บท 81: Dilemma

Scarlett's not-so-large eyes always held a faint halo, glinting with a shallow luminance. Sometimes they'd arch, at times slant, either glaring or peering, and in the moments of movement or stillness, a fleeting charm remained unforgettable.

Gazing at the slight uplift of Scarlett's eye corners, as if the languid gaze of a persian cat roamed over him from head to toe, Renly's smile deepened from a gentle curve. He exhibited neither panic nor distress, rather leaned slightly to the side against the brick wall by the doorway, his demeanor growing more relaxed and casual. His right hand continued to toy with a cigarette case, yet no words accompanied his smile.

Scarlett's brows lightly arched, slightly surprised by Renly's posture. It carried a sense of wildness, an air of unrestraint, with every gesture he projected a distinct charisma.

This was merely the first encounter between Scarlett and Renly. Unacquainted with Renly's character, she relied on his outward appearance and their brief interaction just moments ago. Renly resembled a gentleman with concealed sharpness, his grace and wisdom casually exerted to grasp control without notice.

However, the present Renly displayed a brazenness that enveloped him, an aura of arrogance and roguishness swirling like vapor. It brought to mind James Dean. This subtle contrast left one puzzled.

"I know you're holding a good hand, but I also know you're bluffing now," Scarlett's pupils contracted slightly, akin to a cat spotting its prey. It was either waiting for the perfect moment to strike or would pounce decisively. The hidden threat within her enigmatic gaze hinted at a lethal edge.

Renly's lips twitched downward, seemingly amused by Scarlett's words. His eyes held a playful glint, and he responded, "And what does that imply?"

"You know, there's a type of person who always thinks they're special, unique, but..." Scarlett trailed off, elongating her tone. Mischievous light danced in her eyes, her lips, once rosy, tightened into a line and then abruptly curled upwards, "In reality, they're just insignificant pawns, nameless and unheard of."

"Oh." Renly winced, feigning pain, but his smile grew deeper in response. "So, is this supposed to be a good thing? Seems like you're already certain Ryan is going to land the role."

Renly's reaction left Scarlett slightly uncertain. She bit her tongue gently against her teeth, her eyes swiveled, and she spoke, "You don't strike me as a surrendering loser." Renly's decision to stay wasn't merely standing around foolishly. So what exactly was he seeking?

Renly's smile remained intact, and he asked, "Should I take that as a compliment?"

Scarlett's observation of his unwavering demeanor led her to a conclusion. She shrugged, adopting an entirely unconcerned facade, "Who cares? You can take it as a compliment, that's your prerogative. As for whether Ryan will succeed in his audition, that's his concern, not something I should worry about."

A look of surprise crossed Renly's face, "I thought you came here with Ryan today, all poised and certain. Like a harmonious couple, it's a tale fit for Hollywood."

Scarlett blinked her left eye lightly, her teeth clamped onto her lower lip resembling a seashell. A cunning smile etched its way across her face. As she observed the smile growing larger, her supple lips slipped gradually between her teeth, eventually forming a graceful curve. "Haven't you heard of staged setups? In the unseen corners, pre-arranged paparazzi are clicking away."

"Are you implying a rumor between the two of us?" Renly's smile contained a touch of jest. His lightly flirtatious words were finely measured, not only avoiding repulsiveness but also causing a mild flush on one's cheeks.

"Heh." Scarlett's smile blossomed fully, her laughter soft and musical. She took a step away from the doorway, facing Renly, her back to the lobby. As she stepped back, she commented, "Mister, you overestimate yourself." The undertone was clear: given Renly's current fame and popularity, he didn't qualify to stir up a scandal with her.

Renly spread his hands, displaying an air of innocence.

Scarlett noticed a small detail: Renly's body shifted away from the brick wall, standing straight once again. It could be interpreted as a move for easier conversation since she was moving backward, increasing the distance between them. But it could also be understood as...

She turned her head to look back and caught Rodrigo's gaze. Ryan was talking animatedly about something, but Rodrigo's gaze was directed outside the window. Scarlett turned her head again, and there it was—Renly Hall.

She halted her steps, her smile dimming slightly but soon returning in full bloom. She studied Renly seriously, "This gentleman, though I'm uncertain about the trick you're playing, I'm certain about my lack of interest in being part of it. If I remember correctly, I'm Team Reynolds."

