Chapter 43: Hidden Set-up
Alexander's focus was not on what was happening on the second floor but on the first floor.
This day was him getting to know the ropes and his grandfather's absence was to train him with all that he should be doing.
Just within his expectations, old grandpa was already lounging on the office work area and is probably getting caught up with what has happened through his hired 'spy'.
Spies in a way that they couldn't lie to the person that signs their checks.
Sullivan had his notes taken out as he wanted to record and study the mannerism of his grandson when exposed to other people and being put in charge.
It is not like there is an interesting tidbit to divulge anyway as Alexander's actions were as stoic and indifferent as he is used to.
Throughout the little boss moments, Alexander had nothing to hide as it was unappealingly dull when listed out.
All the employees just got used to his reclusive trait within the day and also got to know his straightforwardness with doing things.
He handled the guards with normalcy throughout the door stopping incident at the entrance. Any other kid would have been whining from the 'disrespect' and kicking the man out from his post.
Even without the transferred soul and memories, 'normal' 9-year-old Alex would probably do the same thing as he would be caught up in mourning phases and art-ly obsessions.
The rest of his grandfather's gathered intel would most likely be an uninteresting recounting of everything else that happen throughout this Saturday.
Just like how he just spearheaded the comic-making team as usual and the simple orders are what made the progress quite conducive.
The quietness he has when eating together with employees at the lunch area.
They might also tell old Creed of how he got to know the various processes of the marketing team and just asked for progress reports by the start of the afternoon.
Alexander also has the closing progress reports to catch up on, so he headed there and also get to know his grandfather's thoughts on his methods and tendencies.
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The boy's approach was noticed by the crowd of reluctant 'spies' so the intelligence work towards Mr. Creed has to be put to a stop.
"I guess that's all we could say about the little boss, Mr. Creed. He is getting close right now and I don't want to offend any of my bosses, little or big." A marketing man gave their collective zip order and greeted the little boy who has already reached close.
"Hello, little boss!" This was said by one and the rest followed suit with unsynchronized greetings.
"Hello to you, too." Alexander had no way of getting around their enthusiasm so he could only greet back.
He could suggest that they follow the Asian practice of synchronized bows and greetings to their boss but that sort of thing is way too offensive for freedom-loving Americans.
Hence, he was already designating possible greetings whenever those unsynchronized employee greetings would come his way.
Sullivan could only chuckle at how his grandson was quick to earn respect despite just being how he has always been doing at home. "Everything seems all and well for your first day as lone boss, Alex."
The old Creed is currently more or less confident with truly leaving the entire place to the boy's care.
A business training wheel wouldn't be able to do its job if he is being another set of training wheels after all.
Sullivan just has to step back for a while and only step up when it becomes necessary.
Alexander had no response for Sullivan's praise and thoughtful decisions at the moment as he saw something interesting being piled up among the tables.
"Is that Dragonball no. 1 finally printed and ready for distribution?" He asked as a formality because seeing it in the flesh was already enough to tell him what's what.
"It is." Sullivan smiled at the sight of his grandson's gleam of excitement that reflected of from the boy's gaze.
"Technically, it's not ready for distribution because it already is distributed. They are currently being shipped off to every comic book store owner I know." Sullivan can't help himself revell at his achievement of aiding his grandson's venture.
"Given that I know all of them from being a store owner myself, Dragonball would be available in comic book stores near you."
The old man also added another tidbit. "Just wait for new comic book Wednesday next week and everything would come to its major debut."
Alexander could only smile at this sudden revelation. Perhaps his grandfather's absence today wasn't just about giving him a mock test like a boss but also to make the distribution arrangements.
The last few days where he was caught up with school hours may also have set the groundwork for Creed Comics to truly publish its first comic title.
Alexander picked up a copy and inspected the stapled papers as he could.
The cover page was unlike the cover page that was popular in this era. 1980s cover page layout isn't exactly the best in Alexander's opinion.
It had a bar code messing up the art.
It had the stamp for the Comics Code Authority that messes up the art.
It also has the glaring square that tells you how much it's worth which messes with the art. The bar code just wasn't enough or the store clerks were too lazy to tell the buyers the price so they asked them to be printed.
It has unnecessary and space-consuming taglines which mess with the art.
Essentially, comic cover conventions mess up the face value of any comic issue with its presence.
Fortunately, his grandfather took his advice and printed those unnecessary trinkets on the back page. Price and barcodes should be reserved their while taglines such as 'Special Edition' or whatnot should be on the pages meant for advertisements.
Dragonball no. 1 was everything that Alexander could hope for. It jumped through those nasty cover pages and jumped to the streamlined and cool conventions of the 2010s.
Goku and his martial pose were what dominated the page with Dragonball lettered above him while the words 'Created by Alexander Creed' were teensily attached beneath those stylized lettering.
Creed Comics was straightened up in the header while a CC logo is what took the place of where the pricing should be.
The issue title of 'Son Goku' was on the bottom right to make the design the conventional standards of the issues that would follow.
Alexander flipped the pages and the quality of the Baxter printing should be enough to make it stand out. The slightly notebook size was what Alexander suggested and it was what he got.
It wasn't as conveniently small sized as mangas but it was already perfect enough.
His grandfather really did his best to make his requirements be achieved.
To think that he had done all this because he didn't want Alexander to be a jet pilot was astonishing.
Even the people from the second floor who was supposed to be heading home was joining in on his excitement as they picked up the available copies and tried finding their names on the credit page.