Chapter 8

Saturday, February 1st

10:16 P.M.

Thunk. Thunk. THUNK.

Doc looked around as the tentacles carried him into the town square. He suddenly felt immensely powerful. Here he was, towering over the benches and trees of the town square, supported by his four metal arms. If only there was someone to see me, he thought, grinning.

The arms walked him into the center of the square. Being carried by them was nowhere near as scary as Doc had imagined it would be. It was actually quite freeing, really. You were right. You're better than any car.

Told you so, Albert said smugly.

Jules lifted and looked around with his camera. What happened to all these stores, Father? Why are they all boarded up?

It's because of Lone Pine Mall, Doc explained. A mall is a big building with lots of stores inside, where people go to shop or just to hang out. When the mall opened up, more people went there than came here. Thus, most of these shops either simply went out of business or relocated to the mall. Doc thought back to the 1950s, when the town square had been a bustling center of commerce. Things have changed a lot here over the years -- and they'll continue to change as more people are born here and move here. By 2015, both the town square and the mall will be doing a thriving business.

Interesting. Jules glanced at Doc. Will we get to visit this mall at some point?

Probably -- I shop there whenever I need new clothes. He patted the tentacle. At some point in the future, I'll try to give you the complete tour of Hill Valley. Okay?

Okay. Jules scanned their surroundings again. There is a person approaching, Father. He appears to be in his late 40s, heavyset, and in very ragged clothes.

Our local bum, Doc acknowledged. We'd best not excite him. Go into that alleyway before he spots us.

The tentacles obeyed, carrying Doc into a space between the bike shop and "The Third Eye." Doc watched as Red stumbled into the square and collapsed on a bench. He's definitely been hitting the bottle again, Doc thought sadly. Seeing him makes me glad I can't tolerate alcohol.

Us too.

Doc sighed, idly glanced around the alley -- then had a thought. Kids, do you think you could scale the left wall?

97 percent certain.

Good. Take me up.

The tentacles obeyed, firmly embedding their pincers in the brick wall. Little chips of brick fell away as they climbed, carrying Doc with them. This is fun! Tommy said happily. Doc smiled.

They reached the top in a matter of minutes. Doc took a deep breath as he gazed down at Hill Valley. "Great Scott," he said. "This is so amazing. Such a thrill."

The tentacles appeared to agree, setting him down on the roof in order to get their own look around. It almost looks like a painting, Verne noted, peering down at the square. The moonlight makes interesting shadows.

I wonder how high up we are, Albert said, glancing at the other rooftops.

Jules made some quick calculations. I estimate that we are no higher than 35 feet. This building isn't particularly tall.

It's tall enough, Doc thought, feeling a touch of vertigo as he looked over the edge.

What should we do now, Father? Tommy asked excitedly. Can we run over the rooftops?

Doc considered that. It did sound like fun. . . . What's the risk of me falling?

Less than one percent, Jules assured him. We will be very careful not to let anything happen to you.

Doc grinned. Then let's do it.

The tentacles seemed to grin as well, then elevated Doc again and set off. The air rushed past Doc's face as they built up speed, making his hair fan out behind him. Doc got a pleasant thrill up his spine as they zoomed along. "This is like flying!" he laughed aloud, spreading his arms like wings.

They soon encountered the end of the roof tops. The tentacles slowed down a little and climbed back down to the street. Doc took some deep breaths, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "That was incredible! How fast were we going?"

Approximately 30 miles per hour, Jules reported.

Tommy rubbed up against him, squeaking happily. We're glad you enjoyed that, Father.

How could I not? I should rent us out as an amusement park ride. The tentacles buzzed with laughter. What should we do next?

Can we climb up the Clock Tower? Verne asked. I want to get a closer look at those gargoyles.

I don't know, Albert replied, a worried note in his voice. We don't want to cause Father unnecessary stress. We know from his memories about the time he nearly fell from the Tower in 1955. The tentacle turned to look at him. Would you be comfortable going up there, Father?

Doc looked up at the old, stopped clock. Truthfully, he wasn't sure how to answer Albert's question. On the one hand, he still remembered clearly how scared he had been on November 12th, 1955, when he had nearly fallen to his death because of the weak concrete in the ledge. On the other hand, that event had been thirty years ago -- the terror of that day wasn't as intense as it had been. Plus, with his arms here. . . . Still less than a one percent chance of falling? he asked. Jules nodded. All right. Beam me up, Scotty.

