The entire Cunningham family was at the Wisconsin state basketball championship. Chuck Cunningham, son of Howard and Marion, was playing on the team of University of Milwaukee. Wisconsin University at Madison was the visiting team. Chuck's sister, Joanie, sat beside her parents. His brother Richie brought his friends Ralph and Potsy. They were all cheering for the team. Richie's friend the Fonz was there, too, just playing it cool as usual.

When there were only fifteen seconds on the clock, the score was 99 Madison, 98 Milwaukee. The ball found its way into Chucks's hands where he stood in the middle of the court. His fellow team player waved right under the basket waved his hands in the air. "Pass it!" screamed his coach. Chuck didn't think there was time for his team mate to catch it and make the basket and feared the ball could be intercepted. Chuck wanted to be the hero of the day.

He leaped in the air and attempted the free throw. The clock went three seconds. The ball was sailing through the air. Two seconds. The ball hit the rim. One second. The ball dropped through the basket. The crowd went wild. Richie and his friends screamed and jumped up and down except the Fonz who just said "ayyy" with his thumb up. Howard and Marion hugged and kissed. Joanie clapped her hands also jumping up and down.

The team lifted Chuck and carried him around. He was the star of the show. The hero of Milwaukee. His picture would be on the front page of the main city newspaper the next day. It was a proud moment that would stay with him for the rest of his life. The coach announced, "let's all go to Arnold's! Ice cream sodas on me!"

"Chuck deserves it," one of the team members called out.

"We all deserve it," answered Chuck. "We're a team. We all won."

"Spoken like a true sportsman," said the coach proudly.

Chuck went back home with his family to change into something clean to go to Arnold's. As he was dressing, he looked at a photo of himself with his brother Richie and sister Joanie. He had it in his shorts during the game hoping it would bring him good luck. Smiling, he figured he would hold onto it longer, so he put it into his pants pocket. Before he left the house, the phone rang. "Cunningham residence," answered Marion picking up the phone. "It's for you, Chuck."

"It must be one of the guys," said Chuck. "Oh, Doc Brown," said Chuck into the phone. "Did you check out the game?"

"No, I've been too busy," replied Doc Brown. "I've put the finishing touches on my new invention. I need you meet me at the parking lot of Woolworth's in 15 minutes."

"But, Doc, I'm going to Arnold's to celebrate. Our team won the championship. You should have been there."

"This is too important. You have to see my revolutionary invention."

"Why don't you bring it Arnold's? Woolworth's is closed now. Nobody will be there."

"That's precisely why I need you at Woolworth's right away. I don't want anybody else seeing my invention. Are you coming or not?"

"Will it be long? Can I go to Arnold's afterward?"

"Sure. Just come down."

Chuck hung up the phone and told his family. "I have to go down to Woolworth's to see Doc Brown before I go to Arnold's."

"Why do you work with that guy?" said his father. "He's a kook."

"He's a great scientist, Dad," said Chuck. "He's helping me get through my chemistry class. Anyway, he wouldn't ask me to come if it wasn't something very cool." Chuck went out the door and soon found Doc Brown at the Woolworth's parking lot expectedly deserted. Doc was wearing a hazard suit with a shock of white shaggy hair on his head. He was standing next to a car. Doc gave Chuck a hazard suit to put on.

"Chuck," said Doc. "I present to you my new invention."

"Doc, I hate to break it to you," said Chuck, "but the car was invented a long time ago."

"This isn't just a car," said Doc.

"No," said Chuck, "it looks like one of those new Ford Edsels."

"It is an Edsel," replied Doc. "But I fashioned it into a time machine."

"Why did you make an Edsel into a time machine?" questioned Chuck.

"Why not go in style? You know the Edsel is the car of the future. What better way to make a time machine? And I have you to thank. All this time I've had you work for me, running errands, bringing parts, helping around my workshop. This is the result."

"Wow," marveled Chuck. "Where are you going to go? Or should I say when will you go?"

"Today is October 15, 1957," said Doc. "I want to go back to October 15, 1937. It was exactly 20 years ago today that I got the idea for the flux capacitor which is what makes time travel possible." Doc showed Chuck the timer on the dashboard which showed today's date and the date in 1937 which he described.

"And now," said Doc, "once I reach a speed of 88 miles per hour the flux capacitor powered by plutonium shall propel me back 20 years into the past. The plutonium is the reason why we have to wear these protective suits."

"Wait, Doc," said Chuck. "You don't just walk into any drug store and buy plutonium."

"You're right, Chuck. I stole it from Russian spies. But don't worry. They'll never find me."

