"New Sound You're Looking For"

Marty stood out in front of his house and pulled open the garage door. Inside he saw his beautiful new black 2002 Hummer H2. He ran his hand along the hood in awe of it. From behind he heard his wife ask, "How 'bout a ride mister?"

"Jennifer," he replied with relief. "Oh man are you a sight for sore eyes," he said as he walked toward her. "Look at you."

"Marty you're acting like you haven't seen me in months," she said playfully.

"You know I haven't."

"How was the tour?"

"It was good. We got in really late last night so I slept on the couch."

"I noticed. I'm glad you're home. Each tour it seems like you're gone longer and longer."

"I know. You know like I've said before I could always go on the tour and then just travel back in time and have my future self spend those past few months with you and the kids."

"No, no thats too weird. Its fine. So I see you like the new H2."

"I love it!"

"I'm glad. So we're getting together at the Doc's tonight to celebrate you being back."

"Sounds great!"

Later that night Marty and Jennifer drove up the road that led to the Doc's home on the land where his mansion once stood. They pulled up to the house and parked on the street. Jennifer unloaded the kids and they went up to the front door.

Ever since Doc and Clara had returned in 1996, they had settled in Hill Valley with their sons Jules and Verne, living in a big home, similar to the mansion Doc had once owned, only smaller. During his time traveling adventures with his family they had spent part of their time in Doc's garage/lab and had been accumulating money until he was able to buy back some of the land he had sold off. Once they had enough he bought back a good portion and made a home for him and his family.

Marty and his family entered the Brown's home and were greeted warmly. Marty loved touring, but being home was always a great feeling. After catching up with everyone Marty sat down on the recliner in the living room. He looked over at Jules, who was now 17, and listened as he argued with Doc.

"But dad Kelly and I have been dating for almost 4 months now. She's practically family."

"Jules you know how careful we have to be keeping our time travel a secret."

"Yeah I know dad. It just sucks having to always make up excuses for things. She's seen the DeLorean a few times and I always gotta pretend I don't know what she's talking about. She probably thinks I'm keeping something from her...well I mean I am keeping something from her."

"Jules, I'm sorry but I just won't budge on this. If Kelly were to discover that time travel were possible and were she to want to try it, she could go back in time and alter the future, the consequences being unfathomable. I've seen the ripple effect of time travel and trust me it is very dangerous and Great Scott does it hurt the brain."

"Fine. Whatever dad. She can still come over today though right?"

"Yes of course Jules."

"Good."

Later when Kelly arrived they went to the garage to practice a song they had been working on. Jules was playing the guitar.

Marty went in to hear them play. Jules said, "Hey Marty don't mind us. We're just a couple of amateurs."

"Hey you guys sound fine."

"Yeah well we'd sound better if they hadn't canceled the music class at school."

"Canceled the music class? Are they crazy?"

"Well our music teacher Mr. Berry broke his hand and decided to quit. They haven't been able to find anyone to replace him so they just canceled the class."

"That's ridiculous."

Kelly stood up and brushed her long brown hair out of her face. She knew Marty was a great musician and said, "Hey Marty you should come teach the class. You'd be great!"

"Ha! Me teach a class? I don't think so. I have a band I'm committed too."

"Your band is still touring?"

Marty was slightly offended but tried not to show it. He said, "Yes! We just finished a tour last week."

"Oh."

"Anyway I gotta go check on the kids."

Marty left the garage. Jules hit Kelly in the shoulder. He said, "Kelly that was really rude."

"I'm sorry babe. I thought they had broke up or something."

"This last tour wasn't as successful as the one before. I don't think Marty wants to talk about it."

"Don't get me wrong. He's a great musician. It's just I think people's taste in music is shifting lately."

"Yeah all that hip hop and R&B stuff. Well I just hope Marty's band makes it."

Instead of going back inside, Marty went out to the shed in the back where the DeLorean was kept. He got inside and stared at the time circuits. He thought, I love being a rock star. It's always been my dream. I have a family now. I do hate when I have to leave them for months at a time. Maybe Kelly was right. We're still successful, but even I know the interest in our music is waining. Should I teach music at the high school? Am I even qualified? I definitely have the skills. I guess they could issue me one of those alternative route teaching certificates. It would be a big change. I'd have more time with Jennifer and the kids. I wonder...what my future would be like now, if I did take the job.

Marty typed in June 17th 2025 onto the time circuits. He figured by then he could see how his life had changed and if he had become a teacher or not. Marty thought, Well for me to see my future as a teacher, I'd have to make a definite decision to do it right now. I don't think I'm ready for that.

He turned the car off and went back inside to join Jennifer and the kids. He sat on the couch next to Jennifer.

"What's wrong Marty," She asked.

"Oh...nothing. Well I just been thinking about something Kelly said."

"What is it?"

"She said I should teach music at the school."

"Really? Hmm. That would be great Marty! You'd be around more often for me and the kids!"

"Yeah I know. I considered that. It was just an off the cuff remark though. I don't think she was serious."

"So what if she wasn't. I think it would be a good idea."

"Could you really see a slacker like me as a teacher?"

