Two Pre-Field Giants' Dealings

This sudden meet with Eisner is pretty much about Alexander at a disadvantage. The Disney guy may have prepared a lot and premediated this meet in his plans all along.

All the while, the Creeds were preoccupied with the film being premiered. Perhaps it was also the film in question that spurned the Disney guy to do these talks all along.

"What do you mean by 'Back to the Future'-like co-produced movie though?" Since this was the man's target, it made sense for Alexander to talk about it. "If you're thinking about the sequels, then you're too late. I'm pretty sure you already know about Creed Pictures' ambitious filming strategy."

"As for the sequel's theatrical distribution partnership, it's best if you talk to Columbia about that. Columbia might not take Disney's interference lightly." Alexander continued. In any case, Disney's meddling with anything 'Back to the Future' is more or less moot.

"All that you say is true... but Creed Picture's film production capabilities and Back to the Future's great prospects are something I could still take a pass on." Eisner did not deny anything but supplemented his goal. "If that was the case, I would have gone directly to your grandfather."

Eisner's shady smile reappeared. "Since Alexander Creed is the one I'm talking to, then it is clear that my objective is much more centered around you."

It was an option to turn down this Disney guy on the spot but it was not the best one at all. After all, who knows what this Disney guy could do when he is rejected?

It was already a showing of good graces that the Hobbes and Tigger trouble would be obsolete. Taking a line from Old Sullivan's socializing lessons, it was best to respond in kind.

"Well... we can talk about it more at another time or location, can't we?" Alexander could only go for vague now. "Finalizing a deal in a rowdy film premiere seems ill-conceived."

"Haha! That's good enough for me." Eisner's shady smile was laced with success. Of course, his goal was achieved and it was best to exit at this point. "I won't disturb your night any further then."

The Disney guy was composed through and through. With contacts exchanged and a next meeting not so set yet, Alexander could finally be relieved as the business-y man left to mingle with other cohorts in the premiere crowd.

It was just momentary relief on his part though as an underlying problem has popped up. Why was the Disney guy adamant about working with a little kid like him?

The current Back to the Future screening hasn't shown true success yet, so Eisner's money-smelling nose's true target might be the successful comic book domination all along.

Alexander realized that he may have put too much spotlight on the comic book industry and a big fish like Eisner was likely attracted.

Hasbro playing around with comic book matters was a little headache and Disney's all-in interference might just be the truly bad news.

For an animation company that became number 1 through many acquisitions and field branching, being targeted by the said company was not good at all.

No matter how Alexander looked at it, Disney guy Eisner's leverage and advantage in a cooperation were powered by that big threat of Disney interference.

In any case, Alexander would do everything in his abilities to trump whatever schemes Disney has for them. After all, Creed Entertainment being under the Disney banner was way too unacceptable.

It felt like the Disney family would be the bosses while the Creed family is some Eastern branch family of sorts. It was best if things were the other way around instead.

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Anyways, that Disney meddlesomeness was settled for now and Alexander just wanted to finish this film premiere for what it is.

However... just as he was about to calm the lady trio that was still reeling from his talks with a Hollywood top brass, a new Hollywood elite came their way.

"Ehem... Alexander Creed, right?" James Cameron asked with some bits of doubt.

"Alex Creed actually." Alexander was just a recent victim of his identity being laid bare, so he had to go with this feeble attempt to stop the trouble.

"Alexander Creed." Cameron was not backing down though as he hummed. "A true talent indeed. I've been thrown off by Aleksei Kreid already, how could something like Alex Creed work again?"

"I'm sorry Mister." Alexander was still sticking with it. "Alex Creed is me and way too different from the Alexander Creed you're looking for."

"Sheesh... Alex and Alexander." Cameron shrugged it off with ease though. "...what kind of simplistic identity hider is that."

Alexander could only sigh now. From what he remembered, this usually worked. Maybe this guy did some research as the Disney guy did. "At least it's much more sophisticated and less silly than Superman's twirly hair and Clark Kent's glasses."

Cameron got a chuckle from that. "Haha! True... but it's all the same for me."

"Anyways Mister, what do you want from me?" Since there was no way around it, Alexander could only greet things head-on.

"Well, I'm James Cameron, the Director of The Terminator." Cameron introduced neatly as he could. "I don't know if you know, but our corresponding projects had some bit of overlap last year."

Alexander then remembered October 1984s Terminator and Creed Comics' RoboCop and Predator hitchhiking. It was a bountiful scheme, indeed!

"Uhm... isn't it too much to find a correlation between comic book sales and box office numbers, Mr. Cameron?" Of course, Alexander was a proponent of such correlation but it was best to deny now so that the profits wouldn't be shared with the Terminator that he piggybacked.

"I believe there is a correlation and that is why I want to cooperate with you guys next." Cameron's said with enthusiasm.

"Oh..." It was different from what Alexander expected from someone who knows his comic creator identity but not too far off as well. "Mr. Cameron, you want to work with Creed in your next film?"

"Yes, that's what I'm here for." Cameron explained with gusto. "Too bad, my muscled entourage isn't here and is busy with their Hollywood stuff or my credibility might just shoot up further. Who cares about them though...? What do you think about me?"

"Uhm... I don't know..." Alexander was taken aback by this enthusiasm. He just made some comic books, why does this future Hollywood directorial elite seem way too smitten? "I'm not in charge of film matters though. It's best for you to talk with my grandpa about movie stuff."

"I know." Cameron smiled with ease. "Just wanted to check in with you since I'm still shocked by what Zemeckis has bombed on me. I'm a big fan of your work by the way!"

"Thanks... I guess." Alexander hesitantly shook the eager man's hand. It was quite disconcerting to see this future bigshot directorial guy act this way. Still, it was a much more pleasing meeting than the Disney guy before him.

Of course, there was no denying the huge advantage of having good relations with the Titanic and Avatar director as well.

It was best to employ socializing 101, so Alexander made do with that. "Uhm... Mr. Cameron... if you're thinking of cooperating with Creed in film stuff, I have to tell you that we're not yet on the comic book adaptation stuff. After all, Creed Picture's next main project is about elite jet pilots."

"Oh... consider me intrigued even more." Cameron was not in the dumps from the news though and seemed even more enthused. "Did you write this one like how you wrote the amazing Back to the Future we just watched?"

"Sort of." Alexander could only match the director man's drive now and 'socialized' as he could.

They talked about comic book stuff, engineering concept ideas, and potential film adaptations. It was way too progressive and at ease from how it started.

James Cameron's liking for film production and esoteric story concepts could not be denied.

This talk with the man also got Alexander to think... what were to happen if THE James Cameron were to direct the super influential 'Top Gun'?

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In any case, Alexander never thought he would meet and greet two pre-field giants in a span of a single film premiere.

One is a future giant in Hollywood film companies while the other is on the directorial field with an insurmountable box office ranking record.

Either way, he had different dealings with the two as well. The Disney guy was bad news while the director guy was good news... in a way.