4:30 PM PDT
"Maybe you could show me how to use the internet," Marty suggested, as he followed Haven over to the Lou's Internet Cafe and Coffee Shoppe. "The internet sounds quite awesome. I suppose it's almost like having the entire library at your fingers, eh?"
"Essentually, yeah," Haven replied. "However, you can't read every book online - and you do have to purchase some of the stories, before you can read them. You have to register to be able to read newspapers online, and you generally have to pay to have access to the archives. There are also websites you have to pay to have access to."
"Whoa, Haven!" Marty gasped. "Just slow down there a minute! What do you mean, when you say 'online'? Also, what the hell is a website? Remember, I came here from the '80s. I've did have a little experience with computers, but not much."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot," Haven replied, blushing. "I suppose some of the internet terms that are common to me would be very unfamiliar to you. When you are hooked up to the internet, than you're said to be online. A website is basically, well, it is like places on the internet where you can access all different types of information."
"I guess I can understand the 'site' part of the term," Marty said, quietly, "but why is it called a 'website'? That word creates a visual image of spiders in my mind. Wouldn't it be possible to create a better term? I've never been too fond of creepy crawlies."
"Well, that aspect of the internet is called the world wide web," explained Haven. "It's called a web, because the internet is a group of computer networks interconnected to each other - so this results in something that's somewhat comparable to a spider web. I've become so used to the internet, I tend to expect everyone to be familiar with it."
"Believe me, Haven," Marty said, softly, "I know just what you're talking about. Even after over a year of travelling through time, I really do still tend to slip up when I'm in the past. I sometimes tend to use terminology that hasn't come into existence yet."
"Well, anyway," Haven continued, "there is also a nifty feature on the internet called email. It is short for electronic mail, and you can actually send a message to anybody around the world - and they would receive it instantly. There is virtually no waiting."
"That really sounds awesome," Marty commented. "Gee, now I almost envy you guys - as I rather wish we had something like that in the 1980s. Although, I did hear about something called Usenet - which, I think, is something you can sure communicate with other people over the computer with. I don't know much about it, though."
"Oh, yeah, I know what you're talking about," Haven replied. "There have archives from Usenet on the internet that go back to 1981. There are a few people that use Usenet nowadays, but internet forums have pretty much taken over. It is similar to Usenet, but they are usually in a more controlled setting - with more features."
"You'll have to show me more," Marty suggested, as the two of them stepped into the cafe. Marty's eyes were so wide, as he saw a bunch of computer terminals lined along one section of the cafe. "Well, I guess we could grab a little something to eat first."
"So how many I help you folks today?" asked a very familiar looking man. "Powdered doughnut holes are on sale today, with a mocha latte cappuccino." As he took a real close look at Marty, he added, "You know, you do look familiar to me. Do I know you from somewhere? I have this nagging feeling that I've seen you around before."
"Uh, no, I don't think so," Marty replied, nervously. "My name is Alex PJ Fox. Maybe you recognize me, because I look like Michael J Fox. I really do happen to be related to him. Everybody, uh, says that I actually look like him - when he was younger."
"Yeah, I've heard of Michael J Fox," the man said, quietly. "I remember seeing him in Family Ties. Wait a minute! Don't you also look like Marty McFly? I never was so fond of rock and roll, as I've always just been into classical music - but you look quite a lot like our local rock star, right? He went to my school, and he was always very nice."
"Yeah, I guess I do - don't I?" Marty asked, with a nervous chuckle. He realized that the man was Lou Carruthers III. He was two grades below Marty, so they just were never that close - but the two of them did have a few very friendly chats.
"Yeah, you do," Lou III replied, with a warm smile. "He even defended me from bullies a few times. I must say, I have a lot of respect for that man. He really never let fame get to his head, and he never copped an arrogant attitude. He's also remained rather loyal to his wife, Jennifer - which actually doesn't happen too often in Hollywood."
Marty could hardly believe what he was saying. "Uh, Lou," Marty said, nervously, "I'll have a think of powdered doughnuts, and I'll just have a regular coffee. I'd like some cream in my coffee, as well as some Sweet and Low. That should pretty well do it."
"We don't have Sweet and Low," Lou III explained. "We have Equal, instead. It's just like Sweet and Low, except there just isn't as much risk of cancer." Turning to Haven, he added, "What about you, young lady? What would you be having today?"
"I'll have the same thing as, uh, Alex," Haven replied, "except that I'd just like regular sugar for coffee. I'll pay for both of us." After a very quick glance at the door, Haven added, "It looks like the Martys actually decided to swing by for a little while."
As Marty turned out, he saw that his older self was there - with Marty Jr! Marty Jr did look a lot like Marty himself did in 1975. It was a rather surreal experience. He's never seen his future son as a small boy before. Whenever he saw his son before, he was a teenager who always happened to be about the same age as Marty himself!
"Daddy?" Marty Jr was asking. "Can we go see Harmony and Melody tonight? I would love to spend a little time with them in the little pool they have, and then go on a ride with them on the hoverboard. I'd also really like to make sun catchers with them."
"We'll see about that, honey," Marty '06 was saying. He suddenly caught sight of his younger self, as he said, "Oh, look! Haven is here, too! Shall we go chat with her for just for a few minutes, before we grab a bite to eat? I wonder who she's with."
"I thought she was dating Goldie Wilson III," Marty Jr said, sounding confused. Marty '86 sure was stunned by what he heard. He remembered that Haven told him, back in 1975, that she was dating Goldie Wilson III for two years. He had quite spent a week with Goldie Wilson II in 1975, and Haven was also there. This was rather surreal.
"Oh, I'm not dating this young man," Haven explained, as she turned around. "He's a friend who happened to swing by. His name is Alex PJ Fox. He is a relative to Michael J Fox. That's why he, uh, actually bears a striking resemblance to the two of you."
"Hello, Alex," Marty Jr said, as he stuck out his hand. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm a fan of Michael J Fox. I really enjoy him in the Mind Warped trilogy, and he's also just great on Family Ties. He's just so cute and very nice. He's probably just like Daddy."
"I actually had the priviledge of meeting Michael a few times," Marty '06 added. As he seemed to remember just who he was talking to, he added, "I guess we shouldn't talk long. Just, uh, remember that your future really is whatever you make of it." He then turned to his son, as he added, "C'mon, honey, let's grab a table so we can eat."
"It was real great meeting you, kiddo," Marty '86 said, as he reached out to shake his future son's hand. "I'll, uh, be sure to tell Michael everything you said. I'm sure he will be very flattered to know that he still has young fans like you. Have a great day!"
"Tell Michael J Fox that Harmony Brown is a real big fan, too," Marty Jr added, just as his father lifted him up. Marty '86 smiled to himself, as he thought of how adorable his future son was. It was almost like he was back in 1975, and seeing his younger self.
As Marty was about to bite into a doughnut hole, he heard quite a familiar menacing feminine voice call out, "Hey, Brown, I thought I told you never to come in here!" At least, that was one thing seemed to be so consistent with whatever era he visited.
Marty and Haven both turned around. As Marty saw the blonde gang leader, he saw that she looked just like Spike from Griff Tannen's gang. There were also a pair of tall twins who sure resembled Rissy Unger, as well as a girl who quite resembled Heather Needles and a girl who quite resembled Betsy Tannen. They all looked intimidating.
