June 11, 1986
2:30 PM PST
Haven Universe

Marty McFly felt real excited - as he skateboarded to the house of his close friend, Dr. Emmett Brown. Marty was going to turn eighteen very soon, and he actually knew the elder scientist for just over eleven years. He rather recently graduated from Hill Valley High School - which, in all honesty, he happened to have some mixed feelings about.

The scientist, who Marty always called "Doc", had mentioned that he had some pretty big news for Marty. One might be very hard-pressed, though, to find news that could surpass the greatness of Doc's time machine - which he had just unveiled late last fall.

Marty sighed to himself, as he thought about how the time machine had sure changed life as he knew it. It was real complicated to remember more than one past. Thanks to him ending up in 1955, he certainly did manage to improve the life of his own family.

The time machine actually changed the life of Doc, as well. He now had a wife, Clara - who he met back in the Old West. Together, they had three children. Jules and Verne were born back in the Old West - and, shortly after returning, Haven was born. While he grew very fond of Clara and the children, he did sometimes miss the days of old.

He then thought of Sabrina Palmer, who was also a pretty close friend of Doc. While she did grow up in Hill Valley, she had since moved to Sacramento. A few years ago, she married Brad Wilkins. Yesterday, she had returned to Hill Valley for a little visit.

Sabrina was not your average woman, though. She came from a long line of witches, from her mother's side of the family - and, thus, she really had special abilities. Marty recalled how she played a big role in helping Doc move his family back to the present.

He swallowed, as he finally caught sight of Doc's house. It actually was a lot roomier, than the garage that Doc used to live in - and Marty also had a nice new amplifier, as he accidentally blew up the old one. Truth to be told, though, he quite missed the old garage. After all, Marty had fond memories of the days that he spent in the garage.

"Marty! Marty!" Verne called out, excitedly - as Marty walked up to the house. Marty flashed the young boy a lopsided smile, while Verne continued, "I simply can't believe this is happening! Wait until you hear what Dad said! I am feeling so excited, Marty!"

"Come on, Verne," urged Sabrina, as she ran up to Marty. "Go swing on the swingset for a little while, okay?" As Verne nodded and ran off, she added, "It feels very good to be back in Hill Valley. I quite forgot how much I like this town. I do miss this place."

"I don't plan to ever leave this town," Marty commented, as a smile spread across his face. "Even if I really become a famous rock star, I simply do not have any intentions of leaving this town. I have such a long history in this town, y'know. I'm sure Seamus had a pretty good reason for picking this town, and it's certainly a nice place to live."

"Well, I'm not sure if I plan to move back to this town," Sabrina replied, quietly. "Now, don't get me wrong! I simply do love this town, but my husband really does have a lot of relatives in Sacramento. Anyway, Doc is inside - and he sure needs to talk to you."

"I guess I'll talk to you later, then," Marty suggested, as he smiled at Sabrina. "I sure wonder what the big news is, that he was mentioning. Maybe he wants to take us on another time travel trip. Anyway, family is important. You're doing the right thing!"

Marty smiled to himself, as he stepped into the house. If Verne was so excited about Doc's plan, then Marty would likely also be very happy with whatever it was that Doc planned. The two of them shared plenty of interests, and Verne rather did look up to Marty. It was sometimes hard to believe that Verne was born in the 19th Century.

"Yo, Doc!" called out Marty, as she stepped into the lab. "Verne did seem to be very excited, about whatever it was that you had planned. Well, would it happen to be a time travel trip?" Doc smiled and shook his head. "A trip to some alternate reality?"

"Nope, it's neither of those things," replied Doc. He gently placed his hands on Marty's shoulders, as he added, "Marty, are you so happy to finally be out of high school?" As Marty nodded, he added, "I can imagine that you would also feel somewhat nervous."

