8:30 PM PST
Marty was playing cards with Artie and the girls in the dining room, when they heard the doorbell ring. Marty could barely keep her eyes of Jill, as hard as he tried to. He never dreamed he could ever feel that way about a Tannen. Then, again, Jill wasn't like other Tannens he had known.
'I'll answer it,' said Alice, as she stood up, to answer the door. 'Oh, hi, Mr. Lewis! He is in the dining room with us. We were just playing cards together.'
Remembering that 'Frank Lewis' was Doc's alias in this era, Marty slowly walked over to the door, to greet his friend. He then wondered if Doc had managed to make any progress with repairing the windshield, so that they could go home.
'So you don't mind if he says with you for a few days?' Doc was asking Alice.
'Oh, no, not at all,' replied Alice. 'He's such a fine young fellow. He and my brother have become such good friends. My brother really doesn't have too many friends.'
'Yeah, I understand what that's like,' Doc said, nodding. 'I was somewhat of a misfit myself, when I was young. Not too many people appreciated my interest in science. Then again, it's better to just be true to yourself, and not care about what everyone else thinks. People who are truly your friends will accept you the way you are.'
'Well, you know, if it wasn't for science,' Alice said, smiling, 'we wouldn't have made any of the progresses as we have in medicine. Science has helped us a lot. We even have longer lifespans nowadays than we used to.'
'I must say, that is very profound,' Doc replied. 'I mean, this is something that not many people really consider. So are you interested in medicine?'
'Yeah,' Alice said, nodding, 'I would like to go to nursing school, and become a nurse. Besides it being one of the very few occupations, besides teacher, that we as women can persue - I have always been interested in taking care of sick or injured people.'
Marty swallowed, as he heard what Alice was saying. He had forgotten how limited women were back in this era. He then thought of his girlfriend, and how she wanted to take up psychology. It was nice that Jennifer could have such opportunities in the modern era. It would also give their future family some extra income. Although, the income was not the most important thing to raising a family, of course. Besides, he still did dream of becoming discovered as a rock star, someday.
'Hi, uh, Uncle Frank,' replied Marty, with excitement. 'It's so wonderful to see you.'
'Hey, Alice,' Doc said, quietly, 'if you don't mind, Huey and I need to speak privately. We'll be back in about half an hour. Are you certain your folks won't mind if he stays with you for a few days?'
'Not at all,' Alice said, smiling. 'I must say, his company is a great pleasure to us.'
'You folks are sure very hospitable,' Doc said, warmly. 'Thank you so much.'
'It's my pleasure, Mr. Lewis,' replied Alice. 'It appears that the two of you are so close. Well, you certainly have a wonderful nephew. Huey is such a kind fellow.'
'Thanks very much, Alice,' replied Doc. Then he beckoned Marty over to join him.
'You know,' Doc said, quietly, 'there's something about Alice that strikes me as being so familiar. For some reason, though, I can't seem to place my finger on it.'
'Well, she looks the same way that my mother did, when she was young,' suggested Marty. 'She also looks a lot like Maggie McFly.'
'Well, that is true,' Doc replied. 'It's not just her looks, though. Something about her name sounds familiar to me, too.' Just then, he gasped, 'Of course! I remember her from when I was a little boy. I still remember how she would watch over my friends and I after school.' Then he nearly shouted, 'Great Scott! I would be five this year!'
'Uh, Doc,' Marty said, a bit sheepishly, 'this is something I need to tell you.'
'What is it, Marty?' Doc asked, concerned. 'Did something terrible happen?'
'Earlier today,' Marty explained, 'Alice asked me to come with her and babysit some children. I told her yes, as I had no idea that one of the children would be you.'
'Oh, really?' Doc asked, after a brief pause. Then he said, 'I do not remember ever meeting you when I was five. Although, granted, that was quite a long time ago.'
'You were showing me your dolls,' Marty explained, 'and you and your friends were talking about how your teacher at school didn't allow you to play with dolls - but that, when you had a substitute teacher, she allowed you to play with dolls. Then, after your regular teacher returned, she punished you for it.'
'Great Scott!' gasped Doc. 'You mean you actually found out about that fact?'
'I'll tell you the same thing now, that I told you back then,' Marty said, gently. 'Well, actually, I told you a little earlier today - but it was your younger self I told. Anyway, you shouldn't worry so much about what other people think of you. After all, you like what you like. Don't worry, Doc. I hold no judgements against you.'
'Well, that is nice to hear,' Doc said, smiling warmly. Then, as he scrunched his face in cententration again, he said, 'I still can't say that I remember anything about our encounter. Maybe I'll remember after we return to 1985.'
'Yeah, sort of like what happened to me after I returned from 1955,' Marty replied, as he smiled at his friend. 'So have you made any progress with the windshield?'
'I am in the process of melting the glass,' replied Doc. 'It will be the moulding part that will be challenging. I'm confident that I can handle it, though.'
'Well, if you put your mind to it,' Marty said, smiling, 'you can accomplish anything.'
'That's very true,' Doc said, as he embraced Marty. 'Even when I first saw you back in 1955, something about the name McFly struck me as being very familiar. I also remembered Alice, as I was very fond of her. For some reason, however, I just did not make the connection. I forgot that Alice's last name was McFly.'
'You never told me about that before,' Marty said, stunned.
'I never thought to tell you,' Doc explained, 'because I couldn't remember where I knew that name from. You know, though, come to think of it - I'd also taught your father back when he was in third grade. I still remember he did not seem to be as socially awkward back then.'
'Oh, yeah, that's right!' gasped Marty. 'He did speak real fondly of you, and I even had him come over to say hello. There was probably nothing about him that made him stand out from the other students, though, right?'
'That's correct,' replied Doc. 'I actually thought all of my students were wonderful. At the risk of sounding like I'm boasting, I always did have a way with kids. I never did believe in playing favourites, so your father pretty much blended in with the others. Also, some of the other students did have unusual last names. The most memorable name I remember was Ruby Redding. Heck, she even wore red all the time. I think she was even in your father's class, and the two of them were fond of each other.'
'Whoa, Doc,' Marty breathed, 'this is heavy! Ruby Redding is a an interesting name.'
'Yeah,' Doc said, nodding, 'I think she was really fond of having a unique name.'
'I wonder if she ever changed her last name,' Marty asked, 'after she got married.'
'It's hard to say,' Doc replied. 'Not too many woman back then really kept their own names after marriage. Of course, there is Sabrina Palmer - who kept her name.'
'Yeah, I remember Sabrina,' Marty said, fondly. 'She's a very wonderful lady.'
'Well, anyway,' Doc continued, 'I must say that it's very nice of your grandparents to let you stay with them. You do have some very generous and hospitable relatives.'
'My great-grandfather William is such a great man,' Marty explained. Then, laughing a little, he added, 'Although, he did pee on me once.'
'Back in 1885, I gather,' Doc said, with a wink. 'Well, I'd better get back to work. I hope to get this finished by Saturday. I guess I'm not too worried about you staying with your ancestors. Just be careful not to let them know about the future, though.'
'Right, Doc,' Marty replied, smiling at his friend.