With the huddled party parting ways, stuff seems to have ended but it also seems to just be the start of something.
Being wrapped up in a game that his grandfather had set was something that Alexander would not enjoy at all.
The entire agreement may be whispered amongst the old man and the little girls but one can be sure that it was not any good... for someone named Alexander Creed.
"Grandpa, what are you doing?" He voiced out. "I was about to use my sure-kill tactic and be done with things. Why'd you have to join in and make a mess of things?"
"I'm doing things so that you have a new friend to add to your pitiful list." Old Sullivan explained. "It's not every day that I get to see kids that are eager to mingle around with you, Alex."
"Why her though? Can't I have a say on things?" Alexander added. "It's me who's going to do the 'mingling', after all."
"Can you still afford to be picky?" Old Sullivan gave him a stare. "The occupants of your friend list are practically shoved to you by me. Besides, that's Drew Barrymore if you didn't know or were pretending to be ignorant. Getting Drew Barrymore to be a friend should be something that makes a kid's happiness be over the moon."
Alexander sighed. It would seem that his grandfather is the ignorant one.
Drew's vanity practices such as underage drinking of alcohol and unsavory drug use are a cautionary tale and the biggest no-no example that parents opt for when lecturing their children.
Maybe it is not yet publicized yet or may not be too prevalent to be whispered around like a rumor.
On that note, was she under the influence when she interacted with him?
It doesn't seem to be the case...
Speculating further on it, was her upfront boldness and openness for kid romance caused by the substances that are circulating in her body?
Alexander was no love nor drug expert but he could more or less get some theories as to why Clever Drew was so 'prince charming this' and 'prince charming that'.
------
All the while that Alexander was lost in thought, Old Sullivan misinterpreted his witty grandson's lack of retort to be hesitation and calculation.
Granted that the normal benefits of friendship don't really appeal to the boy, why not use some business 'pros' to ease into things?
"Kuhum... If you still don't like it, then think of it from your usual calculative perspective, Alex." Old Sullivan felt that the idea was not bad and went with it. "That little girl Drew shouldn't be too bad. She may even prove more worthwhile at some point... given that we're mingling in the Hollywood industry."
As much pranking and social wellness the Old Creed's intentions may be, he still had to make up some business motives for some things. A poor little girl like Drew Barrymore was not spared in advantageous probabilities so that Alex could respond in kind.
"That's quite opportunistic of you, grandpa." Alexander wanted to explore more about Drew's romantic thoughts and unsavory tendencies but he left it at that.
Sometimes he had to credit how much more calculative his grandfather is compared to him.
Of course, he also knew that this was his grandfather's trick to fool him but the trick is acceptable enough.
Anyways, Drew's exaggerated infatuation toward him was just childish and relatively not-so-harmful. With a business twist to the 'forced' mingling, it became much more intriguing to take part in.
He already had Milla as his guinea pig for career influencing, with Miss Galina on the side as a parental influencing variable.
Then, there was Cocky Cox being used as a Voice Acting Cast factor that could potentially help bolster an animation project's stock.
Why not just add a Drew Barrymore to the list? Her career is pretty much set for now and he'd like to know how he could aid in steadying that.
Then, there was also an addition of a controlling mother in the mix. Alexander had no inkling of Jaid Barrymore at all but she should be higher on the toxic mother tier compared to the mellowed Miss Galina.
Of course, there's also a chance to play as a lifestyle influencer and be a "savior" for one.
He wasn't really looking forward to being some saint that would save the helpless Drew Barrymore from her drugged fate.
Alexander was just interested in the prospect of being perceived as such and the benefits he could have from that.
Although he highly doubts that these scheduled "dates" and "friendships" will happen, at least he has some persuading incentive to go through with it.
Alexander didn't want to be some prince charming but he "might" play the part...
"Maybe being Drew Barrymore's friend is not that bad at all." He muttered for his grandfather to hear.
In any case, Old Sullivan was pleased by those words and the success of "fooling" Alex.
By skewing innocent friendship with 'calculative socializing', the loner of a boy should at least be much more perceptive to interaction.
Of course, Alexander was already doing quite fine on that front with Cameron and the action stars but at least the old Creed could feel that he contributed.
------
The premiere night went on from that interlude but it was mostly steadier from what it had been.
Alexander was finally able to get into the backseat and background of things with not many notable people bothering him for cooperative talks and romantic confessions.
It was mostly his grandfather's sole duty to do what is obligated of a representative of Creed Pictures.
It was all talks and deals here and there. Alexander still wasn't suited for extended and high-level versions of those things.
All that he could do for now was observe and learn from what Old Sullivan is expertly handling.
Of course, the Old Creed even met up with many other people on the same level or higher than Michael Eisner, so it is clear that Alexander still has a lot to learn.
Still, he had the chance to get a greeting handshake from Steven Spielberg and George Lucas... courtesy of the duo's curiosity for his Creed identity and the urging of Clever Drew.
The little girl did so... so that her strict mother wouldn't be so snob as she is. With a greeting endorsement from her godfather, her "blooming relationship" would have it easier than most.
That was all that Alexander could guess from that surprise interaction though and nothing more.
Drew's overt and exaggerated romanticism aside, meeting the bigshot duo of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas was something that he had to brace himself.
It was clear that Alexander's premiere premiere experience was highlighted by this flood of personalities that seemed to be more or less drawn to him for one reason after the other.
Alexander knew that he was no main character material, so he could only guess that his flapping chaos wings were the hidden reason for this.
In his past life, he never really had any interest in Hollywood meet and greets. Now, it seems that the meet and greets won't stop coming!
Of course, that wasn't true as his meet and greet with Steven and George had to be cut short to simple greets and the interest for another time.
After all, the rolling film credits had mostly run dry and it was about time for the premiere venue to close... and move to another place.
------
With the fancy premiere done, the next course of action was the true theatrical release!
The socializing stuff is going to be backdropped as results, influence, and box office tickets are set to take center stage.
Alexander was quite looking forward to how the new Back to the Future I would differ from how it had been!