Shady Coughs and Smiles

With the Alex crowd having their fair share of after-film talks, it would eventually stop with Creed Pictures being somewhat of a major player in this premiere.

Even Coca-Cola Lackey was already asking the Creed Pictures proprietor for a discussion.

"Alex, it looks like I"ll have to deal with another round of social mingling now." Old Sullivan added with a joking inquiry. "Want to come along?"

Of course, Alexander's smile turned bland from there and his answer was obvious. Although he was happy with Back to the Future wrapping up, that wasn't enough for him to socialize again with the people he had already socialized with.

"Haha! Same as usual." Old Sullivan could only chuckle at his grandson's predictability. Before he could discuss further strategy on the film with the Colombia Pictures representative, old Creed had to delegate. "I trust that you won't have trouble being by yourself."

"It's okay, grandpa. Miss Galina and Miss Cox are here with us." Alexander waved the old man off and just wanted to find an uncrowded spot in this now rowdied premiere.

Anyways, Alexander was ready to kill the time with the usual suspects that he was around. If Creed employees could come up with a list of who their little boss is usually around with, then the Jovovich ladies and Cocky Cox usually top the list in recent days.

They were the ones he was usually comfortable with, however, it was just unfortunate for him that quite a select few people in this crowd wanted something to do with him.

-----

Just as Alexander was about to propose a spot for them to wait, a cough meant to gain his attention was heard.

"Ehem!"

Alexander remained oblivious though.

"Ehem! Ehem!"

Even the ladies noticed the obvious and threw looks between not-caring Alexander and the Ehem-er.

"Ehem! Ehem! Ehem!"

"Coronavirus, you even followed me here." Alexander could only mutter a little joke that only he knew.

"Uhm... excuse me, little boy." The Ehem-er didn't know what that phrase meant but he finally grabbed his target's attention now. "Can I have a moment of your time?"

"Sorry, Mr. Stranger. I have no medicine for your coughs." Alexander had no choice but to reply. "Also, there's a rule of not talking to strangers and I don't want to break it any further.

"Well... you can call me Mr. Eisner, Michael Eisner." Mr. Stranger could only introduce himself lest things get much weirder. He also had to defend himself as well. "I have no cough problem at all and just want to talk to you... Alexander Creed, am I right?"

"That's me." Alexander knew that there was no getting around this now, so he could only oblige. "But should I know you and why should I talk to you, Mr. Eisner?"

"I'm here to talk business with you." Michael Eisner's smile was meant to show no harm but there was just something about it that was suspicious. "After all, you're a Creed and part of Creed Entertainment, and let's just say I'm from Disney. The Disney company that has some dealings with your business."

Business indeed. Alexander could not deny that this Eisner guy looked business-y and shrewd through and through.

He was just a middle-aged man in a suit, which shouldn't be quite eye-catching in a suit and dress film premiere. However, his stature and pose just scream business for some reason.

It was an aura and charm that was earned and those with obvious aura and charm must be someone noteworthy.

This was quite a surprising person to meet. Alexander wasn't up to date with Hollywood company men but Michael Eisner was one notable guy.

The one who saved and grew Disney into a considerable behemoth but also the one chased out by Disney as well.

As Alexander scrutinized the business-aura-d man and the man's certified capabilities, he didn't want to mess with him any further. "I'm just the little grandson. My grandfather is the one you should be talking to when it comes to things like this."

Of course, Eisner was a scrutinizing man as well. "Come on. You don't have to pretend with me. Since I know you're Alexander Creed, I also know what identities such a name holds."

"Sheesh, you make me sound more special when I'm not?" Seeing that his cover was not a good cover at all, Alexander could only do what he could do. "In all seriousness though, is this about the Tigger and Hobbes lawsuit?"

"Oh... I thought you were going to panic and ask me who exposed your little secret?" Eisner said with banter. "Didn't expect that you'll jump straight into the serious stuff?"

"With your lawsuit peers keeping mum, the reason might have something to do with me." Alexander analyzed. "In turn... someone like you will have been informed as well. In fact, you might have even conducted a much deeper analysis than them."

"Haha, that's exactly what happened. "Lawsuit peers" isn't the right term though because they call themselves the Anti-Creed Alliance." Eisner sold out without batting an eye.

"Anti-Creed Alliance?" That was the first time Alexander heard of it. "Why does it sound like a band made up of children though? Well, maybe that's why childish Disney took part in it."

Wasn't he somewhat part of that alliance as well? Also, isn't Disney a children-catered company? Eisner was inwardly amused at the unexpected rib towards him. "Haha. My files on you are already thorough but it is still disconcerting to see such mettle from a little boy."

With the little boy showing bits of his true color, Eisner was a bit too surprised. Were kids these articulate and direct nowadays?

"What about the mettle of Disneymen like you?" Alexander added further to confront the guy. "Isn't your Disney too much? It can't be that Tigger should be the only stuffed tiger with talking tendencies."

Of course, Eisner reigned in on his curiosities and discussed. "Well, I don't want to dive into many legalities but you should know that Disney will probably be rescinding from that mess soon enough."

"That's a surprise." Alexander was a bit confused. "Wasn't this supposed to be a two-bit confrontation about who's right and who's wrong but ultimately... we will just conclude that all's fair in business and war? Were you that incensed to be considered childish by being part of a childish alliance?"

"Haha.... maybe that is the reason why I'm doing so" Eisner smiled like a good man. "But you'll be glad to know that Disney doesn't want to dive much deeper into some silly feud that comic book companies consider to be a battlefield. It's a waste and compromises my future business with you."

"A Tigger and Hobbes quick resolution?" The legal step back was good to hear but why does it seem that the mess might just become a bit messier. "What sort of business involving me is that worthwhile to make that sort of thing happen?"

"Disney might need some cooperation with Creed Pictures in the future. 'Back to the Future'-like co-produced movie is already worthwhile don't you think?" Eisner explained and smiled like a friend... however, his smile was way too scheming and untrustworthy in Alexander's eyes.

At least, Alexander knew what the Disney guy wanted from him now. He wasn't liking any of it at all though...

His Creed gut, the Disney guy's past-future portfolio, and the current shady smile are raising plenty of warning flags.

Of course, adding to that suspicious file are the coughs that threw Alexander back to the Coronavirus-ed future as well!

Shady coughs and smiles are a recipe for trouble, after all.