Dumbfounding

By the time Renly returned to the hotel, night had fallen once again. That afternoon, he had watched two more movies, spent over an hour by the bonfire outside the town, drank two bottles of beer, and got into heated debates with fellow movie enthusiasts... If someone hadn't accidentally spilled barbecue sauce on his clothes, he probably wouldn't have returned yet.

Pushing open the hotel room door, he felt no sense of unfamiliarity despite having been away for two days. Compared to the neat and cold decor of the hotel, he found the tents and lawns outside the town much more welcoming. In the bathroom, he changed out of his dirty clothes, took a quick shower, and put on a fresh outfit. Feeling refreshed and not at all tired, he stepped out of the bathroom and saw Andy Rogers sitting on the sofa.

"Hey," Renly greeted, raising a hand. He tossed his dirty clothes into the laundry basket, then rummaged through the wardrobe for something appropriate to wear, pondering which movie to watch that night.

Seeing Renly acting as if he didn't exist, Andy couldn't help but start the conversation. "How's it going? Telluride?"

"Amazing!" Renly responded without hesitation, giving a simple yet definitive evaluation. This was the film festival he had dreamed of in his previous life, where all film enthusiasts gathered, disregarding status, wealth, or knowledge, simply exchanging their opinions about movies.

Telluride truly deserved to be called the sanctuary for film lovers.

Andy could sense the excitement in Renly's words, making him smile. "That's great to hear. I was a bit worried after Toronto; you seemed exhausted."

"Of course not," Renly replied, picking out a dark blue tracksuit and light blue jeans. "Do you have any special plans for tonight? I've heard mixed reviews about 'Certified Copy' and plan to check it out myself."

Coming to Telluride, he had assumed it would be similar to Toronto, so he brought five suits and only two sets of casual clothes. But walking the streets of the small town, he realized formal wear was quite rare.

"I have no plans tonight," Andy said with his usual Buddha-like smile, making people feel comfortable. "I originally wanted to invite you to dinner..." The implication was clear.

Renly chuckled. "You're always welcome to join me for a movie. I heard there's a barbecue party outside town later. Not sure if it's dinner or a late-night snack. Interested?"

Andy waved his hand with a smile. "I'll pass; that's for the younger crowd." His self-deprecating joke made Renly laugh out loud. "Aren't you curious why I suddenly showed up in your room?" Andy continued, seeing that Renly wasn't going to ask.

"If you had something to say, you'd eventually tell me, wouldn't you?" Renly walked over barefoot on the dark carpet, carrying his ginger-colored work boots. He sat down to put them on. His straightforward manner left Andy speechless. "Oh, by the way, before I forget, I've confirmed my next project. I've already talked to the director. The contract should arrive tonight or tomorrow. You can take a look then."

Andy felt a bit stifled, like a wad of cotton was stuck in his throat. Even his smile stiffened slightly. "When did this happen?" was all he could ask.

"This morning," Renly replied, putting on his boots. "Today."

Andy felt his temples throbbing, his head aching. "Renly, do you know what an agent's job is? Or how capable I am?" He felt the need to have a serious talk with Renly.

As Renly's agent, he hadn't been able to fully utilize his abilities. Recently, the promotion for "Buried" wasn't really his job. The upcoming awards season campaign would be, but it wasn't time for that yet. For "Buried," he missed Renly's selection process. Now it was happening again, making Andy feel frustrated.

"My job is to select projects for you, recommend ones worth doing, find people you want to work with, and pave the way for you to become a top star. My network spans the six major studios and all notable independent film companies." Andy summarized concisely, his understated but powerful confidence evident to Renly.

"But now, you've bypassed my work and found your next project directly. What about me? Shouldn't I be fully utilized? I'm your agent and spokesperson. I should be responsible for choosing your projects." Andy looked a bit anxious and aggrieved, his smile not quite the same as usual.

Renly finished putting on his boots, stood still and seriously looked at Andy. "Your job is to find suitable projects for me, right?" Andy nodded. "Your job is to find projects worth investing in, right? Your job is to secure more benefits and development opportunities for me, right?" Andy nodded again.

"So, if I find the perfect project and hand over the negotiation to you, isn't that the best outcome?" Renly's matter-of-fact expression made Andy's headache worse.

Taking a deep breath, Andy calmed himself. "Renly, I'm not saying finding the right project is wrong. I want you to trust my work and my abilities. Otherwise, why did you sign with an agent?"

Renly raised his eyebrows, understanding Andy's point.

Since his rebirth, Renly had been pursuing his dreams alone. Even with Matthew Dunlop, he hadn't shared much, not because he didn't trust others, but because the miracle of a second life was hard to explain and navigate. He had grown accustomed to holding the reins tightly himself. George and Elizabeth's strong opposition only reinforced this solitary struggle.

"Sorry, I was too confident," Renly admitted with a warm smile, without any hesitation or evasion. Andy was taken aback, his smile reaching his eyes, calming his emotions.

"So, what's the project you couldn't wait to take on?" Andy asked, curious. He suspected it was an opportunity encountered at the festival.

"A mix of 'Before Sunrise' and 'Blue Valentine,'" Renly described, thinking it over before nodding. "Yes, something like that. It's called 'Like Crazy.'"

Andy's eyes lit up. Given Renly's past choices, this sounded promising. "Before Sunrise" and "Blue Valentine" were both acclaimed romantic dramas, making this an ideal awards season contender. Love stories could bridge the gap between art and commerce, showcasing an actor's range and marketability.

Even if Renly hadn't taken this project, Andy would have sought something like "500 Days of Summer" for him next year. Renly's proactive choice was a pleasant surprise, though Andy remained cautious. He didn't want to overestimate Renly's judgment after just two successful picks.

"Can I read the script in advance?" Andy asked.

"It's not here yet," Renly replied nonchalantly, making Andy's heart skip a beat—agreeing without seeing the script? "It should arrive with the contract."

"Who's the writer? Did you talk to the director or the producer? Has the production company been confirmed?" Andy's questions came rapidly, his concern evident. Renly smiled, appreciating Andy's dedication.

"I spoke directly with the director, Drake Doremus. Heard of him?" Renly asked, knowing Andy would be disappointed. Not a well-known director, no production company confirmed, and no script seen—his decision seemed impulsive.

Renly decided to drop the bomb. "The budget is only $250,000, and the pay will likely be low. The director mentioned $20,000, but with a share of the profits. Negotiating terms is up to you."

Andy was stunned, feeling on the verge of a heart attack.