"Pretty much, yeah," replied Marty, as he took a seat. "On one hand, it's very nice to no longer have to deal with Strickland. It also feels great to know that I don't have to deal with Needles, in a few of my classes. I'm amazed, though, by just how much Miff Tannen has changed. Thanks to Marlene, Melody, and Harmony - from the future."

"Anyway, Marty," explained Doc, "I simply have something important to talk with you about. I've really been planning this for a long time, now - and I finally did manage to make the arrangement. I decided that I would take the entire family to Disneyland!"

"Disneyland! All right!" Marty exclaimed, with excitement. This was something that he actually wanted to do his whole life, and he could barely believe what Doc said. "That really sounds like a awesome idea. It's real wonderful that you planned for something this big. You outdid yourself! I can imagine that this vacation would be loads of fun!"

"Indeed, it will," Doc replied, as his eyes were twinkling. "At any rate, we really plan to leave tomorrow morning - and we should be back here by Sunday night. Listen, Marty, while we're gone... Well, Marty, I certainly will need you to watch over this house..."

"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Marty, as his excitement turned to horror. "Wait a minute, Doc! Are you, uh, telling me that I'm not even being included on the trip?" As Doc was silent, Marty cried out, "I can't believe this, Doc! You didn't even think to invite me?"

"I'm sorry, Marty," Doc replied, quietly. "My intention really was not to make you feel left out. I tried to make it clear to you that this was a family trip. I am very fond of you, Marty. I really am, but I just thought that we should take a trip was just with the family. I mean, you are very important to me - but my family is important, too."

"I thought I was a part of your family, Doc," Marty blurted out. "I mean, you did see me as the son that you've never had - before you had Jules and Verne. You sure must think I'm no longer important to you! You plan to just shove me aside like this?"

"Of course you're still important to me, Marty," Doc commented as he placed Marty's hands into his. "You and I do quite a lot of things together. I really was not trying to make you feel left out. You have to understand. My family is also important to me."

"Hey, Doc, I understand that!" protested Marty. "I still don't understand why you felt that you had to exclude me from the trip. Doc, you've sure always been like a second father to me. I don't see why it's very important to you that... that you have to keep me from joining you guys. I feel like you, uh, don't like me as much as you used to."

"Marty, please be reasonable," pleaded Doc, with a hint of annoyance. "I sure don't understand why this is quite a big deal to you. You and I already do plenty of things together, that don't involve the rest of the family. It's just their turn, now!"

"I really don't get it, Doc," Marty protested, as tears filled his eyes. "I'm sure you also do plenty of things alone with Jules, and Verne, and your wife. You know, since I was a little boy, I always dreamed of going to Disneyland. You certainly broke my heart."

"You shouldn't be that self-centred, Marty," Doc commented sighing. He began to call out, "Sabrina! Sabrina, could you please come over here?" Just as Sabrina stepped in from the kitchen, "Listen, Sabrina, can you please talk some sense into Marty? I don't know what else to say. He's making this family trip that I planned be all about him!"

"Sure thing, Doc," Sabrina replied, as she sat on the couch. After Doc left the kitchen, she asked, "You're simply feeling upset about not being included on the trip, right?" As Marty nodded, she added, "If it makes you feel any better - I wasn't invited, either."

"It wasn't supposed to be this way, Sabrina," Marty choked out. "I just miss the days, back when it was him and me - and nobody else. You know, I'm sure beginning to wish that Doc never had a family - and that I was the most important person in his life."

"Hey, what about me?" Sabrina chided, gently. "I also was his close friend, for about ten years prior to him meeting you. He did briefly know you in 1955, but... Don't you think you should simply be happy for Doc? Just think of how much happier he's been, since he fell in love with Clara. Don't you even feel happy that he has a real family?"

"Well, I was happy," Marty replied, somewhat defensively. "However, now that I apparently am not even a part of that family... You know, in the timeline that I initially came from, he was everything to me... everything that my parents were not."

