Chapter Three

3:37 p.m.

Hill Valley was known for two things. One was its downtown area, which had seen better days. The streets used to be booming with people drawn to the many stores and businesses. At present, the surviving stores, which barely made ends meat, stood struggling in the shadows of a splendid, well-built courthouse and its marvelous clock tower.

Which brings us to the second feature of this small California town. The county's judicial building, a grand, brick structure, built in the 1880's by the heart of America, overlooks Hill Valley's pathetic business district, in silence. The clock above the main entrance has not made a sound since the mid 1950's, when a precise lightning bolt struck the clock, paralyzing the hands in their final spot, four minutes after ten.

Everyone who was alive at that time remembered where he or she was when the clock had stopped on the night of November 12th, 1955.

And that's where it remains standing today.

Four minutes after ten o'clock. No more; no less. For the last 25 years, the city has refused to repair one of its most ingenious landmarks.

Today, like they always did, Marty and his friend skated down to Lou's Café, passing the courthouse displaying the silent clock.

Marty knew his mom's story about where she was, on the night of November 12th. In fact, she and George were on their first date at a high school dance that evening.

Marty and his friends skated across the park in front of the courthouse. He was ahead of all of them, followed closely by Ned, one of the best skateboarders Marty knew. Greg, Scooter, and Tommy Hanson followed them. Tommy was Scooter's best friend but had almost the opposite personality, quiet and shy, however, he was rather outgoing when Scooter was around.

All five boys entered the café as one, and sat at the bar in one unbroken line. Marty sat down in between Ned and Greg. He and Tommy each ordered a Pepsi; Ned ordered a Tab, and Greg and Scooter got milkshakes.

The café was full with kids of all different ages and grades akin to Marty and his friends. The boys were there to impress the girls. The girls were there to check out the boys. Everyone was talking at once over the jukebox, which commonly played new wave groups such as The Cars, Hall, and Oates and the B-52's.

"That Ms. Garrison, man I hate her class! She's so boring. I hate math." Greg was saying. Marty turned to him.

"Me too. But I think Mr. Fredrickson's history class is worse." Marty scowled. "He should go jump in that ravine over by the tracks."

"Clayton Ravine." Scooter corrected him.

"Yeah, that's it. He told us it was named after some teacher that fell into it in the western days."

"Cool. Ms. Garrison should fall in too." Greg chimed.

"How did you know the story of Clayton Ravine?" Ned inquired, hastily. "You're never in class!"

"Everyone knows that story!" Marty smirked. "I guess one time when he was telling it, the accident got me thinkin' and I imagined old Fredrickson driving his old Pontiac over the side of the cliff."

Marty and his friends broke out roaring with laughter at the thought. But after a moment, Marty stopped laughing and gazed at the front entrance where a group of seventh grade girls had just walked in. One of them in particular caught Marty's full attention.

Her name was Brittany Schroeder. Marty watched as she brushed her long brown hair out of her sparkling baby blue eyes. She and her friends passed the counter and sat down at a booth to the far left of Marty, well out of earshot. Marty didn't take his eyes away from her for a second.

"Hey Marty, what's gotten into you?" Greg asked, looking back at where Marty was watching. After noticing Brittany, he sighed. "You're not gonna fall for her now, are you?"

"What's wrong with that?" Marty asked, now only glancing in her direction.

"Well, for one thing, she's only the hottest girl in school!"

"Keep it down, will you!"

"Look, Marty, she won't go out with you. She's too popular."

"He's right, Marty." Ned included. "And she's probably got a boyfriend anyway."

"Who is it? I'll kick his ass!" Marty insisted. Ned and Greg looked at each other and shrugged.

"Why don't you go ask her?" Greg said, finally.

"What, right now? No way." Meanwhile the other boys had finished their drinks and got up to leave. Ned and Greg got up too.

"Hey, Greg, wait up for me." Greg sat back down.

"Hurry up." He said, impatiently. Marty hadn't finished his soda.

"Greg," Marty said quietly. "I want to ask her out but I don't know—."

"Go ahead."

"But you guys said she had a boyfriend."

"We were just foolin' with you, I don't know if she does." He looked beyond Marty. "But with a bod like that, she won't stay single for long." Greg teased, checking her out in a glance.

"Cut it out." Marty said, sipping the last of his soda.

"O.K. If you're not going to ask her, I will."

"Marty opened his mouth but never got the chance to say anything. Greg stood up.

"Stay cool, buddy." He said, advancing toward her booth.

"Jesus Christ, Greg," Marty muttered to himself.

She was on the outside of the booth sitting with four other girls. Her back was to the boys.

"Hey, Brittany?" Greg asked.

"Yeah?" Brittany looked up.

"Has anyone asked you to the dance yet?"

All four girls stared at Greg. "No." Brittany said, curiously. She looked up at Greg with a question mark expression.

"Well, I have a friend who really likes you. He wanted to know if you'd go out with him." Brittany blushed and the other girls were quiet. Greg turned around, and pointed to an empty stool.

"Who?'' Brittany asked, looking at the empty stool.

"Uh, never mind." He muttered back, running out the door.

· · · ·

Greg found Marty leaning against the side of the café, waiting. He had been watching from the window near Brittany's table.

"I can't believe you asked her out for me." Marty said as soon as Greg came out of the café.

" I can't believe you chickened out!" Greg said.

Marty stared at the ground. Finally he asked, "What did she say?"

"Relax, I didn't tell her who you are, but I found out she's hasn't been asked out yet. You practically got yourself a date. Now all you gotta do is ask her yourself." Marty let out a sigh. Greg explained. "Look, I'm sorry. C'mon, let's go to the arcade and find Ned and the guys."

"Greg," Marty hesitated, "You go on ahead. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Greg nodded silently, and looked at Marty.

"Are you gonna ask her-?"

"No." Marty exclaimed. "Not yet anyway."

Greg turned away and smiled, chuckling to himself, as he skated down the street for the Seven-Eleven.