July 13, 1987
12:30 PM PDT
BTTF Universe

"So what is the meaning of this?" Doc asked, sternly. "Marty, I would have expected you to know better than to let guests inside the house at a time like this. It was a bit risky, you know. I mean, that was a very close call."

"I'm really sorry, Doc," Marty said, blushing. "It's just that I was really expecting it to be Jennifer, and I was rather busy with preparing stuffed shells - so I just asked Alex to answer the door. I wasn't expecting my mother or my buddies to arrive."

"I was the one to come up with the idea that we were Calvin Klein's children," added Brantley, "although, it was Joe here who had this bright idea that Calvin Klein should be dead. I understand that he lost his own mother, but that was still real tacky."

"Say, Joe," Marty asked, a bit perturbed, "did you really think that it was necessary to tell my mom that Calvin Klein had died? I believe you caused her a little bit of grief! I believe that was a really thoughtless thing to do."

"Yeah, Joe, you could've told her something else," Alex added, rolling his eyes. "You could've said that he had some business to attend to, so he couldn't make it."

"What's wrong with saying that Calvin Klein is dead?" Joe asked, a bit defensively. "I mean, it's not like Calvin Klein was a real person - and I just figured that it was a good reason for why he wasn't here with us? Why is that such a big deal?"

"He was real to my parents!" Marty snapped. "Just because you're still grieving over the death of your mother, it doesn't give you the right to be so insensitive."

"It's not like she would've seen him again anyway, right?" Joe retorted. "Why are all of you getting on my case like this? Just lay off, okay?"

"Please stop fighting, all of you!" Doc said, firmly. "Marty, have you forgotten that the members of your band are downstairs in the basement? I guess I can't really be mad at you guys. I guess I was just a little surprised, that's all."

"I'm sorry, Joe," Marty said, quietly, as he saw that there were tears in Joe's eyes. "I guess I'm just a little tense right now. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"I guess I was careless, Marty," Joe said, softly. "I'm sorry." Then, turning to Doc, he added, "Hey, Doc, Zach already did promise to let me perform a few tunes with them on the stage tonight. I really want to do this, Doc, please?"

"All right, I guess you can," Doc said, sighing. "You can just introduce yourself as Joe Klein, Marty's cousin. The rest of us could come along, too - and we will just try to be as discrete as we can. I guess we shouldn't just keep your band waiting. I'll be inside my lab, in case any of you need anything."

"We will, Doc," Marty replied, just as the doorbell rang again.

"I'll get it this time," Doc said, as he made his way to the kitchen. After about thirty seconds he called out, "All right, boys! It's Jennifer!"

Marty ran into the kitchen to greet Jennifer, as the others followed him.

oooooooooo

"So, Joe, how long have you been a musician?" Billy asked, with curiosity.

"I was about sixteen years old," Joe replied, "when my sister and I formed this band with a couple of our friends. I'm two years younger than Patti, and we sometimes do had creative differences. Still, we were able to make some great music together. I'm the lead guitarist in our band, and Patti sings the lead vocals. I did sing the harmony vocals for a few songs, though."

"I've been friends with Marty my whole life," Zach explained, "and we were fourteen, when Billy and Joey joined our band. We really do hope to become discovered in the near future, and our local radio station does play our music a lot?"

"You mean KKHV?" asked Joe. "We listened to that station, yesterday. It is a really great station, and I believe you guys are awesome. My sister always had dreams of super-stardom - while, for me, it was always just about the music. Of course, fame would be really nice - but it's really not the important thing."

"I really do value substance over style," Joey commented. "Granted, there really is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich and famous - but I really hate how there are people who will cheat their way into the entertainment industry. There are several people who will flaunt their beauty, while they have the vocals dubbed by someone else - usually someone who is less attractive but has a great voice."

"I hate it when that happens," Joe said, grimacing. "The question I have is why some people let themselves be used by that. Anyway, thank you all for letting me perform a few tunes with you guys tonight."

"Hey, that's no problem," Marty replied, warmly. "You are our friend, and I just felt that we should do something nice for you."

"Joe, are you dating anyone right now?" Jennifer asked, smiling. "What about your sister? I must say that, from what I've heard, the two of you are very talented."

"No, I don't have a serious girlfriend, yet," replied Joe. "I hope to, one day, be able to meet a nice girl like you. My sister is engaged to a boy named Brent, though. As much as I am happy for my sister, I can't help but feel a little jealous of her."

"Well, join the club," Alex said, smiling. "I really miss my old girlfriend a lot. I really do hope that, sometime this fall, I can meet someone else to click with."

"I'm the only one out of us to have a girlfriend," Brantley commented. "I really have high hopes for my brothers, though. You must be optimistic, you know."

"Well, I'm not going to lose sleep over it," Joe said, smiling. "At least, I still have my music to keep me occupied. It would be great to have some romance in my life, but it's not everything, you know."

"That's just what Doc used to say about science," Marty pointed out, "before he met Clara. I guess I'm really not one to talk, as I have Jennifer."

"Sometimes, I think Marty likes his music more than he likes me," Jennifer teased.

"Now, Jennifer, you know that is not true," Marty protested, as he leaned over to kiss Jennifer. "You really are the girl of my dreams, and we will get married."

"I'm just teasing you, Marty," Jennifer said, laughing. "You're certainly very talented, though. I'm pretty confident that you'll get discovered, someday."

"What about you two?" Zach asked Alex and Brantley. "Are you into music any?"

"I like listening to music," replied Brantley, "but I don't play an instrument. I did take piano lessons a bit, when I was younger - but I never really got into it. For me, I just like to crank up the tunes and chill out."

"I love music," Alex added, "but I am not all too big on rock and roll. My preferences lean towards the pre-rock styles. I do enjoy jazz, blues, and swing. I also appreciate classical music, and I even like polkas - which not too many seem to like."

"I like polkas some of the time," Brantley replied. "It's nice for dances and stuff. The music is nice and peppy. I wouldn't listen to it all the time, though."

"I can't stand polkas," Joe said, grimacing. "No offence, but I just find that style to be very annoying. About the only thing I fing worse than polkas, is opera."

"I can tolerate polkas," Marty commented, "but it's not something I could really listen to all the time. It's not the worst style I've heard, though."

"Well, anyway," said Zach, "why don't we get back to jamming? Joe, you could teach us a few songs. Then we'll be prepared for tonight."

"That sounds like a good idea," Marty said, smiling. "I really would like to hear some of your songs, Joe. How about Mother Angel? You could maybe play that song for us, as that song appears to have sentimental value for you."

"All right, then," Joe said, as he reached for the guitar. "Let's rock and roll, then!"