"Yeah, but you no longer are in that timeline," Sabrina pointed out, gently. "You have two supportive parents who simply care the world about you. I quite understand how much you look up to Doc, but you really need to respect that he has his own family."

"I wish things could actually go back to being the way they were," Marty lamented. As tears began to roll down his cheeks, he continued, "I wish Doc never met Clara. I wish that I never purchased the damn almanac, Sabrina. I also wish that I never joined him on the trip to 2015. I really want things to go back to being the way they they were."

"Are you real sure about that, Marty?" Sabrina asked gently. As Marty was crying too hard to say another word, he nodded. "If that's quite what you want, Marty, then it'll come true." With that, Marty found himself becoming drowsy. "Your wish is granted!"

June 12, 1986
10:30 AM PST
Lone Pine Universe

As Marty sleepily stretched, he realized that he was lying in his bed. He couldn't even remember going to bed. As he glanced at his clock radio, he realized that it really was late in the morning - not that it was very unusual for him to sleep this late, of course.

"Marty?" called out a soft feminine voice. As the door slowly opened, she added, "Oh, I see that you just woke up. I was thinking that we should go out for brunch. It would be a lovely treat for us. I simply know how much you enjoy stawberry pancakes." She gently touched Marty's forehead, as she asked, "You look real tense. Are you okay?"

"Oh, Jennifer, I had a horrible nightmare," groaned Marty. "It was terrible. I dreamed that Doc just planned to take his whole family to Disneyland, and he didn't even invite me along. Thank goodness, it was all just a dream. I'd be pretty hurt, if Doc did that."

"Well, I don't think you need to worry about that," cooed Jennifer, as she placed her arm around Marty. "You know just how important you are to Doc, and how he's quite fond of you. Everything will be fine, Marty. Besides, he doesn't even have a family."

"He doesn't?" Marty asked, as he could barely believe what he heard. "But, uh, what about Clara? What about Jules, Verne, and Haven?" Jennifer just drew Marty closer, as he continued, "Are you, uh, telling me that none of them quite exist? Doc still lives alone, in his garage? Jennifer, please tell me - just what is the day... and the year?"

"Aww, poor Marty," Jennifer murmured, very softly. "That dream must've upset you. It's June 12 of 1986. We recently graduated high school. Doc still lives in his garage - and, as far as I know, he doesn't even have a girlfriend. Everything will be just fine."

"Yeah, okay, sure," stammered Marty, as he tried hard to make sense of what all was happening. "Well, Jenn, I really do feel hungry. I simply could go for some strawberry pancakes. Anyway, just give me a few minutes to get dressed. It won't take long."

Jennifer just nodded, as she left the room. As Marty changed his clothes, he just tried his best to think about what had happened. How could he be in another reality, where Doc wasn't even married to Clara. He really did remember feeling upset that Doc didn't include him on the family trip to Disneyland, then he remembered talking to Sabrina.

He finally realized what had happened. He wished that Doc had never met Clara, and that was what caused him to land in another reality. Sabrina, being a witch, really did grant him his wish. To his dismay, he realized that the whole thing wasn't a dream.

On the other hand, though, he maybe would be much happier living in this reality. He really didn't have to compete with Clara and the children, and he really didn't have to worry about being excluded from family trips. He realized how nice that would feel.

"I'm ready, Jenn," Marty replied, as he opened the door. "You were right! It was only a horrible dream, and I can now put that out of my mind. We could maybe swing right by Doc's place, after we're done eating. Y'know, it's strange to think that my birthday is coming up. I will be eighteen years old. Technically, I might already be eighteen."

"I'm sure being eighteen isn't much different than being seventeen," Jennifer pointed out, softly. "I mean, I'm very sure there would be quite a few legal differences - but, other than that, not much would change. You really seem a bit nervous about that."

"I think it's the scariness of leaving my childhood behind," suggested Marty. "It's sure going to be a big step. Sometime soon, you and I will probably have our own place to live - and it wouldn't be in Hilldale, since it becomes a wreck in about thirty years."

