The performance concluded.
The bar still held few patrons, just nine tables of customers. The area in front of the stage remained vacant, as if it had never been lively, let alone echoing with cheers. Neil and Janis, however, were whistling and taunting from their corner, while other customers appeared more reserved.
Nevertheless, Renly felt remarkably at ease. He sensed no particular pressure, and this ambiance allowed him to savor the moment. The earlier song, "Los Angeles", was indeed an impromptu creation, with no elaborate arrangement. The guitar chords were simple, and the lyrics were just recent musings—a prose-like essay that he sang with natural ease.
Stepping off the stage, Renly encountered Ed, who had the guitar slung over his back. He was clapping his hands like a seal, his eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation. As Renly descended, Ed grew even more animated, intensifying the rhythm of his applause. A radiant smile adorned his face, resembling a fervent and loyal fan.
Such a sight left Renly chuckling. He set his guitar aside and commented, "People who don't know you might think you're family."
Ed's face reddened in embarrassment at the jest, but this only caused Renly's smile to brighten further. He patted Ed's shoulder. "Come on, let's go to the bar for a drink."
Renly and Ed headed towards the bar. Renly rapped his knuckles on the bar counter and smiled. "Neil, two beers, please."
"Tonight's performance was fantastic. It'll surely create a buzz on YouTube," Neil bragged as he opened a keg of beer and began pouring. Renly shook his head helplessly. Neil had recorded the performance, and this revelation caused a knowing smile to appear on Renly's face. "Let's hope the click count skyrockets." This remark prompted laughter from Neil and Ed.
"Renly, Renly." Stanley hurried over from behind, tapping Renly's shoulder. "Come over here, an old friend wants to see you."
Renly glanced at Neil, who hadn't finished pouring the beer yet, and said to Ed, "Give me five minutes." He then followed Stanley with his steps, asking, "Which old regular is it?" Though Renly hadn't been at Village Vanguard for long, he had come to know some of the bar's regulars. Greeting them when he returned was normal.
"You'll know when you meet them," Stanley teased, piquing Renly's curiosity.
"Hey, George, how was tonight's performance? Everything all right?" Stanley adeptly exchanged greetings. Renly couldn't help but size up the unfamiliar face before him.
Tidy, whitening sideburns framed a neat, silver-white head of hair. The sideburns flowed down his cheeks, blending with his neatly trimmed beard. His deep gray pinstriped suit and light gray shirt conveyed impeccable dress, radiating a distinct gravitas that drew one's attention. Between his brows, a sense of authority and haughtiness befitting a professional projected an unmistakable air of power.
In Renly's recollection, this was undoubtedly the first time he had seen this face. Despite the myriad customers at Village Vanguard, someone with such a distinctive presence would surely be recognizable, indicating that this person might not be a regular. Pondering further, Stanley's casual use of "old friend" to address the newcomer piqued Renly's curiosity even more.
However, Renly didn't rush to interject. Instead, he sat down beside Stanley and said, "Were all the songs you just performed your own creations?" The old man before him completely disregarded Stanley's greeting and, tilting his chin slightly, questioned Renly directly. His tone was condescending, carrying an air of arrogance, unintentional as it may have been, it bore a faint scent of provocation.
The sudden question caught Renly off guard. He raised an eyebrow, turned to look at Stanley, and cast a questioning glance. Surprisingly, Stanley remained smiling, unruffled, and far from surprised. Renly withdrew his gaze, meeting the newcomer's scrutinizing eyes head-on. "Who's asking?"
"I am the one asking." Unexpectedly, the other party responded head-on, his air of authority even more pronounced.
Renly, however, remained composed. Instead, a smile curved his lips. "This "I" should have a name, I assume." In aristocratic circles, situations where one was condescended to and domineered over were countless. Almost everyone carried an air of nobility and steadfastly guarded the last vestiges of aristocratic dignity, refusing to compromise easily.
"That depends on whether you qualify to know." The other party remained unyielding, maintaining that dominant stance.
Renly gently spread his hands. "So, I guess I probably don't qualify." This was why the other party adopted such an attitude from the start.
Having said that, Renly prepared to turn and leave. His resolute demeanor momentarily stunned George. In his world, others usually sought his favor; he was the one giving orders. But now, it seemed that Renly was not playing hard to get, but genuinely indifferent. George momentarily found it hard to react.
