First official invitation

Facing Renly's gratitude, Stanley's face broke into a wide smile. "So, what's next? An album?"

Renly tilted his head in bewilderment, a helpless expression on his face. Stanley realized he was pushing too hard and raised his hands in surrender, launching into a litany of complaints. "Young people these days don't know how to be grateful. When someone wants to help you release an album and kickstart your career for free, you still find fault with their interference."

Observing Renly's mild and modest smile, Stanley couldn't help but chuckle despite being unyielding as stone. He wanted to give up, but he persisted with one more question, "And what if "Cleopatra" enters the Billboard Top 10?"

Renly couldn't hold back a laugh. "Then I might be able to afford a better house." Making it to the Billboard Top 10 would probably earn him decent royalties, even if it was just for a single song.

Stanley found himself both exasperated and amused by this response.

"By the way, today is Wednesday..." Renly had just started to speak when Neil's voice came from behind. "Renly, your phone!" Renly paid no attention and was about to respond, but Neil was relentless. He picked up Renly's phone from the bar and handed it to him. "It's been ringing non-stop."

Renly took the phone but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked back at Stanley. Stanley nodded, understanding. "I know, you can go ahead. Neil and the others will rearrange the evening shifts."

Renly made a "thumbs up" gesture, glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already 2:30 PM—and tapped Neil's arm. He swiftly walked toward the entrance, grabbed his jacket, took his skateboard, greeted Janis, and then left Village Vanguard in quick strides.

Only after stepping onto the skateboard did he remember the missed call from earlier. Retrieving his phone, he found the call had ended. He didn't think much of it and pocketed his phone. Unexpectedly, it rang again. This time, he used his earphones to answer while his gaze wandered across the pedestrian crossing under the streetlight. He swiftly glided towards the nearby subway station.

"Hello, this is Renly," he said simply after answering the call.

"Roy Lockley speaking." The voice on the other end was just as crisp and clear. However, Renly hesitated briefly. The name didn't quite match the image in his mind. The other person seemed to sense this and quickly added, "Official agent from SAG."

Instantly, Renly understood. It was the same agent who had helped him sign the contract for "The Pacific". "Hey, Roy, good afternoon." The subway within his line of sight came to a stop just as Renly picked up speed. He hurriedly boarded and, with a quick nod to Roy, asked, "Was the missed call just now from you?"

"Yes." Normally, when a fledgling actor received a call from their agent or SAG, they would be elated. It often meant job opportunities. Yet Renly remained calm and composed, as if it were just an ordinary call. Roy found it somewhat unusual, though not as astonished as the first time. "The performance of "The Pacific" was good. Congratulations."

Roy's tone was a bit stiff as he exchanged a few polite words, and on the other end of the line, Renly's low laughter could be heard. "Thank you," he said with simplicity and grace, getting straight to the point. "So, you contacted me for a reason?"

When any newcomer experienced the attention from "The Pacific", there was bound to be a subtle shift in their attitude. Yet Renly's composed demeanor displayed a calm and collected nature, while it was Roy who found himself in a bit of a fluster. He shook his head slightly and chuckled at his own lack of composure. After years of cultivation, he couldn't believe he was more flustered than a twenty-year-old kid.

"I received an audition invitation concerning you. They couldn't find your agent's contact, so they reached out to me." Roy didn't waste any more words and reverted to his usual efficient tone. "Give me your agent's phone number, and I'll contact them." He picked up a notebook and pen, ready to jot down the information.

"I don't have an agent." Renly's voice emerged amidst the subway's rumble, faint yet distinct.

"What?" Roy felt like he didn't hear clearly.

"I don't have an agent." Renly repeated, without hesitation or disappointment, resolute and firm.

This time, Roy caught his words clearly, and his hand movement involuntarily halted. "The Pacific" was currently making waves, and many were probably inquiring about Renly's situation. Although Hollywood never lacked new talent, someone displaying such potential was definitely highly sought after. The agents out there, like wolves and leopards, would never easily overlook such a gem. They weren't benevolent judges of talent; they were opportunists who wouldn't let go of a chance, even if it meant making a wrong call.

Therefore, the only explanation was that Renly hadn't let the attention get to his head and was still evaluating things rationally.

