Disclaimer: none of these characters belong to me, except any that don't appear in the films. Enjoy!
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Part 1: iii) One Man's Past, Another Man's Tomorrow
Saturday, 26th July 1986
10:06 a.m.
Brown residence
The sonic booms clapped loudly in the blue sky of Saturday morning. Such fortissimo created rumbles of the echoes as the train entered the new time zone. For Doc time travel was always too loud.
With accuracy Doc glided the train over his home, and gradually lowered the giant monster to the lawn at the back. Yet for it's size, the machine lowered effortlessly without creating too much noise.
The door opened smoothly, allowing fresh morning sunshine to enter the cabin, welcoming the travellers.
"All right! Let's go!" Doc called to his young companion, who remained apprehensive behind.
"Doc? You're just gonna leave the time train here? What if someone sees it?"
Doc turned towards the source of the question, the half smile never leaving his face. "It'll be safe. As soon as the door shuts it locks, so nobody can get in without the key and password. You don't think I don't know what young boys can be like when left to their own devices, do you?" Doc gave a knowing look in Marty's direction.
Marty's face brandished a look of pain for the comment, before realising that Doc was referring to his two young boys as well. He guessed Doc's analysis held some truth after all.
"Besides," Doc continued, "Jules and Verne will be out for the day. They're sleeping over till Sunday at a friend's house for their birthday."
Doc returned his concentration to the next stage of his plan. That's when his walked stopped abruptly as the realisation hit him.
"Great Scott! How could I be so careless?!"
Marty rushed to his side in concern, thinking he had seen something unexpected. "What is it?"
Doc's panicked face glanced over at Marty, as he admitted, "I forgot the van wasn't here. I've taken it, to the conference."
Marty nodded in thought, then hurriedly added "We'll have to take my truck then, over at my house. Do you think we'll have time to catch up with Clara?"
"She's already left. She told me the mugging happened at about quarter past eleven, give or take a few minutes." He was already starting to jog towards the front gates on the driveway, heading in the direction of Marty's home. "Are you sure your truck's there? You don't use it at all today, do you?"
"Certain. I'm in all day. No one will notice it's gone."
"Great!" Doc exclaimed, his speed increasing tenfold with every stride. Quickly they headed towards the end of the street, towards Lion's Estates.
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Saturday, 26th July 1986
10:29 a.m.
Over twenty minutes later, and the estate came into view. By now the lactic acid in both Doc and Marty's muscles was taking effect, causing cramps and aches in their legs and arms. Only just as they arrived outside the McFly's home did they stop to allow oxygen into their bodies.
Both doubled over to try and regain their breath. But Doc didn't hold his posture. His over-active mind began thinking things through too much again, as he straightened his back in haste.
He turned in Marty's direction – who remained doubled over – to ask, "It's no good. You need to get your keys from inside, don't you?"
Marty's smile was revealed as he straightened himself up. "No probs! I came over to your house in my truck. I've still got the keys in my pocket, here." Marty's hand removed the very keys from his jean pocket. He almost thought Doc was going to kiss him from the look in his eyes!
"Let's go then!! We have to find Clara!" Doc cried with such animated enthusiasm it was unreal. The scientist Marty remembered from his previous travels to the Old West and to the future was still there, no matter how long it had been since his last adventure.
The duo rushed into the garage to where the black Toyota truck was housed. They quickly got in – Marty at the driver's side, the key in the ignition so fast it was almost like lightning.
"Where are we heading to first, Doc?"
"Over to the clock tower. If we're lucky we'll meet Clara there before she gets to the Assembly of Christ Church."
"That's where…"
"Yep." Doc's reply was simple and straight to the point. That was all it needed to be as they set off after Clara.
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Saturday, 26th July 1986
10:49 a.m.
Doc's fingers began to tap out an even rhythm on the dashboard as his eyes scanned the crowds for Clara. Marty was driving slowly along the curb past the infamous clock tower, heading towards the main part of town where the bank was located. There was no sign of Clara.
"Where is she?" Doc mumbled to himself; a mixture of impatience and anxiousness evident on his brow. Marty looked on his side, but she was nowhere to be seen. The town was busy on a Saturday morning. Plenty of people were out today, taking in any bargains there were to offer, as well as the opportunity to meet with their friends. But Clara was not amongst them.
Finally Doc's patience emptied out, as he opened the passenger-side door onto the street. Marty caught his exit in the corner of his eye, not allowing it to go unnoticed.
"Hey Doc! Where're ya goin'?"
Doc peered in through the passenger window. "I'm going to find Clara. I might have a better chance on foot finding her in this crowd. Wait here and keep an eye out for her, in case I miss her."
"Sure thing." Marty responded, allowing the engine to rest. Marty sighed softly to himself as Doc made his way through the morning crowd.
Doc scanned the horizon for any trace of his wife. Standing on tiptoe, he tried to peer above the heads of the mass of people clouding his path. But this aided in no way – until he turned to his left towards the shop windows.
She was there, clear as day, peering into one of the shops. She was blissfully unaware of the panic she had stirred up in what seemed to be a quick shopping trip in downtown Hill Valley. Doc instantly began to make his way through the crowd, pushing against the flow of people who were unaware of the scientist's intentions.
"Clara!" Doc cried to her, trying to get her attention as he neared her. She heard him the first time, and instantly recognised the voice.
Searching the crowd long and hard she soon caught a glimpse of Doc heading in her direction. She smiled with delight at the sight of him, and began to move in his direction.
"Emmett! What are you doing here? I thought you were at the conference." They hugged in greeting, before Doc pulled her away to look at her from arm's length. Her expression turned to worry at his apprehension to hug her. "What is it? What's wro -"
"Nothing! Nothing. I…I just thought you might like a lift to the bank, that's all!"
Clara remained focused on his eyes.
"Why aren't you at the conference?"
"Er…It was cancelled. Besides I can always go next year. I wanted to stay at home, with you." Doc put on his best smile, trying to hide the relief of finding her as much as he could. "I thought since the boys were away we might have the night together. Have a meal, go out and see a film – if you like." The story sounded patchy as Doc tried to piece it together, fading a little at the end.
Softly placing his arm around her shoulder, Doc led her to where Marty was waiting for them. She still didn't seemed convinced, but in her mind she didn't see any reason for why her husband would be behaving oddly.
"I suppose I could do with an evening out somewhere," Clara agreed. "But you didn't have to give up the conference for me. We could have arranged this next weekend."
The truck easily came into view as the sun reflected off the shiny metal exterior. Clara squinted to see the driver, fully expecting to see it was Marty. It was his truck after all.
"Marty?" Clara enquired as she peered in through the passenger window.
Marty nodded in response, waving his hand in welcome as he replied, "Hey Clara."
"Emmett, what is going on? It doesn't take two of you to offer to take me to the bank. Is something wrong?"
Doc shook his head promptly, trying his best to look natural with the whole scenario. "Nothing's wrong…erm…"
"The van broke down. Doc called me an' asked if I could give you guys a lift." Marty improvised.
"Is this why you didn't go to the conference?" Clara looked back at Doc, expecting this to be the answer. For Doc it acted as a means of an excuse he had failed to think of. He quickly nodded.
Clara smiled softly, knowing Doc would never let anything come in the way of his plans if he could help it. "Why didn't you tell me? Of course you can drop me off at the bank." Doc almost let out a huge sigh of relief when Clara removed all doubt as to why he was here.
Clara pulled herself into the truck. Doc followed, closing the door behind him. Once all the passengers were safely in Marty pulled away from the curb, pushing along in the direction of the Central Bank of California.