"Who will never find you?" said a Russian accented voice behind them. Doc and Chuck turned and saw two men in the dark wearing black suits and black fedora hats. One of them was pointing a pistol at them. "Did you really think you could escape us?" said the same voice. "I don't see how this is possible," gasped Doc. The armed man shot Doc dead. And then they turned to Chuck. "I don't know who you are, but you are next." Chuck closed his eyes, preparing to meet his maker. Click. Click went the gun. It was out of bullets. The Russian spy took out bullets to reload. That gave Chuck time to act quickly. He had just enough time to get into the Edsel and start driving away. The Russians got into their car parked nearby and made chase. Chuck drove faster and faster in an effort to escape. The Russians shot at him as he accelerated. When the car reached 88 miles per hour it went ZAP. Suddenly, the Woolworth's was gone and Chuck found himself barreling through the middle of a farm field until he crashed into a tree at the edge of the field.

He staggered out of the car and limped through the woods. In a dazed and confused state, he couldn't tell where he was, but his main thought was just getting home. Luckily, after a while, he reached the road. He followed a sign that read Downtown Milwaukee and followed it. Soon, he reached a populated area with homes and stores. He kept wandering until finally he saw something familiar. He recognized some of the streets even though the houses looked different. Parked along the streets were old fashioned cars. There were no cars from the 50s. Still unsure of what happened with Doc earlier that night, he couldn't figure out what happened to his neighborhood. Finally, he saw his own house. Luckily, the door was unlocked. He went straight to his room and plopped down in the bed.

"Who is that in the guest bed?" said a man's voice.

"I don't know, dear," said a woman's voice. Chuck knew both voices.

"Mom?" said Chuck, just barely waking up, his eyes not even fully open. "I had the strangest dream."

"Mom?" exclaimed the man. "You get out of here right now you gigolo." Chuck opened his eyes wide. It was his mother and father all right – but – they weren't. They looked so young. His dad was so much thinner.

"Mom. Dad. It's me Chuck. What happened to you?"

"Stop calling us Mom and Dad," said Marion. "You get out of here this instant."

"No, you're not going anywhere," said Howard. "I want to know who you are and why you're here."

"Uh, I'm sorry," Chuck stammered. It was just dawning on him how terribly wrong his situation was. "I thought this was my house. I guess I was wrong. I'm really sorry."

"I don't believe you," said Howard. "You're having an affair with my wife, aren't you?"

"Howard, how could you think such a thing?"

Howard turned to Marion. "I've had my suspicions for a while. This proves it. I don't know what to do now." He stomped out of the room in a huff. "Howard!" Marion called after him. She turned to Chuck. "You get out of my house before I call the police."

"I'm terribly sorry, ma'am," said Chuck. "I'm getting out of here now." He sprang out of bed. Fortunately, when he arrived in the night, he was too tired to take off his clothes. He ran out of the house before Howard could try to stop him. Chuck finally realized that he did in fact travel back in time 20 years. He ran straight to the house of the one man who could help him.

He knocked on the door of Doc Brown. When Doc opened the door, Chuck said, "Doc, you gotta help me. I traveled back in time from 1957 and I don't know how to get back home."

"All right, very funny," said Doc. "Now go away. I'm very busy in here and I have no time for jokes."

"It's no joke. I can prove it to you. I'll show you the time machine."

"All right," replied Doc, "who is president?"

"Dwight Eisenhower," answered Chuck.

"Never heard of him," grunted Doc.

"He was a general," explained Chuck. "Oh, That's right. World War II hasn't happened yet. He helped lead the United States to victory."

"Well that would make sense. Where's the time machine now?"

"It's crashed in a tree on the edge of a farm."

"Where exactly is it? I'm not going all the way to farm country if you don't even know where it is."

"It contains the flux capacitor which runs on plutonium."

"That's what I've been working on. You really are telling the truth. Wait here. I'll get my car out."

"I don't remember exactly where it is. It was night time. I don't even know I got into Milwaukee."

"I know of a farm right outside the city. It's surrounded by forest. I think I know where to go." The two got into Doc's car and sped out to where Chuck first landed in 1937. "I was here," exclaimed Chuck recognizing the area. He showed Doc where he got out of the woods, so they parked. They went back through the woods and eventually found the time traveling Edsel. Doc looked it over with wonder. He saw the plutonium fuel gauge and noticed it was empty. "Great Scott," said Doc. "This is very bad."

"What's wrong?" asked Chuck.

"It says here the plutonium level is zero."

"OK. Let's get some more plutonium."

"I just have one question for you, Chuck."

"What's that?"

"What the heck is plutonium?"

"It's some kind of atomic fuel."

"I'm sure in 1957 you can walk into any drugstore and get plutonium but here in 1937, it doesn't even exist."

"There's gotta be some other way, Doc."

"The only thing that can generate that much energy is a bolt of lightning."

"Well maybe I can go back in the next storm," suggested Chuck. He took out the picture of him, Richie and Joanie. "Look, Doc. This is my kid brother and sister. I mean this says it all. I've just gotta go back to the future."

Doc reluctantly shifted his attention to the picture and then his eyes bulged. "What happened to your brother and sister?"

"What do you mean?" said Chuck. He also looked at the picture. Richie's and Joanie's heads were suddenly missing. "I don't know what happened."