As Marty and Jennifer left the house, he thought of how great living with his girlfriend would feel. It would really feel nice to have children who were more confident, and he felt so amazed by the idea of having a third child. Marlene would resemble his mother, while Melody would resemble his girlfriend. Marty Jr, of course, resembled himself.

oooooooooo

As Marty drove over to the garage, he was very shocked to see that the building was still there. He really began to have a faint memory of spending the past months in this timeline. In this time, it was Marty's son who had actually gone back from the future.

"I'm simply glad that you're feeling much happier," Jennifer commented, as he gently squeezed Marty's arm. "I mean, I simply hate seeing you get that upset. Even if Doc was to, uh, ever have a family... I'm sure he would never take you for granted."

"I suppose you're right, Jenn," replied Marty, as he shut off the engine. As he walked up to the garage, he added, "It's just been so great, being able to spend the morning with you. Y'know, I can hardly wait for us to live in our own. Of course, that would be a major step for us. We'd sure have to worry about bills, and about paying the rent."

"Let's not worry about all that, right now," whispered Jennifer, as she slipped her arm around Marty. "Anyway, don't forget! We sure are going on a special trip. Tomorrow, we're going to Great America. It's going to be a special occasion, just you and me."

"You bet, Jenn," replied Marty. "I really don't see why Doc has such a big problem with us going on that trip. I mean..." Marty suddenly stopped short, as he realized what he just said. Where on earth had that come from? "I mean, I think it's real exciting!"

"Well, Doc shouldn't be quite so petty," Jennifer replied, softly. "I mean, I understand that you and Doc already do plenty of things together. You and I really deserve to do stuff together, as well. I mean, we are a couple - and we do plan to get married. He really should respect that. I'm sure he'll eventually come to get over it, Marty."

"I just hope so," Marty replied, as he knocked on the door. He did remember talking to Doc about the trip, and Doc did respond with some hurt and disappointment. Doc then opened the door. "I figured that you'd like me to keep you company for a little while."

"I'm happy that you came, Marty!" gushed Doc, as he threw his ams around Marty. "I was real worried that you wouldn't want to see me. I thought over what I said to you last night, and I've said things that I shouldn't've said. I'd really like to apologize."

"It's okay, Doc," murmured Marty, as he really was never the kind of person to hold a grudge. "I'm, uh... Well, I maybe should have asked you about it. I really didn't mean to make you feel, uh, left out. After all, we've simply been good friends from the time that I was a little boy. I still remember that day. You did save me from Cliff Tannen."

"Thanks, Marty," Doc replied, softly, "but you don't have anything to apologize for. I mean, you certainly are entitled to take trips alone with Jennifer - and I sure need to respect that. It's certainly not as though I'm the only important person in your life."

"Well, now that that's settled," Jennifer called out, enthusiastically, "we brought over some glazed doughnuts. Marty and I are really both stuffed, so these are all for you. Marty has had a pretty bad dream this morning, but he now feels much better."

"A bad dream, eh?" Doc asked, sympathetically. "Yeah, I know all about those. You'd sure think that, within these last forty years, I'd really be able to put Jill Wooster out of my mind. Unfortunately, that really doesn't appear to be the case. Gee, I thought that the girl really liked me. Instead, everything really turned out to be very fake."

"I, uh, feel sorry about that, Doc," Marty replied, as tears filled his eyes. He suddenly felt very guilty about his wish. "I mean, I know that you've simply told me about Jill on several occasions - and, from what I can understand, she really was a bitch to you."

"You certainly are right about that," Doc replied, sighing. "The thing is, she quite had the nerve to insist that I was 'living in a fantasy world' - because I refused to believe that a majority of the Hill Valley residents actively despised me. She managed to..."

"She's a real bitch!" fumed Marty. "If I was there, I would've just told her off! She had no right to say such a cruel thing! Granted, there are just a few people out there - like Mr. Strickland and Biff Tannen - who simply have, uh, some less-than-positive opinions about you. When you think about, there are not many people that they do like."

