Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 135: Ophelia

Hope tiptoed lightly, like a cat, afraid of disturbing Renly in front of her. She stood by the guitar case, pulled a ten-dollar bill from her pocket, and tossed it into the case. Then, she obediently placed her hands behind her back, nervously and anxiously looking at Renly again. However, she was too shy to look directly into his eyes, only daring to sneak glances at his distinct, long, and slender fingers.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught Renly's smile. When she looked up, she met Renly's bright eyes, the smile in them gently rippling like the moon. Her heart suddenly stopped beating, and Hope panicked, avoiding his gaze and even stopping her breath.

"Haha." A light laugh escaped, and Hope stole a glance. She saw the smile in Renly's eyes extend to his mouth, his soft lips curving into an unrestrained arc, brightening the world.

The melody suddenly stopped, and William and Graham halted, looking at Renly and then at Hope. They then noticed the golden trophy in the guitar case, looking back at Renly with disbelief, unable to distinguish between dream and reality.

"It seems we have some audience," Ed Sheeran bowed slightly to the crowd and said loudly, "Thanks for your accompaniment on the last song. Now, it's your turn to showcase something. Any ideas?"

Renly had many songs in his mind, but none seemed to fit the atmosphere of the night. Suddenly, the face of the girl from the food truck, Ophelia, flashed in his mind. He remembered her name, as it was the name of the heroine from Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, "Hamlet." It seemed her parents must have loved Shakespeare.

Tonight's excitement, brilliance, indulgence, confusion, emotion, and lack of regret—all of it transformed into a melody that lightly danced at his fingertips. Renly looked up, "Do you have a tambourine?"

Ed bent down, rummaging around before pulling out a colorful tambourine, "African tribal style, is that okay?"

Renly gave a big smile, "No problem. Come on, give me a rhythm!"

Ed was a bit surprised but didn't ask further, "Of course." They hadn't exchanged names, nor had any communication, but there was a tacit understanding built through music. Ed started tapping the tambourine, finding a rhythm, and a voice came from the side, "Good, keep that rhythm, follow my keyboard!"

Bang! Bang!

The steady and powerful beat of the tambourine was like a marching step, forceful and thick, the kind of exciting fervor overflowing in the controlled beat. William couldn't help but follow along, clapping to the rhythm with his palms.

"Great!" Renly smiled broadly, giving affirmation, which encouraged William, making his claps even louder. Seeing this, Graham and Hope quickly joined in, clapping along. Renly's eyes flashed with satisfaction, nodding repeatedly. He raised his hands high, "Anyone else? Let's all join in!"

At this moment, the people watching from the nearby bar couldn't hold back any longer, and four or five people came out. Someone shouted, "Buddy, how do we play?"

Ed simply stepped out, raising the tambourine high, hitting it hard, and shouted, "Everyone follow the beat!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The unified rhythm surprisingly gained momentum. Even without any melody, it still made people feel a rush of excitement. At this moment, Renly's keyboard struck heavily, just a single note to start, and Renly began to sing,

[Ophelia - The Lumineers]

??Ah, ah, when I was younger??

His warm voice, with a barely perceptible huskiness, brewed and fermented under the neon lights, gently stirring the heartstrings.

??I, I should've known better

And I can't feel no remorse

And you don't feel nothing back??

The seemingly unremarkable keyboard sound burst with rising momentum in the rhythm, unconsciously speeding up Ed's beat. That exciting feeling of blood rushing pulsed through the air.

Suddenly, Renly's keyboard rhythm sped up, the melody rushing like spring water, his long fingers dazzling. A short eight beats made emotions burst out, then abruptly stopped, so beautiful it was hard to describe.

Ed didn't even have time to react; an eight-beat phrase ended, and he stared at Renly, who laughed heartily. Ed couldn't help but smile, giving Renly a look, "Now I'm ready, next time I won't be caught off guard."

??I, I got a new girlfriend here

Feels like he's on top

And I don't feel no remorse

And you can't see past my blindness??

The intriguing lyrics were puzzling yet made people taste something different, almost like... like Shakespeare's poetry. Naturally, it reminded people of "Cleopatra," continuing a unified style.