Roy couldn't help but think that this young fellow was truly an interesting character. His thoughts spun around for a moment. "Well, then...," Roy glanced at his schedule, "when are you free tonight?"

"I'll be at Village Vanguard after 6 PM, and I'll be there until early morning." Renly replied succinctly.

"Alright, I'll come to Village Vanguard tonight and we can talk." Roy noted it down in his schedule. Without further pleasantries, they ended the call, the whole process taking less than a minute, straightforward and efficient. While this was Roy's style, he found it remarkable how well Renly accommodated it. It was actually Roy who struggled to adjust to such an unconventional newcomer.

Looking at his packed schedule, Roy scratched his head. Being a public agent for SAG was a thankless job, keeping him incredibly busy, yet he earned only one-tenth of what the top-tier agents did. It was almost like charity work.

Generally, Roy didn't meet actors privately, because he wasn't any actor's dedicated agent. For situations like Renly's, it was basically whoever happened to be available. In other words, this time it was Roy, but the next time, another agent from the Guild would be assigned. Their relationship was purely transactional, without the need to form personal connections.

However, this time was evidently quite special; the other party assumed Roy was Renly's agent, which was why the call was made.

With these thoughts in mind, Roy decided not to dwell on it any longer. He regarded it as another task and carried on. After all, he needed dinner, and he could treat this as a business meeting over dinner.

Audition Invitation? Renly couldn't help but feel excited. He wondered what kind of role this audition might be for. Considering that the invitation was extended after watching "The Pacific", it was highly likely that the project shared similarities in style and demeanor with Eugene's. Could it be another role that required an intricate portrayal of emotions and depth?

If it was indeed a role in the same vein, would he be repeating himself? If given a choice, he was inclined towards roles that challenged a completely different acting style. He knew that the projects actors choose at the beginning of their careers were crucial. If they played too many similar roles from the start, their image could become fixed, making it exceedingly difficult to break free later on. The classic example was the trio of actors from "Harry Potter." After the series ended, they struggled to escape their characters' shadows.

However, Renly was also aware that he might be overthinking. For most new actors, they didn't have the luxury of choice. After making a name for themselves with one role, they were often offered similar roles. If they declined, it could be challenging to find work later. It was a dilemma.

He didn't know what kind of role this invitation might be for.

Lost in thought, the subway arrived at its station again. Reflexively lifting his head, Renly noticed it was his stop. He quickly grabbed his skateboard and rushed out of the subway doors, momentarily discarding all his thoughts. After all, the mystery would be unveiled tonight.

As he exited the subway station, he could see the distinctively styled spire of a church and the vibrant graffiti in front of him. Latin guys with wild hair and African American guys with dreadlocks were hanging around near a convenience store across the street. They eyed the subway exit as if perpetually plotting, their restless energy simmering beneath the busy flow of traffic, on the verge of eruption. Even the air seemed drier.

Ironically, just three blocks away to the southwest lay the renowned Upper East Side of New York City.

Manhattan Island was small, stretching from north to south, divided into Upper, Mid, and Lower Manhattan. While Lower Manhattan boasted the famous Wall Street, it tended to get poorer and more chaotic as one moved south. Moving north, it grew wealthier and safer. The area near Central Park in the Upper East Side was a place of affluence, home to Manhattan's most influential class. It was also where the story of the TV show "Gossip Girl" unfolded.

However, if one continued north from the Upper East Side and passed through a certain area, they would enter the notorious Bronx. In between was the buffer zone, where Renly was currently located – Harlem.

Unlike the predominantly Black population in the Bronx, Harlem was a melting pot. Italian mafia, Chinese gangs, Latin drug dealers – they all converged here. It used to be a center of crime and poverty, but it also gave birth to street hip-hop, swing dancing, and reformed jazz, enriching the culture.

The theater and ballroom culture here rivaled that of Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan. However, due to safety concerns, tourists tended to visit Greenwich Village more often, avoiding the unsettling atmosphere of Harlem.

Seeing the restless African American men across the street, Renly felt no apprehension. He effortlessly dropped his skateboard and hopped on it, gliding smoothly in the predetermined direction. His familiar and relaxed demeanor caught the attention of the onlookers. After exchanging a glance, they calmed down again, refocusing their gaze on the subway exit.