"I suppose you have a point," replied Marty, "but I sometimes can't help but feel that there are other, well, people who generally are very pleasant to be around - but feel that I'm some sort of crackpot scientist. Back when I was still teaching third grade..."

"A few of the parents had pulled their kids out of your class, right?" Marty asked, as he suddenly bad for his scientist friend. "It's quite a shame that some kids learn how to be bigotted, simply because of bigotted adults who teach them to be that way."

"Yeah, that can be very hurtful," Doc replied, sighing. "Kids actually do tend to be far more receptive to new ideas, new methods, new habits, and new cultues. Adults just tend to be far more set in their ways, and they're not as receptive to change. It sure was heartbreaking, when Jill's parting shot was that she never did like Jules Verne!"

"Would you even want someone like her to like Jules Verne?" Marty asked, gently. "I'd really hate to have such a complete bitch like her share any of the same passions that I have. I mean, that's the way I felt about Needles - when it came to musical tastes."

"I suppose you have a point," replied Doc, sighing. "I think it was mostly the fact that we were together for two years, and thought that our love was sincere. It just made me feel that... that I've wasted two years of my life on her. I've given up on love!"

This is a good story.

Thanks! I hope to get the first chapter uploaded later tonight. :)

Never mind, there is a Great America in California. I was thinking of a different one.

What's wrong with living in Hilldale when it's still nice?

Well, just that there would be the hassle of having to move in later years.

I'm sure they would probably only live there a few years anyway.

He lives in California his whole life and never went to Disneyland? But don't his parents make more money in the new timeline? I've been to Disneyland 3 times and I never lived in California.

I have to admit that I didn't really think this through close enough. I'm agree that the McFly family made more money in the new timeline, even though George's first novel wasn't released until late 1985. Anyway, I guess I had to think of something that Doc would do with his family - that Marty would likely feel very upset about feeling left out of. He's probably been to other amusement parks in his lifetime - at least, in the new timeline. Basically, I had to work out something, that would cause Marty to earnestly wish that Doc never met Clara.

Anyway, do you any ideas for how the story should end? I'm thinking that Marty stays in the Lone Pine Universe for two days, before realizing that Doc was much happier with Clara and the kids. Of course, in that universe, Doc does later meet Jessica - but that's kind of irrelevent to this story. Until the very last chapter, at least. I didn't want to create, yet, another AU - so I just made use out of one of the AUs I already have.

In case you're wondering why this story takes place in the Haven Universe - well, I've actually done this for several reasons. First off, I felt I had to add more to the Haven Universe - besides just The Next Generation fics. Also, seeing as how Trilogy Marty has that fight with Trilogy Doc in the Lone Pine Universe - with very different results - I decided it was better to use my other trilogy-canon universe.

This story will probably have eight chapters. Chapters Two through Six would have Marty in the Twin Pines Universe. Chapter Seven would have Marty back in the Haven Universe. Chapter Eight would have Lone Pine Marty pondering over the events, shortly after Trilogy Doc angrily drags Trilogy Marty away during the events of The Way We Could've Been.

A few things to make note of:

Doc probably won't be doing the Disneyland trip in the Trilogy Universe, which would occur between the events of Down With Big Brother and Psychedelic Psummer. By then, Clara would be about four months pregnant with Haven.

Also, that fight in The Way We Could've Been was more just in the fact that Marty wished that Doc hadn't just dragged him off to 2015 the morning after returning from 1955 - and Doc twisted Marty's words around. He probably has, on a few occasions, wished for Doc to never have met Clara - but figured that it wasn't polite to let Doc know that.

I'm sure Marty will get his chance to go sometime in the future. Heck, they should go back to 1955 to go to Disneyland.

I'm wondering if I should have Doc relent, and let Marty come along - or if Marty and Jennifer should just take their own vacation, while Doc and their family take theirs.

