Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

March 8, 1938
4:30 PM PST

Emmett Brown was in the living room with his friends, Karen Smith and Leanne Sawyer, while they were listening to jazz on the phonograph. The three of them were seventeen, and they were all cousins. Karen was Emmett's cousin on his mother's side of the family, while Leanne was Emmett's cousin on his father's side of the family. Karen's mother and Leanne's father were siblings. So all three of them were related.

'So, Emmett,' asked Karen, 'you're going out to the theatre with Nancy Watson tonight?'

'That is correct,' replied Emmett, beaming. 'I thought I would never have a girlfriend, but Nancy is such a sweetheart. I hope that, one day, we'll marry and have kids.'

'Nancy is a very sweet girl,' agreed Leanne. 'She is a very beautiful girl, but she certainly isn't a snob. So what do you two have in common, anyway?'

'She likes to read science fiction,' replied Emmett, 'especially stories about time travel. It would be so nice if time travel really was possible. I can think of many eras I would like to visit. I would like to see the Old West, for one. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a cowboy. That was before I read Jules Verne for the first time, when I was eleven. I also think it would be real interesting to see the future, to see the progress of mankind. I mean, think of how far we've gone within the past, oh, fifty years or so. The discovery of electricity has done wonders for modern technology - and indoor plumbing is nice, too. It's nice not to have to run out to the outhouse whenever you have to relieve yourself.'

'You do have a good point, Emmett,' Karen said, softly. 'Electricity can be very dangerous, though, if you aren't careful. You have to be careful not to touch any bare wires - or you could be electricuted.'

'It is certainly nice to have a radio to entertain you, though' Leanne added. 'It's also nice to be able to listen to phonographs. Going out to the movie theatres is nice, too. I mean, I just simply adore Shirley Temple. She's got those adorable ringlets, and who can resist those gorgeous dimples. She's a very talented child actress.'

'Anyway, Nancy hasn't read Jules Verne, yet,' explained Emmett, 'but I suggested to her that she might enjoy his stories, if she enjoys reading science fiction. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is a great book by Jules Verne. This author has had such a profound effect on my life, I even tried to dig towards the centre of the earth. I didn't get too far, though.'

'Oh, yeah, I still remember that,' Leanne said, smiling. 'I think it's impossible to dig to the centre of the earth. Also, it's my understanding that it's really hot down there. In fact, some even believe that hell is literally in the centre of the earth.'

'I really don't want to think about hell,' Emmett said, cringing at the thought. 'Anyway, I hope to one day invent something that actually works. It can get so discouraging, but I'm not one too give up easily.'

'That's the spirit, Emmett,' Karen said, encouragingly. 'This is one thing I really admire about you, Emmett. You stay true to yourself, and you don't try to conform just to be accepted. You're someone who is not afraid to be an individual. I think this world would be a much better place, if we could all learn to just accept one another who who they are, and not be so judgemental.'

Emmett was nodding in agreement. He wasn't exactly the most popular kid in school, and Emmett was often a target of ridicule from the bullies in school. Unfortunately, intelligence wasn't exactly valued by many of Emmett's peers. Then there was also the fact that the Browns' family was rich, which was another factor that worked against Doc's favour - especially during the height of The Great Depression.

'Are you okay, Emmett?' Karen asked, softly. 'You're awfully quiet.'

'I guess I sometimes wish I had more friends,' Emmett said, quietly. 'It really does hurt to not be accepted, you know. I mean, I'm certainly not willing to change who I am, just so I can be liked - but it really hurt that some people cannot accept me for who I am. What is it that causes people to be so judgemental?'

'I think it's just human nature,' Leanne said, shrugging. 'People tend to fear what is different, so they tend to be very judgemental towards people they perceive to be different. I agree that uniqueness is something that should be valued, not shunned. Anyway, it's not like I'm all that popular myself. I mean, I'm really not into fancy clothing and all that stuff. I'd rather just wear what makes me feel comfortable.'

'Yeah, we may be a bunch of misfits,' added Karen, 'but we at least have each other. I'd rather have a few friends who accept me for who I am - than to have many friends that I really cannot be myself around. I think the popular people often feel real lonely among their so-called friends, because they're really only friends on a very superficial level. It's not like they really have the luxary of having friends they can turn to, when the going gets rough. Know what I mean?'

'I think you'd call them fair-weather friends,' said Leanne, nodding. 'They're really only your friends when things are going great - but, when the chips are down, then they don't want to have anything to do with you.'

'I understand what you girls are saying,' Emmett said, smiling. 'It is nice to have the two of you to be able to turn to, whenever I'm going through a rough time. I mean, I know the two of you will never judge me.'

'So, when are you going to leave, to pick up Nancy?' asked Leanne.

'Uh, I should probably start leaving real soon,' said Emmett, glancing at the clock on the wall. 'I was going to take her out for dinner, then we can go catch a movie.'

'Okay, Emmett, you have fun!' called out Leanne.

'I guess we'll see you at school tomorrow,' added Karen.

Emmett then embraced Leanne and Karen, before heading out to his car to pick up Nancy.