Telluride

The asphalt road stretched forward in winding curves, flanked by steep cliffs that narrowed the sky into a slender pathway. Lush pine and maple trees extended along the contours of the mountains, creating an expanse of tranquility amidst the rugged terrain. The clamor and bustle of the bustling city behind seemed to be held at bay by this natural barrier. The unique and spectacular landscapes of Colorado unfolded before their eyes, portraying both the serenity and clamor of a September golden autumn, along with a sense of solitude and unwavering determination.

The entire world seemed to converge onto this single pathway, and as the wheels pressed onward, the road behind receded into the distance. The dead-end of three mountainous sides ahead felt like the very edge of the world, causing all haste, all wandering, and all experiences of life to slow their pace, as if entranced by this panoramic view.

Emerging from the inn, the crisp and chilly air reverberated in the mountain valley. Above, a cable car swayed gently, its creaking and clanking echoing against the precipitous cliffs. The vastness of the journey's end seemed to flow from this place, a sensation of emptiness and vastness that lay beneath their feet. In this small town, merely twelve blocks long and eight blocks wide, the grandeur of Colorado's landscape and the rugged cliffs were on full display. The secrets of this town, eternally bound by the mountains, seemed to be interwoven with the serenity and chaos of autumn's September.

At first glance, Renly fell in love with this town, with this place called Teliuraide. It reminded him of the Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming—there was no need to search, for beauty stretched as far as the eye could see, and every step taken was into an idyllic landscape. Exploring the town on foot, from the town court to the foothills of the mountains, the gentle slopes were transformed into exquisite ski slopes during the winter. From the expansive grasslands to the cable car station, the town, accommodating twenty-five hundred people, exuded a sense of isolation and tranquility.

Finally finding an empty table on the street side, Renly settled down, resting his feet and letting his thoughts gradually settle. His gaze wandered to the distant mountains, adorned with yellow and red maple leaves, and he couldn't help but become immersed in their beauty.

"Sir, are you ready to order?" The waiter, clearing the coffee cups and cake plates from the adjacent table, casually inquired.

Renly lifted his head and saw the waiter with graying hair before him. He appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, his neat short hair neatly groomed, his well-trimmed goatee adding to his refined appearance. His off-white shirt was casually unbuttoned at the top, and although his physique was a bit stout, his casual and carefree demeanor belied the traces of time. There was a distinct charm about him.

"Todd?" Renly glanced at the name badge on the waiter's chest, "I'll have a cup of black coffee. Or perhaps, is a bottle of beer the better way to blend in with this town?"

"Coffee would suit you better," Todd replied with a faint smile, his manner at ease. "You seem like a European, or more accurately, a British man. Or do you need some tea?" He cast a quick glance at the table behind them where patrons were drinking beer and making a ruckus, clearly making a jest.

"Coffee it is then." Renly placed his right foot on his left knee, and a relaxed smile spread across his lips. "I need something stronger than tea." Laughter erupted from the table behind them, and Renly and Todd exchanged a glance, both breaking into smiles.

"Oh." A voice tinged with both sigh and fluster sounded from behind, followed by another voice laced with nervousness and apology. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were about to sit down. Otherwise, I would have given you this seat."

"It's fine, really. I don't mind." The first voice declined repeatedly, speaking amiably and with a hint of polite laughter.

Todd immediately stepped forward, "Ma'am, all the outdoor seats are taken. If you'd like, there are available seats inside."

"Oh... No need," came a hesitant response. "I just wanted to rest outside for a while." She looked around, her movements uncertain. Todd deftly gestured towards the empty seat in front of Renly, "Sir, do you mind sharing a table?"

Renly raised his right hand to indicate the empty seat in front of him. "Of course not, please sit. I'm just taking a break here, not waiting for dinner." It was only a little past one in the afternoon; lunchtime hadn't even arrived yet. His mention of "dinner" at this hour was clearly a jest, causing everyone to smile.

"Thank you." The person didn't make a fuss, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Renly. Then, she looked up at Todd, conveying her order, "Black tea, please."

Todd and Renly exchanged a glance, unable to help but smile.

This gesture appeared as a question mark in the eyes of the person, full of curiosity yet unsure of what was happening. Asking directly seemed impolite, so she suppressed her curiosity. "... The town is really bustling, isn't it?"

