Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.
Author's Note: As the last couple of chapters that I wrote for Marty's Twin had dealt with some rather emotional scenes involving Marty and Marty Junior - I've gotten to thinking, what if Marty burst into tears back in 1955? Would Doc of 1955 have listened to him then? Here is it, a short story of what might have happened.
oooooooooo
November 12, 19559:56 PM PST
'Alright, let's set your destination time,' Doc said, as he was explaining to Marty his plans to send Marty back to 1985. 'This is the exact time you left. I'm gonna send you back at exactly the same time. It'll be like you never left. Now, I painted a white line on the street way over there, that's where you start from. I've calculated the distance and wind resistance retroactive from the moment the lightning strikes, at exactly...' Doc had checked his watch. '... seven minutes and 22 seconds. When this alarm goes off, you hit the gas.'
'Right,' answered Marty, trying to understand Doc's use of scientific language.
'Well, I guess that's everything,' Doc told Marty.
'Thanks,' said Marty, trying to hold back his tears.
'Thank you,' replied Doc.
Marty then hugged Doc, not wanting to let go. He was trying really hard to not cry.
'In about 30 years,' added Doc.
'I hope so,' said Marty, swallowing back a sob.
'Don't worry,' Doc assured Marty. 'As long as you hit that wire with the connecting hook at precisely 88 miles per hour, the instance the lightning strikes the tower, everything will be fine.'
'Right,' said Marty, blinking back tears. That wasn't exactly what I meant, Doc.
Doc then found a note in his pocket, and demanded, 'What's the meaning of this?'
'You'll find out in 30 years,' replied Marty, just barely managing to hold back a sob.
'It's about the future, isn't it?' asked Doc, accusingly.
'Wait a minute!' shouted Marty, just on the verge of tears, now.
'It's information about the future, isn't it?' asked Doc, angrily, making a move to tear up the note. 'I warned you about this, kid. The consequences could be disastrous!'
'Now that's a risk you'll have to take!' Marty shouted, pleadingly - blinking back tears and reaching out for Doc. 'Your life depends on it!'
'No,' insisted Doc, tearing up the note, 'I refuse to accept the responsibility!'
Marty felt his heart ripping into two. He could no longer take it. He fell to the ground, and began to cry. His shoulders were shaking, and he was sobbing inconsolably.
Doc then looked at Marty, stunned. He could hardly believe it. He had made Marty cry - something he had not meant to do! Obviously the note must have been really important. I no longer care what the consequences could be. I feel so horrible that I made Marty cry. I must give him a chance to explain what could have been so important about my future - if tearing up the note would provoke such an emotional reaction from him. With a heavy heart, Doc gently lifted Marty up from the ground - and let Marty cry on his shoulder.
'Fine, Marty,' Doc said, gently. 'Go ahead and tell me. I didn't mean to make you cry. Whatever you wanted to tell me about my future must have been extremely important to you.'
'I don't want you to die,' sobbed Marty. 'In the fu-future, some group of terrorists tries to kill you. You did die, Do-doc. The terrorists shot you! As I was driving away from the terrorists, I came here, Doc. You're my very best friend in the future. I couldn't stand to lose you again. I, uh, uh, I, uh...' Then Marty was sobbing so hard, he was unable to speak any longer.
'I'm sorry, Marty,' sighed Doc, giving Marty a tight squeeze. Then, as Doc tenderly dabbed at a tear that fell down Marty's face with his index finger, he added, 'I just wasn't thinking. I shouldn't have been so stubborn.' Then, after taking another look at his watch, Doc said, 'Quick, Marty, get back in the car. We're running out of time.'
Marty then stepped back into the DeLorean, trying to make himself stop crying, and regain his composure. He was so relieved that he finally got Doc to listen to him. Doc will be okay, after all. Still, Marty couldn't stop crying - he had repressed his emotions for far too long.
oooooooooo
After Marty had travelled back to 1985, he drove over to what was now Lone Pine Mall. Marty then buried his face into the steering wheel, and fully gave way to tears. It was such a cleansing relief to let go of his emotions. His shoulders were shaking with sobs. He was crying so hard, he didn't even hear Doc open the DeLorean door.
'Marty, it's me, Doc,' said Doc, softly. 'Everything's okay, now. I was wearing a bullet proof vest, and the Libyans crashed into the photo booth. They cannot harm us anymore.'
'Oh, Doc, I was so, so, so...' Marty sobbed.
'Shhhhhh,' Doc said, soothingly, as he lifted up Marty's head and placed it gently on his shoulders. Then, after putting him arms around Marty and holding him close, Doc added, 'Just let it all out. I should have listened to you much sooner. I shouldn't have put you through all this. I'm sorry.'
'I, uh, uh...' Marty sobbed, burying his face into Doc's shoulder, and clinging onto Doc tightly.
'Shhhhhh,' repeated Doc, tenderly stroking Marty's back, and gently rocking him back and forth. 'Don't say anything. Just let it all out.'
About ten minutes have passed, before Marty's sobs have finally began to subside.
'Feel all better, now?' Doc asked, gently - when Marty was finally done crying.
'Yeah, yeah, Doc, thanks,' stammered Marty, as he lifted up his flushed and tear-stained face.
'Well, then, Marty,' said Doc. 'I suppose I should drive you home, now.'
'Yeah, sure, thanks,' replied Marty. 'I feel so exhausted now, from crying.'
'But you feel all better now, right, Marty?' asked Doc.
'Yeah, Doc, much better,' answered Marty. 'It's such a relief to get all that out of my system.'
'Yet, I'll bet,' Doc said, gently.
Then Doc drove Marty home.
oooooooooo
One hour later, after Doc had succeeded into sending Marty back to 1985 - he already began to miss Marty. He felt so bad about tearing up the letter - and making Marty cry. He began to realize something else, though. Apparently, within thirty years, Marty and Doc were extremely close friends. From the way that Marty was crying rather hysterically, and from the way that Marty had hugged him, it was evident that Marty really cared about him a lot. Even though Doc did have a few friendly aquaintences, he couldn't think of anyone who cared as deeply for him as Marty did. Doc, figuring that he probably wouldn't see Marty again for at least 20 years, began to feel real heartsick. Of course, from Marty's perspective, it would only be a few minutes until he got to see Doc again. For Doc, though, it would be somewhere between 20 and 30 years. It seemed too far away in the future.
'Oh, Marty, I really will miss you,' whispered Doc, with a sigh.
Doc then decided to tape up the letter that he tore up earlier, to see if there was anything else that Marty had to say, that Doc didn't catch earlier on. After all, Marty was sobbing so hard, that much of what he had said was somewhat incomprehensible. Through his sobs, Doc had caught him saying something about terrorists and being shot, but that was all Doc really caught. It was urgent to tape the note back together. After Doc taped the note back together, he finally read it.
Dear Dr. Brown,
On the night that I go back in time, you will be shot by terrorists. Please take whatever precautions are necessary to prevent this terrible disaster.
Your friend, Marty
'Oh, poor Marty,' murmured Doc, with a sigh. 'No wonder he was so devastated by me tearing up the letter. I should have listened to him. Come to think of it, he must have been trying to tell me all week about that terrible tragedy. At that repressed emotion must have finally let loose, like an uncorked bottle, when I tore up the letter. I'm sorry, Marty.'
Then Doc flopped down onto the couch, burying his face into the end cushion, and wept.
The End
