Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future or Family Ties.
December 24, 19866:00 PM EST
Family Ties Universe
"So, Alex," Skippy Handelman commented, "are you done with your Christmas shopping?" After pausing for a brief minuted, he added, "I really would like to buy something for Bethany Newman, but I'm not sure what I should buy her. Maybe I could get her a big box of Banquet fried chicken and mashed potatoes for a gift. Maybe I could also buy some applesauce for her, as well."
Alex sighed, as he put his hands on Skippy's shoulders. "Uh, look, Skippy," Alex said, gently, "if you really want to impress Bethany, buying her groceries is not the way to go. Groceries is what people give away for charity. You know, for charities like The Salvation Army. People don't give away groceries as presents. It's not proper."
"Alex is right, Skippy," chimed in Howie Schwartz. "If you want to impress the girls, you buy them hygiene products. You know, buy them things like soap and shampoo. Women really dig that kinda stuff. They can be rather obsessed with cleanliness."
"Howie, you're not being very helpful," Alex said, sighing. Turning to Skippy, he suggested, "Gifts I would recommend for women would be things like perfume or bath beads. Maybe they might like some nail polish - or, perhaps, they might like some make-up."
"Isn't that what I just said?" Howie asked, defensively. "How are the gifts you just suggested different from what I suggested. Maybe just buy her a box of chocolates."
"No, that I would not recommend," protested Alex. "Many women tend to be on diets, and the last thing they would like is a box of chocolates. Look, I should start heading home, now. I have to finish wrapping up my presents, and get them under the tree."
"So are you looking forward for tomorrow, Alex?" asked Skippy. "I'll be up early."
"Yeah, Christmas is the most wonderful time of year," Alex gushed. "I must say that I'm very concerned for Mallory, though. She wants to take up wrestling, and I'm just concerned that she might get hurt. I just can't stand to see her injured, you know."
"Just tell her how you feel," suggested Howie. "Just tell her you don't want her to get hurt. I can't imagine I would ever take up wrestling, you know. It seems to me like a rather dangerous sports. Really, what's the the point of wrestling, anyway?"
"You know, I'm really not sure," replied Alex. "The one problem is, though, Mallory doesn't take too well to advice. She can be rather defensive over stuff like that. Anyway, I'll bet that, a month from now, she won't even be interested in wrestling anymore. My sister always was a bit fickle like that, you know. Anyway, I just don't want to hurt her feelings."
"She doesn't seem to be too worried about hurting my feelings," grumbled Skippy. "It hurts that she doesn't like me. I don't understand what she sees in Nick, anyway. I mean, that guy is such a jerk!"
"I really don't understand her infatuation with Nick, either," Alex said, sighing. Then, turning to Howie, he added, "I'll maybe over tomorrow night. I'm going to drive Skippy and I home now. Take care of yourself, Howie - and Merry Christmas!"
"Have a Merry Christmas yourself," replied Winston. "Take good care of yourselves!"
oooooooooo
As Alex was driving Skippy home, he was thinking of his best friend. Skippy always did have bad luck with the opposite gender. Most of the time, Skippy had a crush on Mallory - who most decidedly did not love him back. Alex sighed to himself, as he thought of Mallory. He thought Skippy would be a better match for Mallory than Nick Moore - whom nobody else in their family was too fond of. He flashed Skippy a lopsided smile, as he turned into the driveway.
"It's been nice spending time with you, Alex," gushed Skippy, as he stepped out of the car. "Thank you for all the advice. You've always been such a great friend to me. Have a great evening, and Merry Christmas to you!"
"Merry Christmas to you, too!" Alex called out, cheerfully. "Good night, and take good care of yourself! Remember what Christmas is all about. Don't ever make the same mistake that I did three years ago."
As Alex pulled into the driveway of his own home, something really shiny had caught his eye. As he stepped out of the car, he picked up the stone and gazed at it. It was the most colourful stone he had ever seen. It was so beautiful, he was mesmorized.
As Alex stepped into the house, he saw that the only one that was in the house was Mallory. He decided now was maybe a good time to express his concerns to Mallory.
"Say, uh, listen, Mallory," Alex said, gently, as he walked into the living room. "There is something I would like to talk with you about. You have a minute or two to spare?"
"Yeah, sure, I guess," mumbled Mallory. "what is it that you would like to discuss?"
"Well, uh, Mallory," Alex said, taking a deep breath, "I must say that I'm really a bit concerned for you. I'm not sure if it's really a good idea for you to take up wrestling. It's a very dangerous sport - and, well, you see, I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll be fine, Alex!" Mallory protested, defensively. "What is it you're concerned about, anyway? Is it the fact that I'm a woman, and you think wrestling is a man's sport?"
"Uh, well... No! No! It's not what I'm saying at all!" Alex was quick to reply. "Well, I'm not sure! Maybe it is the case, sort of. Many of these men who take up wresting can be very tough - and, well, I just don't want to see you get hurt. You are my sister, and I really do love you - even if I do sometimes give you a hard time."
"So you're saying that wrestling is a man's sport!" Mallory insisted, raising her voice. "You're not fooling me at all with your false concern for me. Just come right out and say it, Alex! Just go right ahead and tell me that you believe wrestling is a sport for manly men - and that I, as a weak woman, am unworthy to partake in that sport!"
"You really think that's how I feel, Mallory?" Alex asked, quietly. "I personally could not give a damn about wrestling myself. I just never understood that sport. Listen, Mallory, I just don't want you to be hurt. That's all I'm really trying to say to you. I swear that you tend to take everything out of proportion. I really care about you."
"Yeah, sure, Alex!" Mallory spat out, angrily. "You really expect me to believe that? You expect me to believe that you're being discouraging out of concern for me?"
Alex watched on, stunned, as Mallory stalked off to her bedroom. Alex was blinking back tears, as he thought of the way his sister misunderstood him. Granted, Alex had been known to tease his sister for her ditsiness - but he loved his sister dearly. He would even be willing to give up his life for her, if it ever came to that. He really had desire to hurt his sister, but she could be so overly sensitive at times.
With a heavy sigh, Alex headed to his bedroom. He took the stone from his pocket to admire its beauty. Alex wanted to show the stone to Skippy, but he was afraid that Skippy might end up dropping and breaking the stone. It was something to treasure.
As the stone began to glow in Alex's hand, his eyes grew big. He gently set the stone on the floor, as a whirlwind began to form on the stone. Alex watched the whirlwind as it grew bigger. Suddenly, Alex felt himself being sucked into the whirlwind.