Having his intentions detected, Renly felt a faint pang in his heart, but he maintained a composed exterior. "I thought you had absolute trust in Ryan's absolute prowess."

This statement prompted Scarlett to burst into unrestrained laughter, "This joke is truly remarkable." While Ryan was a decent actor, the description of "absolute prowess" was a far cry from reality. Scarlett's bold and straightforward critique spirit spared no one, not even Ryan.

Scarlett turned and continued her graceful stride into the lobby, her figure vanishing behind the heavy glass doors. The courtyard regained its quietude, leaving only Renly behind.

Rodrigo's attention seemed rather scattered. Ryan in front of him continued to express his views about the script, his focus on controlling the pacing of the story. For a suspenseful horror movie, much like most popcorn flicks, control of the climax and atmosphere was crucial. However, to Rodrigo's ears, these seemed mere platitudes.

Whether pacing or atmosphere, these were the director's responsibilities, not the actor's. Ryan's understanding of his role remained stuck in the "first act," concentrating on gripping the audience's nerves and using unseen terror to manipulate emotions, akin to Alfred Hitchcock. Yet, concerning the character itself, the script's deeper meanings, Ryan held no viewpoint.

This left Rodrigo slightly disappointed.

Without comparison, there wouldn't be disparity. After witnessing Renly's performance, Ryan's acting appeared simplistic and straightforward. True, Ryan could accurately convey emotions like panic, fear, and despair. This was in line with Rodrigo's original character blueprint. Undoubtedly, Ryan could complete the task brilliantly. However, Ryan's performance lacked layers and depth, offering no assistance in refining the story.

"Buried" held the potential to be outstanding but was now seen as a decent piece, indistinguishable from other horror and suspense films.

Involuntarily, Rodrigo glanced out the window, spotting Renly and Scarlett engrossed in conversation. Despite the courtyard separating them, he couldn't hear their dialogue. Nonetheless, he could sense a subtle difference in Renly, a touch of... rebellion. His rugged yet relaxed demeanor exuded self-assuredness, a charismatic stance that naturally drew one's gaze.

Rodrigo didn't have time to delve into Renly's true nature. Instead, an image of Paul came to his mind—not the trapped Paul but the Paul before he headed to Iraq.

Witty and dashing, Paul could easily capture the hearts of girls. He was a high school basketball team member, a prominent figure on campus. He lived life to the fullest, freely embracing his youth until he met Linda, who would later become his wife.

The beginning of their marriage was blissful. They had their first child, owned a suburban home, and life gradually stabilized. However, the 2008 real estate bubble triggered a financial crisis. Their savings vanished, and they were suddenly plunged into hardship. Arguments ensued. They grew distant and unfamiliar, their lives becoming challenging and burdensome.

Choosing to go to Iraq was a reluctant decision prompted by life's circumstances and offered a degree of space to their marriage.

Before his kidnapping, Paul and Linda had an argument. Months of pent-up frustrations and anger erupted. The pressure of mortgages, banking demands, the challenges of distance, and their child's education—all issues came crashing down one after another. They wished they could tear through the phone line to hurt each other and eventually, after exchanging harsh words, they hung up in anger.

In Renly, Rodrigo saw Paul's life vividly and tangibly. The script's fragments began to feel real, even if the story of "Buried" was confined within a coffin. Beyond the casket, the world extended infinitely, rendering the tale fuller and profound.

Rodrigo's excitement within surged, nearly uncontrollable. He felt an urge to grab a camera and capture Renly's every move, or even dive straight into filming the movie. The volcano of his creative passion erupted ceaselessly, every cell screaming and shouting.

"Rodrigo?" Ryan's voice snapped Rodrigo back, "What do you think? If you're up for it, we can rework the script a bit, realign a few scenes, and get into filming. I have a month's availability for the project." A broad smile lit up Ryan's face, his fists clenched in readiness to dive into work.

Rodrigo gazed seriously at Ryan before him. He hadn't forgotten that Ryan was his first choice, that he'd personally written the invitation letter. He hadn't forgotten that Ryan's current fame was invaluable to "Buried", beneficial in every aspect of distribution, promotion, and screening. He also remembered Ryan's personal dedication in coming all the way from Los Angeles to New York, a manifestation of his passion.

In his heart, Rodrigo had already made his decision.