June 12, 1986
2:00 PM PST
Lone Pine Universe

As Marty was helping Doc out with a new invention, he really began to remember just how nice the garage felt. While it didn't look like a traditional home, there really was a sense of security to this place. He had plenty of fond memories of how, in the original timeline, he always turned to Doc for support - as his parents were rather unreliable.

"I'm working on a dream-recording device," Doc explained. "I still have to tweak a few things. What you do is, you put on these headphones. As you can see, I covered the ear-pieces with fleece material - for maximum comfort. Over in here, is a disc that..."

"It, uh, looks like a CD," Marty commented, intrigued. "So, just what it is supposed to do? Is it supposed to record your dreams, while you're sleeping. I'm not very sure if I like the idea. I mean, if you think about it, it's actually sort of an invasion of privacy."

"Well, yeah," Doc replied, thoughtfully. "It wouldn't be real good, if this machine was to actually fall into the wrong hands. Like, for instance, if authoritarian parents were to use this with their children - and then, upon deciding that they disapprove of their children's dreams, punish them for it. It could cause a lot of psychological damage."

"That would be awful," agreed Marty, shuddering. "Well, in the hands of professional councillors, this might maybe come in handy. We should ask Jennifer for her input, as she's looking at having the career of a child psychologist. I mean, I'll admit that..."

"That's pretty much what I was thinking of," agreed Doc, nodding. "I was just thinking that, if this machine is real successful, only people with a special licence would allowed to possess it. I mean, I understand how dreams are a sensitive thing - and I really..."

"So, does this disc record whatever you dream?" asked Marty. Doc nodded, as Marty added, "Y'know, Doc, I was quite wondering something." After swallowing deeply, he asked, "Did you ever, uh... Well, I know that you have a passion for science... I was thinking, though... Well, Doc, do you ever wish that you had a woman in your life?"

"A woman?" Doc asked, stunned. "Well, I'm not sure that there really is a woman that I would be very compatible with. For some time, I thought that Jill Wooster was really the one for me. However, that turned out to be a huge mistake. Why do you ask?"

"Well, uh," Marty replied, nervously, "it was a dream that I had. You fell in love with a woman, and the two of you got married. You ended up have three children, two boys and a girl. You were planning to take them to Disneyland, but you didn't invite me."

"What!" Doc cried out, shocked. "Why would I not include you? I mean, even though you already have a family... Well, I've really seen you as the son that I never had. I won't pretend that I know too much about the original timeline, but I quite remember you telling me about how your parents hadn't always been there for you, and..."

"I suppose, in this timeline," Marty replied, softly, "I had a much better life. The thing is, when I remember the past, they're usually from this timeline. While I do have my old memories, and I don't expect them to ever go away... They're just sort of..."

"They're quite faded, right?" Doc asked, gently. "Before the night that I had unveiled the time machine, I sure did wonder about that. I came to realize, shortly after I first met you, that your life was vastly different from what all you had told me in 1955."

"I still remember just how shocked I was," explained Marty. "I mean, I didn't even get much of a chance to... Wait a minute! What am I saying? I sure remember how, after I came home from having dinner with Jennifer, Marty Jr showed up. I was so shocked by how... Well, he looked so much like me... Yet, I remember how insecure he was."

"I sure never expected for that to happen," replied Doc, shaking his head. "I suppose it did quite work out for the best, though. I mean, you simply never got into that race with Needles - and your son ended up not going to jail, and really improving his life."

"He'd also have dual memories," commented Marty. "It must be even tougher for him, as his personality seems to have considerably changed. For me, the only change that was quite major for me... I seemed to have picked up that whole 'chicken' problem."

Marty was suddenly very confused, as he tried to think of what happened on the day after he returned from 1955. On one hand, he sure remembered Marty Jr showing up in this year. On the other hand, he sure remembered Doc pulling up into the driveway - and dragging Marty and Jennifer off into the future, most likely to the year 2015.