Stanley seemed to have anticipated this turn of events. He grasped Renly's left hand and said, "Young man, there's no need to be so hasty, right?" If Renly had been willing to compromise easily, he wouldn't have had to go to such lengths. Stanley hadn't intentionally adjusted the atmosphere earlier, he simply wanted to see what would happen when George and Renly confronted each other head-on. As expected, they parted ways without reaching an agreement.
"George, this is Renly; Renly, this is George." Stanley sighed in resignation and laughed. "Can't you two just introduce yourselves calmly? Even when strangers meet, a self-introduction is basic courtesy, isn't it?" Stanley looked at Renly and then at George. Neither showed any intention of backing down. In the end, Stanley had to speak up again. "George, Renly is an actor. He appeared in "The Pacific"..."
Stanley understood Renly well enough, and he knew that Renly didn't have much interest in music. It was merely a recreational activity for him. So, if he told Renly that George was the renowned music producer who had participated in albums by folk and country legends like Bob Dylan, John Cash, Suzanne Vega, Joan Baez, and others—even though he had semi-retired in the past three years to enjoy his retirement—his reputation in the industry still commanded respect. He had close connections in all five major record companies... it wouldn't move Renly. On the contrary, it might expose Stanley's plan.
Stanley had no choice but to try to budge this stubborn person before him.
Indeed, even before Stanley could continue speaking, George furrowed his brow and impatiently interrupted, "An actor? You must be joking with me. You are unmistakably a singer, a talented singer. And you're attempting to be a mere actor? I can assure you, your acting skills are undoubtedly abysmal."
Renly couldn't help but chuckle softly. "If that's your way of giving compliments, then I can confidently say, you don't have many friends left."
A counterstrike that left George feeling uneasy. Renly had hit the nail on the head—George's fiery temper was well-known in the industry. He had few friends and enemies aplenty. Of course, both the music and film industries were pragmatic realms. If an artist could drive sales and harness connections, they wielded authority—no matter how bad their temper was, cooperation was never an issue.
"If you're talking about friends who just flatter and fawn, then they're not necessary," George couldn't possibly concede easily and promptly retorted.
Renly raised his chin slightly. "Finally, we have a consensus." Then, he changed the topic. "Although I guess that's the only consensus we'll ever reach."
Seeing the conversation teetering again, Stanley finally intervened. "George, can you please get to the point?"
Upon hearing this, George also snapped back to attention. In that brief exchange, he could sense Renly's character. If they continued to clash head-on, he might miss out on this remarkable talent before him. "I am George Slender. I'm willing to produce an album for you! I believe you already possess the potential to create a classic album. All you need is a little adjustment and correction! I'm eager to get started!"
Having retired for three years, George couldn't find the motivation to return to work. However, now he was ready and raring to go. He couldn't wait to head to the recording studio tonight.
"Oh, thank you for your appreciation," Renly said meaningfully, then turned to cast a sidelong glance at Stanley. At this moment, he finally understood Stanley's plan. Inviting him to perform again tonight and delaying the show was all for this. Stanley wore an innocent expression, unflinching as he met Renly's gaze. Renly didn't bother to argue with Stanley and turned his focus back to George. "However, I'm not interested."
George's voice got stuck in his throat. "What?" He thought he had misheard.
Renly shrugged. "I'm not interested."
In fact, Renly had always maintained an open-minded attitude toward new challenges. Having experienced recording in the Sound City and pursued Hazel's dream, entering the recording studio to complete an album didn't seem so distant anymore. It was also a challenge, much like his intention to try skydiving.
However, not in the way George had presented it. That condescending, commanding manner, that lofty and arrogant attitude—it wasn't the best way to begin a collaboration.
George's brows furrowed tightly. "Do you know who I am? I've produced albums for Bob Dylan. I believe you have the potential to become the next Bob, though you're far from it now. With time and refinement..."
Renly pursed his lips and lowered his chin slightly. "I can tell you're a seasoned professional. That's a good thing."
His nonchalant demeanor seemed to say, "You're good, and that's fine. It's not my concern." This left George choked again. George turned to look at Stanley, his face full of question marks: What's going on with this little guy? Weren't you the one who called me to assess him? Why is he so arrogant? Stanley was both delighted and troubled. He was delighted that George had genuinely taken an interest in Renly, meaning his judgment was correct. But he was troubled because George and Renly's first encounter had left no room for compromise. What should he do next?