The-Greatest-Showman

The entire shooting cycle of "Boom Drummer" lasted only nineteen days, under three weeks—an even shorter time than Renly spent practicing the drums. Before the crew could fully feel the heat of New York's midsummer, all filming had been completed. The frantic pace of work left little room to savor the experience, and just like that, another project came to an end.

Despite the finish, the crew wasn't idle.

Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz dove straight into post-production, aware that the clock was ticking to meet the submission deadline for the Sundance Film Festival. While the film wasn't heavy on computer-generated effects, post-editing and soundtracking were crucial for the film's quality, demanding their full attention.

J.K. Simmons was equally busy. Though not a top-tier Hollywood star, he was a reliable blue-collar actor with numerous job offers. On average, he'd secure at least five roles a year, sometimes more. After wrapping "Boom Drummer," Simmons already had two jobs lined up in Los Angeles: Jason Reitman's Men, Women and Children—a project he had worked on previously with Jason on Juno—and an animated series, Bojack Horseman, where he was invited to voice a character.

While neither job was particularly high-profile, they reflected Simmons' good standing in the industry.

However, Simmons hadn't completely escaped the shadow of his Terence Fletcher role. Instead of immediately heading to Los Angeles, he took three days to rest and reset in Napa Valley, allowing his nerves to settle before diving into his next gig. Whether or not he had fully shed Fletcher's influence remained his own secret.

As for Renly...

He chose to take a vacation. Alone.

Renly and Rooney didn't have the kind of relationship where they constantly needed to be together. Rooney, in particular, was eager to return to acting. She had a similar temperament to Renly, so when an opportunity came up, she agreed without hesitation.

Stephen Dedley, the director of Out of My World, All the Time, Extremely Loud, Very Close, and The Reader, was planning a new project: Trash Boy, a film reflecting on the lives of poor children in Brazil, akin to City of God. Dedley had been nominated for Best Director at the Oscars multiple times, cementing his reputation as one of the most respected British directors. Recently, he had collaborated with Helen Mirren on The Queen's Summoning, a successful stage production. Now, he was back in cinema, drawing significant anticipation.

Rooney would be playing a supporting role, though her screen time was limited. Still, the chance to work with Dedley was valuable for refining her craft. After asking Stephen for approval, Rooney took a red-eye flight to Los Angeles the night Boom Drummer wrapped, and they would begin script readings before heading to Rio for the shoot.

Renly, staying in New York, didn't opt for typical vacation adventures like surfing or skydiving. Instead, he returned to the practice room to continue working on his drumming.

For many, once a film wraps, the need to keep practicing the skills learned fades. But for Renly, the drumming was never just for the film. It was about personal growth—broadening his horizons and gaining experience, regardless of mastery.

This mindset was part of his upbringing in a family that valued knowledge and culture. Education wasn't about practicality or immediate results; it was a slow, step-by-step process that enriched the individual over time.

First Drunken Country Ballad, then Booming Drummer—Renly had immersed himself in two music films, giving him a rare opportunity to learn about folk and jazz music. Though these genres were waning in popularity, true enthusiasts still found beauty and depth in them.

When Johnson-Clark, Renly's drum instructor, heard Renly wanted to continue learning, he was surprised at first but quickly adjusted.

"First impressions can be deceiving," Johansson thought. "Hollywood rumors are often false." Over time, he realized that the misunderstandings surrounding Renly weren't true. What did the real Renly look like? Only through experience could he understand, so he began teaching Renly advanced techniques with a newfound dedication.

Years later, Johansson and Renly maintained a close connection, even collaborating on drum recordings for Renly's solo albums. They were not quite friends, but their professional relationship was deeper than mere work partners. When Renly visited Johansson at Juilliard, other students, curious about Renly, asked about him.

"He's a lunatic. But I like it," Johansson would say, succinctly and honestly, with no exaggeration—just a simple truth: he liked Renly.

With Boom Drummer completed, Renly's life was simpler and more focused.

After another afternoon of practice, Renly skateboarded back to his apartment at New York University School of Music. He was no longer lost, and the city's streets had become familiar.

Upon entering his apartment, he called out, "See? I told you I'm not a lunatic. It took me less than ten minutes to get back today!"

Matthew Dunlop, sitting at his desk, didn't even look up. He knew it was Renly from his words alone. "And yet you can't even get the right floor? This is the third floor, not the second."

But Renly didn't respond.

A series of familiar sounds followed: opening the refrigerator, rummaging through the cupboard, and the like.

Matthew, unable to ignore it any longer, stood up. "Sebastian, have you made yourself at home here? Do you think this place is your own?"

"Who said that? I still can't find the kettle. Honestly, do you have secret compartments here?"

"You can't even find it in your own place."

"That's true. The apartment's not designed well. Can't blame me."

"You should stay in the living room and leave this stuff to me."

"Really? You're sure? I could still help a bit… No, no, I'll leave. And I'll bring the bowl I broke back next time."

"..."

Matthew sighed, choosing to remain silent. A bowl? Was that all? Had Renly forgotten about the time he nearly burned down the kitchen with a pizza?

Renly's lack of awareness in these matters was truly remarkable, and Matthew didn't have the energy to complain anymore.

Since Renly had decided to stay in New York for the holiday, Matthew found himself once again solving the problem of Renly's meals. Ordering takeout daily wasn't ideal, and cooking was even less realistic given Renly's destructive tendencies in the kitchen. Fortunately, Matthew still cooked at home a few times a week, and so the "stray cats" of the apartment moved from the second floor to the third floor, seeking food.

"Matthew, what's for dinner tonight? The red wine-fried lamb chops last time were great. But lately, I've been craving cod. Maybe we should head into the city to buy some ingredients. I'll make the list. What do you think?"

Matthew, busy in the kitchen preparing mangoes for afternoon tea, didn't engage much. But despite the lack of conversation, it didn't feel strange at all.