Scotty? Who's Scotty? Tommy asked, looking around in confusion. Is the bum Scotty? How will he beam you up?

Father's using another human expression, you idiot, Jules said derisively.

I am not an idiot! My AI is the same as yours! Tommy protested, curling into a strike position.

No, it isn't. Father obviously put more work into me. He must love me better.

No he doesn't! He loves me better! The two tentacles began attacking each other, yelling insults. Verne and Albert watched in amazement.

"Boys! Boys, stop it!" Doc yelled, forcibly separating the two. "Behave or else!" The two tentacles sank down into a sulk.

I don't think you spent enough time on either of them, Albert commented.

"Don't you start."

Do you have a favorite among us, Father? Verne inquired, sounding worried.

"No! I designed you all equally! You're all the same in my eyes!" Doc glared between Jules and Tommy. "Now I want you two to apologize to each other."

Jules lifted reluctantly. I'm sorry, Tommy. You're not an idiot.

I'm sorry too, Jules. They shook pincers.

"There, thank you. Now are we going to climb the Clock Tower or not?"

In response, Jules and Verne embedded their claws firmly in the brick. Doc smiled. "Just be a little more careful climbing this one. It is our local monument."

We will, Father. Hang on. They carried him up, doing their best to cause a minimum of damage to the bricks. Even with the extra caution, they reached the top in a matter of moments. Tommy and Albert anchored Doc to the pointed roof, while Jules and Verne explored. Are you feeling all right, Father? Verne asked, looking back at him.

"Fine," Doc smiled. Although he was still a bit frightened, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as he thought it would be. I bet the adrenaline rush from trying out the arms is overwhelming my residual fearful memories. Fine with me.

We're glad to help, Tommy joked.

This place is very beautiful, Verne commented, looking down on the square.

You wouldn't think so in the daytime. Then this place is filled with cars and people going to the courthouse and to what shops are still open. Truth be told, I miss the park that used to be here. You could lounge on the grass and people-watch for hours. Doc sighed. I'm all for social progress, but it can have some rather depressing side effects.

Jules and Verne clacked their pincers sympathetically. We understand, Father. Human society is very strange to us. We still don't understand why some people seem to fear you. You are intelligent, kind, loyal, and brave. People should respect you.

Some do, Doc said. Within the scientific community, there are those who consider my theories genius. But you have to understand, most humans instinctually fear that which is different. It's most likely some sort of old survival mechanism that's stayed with us throughout our evolution. People don't like me because I don't act like they do. I dress unusually, I wear my hair in an unconventional style -- for someone my age, at any rate -- I generally prefer inventing to socializing --

And now you have four metal tentacles welded to your back, Albert finished dully.

Are we a burden to you, Father? Jules asked nervously.

No! I'd much rather have you four and toil in obscurity then be rich and famous but alone. Doc stroked Jules's claw. When you four first called me "Father" -- it was a shock, yes, but it was also, in a way, a dream come true for me. I always wanted a family of my own.

You wanted a human family, Albert argued. Not us.

I was expecting to have a human family, yes, Doc conceded. But that doesn't mean that I don't love you four as my children. Doc sat down and tried to put his arms around the tentacles. You are my sons now. And nothing's ever going to change that.

Really? they chorused, coming into his embrace.

Really.

Sunday, February 2nd, 1986

Hill Valley

6:04 A.M.

Ooooooo. . . .

Doc chuckled as his tentacles marveled at the sunrise. They had been up all night testing their limitations and exploring the town. The tentacles had openly goggled at every new thing they had seen, bombarding him with questions throughout. It was like seeing Hill Valley for the first time all over again. They were currently perched on the edge of the roof of one of the local apartment buildings.

Look at all the pretty colors, Father! Verne exclaimed. There's pink and purple and blue and red. . . .

This was fun, Tommy said, nodding his claw. I'm glad you thought of this, Father.

Metoo.Doc stifled a yawn.

Are you tired, Father? Jules inquired.

We have been up all night, Albert pointed out. Naturally Father is tired. And with the coming of the sun, he won't be able to see either. We should go home.

Good idea, Doc nodded, standing up. Where is home, though?

The arms began making calculations and mentally retracing their steps. Doc waited patiently, taking the time to admire the sunrise before the light got too painful. Finally Jules said, We believe that home --

Suddenly, an ear-splitting shriek filled the air behind them. Doc nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound. Great Scott! What the -- he thought, turning around.

Something hard and thin collided with his head. "Pervert! How dare you!"

