Chapter 5

Wednesday, October 22nd, 1986

Hill Valley

4:14 P. M.

"Here you go, Doc. Happy birthday."

Doc grinned. "Thanks, Matt." He ripped off the top of the box with one motion. Inside were two wine bottles. Doc frowned, picking one up and sniffing it. His eyes went wide. "Matt – this is human blood. Practically fresh human blood."

"It's called blood wine," Matt explained. "A friend of a friend of mine lives in Transylvania, and the peasants all tithe him a little of their blood in return for protection. He mixes it up with grape juice to create this stuff. Don't worry; I made sure yours was a special order – no actual alcohol."

"Good," Doc smiled, examining the bottle. "I think you've won the prize for 'most unusual gift ever given to me.'"

Marty handed him another box. "I hope you like it, Doc. I wanted to get you something on par with that guitar you got me for my birthday."

Doc chuckled, rolling his eyes a little. "We always try to outdo each other in this regard," he told his friends. He opened it up to find a pile of books. "Ah, Jules Verne – and in the original French, too! Great Scott, Marty, where on earth did you find these?!"

"Dad helped a lot," Marty shrugged, blushing. "I knew you were looking for them."

"And how! This is the perfect addition to my collection. Thank you." He pulled Marty into a hug.

James entered from the back room, carrying a lopsided chocolate cake with red icing. "We ran out of yeast," he explained sheepishly, setting it down. "But Joey assured me it would be fine. I just hope we have enough for everyone."

The scientist found himself looking longingly at the cake. "That's the one major food I miss from being mortal. Chocolate."

Jay slapped him on the back. "Cheer up. One taste of that blood wine and I bet you forget all about that cake. Open 'er up."

Doc was about to do so when he caught a very familiar whiff at the front door. Roses and lilies. "Mystie!" he yelled, leaping to his feet. He ran to the door, flung it open, and greeted his fiancé with a kiss. "Myst, I'm so glad you're back. Any luck?"

Mystie was laughing too hard to reply for a moment. "I'm glad I'm back too! I should go away more often if that's how you plan to greet me." She waved to someone behind her. "Yeah, I found her. Emmett, this is Josephine Grey. Josie, this is Emmett Brown, my fiance."

Doc looked behind Mysteria to see a young woman, about Mystie's age in face. Her dirty blond hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she wore a blue shirt and black leather skirt. The fact that her stockings had holes didn't seem to bother her. She studied Doc with perfect green eyes, flecked with blue. Doc had to admit, he found her kind of cute. No Mysteria, but she was definitely attractive.

Josephine smiled. "Myst, I gotta hand it to ya. You sure know how to pick 'em."

Mystie giggled. "You don't have to tell me. And he's all mine." She squeezed Doc tight. Doc blushed a little, embarrassed but pleased.

Josie pouted a little. "Sure you don't have a spare? He's really handsome."

"Sorry, my only sibling is a sister." Doc was getting a little nervous now. It's as if Josie flipped for me the minute she laid eyes on me. Damn, I hope Mysteria isn't prone to jealousy. With any luck, this new girl will keep her hands to herself. He extended a hand, shielding his thoughts. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Grey."

"Call me Josie, all my friends do." She peeked in at the rest of the patrons, who had gathered around the door. "Hi there."

"Hello," James squeaked, eyes wide. Doc smiled – apparently, Josie wasn't the only one who could become smitten with someone at first sight. "How are you?"

"Okay. I'm really hoping I can help you guys with this soulless vampire problem you've got."

"It's more than just a problem," Marty spoke up as she came in. "It's a fricking invasion!"

"Yeah, Mystie briefed me on the way down. Biff Tannen seems like the worst threat to the world since – well, Hitler I guess."

"Amen to that," said Jay, raising a glass of the blood wine.

"We're trying to get the word out about Biff leading the soulless vampires." Natalie told Josie.

Josephine stared at her. "Huh? Are you nuts? Who says the humans--"

"Just about them, not about us," Doc explained hastily. "We feel it's Hill Valley's only hope. No matter what, we'll never find a large enough souled vampire army in time to battle them ourselves. We have to tell the humans what's going on."

The she-vampire sighed. "It's A matter of survival. I can understand that. I'll help in any way I can," she said, giving Doc a brief seductive grin. "When you're as old as I am, you've seen a few tricks."

"How long have you been around?" Jennifer asked, wondering if that was polite.

"Gods, I don't know. I've forgotten how old I am. I was changed during the height of the Roman Empire."

Josie suddenly garnered a lot more respect from everyone. "Great Scott," Doc breathed. "You're over a millennium of years."

Josephine blushed. "Luck of the draw." She quickly turned serious again. "If my sister's on Biff's side, we could be in some serious shit. She's hated me ever since we were kids. She's not only my vampire sister, but my biological one as well."

"Tough break."

"Tell me about it. She's had me committed a number of times. I always manage to get free, though. Last time I saw her was in Florida, but that was six years ago. She could be anywhere by now."

"I sincerely hope she didn't find her way here. We had enough trouble with the last souled vampire that turned on us." Doc's fists tightened as Henry came into his thoughts.