In those simple phrases, one could feel a faint sadness and regret. He hurt her deeply, knowing it was wrong, yet refused to repent. She was deeply hurt, knowing he no longer belonged to her, yet did not blame him. In love, the one who gives is always vulnerable. They lay down their guard, let go of themselves, and lay down their weapons. As long as the other is willing, they can be hurt without reservation. And she, she remains without complaints or regrets.

Tragic and beautiful, like an epic.

The keyboard sound became thick and heavy, Renly's voice spread its wings and soared,

??Oh, Ophelia, you've been on my mind, girl, since the flood

Oh, Ophelia, Heaven help the fool who falls in love??

That touching voice, those simple lyrics, suddenly struck Hope's heart hard. Ophelia, the Ophelia from "Hamlet," the pure, kind, innocent, romantic Ophelia, who wholehearted risked for love. The Ophelia who was heartrending and aspiring.

Even when Hamlet, maddened by his father's death and mother's remarriage, cursed Ophelia, she naively thought it was just his madness, thus she grieved for him. But Hamlet never considered the pain his outburst would cause her, driving her to despair.

Blinded by revenge, Hamlet killed Ophelia's father. Unable to bear the blow, Ophelia chose to end her life.

Hope's eyes filled with tears in an instant. In Renly's mournful singing, was it Hamlet's regret and sorrow? Was it his sincere confession?

The torrent of piano keys flowed like rushing waves, the urgent melody pouring out all the inner turmoil, regret, sorrow, and pain. Ed didn't speed up his drumming but stopped naturally, standing still, watching Renly immersed in the melody. An eight-beat phrase was as clear as spring water, bright as moonlight, the faint sadness in the ecstatic rhythm making people tear up.

This time, there was no abrupt end. The song continued from the light and lively rhythm, fully bursting out, gradually ascending, with all emotions exploding at that moment.

??I, I got a little paycheck

You got big plans and you gotta move (woo!)

And I don't feel nothing at all

And you can't feel nothing small??

The hoarse voice drew a beautiful arc under the extreme high notes, like lightning across the night sky, making the world instantly bright, the undulating emotions in the surging melody completely out of control.

He was so small, tirelessly pursuing his so-called justice and dreams, not hesitating to hurt a noble soul. At the cost of bloodied hands, he succeeded in reaching the other side of revenge. But was it truly worth it? What had he missed, what had he lost?

Was this about Hamlet and Ophelia, or about the Hollywood trophy and dreams?

How many people lose themselves in the pursuit of dreams, even using them as chips for supreme glory? But when success truly comes, they find themselves lost, unable to find dreams, freedom, or their former selves.

Everything is so ironic. The Emmy Award's grand spectacle is close at hand, the golden trophy still on the guitar case. But now he sits on the street singing loudly, like a wandering bard, more like a vagabond. Hamlet missed his Ophelia, so what does it take to reach the pinnacle in Hollywood?

That exuberant voice, the extremely joyful melody, the extremely sad lyrics, the extremely desolate notes... suddenly all calmed down, all complexity returned to simplicity. The trace of huskiness in Renly's voice softly sang,

??Honey, I love you

That's all she wrote??

Warm tears streamed down uncontrollably, hard to tell if they were for Ophelia or Hamlet.

As a classic, "Hamlet" has been analyzed from countless angles, but everyone agrees Hamlet died for justice, a great death, regrettable yet admirable. But now, Renly's song told another story, Ophelia's story.

Hamlet missed his chance, ultimately missed it. Like Cleopatra.

The rhythm resumed, the melody started again from the beginning, from slow to climax, from desolate to joyful. Renly's singing repeatedly hummed,

??Oh, Ophelia, you've been on my mind, girl, like a drug

Oh, Ophelia, Heaven help the fool who falls in love

Oh, Ophelia, you've been on my mind, girl, since the flood

Oh, Ophelia, Heaven help the fool who falls in love

Oh, Ophelia, you've been on my mind, girl, like a drug

Oh, Ophelia, Heaven help the fool who falls in love??

Happiness and sorrow suddenly embraced each other.

Note: "Ophelia" by The Lumineers.

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