Chapter 323: Oscar Outing I

Creed Entertainment was really getting there with their trifecta of video games, videotapes, and television.

However, when one also considers the other entertainment aspects that they've covered, their multi-fecta of offerings truly becomes hard to overlook.

Especially when almost all of them trace back to one person.

In all honesty, Alexander may have overdone it with that. For someone who values introversion, he messed up when he decided to put his real name forward.

The option to have a moniker like Marshmello was too little too late.

With all that he had done, Alexander knew at some point that it was all going to bite him back... big time!

He expected the truth to be discovered eventually. His anonymity and privacy measures could only go so far.

What he didn't expect was for it to be compromised this soon.

"Do I really have to go, grandpa?"

"You have to and you need to." Old Sullivan nodded heavily.

"Don't we already have representatives for this kind of stuff?" Alexander reminded. "Have them handle all this trouble for me, why do I need to go?"

"That was that and this is this." Old Sullivan had a reminder as well. "People wonder about who you really are since you've done a lot of crazy stuff. Humoring their invitation is the least you could do."

The grandpa then looked at his grandson with consternation. "Do you really not realize the magnitude of the things you've done?"

"I've done nothing at all." Alexander wiped his slate clean. He did do things but he also didn't want to go... so... renouncing all that he's done is the way to go.

"You doing nothing? That's an impossibility I've come to accept." Old Sullivan sighed. "In any case, people that are still looking forward to meeting you."

"I'm really not looking forward to meeting them though." This was the truth.

"If you don't go, you'll only make things complicated." Old Sullivan sighed. "With our pesky intrusion into Hollywood, it's best that we cater to their request for now."

"You see, Alex, there are tradition and structure to Hollywood and you not being there would most probably offend that entirely traditional structure." The grandfather reminded. "With our recent decisions like home video distribution and theatrical distribution independence, we've already intruded on a lot of powerful people's territories."

"So... it's playing along or risk just offending everybody?"

"Yes, you'll be stepping on a lot of BIG toes and we'll all be in hot water from there." Old Sullivan nodded. "It might seem smooth sailing for us but our situation is quite precarious. Any wrong move might just result in consequences that none of us will like."

Tsk. Alexander really can't squirm his way out of this one.

He really thought that his grandfather would cut him some slack but with how the old man had put things into perspective... he really can't be as willful as he wants.

They've already ruffled up the majors of Hollywood, so risking it with the rest of Hollywood's elites would only result in complications.

Alexander didn't want to admit it... but all he could do now is to dress for the occasion.

A form-fitting black suit should do the trick.

Those high-strung and curious Academy members should be satisfied with that, right?

-----

Of course, Alexander really can't be blamed for his reluctance and attempts to bail on their invitation.

After all, where he was headed was not going to be so appealing to someone like him.

Under the watchful eyes of the whole nation... judgment of the United Kingdom... close watch of the Soviet Union... analysis of Asia with Japan, China, and the like...

Suffice to say, most of the world would probably be watching...

Hence, the pressure on Alexander was extremely heavy.

Things were clearly not in his favor and he just hopes that his many tricks will allow him to go survive the night without trouble.

Then again, he was only going to some silly Hollywood awards event, so he might just be overthinking things.

Of course, he may be a nominee but there are plenty of topic-worthy stars that will be attending.

It was scrutiny and popularity he feared but it was something that these actors, directors, and other writers want to chew up.

If they hog the spotlight as they are expected to be doing, he'll most likely just go unnoticed and his obscurity would stay the way he likes it.

Then again, the silly Hollywood award that he'll be going on just happens to be the 58th Academy Awards.

So it might not be as easy as he wants things to be.

Without a doubt, the truth of his identity would be dangled out in the open. One wrong move will push him into the inevitable scenario that he didn't want to deal with this early.

-----

In any case, the 58th Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), was to take place this Monday on March 24, 1986.

Hollywood elites from executives to celebrities, media coverage from publications and paparazzi, and even fans flocked to the Los Angeles' Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Alexander and Old Sullivan were included in that flock and as soon as they arrived at the venue... the whole red carpet was as red as can be.

Of course, with it being the red carpet... the whole vanity fair practices of Hollywood were held right on top and around it.

Actors in their suits walked...

Actresses in their special dresses strutted...

Fans oogled and paparazzi haggled...

All the while, the cameras recorded and the flashes flashed...

It was grand, regal, and lively, to say the least.

Alexander, however, didn't like it one bit.

These were actor and star stuff and he was strictly on behind-the-scene Hollywood professions for a reason.

Which was why he was really starting to loathe these red carpets some more... along with the high-profile stuff being done on them.

To be inconspicuous and not stand out was his goal.

But that's kind of hard to do when you're the only kid that's treading the scarlet textile.

The pressure only seems to compound when it's your first outing to the Oscar.

Then again, Alexander might not be the only one with such sentiments.

Not far from their way, was another kid, who happens to be a girl, who happens to have the name...

"Angelina." Jon Voight introduced.

"Hi, nice to meet you." An entertainment reporter asked. "How are you?"

The girl was quiet. Perhaps shy.

The reporter could only turn to the dad for help. "So is this kind of a family affair for you tonight?"

"Yes, it seems to be." Jon Voight answered. "Yes."

The reporter quickly turned her attention to the girl again. "Now is this your first academy award?"

"Yeah." At least, she had an answer this time.

Being given a response, the reported smiled and praised. "That's a gorgeous dress."

Being praised, the girl had a response as well. "Thank you."

"Are you nervous for your dad tonight?" The reporter asked again and the girl answered. "Sort of."

Alexander couldn't be bothered to hear the next sequence after that since he had already walked by.

Then again, it was interesting to officially see something that you've only watched as a Youtube clip before.

In a Madonna-inspired white lace dress, little Angelina Voight must have tagged along with his nominated dad. Making it, her first time in this year's Oscars as well.

Alexander didn't particularly care for sharing the experience with the future most beautiful woman in the world.

What mattered to him was the fact that there was still another kid to share the scrutinizing attention in this place.

So yeah... he was somewhat feeling a lot better now.

It didn't take long for this alleviated mood of his to become ambivalent again though.

Because... as it turns out... there was also another kid for Alexader to share this Acadamey Awards experience with.

It also happens to be another girl.

Unlike Angelina, this girl just happens to know him... in a way.

"Prince... char... ming..." The other girl called out with mischief.

Of course, who else could it be?!