"You've changed a lot Marty."

Marty's cell phone rang. He saw that it was Tiff Tannen calling him. He said, "Hold on babe it's Tiff."

"What has that woman gotten herself into now?"

Marty answered, "Hey Tiff what's up pal?"

"Can you come pick me up? I'm stuck down by the clock tower. Needles just left me here. We had this big fight. You know the drill."

"I just got back into town and I'm spending time with my family and friends."

"Friends? Marty I'm your oldest dearest friend! Come on pal! I left Griff with the sitter and that bitch charges me over time."

Marty sighed. He looked at Jennifer who had a disapproving look on her face.

"Fine. I'll be there in 10 minutes."

Marty hung up the phone.

"Marty," Jennifer scolded. "She has to learn that life does not start and stop at her convenience."

"Needles abandoned her downtown."

"How is that your problem? She's the one who keeps getting back together with him."

"Plus she has to get back to Griff...Jen, I'm her only friend."

"Yeah because her personality alienates everyone else."

"I'll be back before you know it."

"What? Are you gonna take the DeLorean?"

Marty chuckled.

Back in the garage Jules and Kelly were still practicing. Jules was feeling hungry at this point.

"Hey I'm gonna go see when the food will be ready."

"Okay, be back soon." She leaned over and kissed him.

Kelly watched as Jules left. She had been suspicious of the odd looking DeLorean she had seen Jules in a few times. He never gave her a direct answer so she decided to get the answer herself. She sneaked out to the shed in the backyard. She opened the door and saw the DeLorean time machine inside. Kelly loved cars and this one had intrigued her since the moment she saw it a few months ago. She loved the over all design of the DeLorean. It was such a unique car. The winged doors, though inconvenient in practical use, were beautiful aesthetically. What she couldn't figure out though, were the modifications to the car. She opened the driver side door and looked inside. She saw the time circuits and wondered what their purpose might be. She was perplexed by the Flux capacitor.

As Kelly was enthralled by the enigmatic vehicle, Jules came in and startled her. He said, "Kelly what are you doing out here?"

"I had to check this car out. I knew there was something out here. Jules why didn't you ever tell me about this car. It's amazing."

"Kelly I'm sorry, my dad made me swear to keep it a secret."

"Why? What's with all the mods?"

Jules couldn't exactly tell her it was a time machine so he scrambled to think of an excuse. He said, "It's a concept car my dad has been working on."

"Oh. So is it like for some science show or something?"

"Uh...yeah."

"Oh. Well that would explain all the gadgets and what-nots."

"Yeah."

"Let's go take it for a spin!"

"We can't."

"Oh come on Jules, don't be such a stick in the mud."

"We really can't. My dad would be pissed."

"Who says he has to know? Come on I have to see how this baby drives. I've always wanted to drive a DeLorean."

Kelly looked at Jules with pleading eyes. Her raven hair dangled over her piercing blue eyes. As much as he knew it was wrong to agree, when she looked at him like that it was impossible for him to resist.

"Okay. But we gotta roll it down the drive way in neutral so no one hears."

They rolled the DeLorean into the street. Once far enough Kelly started it up and they drove off toward the court house square.

Meanwhile Marty had arrived at the square already to pick up Tiff who was sitting on a bench in front of the parking lot. He got out and sat next to her.

"So what was it this time?"

"Some Butt-head ratted us out. His wife said someone called and told her he saw us together downtown."

"Who would do that?"

"Beats me. Anyway we got in this big argument and he just ditched me and ran home hoping to fix things with her."

"You need to move on Tiff. He's always gonna go back to her."

"I have a kid. Nobody wants to date a single mom. I'll die old and alone."

"Nah you'll meet someone."

"Right. When I'm seconds away from dying alone some hot guy will come in just in time to rescue me and I'll live happily ever after."

"You never know."

Just then Marty saw Jules and Kelly drive by in the DeLorean. Marty got up. He said, "Hold on Tiff I gotta take care of this."

Marty flagged them down and Kelly pulled up next to him. Marty lifted open Jules' door. He said, "Jules does you dad know you have your girlfriend in the DeLorean?"

"Well...see..."

"That's what I thought. Come on let's get this car back home." He turned to Tiff, "Tiff I'm sorry I gotta take care of this." He tossed her the keys to his H2. "You can catch up with us at the Doc's."

"No problemo McFly."

Marty made Kelly scoot over to sit with Jules and he sat in the driver seat. They were all stuffed in the car and Marty said, "It's times like this I wish Doc had gone through with that 8 seater DeLorean he was gonna invent. Anyway Jules your dad told you not to tell anyone else about the time machine. Even Kelly."

"Uh Marty, I didn't tell her it was a time machine. I told her it was a concept car."

"Oh...I see."

Kelly asked, "So this is a time machine? That's awesome!"

"No," Marty said. "It's a concept car. Like Jules said."

"Bull shit. I knew there was something weird about this car. It all makes sense now. It is a time machine." She pointed at the time circuits and said, "Yeah and these here must be where you type in what year you want to go to. That's so cool. We should go to the future Jules. I wonder if we get married...and have kids! Oh my gosh Jules what do you think are kids would be like?"