The face before her carried a touch of elegance. The straight sword-like eyebrows lacked the softness of femininity, instead rising sharply with a sharp and clean arc. A simple navy blue sailor t-shirt adorned her, and her deep, lively doe eyes radiated an air of genuine wisdom and composure. Like a ray of sunlight piercing through the rain and mist of Seattle's harsh winter, it was bright and warm.

This wasn't a stranger's face, and encountering familiar faces at the Telluride Film Festival wasn't unexpected. The small space was filled with hundreds and thousands of film professionals, and nearly every unfamiliar face seen on the street had come for the festival.

At a table behind them, the actions of the four people drinking beer, Quentin Tarantino, were striking. Sitting diagonally in front of them were Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen, raising their hands to greet Aaron Sorkin who had just passed by. Not far away on the street, Robert Downey Jr. and his wife exited a pharmacy, the green cross neon sign quite conspicuous. He pulled out a cigarette from his cigarette box and began to blow smoke rings right on the street. Colorado was the first U.S. state to legalize cannabis. Pharmacies could directly sell marijuana.

And the person sitting in front of Renly was the same. Rooney Mara.

She was originally known for her sister Kate Mara, but this year, she starred in the highly anticipated "The Social Network", marking her first major opportunity in her acting career. The film had chosen the Telluride Film Festival for its global premiere. The entire film hadn't been seen by the media yet, so there was no way to comment, but being directed by David Fincher and the sensation around real-life Facebook was enough to attract plenty of attention to the film.

"Yes, I'm planning to watch "The Social Network" this afternoon, but the entrance to the Sheridan Theater is already packed. I guess I'll have to wait for the midnight show." Renly spoke with a light laugh, causing Rooney to chuckle with a hint of shyness, as if she still wasn't entirely used to someone mentioning her film performance.

Rooney pursed her lips, appearing somewhat unsure, "I haven't watched the finished film yet either. It seems the midnight screening is my only option at the moment."

The uniqueness of the Telluride Film Festival lay in its complete dedication to the film enthusiasts. There were no red carpets, no special screenings, no media events. Anyone who wanted to watch a film had to queue up and buy a ticket just like any ordinary film enthusiast. Similarly, fans could interact with the filmmakers anywhere in the town, aside from the official press conferences. That atmosphere of relaxed freedom and casual openness made Telluride not seem like a film festival, but more like a festive grand party. In comparison to the Toronto Film Festival three days prior, it presented an entirely different face. This was a film festival, yet not quite like a film festival.

In this tiny patch of land, there were a total of eleven cinemas—an astonishing concentration of movie theaters, second only to New York and Los Angeles in the entire United States.

"You better hurry; otherwise, when the audience engages in discussions, you'll be the only outsider." Renly's teasing elicited another layer of subtle laughter in Rooney's eyes.

As they spoke, a group of young people whizzed past, laughing and whooping. They stopped in front of a residential building on the opposite side of the street, then started taking photos with an excited crowd, drawing everyone's attention.

At first, Rooney thought it might be a top-tier celebrity. After all, Tom Cruise had bought a mansion here. Not only did he attend the festival every year, but he also came here to ski in the winter. The town's residents were all very familiar with him. However, upon closer inspection, she realized that the young people were merely taking photos of themselves. There didn't seem to be any major celebrity among them worth noting.

"What's so special about that house?" Rooney couldn't help but ask, but then she turned back and realized that the person in front of her was not a friend but a stranger. She awkwardly smiled, "Sorry."

Renly casually lifted the corner of his mouth, raised his chin, and gestured towards the direction of the house. "Haven't you heard the story of the Sundance Film Festival?" Rooney froze, shaking her head in bewilderment. "One day in 1889, the notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy first showed his prowess here. He robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank of $24,000. That was a huge sum at the time, so enormous that the bank couldn't recover."

Though the story only covered the beginning, Rooney had already caught on, her face showing surprise.

Renly nodded with a smile, confirming Rooney's guess. "The rest of the story is well-known to all of us. Cassidy met the Sundance Kid, and they became a famous duo of outlaws. This led to the making of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and then the subsequent Sundance Film Festival. With the arrival of the Great Depression, the town lost its bank and wasn't reestablished until forty years later."

Rooney was amazed, barely able to find her words. She pointed to the seemingly ordinary residential building behind her. "So, that's..."

"Yes, that's where the legend began." This was Renly's first visit to Teliuraide, but he had long held deep admiration for this cinematic haven. It was the old site of the San Miguel Valley Bank.

Rooney couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!" She turned to look at the house, "Wow! I definitely need to go over and take a photo later!" Rooney smiled brightly, "What about you?"