"Ow! Ow!" Doc cried, trying to shield his head. Some old lady, apparently an early riser intent on putting out her laundry, was attacking him with her umbrella. Why is she doing this! Can't she see -- oh, no, she can't see, he thought, noticing the woman was squinting rather severely. She must need glasses. Damn it!

The tentacles were similarly confused. Who is she? What is she doing? What's a pervert?

She's hitting Father! Albert said indignantly, trying to grab the umbrella. Stop that, you old bat!

The old lady eluded his grasp. "In all my years," she spat, finally getting out her glasses, "I have never--"

She stopped dead as she got her first good look at Doc and his kids. Doc smiled sheepishly. "Sorry to bother you. We were just going," he said, backing up.

The woman screamed. Startled once again, Doc lost his footing and fell. The tentacles immediately embedded themselves as firmly as they could into the brick. Doc halted at a 45-degree angle, breathing hard. Are you all right? they all asked.

Fine, but make tracks out of here! Doc thought frantically, afraid the lady would either keel over or call the police. The tentacles obeyed, pounding their way down the building and up the street an a fantastic speed. The lady's screams receded into the distance. Doc rubbed his head. "Well, there's a way to greet the morning."

We're sorry, Father. We didn't see her there.

It's all right, I didn't either. And she didn't hit me that hard, thankfully. I doubt I'll even have a bruise. He yawned loudly. The adrenaline rush sparked by the attack was wearing off, making him feel even more exhausted than before. Do you four know the way home?

Yes, Father. It's to our southeast.

Good. Just keep going.

Sunday, February 2nd

8:56 A.M.

"Hey Doc?"

Marty pushed the front door of Doc's house open. Einy padded up to greet him, followed by Verne. "Hey guys," Marty said, giving them each a pat. "Where's the Doc?"

Verne pointed to Doc's bed. Marty saw that the scientist was lying face-down on it, insensible to the world. "Late night last night?" Verne nodded. "I guess you got up to inventing and lost track of time."

To his surprise, Verne shook his claw while the other tentacles came over to join them. "No? Then what were you doing?"

For a moment, the tentacles seemed unsure on how to explain. Then Jules appeared to get a brainstorm. He dragged over Doc's blackboard, picked up the chalk, and began writing. Verne grabbed another piece of chalk and did illustrations. "Father took us out for a test run. We explored Hill Valley while ascertaining the limits of our abilities."

"Oh. Have fun?"

"Up until the end, yes. Some woman attacked Father with an 'umbrella' and called him a pervert." Jules paused for a moment. "What's a pervert? Father fell asleep before we could ask him."

Marty somehow made his laugh sound like a cough. "A pervert is someone who spies on people when they don't want to be seen -- like when they're naked and stuff."

Tommy snatched up some chalk. "We weren't doing anything like that!" he wrote indignantly, the chalk squeaking. Einstein barked at it.

"I know you weren't. I was just saying that's what that woman thought you were doing. I mean, strange guy with four metal tentacles on your roof?"

"We concede the point," Jules wrote. "Although it seems like she didn't notice us at first. She needed glasses, like Father." The tentacles drooped. "She screamed when she saw us."

Marty sighed, feeling bad for them -- and rather amazed at all the expressions they could pull off. "I'm sorry to hear that, but you gotta expect people to be startled by you. Even Doc was pretty shocked at first, remember?"

"We do. But it still hurts. Everyone just assumes that we're going to be evil. Why?"

"Hollywood, I guess," Marty admitted. "Most movies don't show robots as happy-go-lucky. Just last year, we had a movie called The Terminator come out, that was about robots who were trying to kill all humans. I don't know why we're wired like that, though."

"Did you think that we would be evil?"

Marty smiled. "I was kinda nervous at first, but I knew everything would be okay. Doc wouldn't build something that was evil." Marty patted Albert, who was hovering next to him. "And you guys forget, you helped save my life and Doc's, sentient or not. There's no way I could think you were evil after that."

"We appreciate it," Jules wrote as the other tentacles cuddled up to Marty.

There was a honk from outside. Marty quickly checked his watch. "I'd better get going. The Pinheads and I have got a meeting with the owner of Future Fest -- he was pretty impressed with our January gig, and he wants to book us again -- and they're all catching a ride with me. I'll probably see you all this afternoon. Tell Doc I said hi, and keep your -- pincers -- crossed for us."

The tentacles nodded, and briefly wrapped Marty in a "hug." Marty gave them all some final pats and jogged out the door. Albert closed it behind him, and the tentacles rejoined their father on the bed.