Marty said, "Whoa Kelly calm down. You're lucky I don't have a sleep inducing alpha rhythm generator."

She turned to Jules and asked, "What is he talking about?"

"Eh, I don't know."

"So let's fire this baby up! Let's go to the future!"

"That's not such a good idea," Marty replied. "Jules and I are experienced time travelers. A newbie like you could disrupt the space time continuum if you messed something up."

"So it is a time machine! And what are you implying? That I don't know how to handle myself in a sensitive situation? I know about the whole butterfly effect thing. I'll be careful not to step on any. So how does it work?"

"Well...you gotta get the car up to 88mph and that activates the time travel basically."

"All right let's go to the future!"

Marty could see she was not about to take no for an answer. So he decided he would go through the motions of time travel but he would not turn the flux capacitor on. That way when they hit 88mph nothing would happen. He turned on the time circuits which still had the date he put in earlier. He put the car in hover mode and they flew up into the sky.

"Damn this thing flies too?"

"Jules didn't tell you that part either? I really gotta stop assuming. All right anyway here we go to the future guys!"

Marty had forgot Tiff was following a bit behind them in the H2. She turned the corner to catch up with them and saw the DeLorean lifting off into the sky. She looked up in amazement at the flying car and said, "A flying DeLorean? I haven't seen one of those in like...17 years."

Up in the DeLorean, Jules didn't know about Marty's plan to keep the flux capacitor off. He figured Marty was being genuine about letting Kelly time travel. So as Marty accelerated to 88mph Jules reached over and turned the flux capacitor on, thinking Marty had forgot to. The DeLorean began to flash and they were transported to June 22nd 2025.

Marty had not planned to actually time travel so he was caught off guard. There was a hovering car right below them and the DeLorean hit the top of it which ruptured the fuel line. The gas started leaking out and Marty tried to get control of the car. He swooped under the hovering street sign and it knocked off the Mr. Fusion Home Generator Reactor. Marty looked in his rear view mirror and saw the Mr. Fusion fall to the ground. He quickly landed the DeLorean in the alley near courthouse square before they ran out of gas completely.

"Jules what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking we needed to activate the flux capacitor to make time travel possible. Deh."

"Well yeah but I wasn't really going to time travel. I was gonna say there was something wrong with it."

Kelly asked, "So you were gonna lie to me?"

"Well...yeah I guess. For your own good."

"I see how it is. Well whatever we're here now!"

"With a busted time machine. Aw man this is heavy. I gotta check the damage."

Marty got out and checked under the car. The fuel line was ruptured like he suspected. The Mr. Fusion had been broken off and he couldn't tell if it was still functional or not.

Jules and Kelly stepped out to see what had happened.

Marty asked, "Jules did your dad teach you anything about how Mr. Fusion works?"

"Uh no. Verne is more into that type of stuff."

"Yeah well Verne isn't here. We're on our own."

"Wait, Marty, what date are we in?"

"June 22nd 2025. Why?"

"Why did you put that date?"

"Well I wanted to see what my future would be like if I chose to be a teacher. Plus the date sounded familiar for some reason."

"It is! That's the date me and my family came to to get the train hover converted and we found the temporal duplicate of the DeLorean."

"The duplicate DeLorean is here? Awesome we can take that back."

"No. Because dad takes it back with us later. If we mess that up it will alter all of our lives."

"Oh right."

Kelly was trying to follow but she really had no clue what they were talking about. She asked, "So what are you guys even talking about? If the fuel line is ruptured I can easily fix that. I know my way around a car."

"Okay thats great, but neither of us know how to fix Mr. Fusion so we're gonna need the Doc's help." Marty turned to Jules, "Where are you guys at now...I mean your younger self?"

"At Goldie Wilson's hover converting systems most likely."

"Okay we can get the Doc to fix this and we'll be all set."

"But I can't go. I can't risk letting my other self see me, let alone my parent's seeing their son as a teenager."

"Ha yeah. Don't want to scare them when they see what a slacker you've become."

"Hey!"

"I'm just joking Jules. But seriously we can't let them see you. So I'll take care of talking to the Doc. You and Kelly wait here with the DeLorean."

Kelly asked, "Wait so your younger self is here right now Jules?"

"Yeah when I was like 9."

"Aw! Oh my gosh how cute! I wanna see! Let me go Marty. There's no danger in any of them recognizing me."

"I don't think that would be such a good idea. Do you guys wanna go hang out at the Cafe 80's for a bit or something?"

"Sure," Jules replied. "Do you think our thumb prints will work?"

"Yeah. I mean I know you Brown's time hop a lot, but I'm pretty sure Doc's settled on our current era, so you should still be living here as an adult. Just remember when 2025 comes around, when the money is taken from your account, that its just your younger self using it."

Kelly said, "It's weird how nonchalantly you guys talk about this stuff."

"You'll get used to it eventually babe," Jules replied.

Marty left them and went to get Doc hoping he could help them get back home.

TO BE CONTINUED =====