. Instead of taking out his key, he merely tried to turn the doorknob, and the flimsy wooden door easily swung open.

Pushing the door ajar, the narrow room was revealed in its entirety. Three individuals huddled together on the mattress, their cramped posture resembling stranded survivors huddling together for warmth in the depths of winter. Strangely, despite the cozy appearance, all three were drenched in sweat, looking disheveled and uncomfortable.

Renly couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sight before him. "What's going on with you three? I recall there was a chair, right? One person on the chair, two on the mattress. It doesn't have to be this cramped. And what about the fan? Why isn't it on?"

The rented room had no air conditioning, and even though it was August, the stifling heat hadn't abated. While the outdoor temperatures dropped significantly at night, indoors still felt somewhat stuffy. The trio, huddled together, were drenched in sweat, as if they had just been pulled out of water.

Raising his head and looking at Renly, who appeared refreshed, Roy rolled his eyes irritably, while Andy, with a good-natured disposition, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Finally, Nathan offered an explanation in a dry tone. "The fan is broken, and we couldn't find the chair."

Those two simple sentences did provide a clear explanation, but as Renly looked at the predicament the three were in, he couldn't help but laugh heartily.

He wobbled over to the window, pulled the curtains aside, and opened it. "You can sit on the table, use the script as a cushion on the floor, or open the window for some fresh air. If all else fails, there's beer and ice in the fridge. You guys look like you're in a sauna."

"Renly, you should go back to your downtown apartment," Andy said earnestly, trying to convince him. "The movie's almost wrapping up; Tony told me it will be another two weeks at most. Staying here doesn't make much sense anymore. It's inconvenient and unsafe."

Roy unbuttoned his shirt bluntly and spoke straightforwardly. "I've tried convincing him several times already, but he won't listen. I thought you might understand him better."

Renly opened the refrigerator, only to find the beer gone, and even the ice had been used up. Obviously, he had forgotten to restock, completely neglecting that task without the help of a certain friend. He then went into the bathroom, found the forgotten stool, and brought it out. Seeing Nathan's puzzled expression, Renly shushed him. "Don't ask what happened."

Finally, he fetched a few newspapers and magazines from the cabinet and tossed them on the floor next to the mattress, signaling that they could spread them out and sit down.

"There were gunshots outside earlier, along with some cursing," Nathan explained, answering Renly's curiosity about why the three of them were huddled together, sweating profusely, and unwilling to open the window. "And it seemed like something happened in the neighboring room. We could faintly hear the sounds of a scuffle. We haven't heard any police sirens, so should we call the cops?"

"Gunshots?" Renly pondered for a moment. "Were they intermittent, with brief pauses in between? And the cursing, was it of the foul language variety, typically associated with African Americans?" Nathan nodded repeatedly, confirming Renly's suspicions. Realization dawned on Renly as he waved his hand dismissively. "It's just the local troublemakers on the adjacent street playing with beer cans. Sometimes, they do it for several nights in a row, and other times, they take a break for three or four days. Looks like there's some activity tonight."

Renly's casual words left the trio staring at him in disbelief, but he remained unfazed. "As for the next-door neighbor, she's a professional dominatrix with a busy schedule every night. She even introduced herself to me earlier. I thought I told you about it; it's quite amusing."

Nathan's jaw dropped, his expression an ugly mix of laughter and tears. He shook his head vigorously, trying to convey his innocence.

"Oh, I must have forgotten to mention it," Renly nonchalantly shook his head, then looked at the three sweaty individuals before him. "Do you guys need a pot of coffee?"

Andy and Roy exchanged glances, but in each other's eyes, they saw similar emotions: astonishment, resignation, absurdity, and amusement.

Before this meeting, the two had already communicated multiple times over the phone, so they weren't complete strangers. However, today marked the first official face-to-face encounter between Renly, his agent, and his manager. They were still somewhat unfamiliar with each other. However, at this moment, it seemed as if they were kindred spirits, finding common ground.

They had both advised Renly against living in such a dangerous place. It was an unsettling environment, to say the least. They had also hoped Nathan would live with Renly, at least in the neighboring apartment, so they could look out for each other. But Renly had firmly refused, claiming he had to maintain the same lifestyle as Henry.

Andy and Roy could both be considered seasoned individuals who had seen their fair share of the dark side of society. However, even for Roy, who had less than favorable living conditions and was no stranger to such environments, the current situation seemed particularly dire. As for Andy, he was completely out of his element. Suddenly thrust into this precarious and anxious neighborhood, their survival instincts inevitably took over.

Renly recalled his first night as a homeless man, feeling like a startled bird. Considering the trio's reactions, it was no surprise.

Watching Renly complete all the tasks and then sit down on the newspapers spread out beside the mattress, anyone with keen eyes could see that his steps were a bit unsteady, but his demeanor was remarkably composed.

As Roy settled on the stool and Andy, with his rotund figure, finally stretched out on the mattress, they exchanged another meaningful glance, their eyes revealing a hint of puzzlement.

Renly, typically elegant and composed, had a grand and graceful demeanor. Even his fans affectionately referred to him as "Young Heir". What's more, their close collaboration had led them to speculate that Renly probably came from a wealthy and well-educated background, possibly even a family of scholars.

So why was the elegant Renly adapting to this grassroots lifestyle with such ease? Without the slightest hint of discomfort? Was he truly immersed in his role? But during the filming of "Detachment", Renly had shown no signs of this kind of madness. How could this be explained?

One was his agent, the other his manager. To some extent, they were the two people Renly trusted the most in Hollywood. However, both of them felt that the mystery hidden within Renly seemed to be growing, and they couldn't be sure whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. Perhaps... it was a good thing?

Glancing at his watch, Renly proactively broke the room's silence. "What's going on? Did you guys come all the way here for something? I have thirty minutes before I need to rest."

"Have you been drinking tonight? Need to sober up a bit?" Roy could tell that Renly's demeanor tonight was slightly different.

Renly flashed a wide smile and waved his hand dismissively. "This is good enough, not even tipsy." Occasionally enjoying this slight tipsiness, like a fish leaping out of the water, felt quite nice. Although Renly was beginning to miss the vastness of the open sea, he started to long for surfing again.