"When you arrived here, something must have disrupted the time line that's erasing your brother and sister from existence."

"But I've only been here since last night."

"Think, Chuck. Did you do or see anything that might have affected your brother's future existence?"

A shocked look came over Chuck's face. "Uh-oh," he said.

"What is it?" inquired Doc.

"I kind of met my parents."

"Oh no."

"And the worst part is…I think they sort of broke up because of me."

"Great Scott!"

"They live in the same house I grew up in. I didn't realize I went back in time."

"I get it. So you went in there and…"

"My dad thinks I have a thing with my mom. Yuk!" Chuck stuck out his tongue in disgust. "What am I gonna do, Doc?"

"Tomorrow you have to go back there and straighten everything out," advised Doc.

The next day, Chuck went back to his house. Doc let him drive his Ford Model T. He knocked on the door. Marion opened it. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"I just came by to apologize for yesterday morning. I was lost and I really thought it was my house. Is your husband here?"

"No he isn't. He left me because of you."

"Oh no," Chuck shuddered. "He has to come back. I have to talk to him."

"I don't want him back anyway. If he doesn't trust me and storms out, well, that just shows what kind of man he is." Marion slammed the door in his face. Chuck looked down. He turned and walked slowly down the walkway. His only option seemed to be going back to Doc Brown and asking him what to do next. He slunk back into the Model T parked across the street and sat there with his head against the steering wheel. He looked at his picture. Richie and Joanie were all gone. Not only that but now Chuck's head was missing. What does this mean? He thought. But he didn't want to think about that. He didn't want to face the possibility that now he, himself, will disappear.

After a few minutes, a car hurriedly pulled up to the house, making a screeching halt. Howard jumped out and pranced up to the door and went inside. Chuck perked his head up. He sat still for a moment, ears cocked in the air, but couldn't see or hear anything going on inside. He slowly got out of the car and crept slowly up the Cunningham's lawn. Skulking under the window he finally began to hear his mother saying, "and don't let it happen again."

"I won't, Marion," said Howard. "I trust you completely. Again, I am so sorry for accusing you."

Chuck looked at the picture of him with Richie and Joanie. Everybody was there. He let out a long sigh of relief and started back toward the car. He figured as long as his parents were back together, Chuck better cut out fast. In a moment, he heard his father's voice behind him, "what are you doing back here again?"

Chuck turned and saw his young parents standing outside the front door looking at him. "Dad," Chuck blurted out then corrected himself adding, "Dad, Daddy-o…"

Howard turned sharply to Marion. "Do you mind explaining this?"

"There's nothing to explain," stuttered Marion who turned sharply to Chuck. "What are you still doing here? I told you to leave."

"Stillll doing here?" Howard was still glaring at Marion. "He was here before? And again?"

"I just came to apologize," said Chuck. "I came just a few minutes before you got back, sir. I told your wife I wanted to talk to you to straighten this whole thing out."

"Marion," seethed Howard. "To think I trusted you. To think I was apologizing to you. Well this proves you're having an affair with this guy."

With tears in her eyes, Marion replied, "I swear to you, Howard, I would never. This guy is nothing but an intruder."

"I've had enough of your lies," grumbled Howard. "I really am leaving you now."

"Good riddance," cried Marion, "and don't come back."

Chuck looked at the picture. Richie and Joanie were gone again. Even Chuck's picture was gone this time. "Please, guys," said Chuck. "You can't do this. You have to stay together. This is all my fault. I never met your wife before. We are not having an affair."

"Why should I believe you?" said Howard.

"You don't have to believe me," said Chuck. "Believe your wife."

Howard looked back at Marion's face, damp with tears. He looked deeply into her tear soaked eyes. Marion looked back at him. Howard looked back at Chuck. "You really just wandered in by accident the other night?"

"Scout's honor," replied Chuck.

"And you just came today to apologize to both of us?" said Howard.

"You bet," said Chuck.

"Then get out of here and don't come back," said Howard.

"You'll never see me again," said Chuck, "I can promise you that… At least not for a long time."

Howard held Marion's hand. "I'm sorry again," he said. "I've got to stop getting so crazy jealous. How could I think you would have anything to do with a nutcase like that?" Marion smiled and said, "let's go inside. I'm feeling frisky."

Chuck looked at the picture once more. They were all back. He looked back at his young future parents still standing outside. "I've got a good feeling about you two," said Chuck smiling from ear to ear.

"Are you still here?" said Marion. "Get lost."

"Yeah," said Howard. "Beat it."

"I'm going," said Chuck. "Just one more thing: when you have a kid someday and he accidentally sets fire to the bed… go easy on him, OK?"

"I said, beat it, you lunatic!" yelled Howard. Chuck ran to Doc's car and sped off. Back at Doc's house, Chuck burst in beside himself with excitement. "I did it, Doc," he exclaimed. "I did it! I got my parents back together again."

"Glad to hear it, