June 20, 1987
5:20 PM PDT

Marty swallowed, as it was a little hard to read the expression on the faces of Michael and Claudia. Surely, they didn't really believe in any of that time travel nonsense - did they? Suddenly, he could hear chattering going on from the kitchen - and he also noticed a feminine voice. He wondered who she was. He then thought of what to do.

"Look, guys," Marty replied, nervously. "I, uh, really need to go use the washroom. I'll be right back." His girlfriend, the actor, and the actor's girlfriend all nodded. "It's really been awesome, getting to know you guys. Thanks for showing interest in my music."

Marty swallowed, as he made his way towards the kitchen. He caught sight of the two Browns staring at a diagram of some sort, as he stepped into the washroom. This sure had to be one of the most unusual days he had. It felt so cool to meet Michael J Fox.

"So, what you're saying," one of the Browns was saying, "is that you folks went back in time to the year 1881, to witness a bet that the founders of Hill Valley and Hillcrest have made? Then, upon returning to 1987, you just ended up... here? To be frank, I now see that I made the right choice in never travelling to the past. It's because..."

"That was my initial plan, as well," the other Brown responded. "However, the second time travel trip... after the test with Einie... simply was an accident. As my Marty was trying to escape from some terrorists, he ended up landing back in 1955. The time..."

"... that we came up with the idea for the flux capacitor," finished the first Brown. "I do remember you telling me that. I'm really trying to imagine what it must've felt like, finding out that your future time machine did work - just shortly after having the..."

Marty felt rather stunned, as he tried to digest what he heard. Apparently, there not only was an actual time machine - but the young man who looked just like him actually was not Michael J Fox, but another version of him? While he had nothing against Dr. Brown, he could not see himself being close to the scientist. It felt too strange.

"That's why I really thought he was a prankster, at first," responded the other Brown. "Once I found out that he was telling me the truth, though... Well, I was very amazed that I would invent something that actually works. Mostly, I just felt so much shock."

"In a way, though," commented the first Brown, "you're lucky. Even though I imagine that you sure must've had your hands full. I remember you telling me that you had to find a way to send Marty back home. Finding out that one of your experiments..."

Marty could not take it, anymore. He quickly washed his hands, as he decided that he needed to get some answers. He quickly stepped out, and headed towards the table.

"Marty!" gasped one of the Browns, as he looked up. "I, uh... I did not see you come in! Is there anything you need? Have you, uh... Have you listened to us talking?"

"Yeah, I have," Marty replied, quietly. "I've heard everything. Also, when I was in the living room, I found some diagrams that you had... for a time machine. At first, I quite dismissed the whole thing as nonsense - but it sounds as if you guys really believe..."

"Why don't you wait here?" suggested the other Brown. "I guess we might as well just let you and your girlfriend know what's going on. I know we haven't been very honest with you, but this is... Well, this is not something that we can just let anyone know."

"I guess I understand," Marty replied, in a near whisper. "In fact, I quite doubt that I would've even believed you. In fact, I probably would've thought that you were a bit crazy. So, uh, this other me... He isn't actually Michael J Fox? He's my other self?"

"Precisely!" replied the other Brown. "I'll go fetch your girlfriend, as well as your other self and his girlfriend - and then we'll explain everything to you. Just try to relax."

Marty nodded, as he watched the other Brown leave the room. While he could almost accept that his look-alike was his other self, he still felt a little confused about why his other self's girlfriend was not Sarah Parker. Was "Claudia Wells" even her real name?

"So, uh, what is this big news you wanted to tell us?" Sarah was asking, as he entered the room. "Michael" and "Claudia" were right behind her. "It must be very interesting."

"Oh, it really is," confirmed the other Brown. "Before I tell you, though... Well, Sarah, I want you to take a good look at Claudia - and tell us if she reminds you of somebody that you know. Does she, by any chance, happen to remind you of a close relative?"

"In fact, she does," Sarah replied, softly. "She quite looks a lot like my cousin, believe it or not. We were even talking about it, earlier. Her name is Jennifer Parker, and she lives in Green Valley. How did you guess, Dr. Brown? Did Claudia tell you about that?"

"Well, no, not quite," the other Brown replied, softly. "I'm not sure how to tell you this - but, the thing is, Claudia... Well, she actually is your cousin! She's not quite the version of your cousin that you know, but she is none other than Jennifer Parker."

"No, she can't be Jennifer!" Sarah insisted, emphatically. "Jenn and her friends are in Jamaica - and they're won't return, until next Wednesday. I sure don't get what trick you're trying to pull, but I ain't falling for it! You think I don't keep tabs on my cousin? For your information, we happen to be very close friends - as well as being cousins."

"He's telling the truth, Sarah," Marty confirmed. "I heard them talking about it, while I was in the washroom. They weren't quite expecting me to listen. Also, Michael is your boyfriend's other self. This Jennifer is not really the same Jennifer that's in Jamaica."

"I don't quite understand this," Sarah grumbled, sighing. "Although, Marty and Michael quite do look a lot alike. If what you're saying simply is true, though - then why is your other self dating my cousin, instead of me? That certainly doesn't make sense to me."

"I don't really understand that, either," Marty replied, softly. "After all, I can't imagine being with anyone else - even if your cousin is very cool, and all. Still, there is also the issue with the diagrams that I saw. Initially, I had dismissed it as nonsense - but... It's pretty hard to argue against evidence. I am rather curious to learn more about this."

"Well, uh, I..." Sarah started to say, as she grabbed a seat. "I have to admit, it quite seems odd to encounter someone who looks like you and someone who looks like my cousin - both at the same time. All right, then. Dr. Browns, please enlighten us."

"We will," replied the other Dr. Brown. "I'm also not Christopher Lloyd Brown. We both happen to be Emmett Lathrop Brown, in fact. I'm not from this world, though. You see how there were those diagrams? Well, the thing is, we're from a different timeline."

"What he's saying is," the first Dr. Brown commented, "is that he came from a timeline where Hill Valley is still a populated town, along with Jennifer and the other Marty. It'll be a pretty complex story. But here's the thing. All three of them live in Hill Valley. It's because of something that happened in 1881, that Hill Valley became a ghost town."

"We do apologize for inconveniencing you," added Marty's counterpart, "but that was why we had involved you guys. We were hoping that you might be able to shed some light on what happened, and what had caused Hill Valley to become a ghost town."

"My mother used to always talk about Hill Valley," Marty explained, softly. "She would always get that faraway look in her eyes - as if she simply longed for the days before the... the incident happened. I often rather wondered what her childhood was like."

"Well, I think I can answer that," replied Marty's counterpart. "During her teen years, she was quite happy - even if she seemed a bit boy crazy. I mean, the way she fell in love with me - after her father hit me with his car. That week in 1955 was just the..."

"Wait a minute!" Marty gasped, with horror. "How could my own mother... fall for me? I mean, even if it was her teen self. Even if she had no real idea that I was her future son, how could she simply think of me in that... that manner? Surely, she had to know that I was not... No offence, but thinking about this really makes me feel... feel sick!"

"No offence taken," replied the other Marty. "As soon as she kissed me, she began to realize that something was wrong. Had I known that, I rather would've let her kiss me straight away. It actually might've made the week go a little more smoothly for me."

"Well, I certainly don't envy you," Marty replied, shuddering. "Y'know, I quite do miss my parents - even if they sure were far from perfect. I know I wasn't appreciative of them, and... I don't see Dave cry, quite that much - but I do remember how much he cried, as soon as heard the news about the accident. He and Dad were very close."

"My God!" Sarah gasped, astonished. "I guess you guys are telling the truth! I feel so stunned! I mean, this seems like some sort of a strange dream. What I want to know, though, is why the other you is dating my cousin - instead of me. I mean, it's just..."

"It's because Jennifer and I both live in Hill Valley," the other Marty explained, "while you still lived in Elmdale, when I first met Jenn. I understand the feeling, though. I'm probably never gonna quite get used to the idea, but... That's just the way it is."

Marty sighed, just as he glanced around the room. He began to wonder if his life ever would be the same. He really was just as curious to learn about his other self's life, as his other self was curious to learn about his. He often really did wish that his life could be a little different, but he never dreamed of meeting another version of himself.