Marty couldn't remember what happened after that. The next thing he remembered, Doc was somehow married to this woman named Clara - apparently since the year of 1977. They ended up having two young boys, and had another little girl on the way.

"Well, I don't know about you," Doc commented, sighing, "but I'm starting to get quite hungry. I really don't want to go to Burger King, again. Well, is there any place where you would like to eat. I sure will miss you, as you and Jennifer go to Great America."

Marty thought hard of where he would like to eat. He and Jennifer would often eat at Francesca's Italian Diner, but that didn't exactly seem like the right type of setting for eating out with his scientist friend. He really wasn't in the mood for fast food, himself. He thought of Pizza Hut, but then realized that his friend wasn't as much into pizza.

"How about going to Denny's?" suggested Marty. "It's quite a nice family restaurant - and, well, the meals can be a little expensive. Still, since this is quite a special treat, I think it'll be worth it. Anyway, Doc, what would you say? Is Denny's okay with you?"

"Denny's is fine with me," Doc replied, smiling. "After that, I should bring you over to Zach's house. I mean, you have a concert tonight - and I wouldn't quite want you to miss it. I do wish I could watch you perform, but I'm afraid that I'll be a little busy."

Marty's heart suddenly skipped a beat, as he had almost forgotton about the concert performance. He was the lead singer and guitarist of his band, The Pinheads. It quite felt exciting, as he realized just how far his band had gotten. It had been almost four months ago, since The Pinheads had their very first permormance in a major theater.

"I will never forget about Februay 15," Marty replied, dreamily. "It was the day after Valentine's Day, and Jennifer was there to see me perform. It was very exciting, but it was also a little... Well, that sure was the concert that could make us or break us."

"You've gone a long ways, kid," Doc replied, affectionately. "Well, I'm starting to get very hungry - so I suppose we'd better get out of here. I rather do hope to get that dream-recording device completed, tonight. I'm quite excited about this invention."

oooooooooo

Marty enjoyed eating alone with Doc. It seemed a little confusing, though - trying to juggle his memories of this reality, with the ones where Doc was married to Clara. In fact, he wasn't quite sure of which memories seemed stronger. He suddenly realized that, in the "Clara" reality, it's been a rather long time - since he ate alone with Doc.

"You really like those BLTs, don't you?" Doc asked, laughing. "I'm not quite meaning to criticize - but, for me, a real dinner doesn't involve only sandwiches. I mean, you didn't even have any fries. I must say, the corned beef dinner tastes very delicious."

"I don't like corned beef," Marty replied, grimacing a little. "Now, I could go for roast beef - and I also love a nice serloin steak. I realize that, being Irish, I'm expected to like corned beef - and eat it on St. Patrick's Day. I can't stand that stuff, though."

"To each his own, I guess," replied Doc, smiling. "Well, Marty, I don't exactly want to force you into anything - but, when I finish and test out the dream-recording device, how would you like to test it out? I'm pretty sure that you trust me to not tell anyone your dreams, and I would definitely make sure that the machine is completely safe."

"Well, uh," Marty replied, nervously, "yeah, okay, sure! I suppose I don't exactly see the harm in it, and... Well, to be honest, I am real curious to see how the thing works out. I mean, you have the mind-reading and the telepathic device - so this would..."

"... be the next big step," Doc replied, smiling. "As you know, I've quite been on that mind-reading since 1955. Back then, I simply had no idea that the machine really was working - albeit erractically. The problem was, I was quick to jump to conclusions."

Marty smiled warmly, as he remembered how Doc of 1955 had greeted him. He really had a tough time convincing Doc that he really was from the future. He then thought of the telepathic device - and remembered how he simply thought, "Imagine if my life was a movie." He just couldn't remember what exactly happened after that, though.

