Marty raced to Doc Brown's mansion as fast as his skateboard would allow. He was grateful to the driver in the blue pickup truck, which, although annoyed, was
instrumental in increasing Marty's speed as they moved across town, but as he waved goodbye, there was no time for gratitude. He needed help-fast. And there
was only one man who could help him.
His momentum amplified as he made the final turn onto the doc's driveway and Marty silently prayed that his friend would be at home. Like clockwork, he lifted
the doormat and picked up the key. The door opened easily and he slipped inside.
"Hey Doc? Doc, where are you?" He was greeted by Einstein, who danced around, waiting to be petted. Marty was more than happy to oblige. "Hey, Einie, how's
it going boy? Is the doc around?"
Einstein barked and seconds later Doc Brown appeared in the living room. At that moment Marty had never been happier to see anyone.
"Doc, thank God you're here."
"I told you I'd be here, Marty. That's why I wanted you to come over."
"Right, but first-."
"Come with me!"
"Wait, Doc-." But as Marty protested, the doc was already pulling him into the garage.
"Come on, Marty! You have to see this! You're the only one who'll appreciate it!"
"Sure, but first I need to ask-."
"No! Don't ask any questions until you've seen it! I need your initial reaction! It's essential to its success!"
"But Doc, I-."
"Not another word! Just look at this!" Doc lifted a sheet revealing a small box-like contraption. "See? What do you think?"
Marty was unimpressed. It looked no different than the other things that his friend had invented. "Ah, it's great, Doc. What is it?"
"What is it? What is it? Why, it's only the greatest invention ever! It's an automatic can opener!"
"I-I'm sorry. What?"
"An automatic can opener!"
Marty tried not to laugh but it was almost impossible. "I hate to tell you, Doc, but automatic can openers have been around for a while now. I-in fact, you used
one in your experiment where you synchronized the clocks to make them run 25 minutes slow, remember? I was late for school! I sure got into a lot of trouble
for that. If it hadn't been for Jennifer-."
"I know that!" Doc said. "Everyone knows that! But this is different!"
Marty eyed Doc worriedly. His friend certainly wasn't getting any younger and maybe he should start thinking about retirement. But he'd bring up that subject
another time.
"How many automatic can openers can do this?" He pushed a button and Marty jumped when a retractable arm unfolded and made its way toward the kitchen.
"Holy-what is that?"
"Just watch! Watch!"
Marty stood frozen as the arm began to retract. In its claw was a can of dog food. A second arm curved around followed by an ear-piercing grating sound that
made Marty cover his ears. "My hearing! Doc, for God's sake! Make it stop!"
"Just a second!"
Einstein ran into the garage barking happily. The open can moved toward a dog dish on the floor and seconds later, Einstein was enjoying his meal.
"What did I tell you?" Doc exclaimed. "Isn't that the greatest thing you've ever seen?"
"Yeah, it's great, Doc. Look, this is important!"
"What is it?"
"Do you still have it?"
"Have what?"
Oh brother… "The time machine, Doc! The DeLorean!"
"Of course I still have it! It's right over here!"
Marty followed his friend over to the large object that was covered with a beige tarp. "Can I see it?"
"Um, sure." After a brief struggle, he finally managed to pull the tarp off, revealing the silver and black DeLorean. It was the most beautiful thing that Marty had
ever seen.
"Oh, thank God." Marty leaned against the car and hugged it.
"Marty, what are you doing?"
Embarrassed, Marty straightened. "Nothing, Doc. This is great. Listen, I need a huge favor. I mean, this is heavy!"
"Sure, Marty. Anything."
"I need to borrow the time machine."
Silence…
"Doc?"
"Anything but that!"
"Doc, please! Please!"
"No, Marty! Absolutely not!"
"Why not? I've driven it before! In fact, I saved your life! Twice! Once from Libyans and again from Mad Dog Tannen! Granted they were a hundred years apart,
but that should count for something, right?"
"Yes, and I am and forever will be deeply grateful, but Marty I cannot allow you to take the time machine."
"Please, Doc! I'm begging you!" He was about to get down on his knees, but thought better of it.
"Marty, no! Under no circumstances will I allow you to go into the future and see if the Cubs ever win the World Series? Remember that fiasco with the Grays
Sports Almanac?"
Marty flinched. He remembered it all too well. For several terrible moments, his father was dead, and Biff was not only a millionaire but his stepfather! Thank
God things had returned to normal.
"I-I don't want to go into the future. I want to go back to the past." Marty explained.
"The past? But where could you possibly go? I mean you've already been-."
"The Enchantment Under The Sea dance."
"No! I cannot allow it! A thousand times no! Look, just leave it alone! Your parents are happy, they kissed at the dance and because of that, you, your brother
and sister exist!"
"I know, Doc, but I have to go! It's for Jennifer!"
"What does Jennifer have to do with this? Marty, you're not thinking of taking her with you? A thing like that could destroy the space time continuum and
destroy the universe-again!"
"Just to observe, Doc! I swear, I won't interfere and I'll stay as inconspicuous as possible. No one will even notice me."
Doc shook his head. "I don't understand."
"I can't explain it right now, but please just trust me. You can even come with me."
"Hmm… Well, in that case."
Marty grabbed Doc's shirt. "Please, Doc. Please."
"Well, come to think of it, I've never been to that dance and it would be nice to see it at least once. Who knows, it might be fun!"
"Yes! Fun! And you can hear my awesome guitar playing. I do a mean Johnny Be Good!"
The doc smiled. "Now this I have got to see!"
Marty was so happy he could have jumped over the DeLorean. "All right, Great! How's tonight sound? At 1:30 in the parking lot of the Lone Pine Mall?"
"Perfect. I'll be there with the time machine. But make it 1:16, all right?" He touched his brow worriedly. "I just hope the Libyans aren't there."
"Doc this is a different day, remember?"
"Right."
Marty's mood softened. Damn, how could he have been so selfish? It was only natural that the Doc would fear for his life. Seeing those Libyans shoot his friend
was the most terrifying moment Marty had ever experienced. He moved closer to Doc and put his hand on his shoulder. "I promise, I won't let anything happen
to you. You're the best friend I've ever had, Doc. Always remember that."
Doc smiled. "Thanks, Marty. And you're mine. All right. I'll see you at 1:16 tonight. But first, do you mind telling me what all of this is ab-."
But Marty was already rushing out the door, pushing his skateboard as fast as possible toward his home. He had a big night ahead of him.