The phone rang, startling him out of his anger. "Yo, Darkness Falls," Joey answered. "What? Wait – hold on a second – he's here, let me get him." He covered up the mouthpiece. "Uh, Dr. Brown, this chick from KKHV says that somebody rented a studio for you today at about five o'clock. You're running late."

Doc was just as confused as he was. "Let me speak with her," he said, taking the phone. "Hello, this is Dr. Brown. Really? I was unaware someone had done that," he explained, looking around at his friends. Each gave him a negative shake of the head. "Why – as a birthday present??"

"Birthday?" Josie asked.

"Today Emmett turns 65," Mystie explained.

"Oh, happy birthday." Once again, Josie turned on her sexy smile.

"Thank you," Doc said, not looking at her directly. "I don't know who might have done that. . . ."

Marty, though, had an idea. "Hey, maybe that guy who gave you the notes also got you the studio," he suggested.

"Well, that's a possibility. On the other hand, it could have been Louis, before he started his search. He certainly has the money to set up such an endeavor." Doc smiled. "Either way, I'm not about to let this opportunity slip through my fingers. Tell the studio I'll be there as quickly as I can. Thank you for calling."

"We'll be there," Matt said forcefully. "I know it's far-fetched, but this could also be some soulless trap. There's safety in numbers."

"Yes, but we can't all go. Mystie and I will go, as well as three others."

"I'm definitely there, Doc," Marty said. "I've always wanted to get a close-up look at KKHV. I was thinking of becoming a DJ there one day."

"I'll come along, just to get the lay of the land here," Josie added.

"Me too," James blurted, blushing a little. "I'll be Miss Grey's escort."

Mystie glanced at Jennifer. "You want us to make room for you?"

"After all the adventure we've had this past year, no thanks. I'm taking all the downtime I can get."

"I can't say I blame you. Since that's settled, let's go." They headed out to their cars. Josephine wanted to ride with them in the "funky DeLorean," but Doc was able to ward her off with the excuse of no room. James kindly offered his car instead, which she took a bit reluctantly.

Mystie noticed her fiance's tight condition. "Relax, honey. I'm not jealous."

"You've been reading my mind again, haven't you?"

"A bit. Yes, I know you think she's attractive, but I trust you to stay faithful to me. After all, I know you think I'm attractive too." She planted a kiss on his cheek. "She'll cool down in a little while. Josephine just happens to be attracted to older men."

"You can say that again."

Marty patted Doc's shoulder as they started off. "Listen, I bet in a day you won't have a problem anymore. Not with the way James was looking at her."

"That's true," Doc nodded, heartened. "She and James could very well hit it off. In fact, I hope they do." He smiled. "I really hope they do."

They arrived at the radio station just in time for their surprise broadcast. A DJ gave them a quick lesson in working the various controls, then let them be. Doc nervously glanced at his compatriots. "Well. This is it. We're dropping the bombshell."

"You're dropping the bombshell," James corrected. "You came up with the idea; you carry it out."

"Fair enough." Doc took a deep breath. "I can't guarantee anyone will listen if I'm the voice, though."

"Don't worry, Dr. Brown," Josie said, in a half-purr. "We're right behind you." She moved a little closer to him. Mystie, frowning, came by his side.

Great, just what I need, those two to start annoying each other, Doc thought, looking at the two girls. What on earth happened here? I'm a scientist, not a sex symbol.

"Yo, Doc, I think you're on," Marty said, noting the light had switched on.

Doc took another deep breath. "Here goes." He leaned close to the mike. "Hello, Hill Valley. This is Dr. Emmett Brown. Most of you probably know my reputation, but stay tuned anyway.

"Five days ago, we all heard a rather frightening message on this station in the form of a broadcast by Biff Tannen. The radio station hijack made front-page news. Nevertheless, I bet a good number of you are wondering if it was all a sick joke in preparation for Halloween. I can assure you -- it's real.

"Biff and his minions have been causing trouble for a year now. They've killed many people. They've tried to kill many more." He paused. "Including me.

"My life has been a living hell for the most part ever since I discovered Biff's secret. My friends and I have dedicated a good portion of our time to stopping his mad plans to rule the world. Until now, we were successful. But right now -- we need help. We need your help.

"We're not helpless against Biff's onslaught! We CAN fight back! Anything you can do will help us! Almost anything can be used as a weapon against these freaks of nature! If we're to go down, I want us to go down fighting! Don't worry about your safety. Despite all the insults you've thrown at me over the years--" Mystie gently tapped his shoulder, shaking her head "--my friends and I will try to make sure nothing happens to anyone. Please, you have to trust us on this. We can't let Biff win."

Figuring that was as good a note as any to end on, Doc switched off his mike. He leaned back, trying to keep from shaking too hard. Had anyone listened once his voice came on? Would anyone want to help? Would anyone even believe him?

James smiled indulgently. "Excellent monologue, Dr. Brown," he said.

"You have a great speaking voice," Josie nodded, looking seductive again. Mystie rolled her eyes and plunked herself down on his lap.

"He does, doesn't he? You did very well, darling." She kissed him hard, making sure Josie was watching.

Doc's stomach dropped. You know, Marty, now I half-wish Biff's attack was coming sooner.