"I will admit, Marty," continued Doc, "that I sometimes do wish that I had a woman in my life. Still, I can be very content in knowing that I'm actually making some scientific progress." Smiling at Marty, he asked, "Well, are you planning to have any dessert?"

"Uh, yeah," replied Marty, as he pointed to a picture on the flip book. "I think I'll have a chocolate cream pie. It looks quite delicious. It even comes with a chocolate crust. I always hate it, whenever a chocolate pie doesn't come with a chocolate crust."

"I see that you take after your father," Doc replied, laughing. "It's pretty amazing to think how far he's gone. I still remember the first year of teaching third grade. I sure was dismayed, when it seemed like he was starting to go downhill. You sure ought to be proud of youself, Marty. I really am happy that I've invented the time machine."

June 12, 1986
9:20 PM PST
Lone Pine Universe

Marty sure felt elated, as he and his band stepped off the stage. It felt so nice, being able to perform at arenas and stadiums. He felt really happy, as he everyone seemed to enjoy the performance. It was rather hard to believe that, just late last fall, he felt so discouraged about having his band rejected. A lot has changed, since that day.

"It looks like we've really rocked this place," commented Zach Nelson, as he and Marty high-fived each other. "We've really showed Strickland, didn't we? What does that old goat know about music, anyway? Well, I really do think The Pinheads have gone far!"

"Well, we no longer have to deal with Strickland," Marty replied, rolling his eyes. "It's very unlikely that he'd follow us to college. Granted, I simply never was his favourite person - but I really don't think he'd stalk us. I don't think he's quite that vindictive."

"If anything, he's probably happy to get rid of us," suggested Zach, sighing. "I don't think he quite likes anyone. Well, anyway, enough about Strickland. Here comes our girlfriends." Marty just glanced up, as he saw that her girlfriend walking up. She was with Zoe Quinn, who was her best friend. "It talk to you in just a little while, buddy."

"You did real wonderful, Marty!" called out Jennifer, as she ran up to Marty. "Zoe and I were talking, and we were talking about going on a double date. It's sure strange to think that your best friend... after Doc, that is... is actually dating my best friend."

"I simply think it's wonderful," replied Marty, as he flashed a lopsided smile. "Zach and Zoe seem to be so tight with each other. Wouldn't it simply be nice, if we could be the best man and maid of honour at their wedding - and then they repayed us at ours?"

"Well, it really would be nice," Marty replied, nervously. The truth was, he had mixed feelings about who would be the best man at their wedding. On one hand, Zach sure was a close friend. Marty and Zach have really been good friends from kindergarten. On the other hand, he felt a bit closer to his scientist friend. "I don't know, though."

"Don't take this the wrong way, Marty," Jennifer replied, rather gently. "I understand how would like to have Doc stand up at the wedding. I'm not sure if it'd be quite right, though. I mean, he's really a lot older than us. I think it'd better to have someone..."

"Age really shouldn't matter, though," protested Marty. "I mean, I am rather fond of Zach - and, granted, he is closer to our age. With Doc, though... Well, he helped me out so much. He was always sort of like a... Well, he's really so much like a mentor."

"Well, I really look up to my Aunt Marlene," commented Jennifer, dreamily. "She plans to move back to town, with Sarah. I think you've met my cousin, before. We sure are close. I wonder if Zoe will like her, too. Some people have quite mentioned that Sarah and I seem like sisters. Y'know, I think she really does look a lot like Elisabeth Shue."

"I think you mentioned that before, Jenn," Marty replied, softly. "We probably won't be getting married anytime soon, anyway." As Marty looked up, he called out, "Hey, Zach and Zoe! Jennifer mentioned that the four of us should go on a double date!"

"Let's go to Dairy Queen," suggested Zach. "Rigjht now, I could really go for some ice cream! I bet Marty needs it more so than the rest of us." Marty nodded. "It'd be very nice, if we made it famous. On the positive side, we have KKHV playing our music."

June 13, 1986
9:30 AM PST
Lone Pine Universe


















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