Chapter 19: Faltered Plan
With careful consideration, Alexander decided to influence his grandfather in a way where he would be compelled to make a film out of his grandson's story idea based on their lives.
He didn't want to come off as someone who wrote a time travel story with skill and artistry just because he wanted to implicitly tell his grandfather that he might be a semi-time traveled soul.
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To his credit, old Sullivan didn't even consider temporal displacement or soul shifting at play as he just marveled at the novel and witty storytelling.
It also helped that the sketches aided his reading. Although he was old, perhaps everyone else would also find a picture book much more engaging and interesting than an array of text.
As someone who is named Sullivan, having Doc Sully in the story already had him on board. He felt he could relate to how the inventor was sharing and guiding the young Alex Creedster.
"This duo is pretty much a reflection of me and my grandson." Sullivan marveled as he flipped through the story. He could only sigh when aspects of the plot involved Alex traveling back to meet his parents, which led him to make some associations. "This grandson of mine is practically coping through fantastical storytelling."
"This must be Alex's wish to be able to meet Oscar and Cynthia once again." Sullivan surmised with melancholy as he remembered his son and daughter-in-law. "Hiding them in the alias of Edgar and Cindy Creedster won't fool me, Alex."
The thing that made him happy with reading the first story is that it is lighthearted and warm to reflect how Alexander isn't as gloomy and mourning he had been this past few years.
Everything felt coherent and solid that Sullivan had no problem doing what he can to professionalize and publish it.
"My grandson is a story-making genius and everyone should know that." He vowed and couldn't help but be awed after knowing that the boy only worked on the picture book within two weeks. He didn't have an accurate grasp though as the boy might have already been conceiving the story in his mind during his reclusive times.
In Sullivan's old mind, if his Alexander isn't an enlightened genius, who else could be? The improved artwork along with novel concepts was a treat that only an inspired and grieving genius like Alexander can think of.
Sullivan also dipped into the next parts and he can't help but want a time machine for himself.
"If a character like Biff can master the world, why can't I as well?" Sullivan muttered but it was much more of envy on the power of the time car rather than the person.
When he reached the 3rd picture book, Sullivan felt touched as the character Alex jumped into another risky adventure just to save Doc Sully from being killed.
In his assumption, the fact that Alex Creedster would do that to Sully is representative of how sacrificing his grandson is to him.
Sullivan also can't help tearing up when his grandson wrote Doc Sully's love interest with the name of Tina. The old man can't help but remember his dead wife and whisper into the air. "You see this, honey. Your grandson wrote about you and me even when he has not met you in his life. What a filial boy he is."
After moments of reminiscence and finishing the entire story, old Sullivan stood up and eyed the stack of papers in his hand. "Alex, grandpa won't just surprise you with a hard-covered picture book but also movies that would pay tribute to your tribute to our family."
Without delay, he made haste, locked the house, and headed to his newly shifted film production company to make it all happen.
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Meanwhile, Alexander was already in class and estimating what choices his old grandfather is going to make.
Unbeknownst to him, the Back to the Future trilogy he pirated was stirring the heart of his grandfather.
Alexander chose the Zemeckis masterpiece because of its incredibly high box office but also the traceable sentimentalism that can explain how he 'came up' with the idea.
A 3rd grader coming up with a classic must have a solid explanation to not have some people open up his brain.
Overall, Back to the Future was perfect to convey hidden meanings, associations, earning profits, and provide a foundation for everything that follows.
The hidden meaning is that he is a time-traveled soul.
The association is that the story resonates with his life as a boy missing his late parents and hoping to solve all of his problems with a time machine, no matter how improbable it would be.
The earning profits part of it is the solution to old Sullivan's previous failure in the theaters and establish Creed Entertainment with a stunning debut.
The foundation for everything is the fact that Alexander himself will continue churning many high-earning movies in the succeeding years. Three successful films are enough to cement the reasons for the successes that follow.
His very existence has already altered the course of history and he would be stupid if he didn't make himself rich and influential with all his advantage.
His grandfather's film company is just a spearheading outlet that would lead to what is about to come.
Alexander reigned in his future ambition first though as he had to make a lot of preparation to make it happen.
Without shame and with honed blatantness, Alexander's pencil and folder of bond papers were laid out on the table once again.
His classmates near him were already used to the turn of things that they didn't even make a fuss about.
They did look at him weirdly though.
Alexander was thus making his mark on the world through his little desk in a little classroom while in class.
The blank page was set up and Alexander's pen made a mark to start what concept would follow the footsteps of Back to the Future.
His mind churned through the class hours as he worked on his papers, answered class quizzes, and tried his best to be a group player with childish first-grader activities.
Miss Hansen could only nod in praise as the boy was juggling tasks to his best. "At least the boy has incredible mastery in task and time management. His lazy classmates should learn more from him."
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Eventually, the school hours ended, Alexander returned home to an unlocked door and expected a pretty nanny to greet him.
To his surprise, it was his old grandfather looking at him with discerning but worrying eyes.
"Hello grandpa. You came home early. What happened?" Alexander asked with worry. Although he was confident with his scheme, his old grandpa's troubled look sent him into doubt.
"I have some bad news to say." Sullivan shook his head with dismay. "Your grandpa failed you. It is unfortunate but your Back to the Future book can't happen."
Has his calculated and perfected plan been faltered by a factor he didn't take into account?
Alexander's mind churned and evaluated as perhaps there was something that he had missed on something that should already be going well.