Chapter 397: Another M I
Another M, huh.
How many does that make it now?
Also, why was he categorizing by Ms in the first place?
Alexander thought back on it and in succession... there was Metroid, Madame, Mistress, and Malena.
Consequently, Monica.
That's not a lot of Ms but they are Ms.
Which consequently just made Alexander want to nibble on some M&Ms.
The travel didn't exactly cater to such a snack so some packed Skittles will do.
It's all the same but different food-colored bits of sweets.
An S instead of an M. Not the kinky stuff, of course.
Drew happens to be in the same Skittle-snacking state but it's because her so-called prince charming was doing so.
It's highly unlikely that her reasoning is as "elaborate" as words starting with the letter M to a hankering for M&Ms.
On that line of reasoning, Alexander had to ask. "Is it really okay for you to be taking a trip to New York with me, Drew? Thanksgiving is coming up soon, after all."
Drew picked a bunch of skittle from his pack, munched on it, and explained. "Since Jovo-bitch is busy with your music stuff, I'll fill in for her. Besides, I think my mom happens to be staying in New York. Thanksgiving or not, it's fine either way."
"So she's actually here." For someone that's been wondering ever since the unceremonious Drew lodging at the Creed household, this was rare Jaid news for Alexander. "Where specifically so I can drop you off if you want?"
"Probably in Studio 54." How could Drew not remember the one spot that her mom loves to take her to whenever they're in the Big Apple?
"Studio 54?" That piqued Alexander's interest.
If his sparing Hollywood knowledge is somewhat solid enough... that should be quite an interesting place.
It had Studio in its name but it was a theater house at one point until it turned into a famed nightclub.
Although many have romanticized Studio 54 as a place of glamour and excess, it was actually a place where substances were rampant and underage children could really be exploited.
A hangout for famous personalities with their dark vices, yet someone like Drew happens to be a regular visitor.
For a girl who was introduced to this environment since her career took off, this meant being harassed and subjected to inappropriate behavior by adults at the club.
An experience that clearly left a lasting impression.
Drew's precociousness, overt openness, and knowing some questionably non-PG stuff is pretty much be traced to this oh-so-special hangout of elite stars.
And that's just the version that Alexander currently interacts with, not the version that Drew will really come crashing down to be.
The infamous Drew Barrymore. A little girl lost.
To that, he wondered. "So do you want us to visit your mom there while we're here?"
To which, Drew shook her head. "No, I think she'll be fine whether I visit her or not. The last time we talked, she asked me if I wanted to go to Studio 54 or go to school to be bullied. I answered school because of you so it's kind of awkward for the two of us now. Hehe!"
Alexander almost choked on his not-so-M&M on account of what he heard.
What kind of mother asks her daughter a shady question like that?
Also, how come he got lodged in it as well?
Of course, Alexander just sighed as he gently gave a pat on the girl's head. "If only she knew that you weren't going to be the bullied but the bully this time around."
From what he saw and heard, despite their usual rivalry, when up against snobby pampered private school girls that are out to get them, Milla and Drew kind of stuck together and made quite a fierce duo.
"Well, I didn't know bullying bullies could be that fun." Drew really had renewed outlook on school because of that. "Besides, our enemies are usually girls that want to get close to you. Hehe! How stupid of them to think they had a chance."
To that, Alexander could only sigh again. Being the popular "Bryce" of middle school is really a drag.
He only got popular some more when ultra-popular Milla and Drew are constantly being a satellite around him.
In turn, a herd mentality wherein associating with him is the popular trend has been made.
It also didn't help that most of his neighbor/schoolmates and some savvy speculators were connecting the dots to the famous Alexander Creed didn't help.
He could only toss that hassle to the back of his priorities as he tossed a skittle into his mouth.
Making a mental note for them to just go straight to their destination right away.
To New York, New York...
Where another M resides...
M for Marvel, of course.
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Anyhoo, just a week or so since his return from UC Berkeley, Alexander was out for a trip once again.
Which is quite rare for him to do, being out of the comforts of San Fernando Valley. It just goes to show how important this recent excursion was going to be.
Granted, he had better get familiar with this situation.
After all, with the recent entry into inter- matters, it's only a matter of time before his business management operations were really going to go inter-coastal.
Los Angeles, New York, and back and forth.
It just means that he's probably not going to be cooped up in one place anymore.
Even going as far as being an international little boss if regularly traveling to Creed of Japan and other Creed foreign outposts are going to be in his itinerary.
But those are considerations for later as he's getting ahead of himself.
As of current, Alexander was just leisurely affixing his signature to a piece of paper.
Which was something that he had just done and dusted...
With Mr. Legalities and the opposing party's legal team coming to an understanding...
Marvel was now officially his own.
Aside from the overzealous Drew, who was a little confused but excited spectator throughout all of it.
And there's also that little camcorder that a legal team member whipped up. Apparently, it was at Old Sullivan's behest to start documenting his grandson's achievement for proof and heck of it.
Clearly, not too much fanfare was made out of it, like silly congratulatory claps and overblown media coverage, but it was monumental all the same.
Just like how it was with Pixar, this was a strategic purchase that would prove to be timely and grander in the long run.
Something like Marvel is just that significant.
It's especially significant to Stan Lee who can't help but be in melancholy as he asked. "You've really done it, haven't you?"
Noting that the question was directed to him, Alexander obliged. "I guess I have."
The old Marvel legend still found it hard to cope with.
It's not like this was the first time that this comic company has changed ownership.
It's just that this new owner was a tad more unusual than others.
With new policies that are too radical that the Marvel he knew might not be the same old Marvel by the end of it.
Whether that's good or bad, only time will tell...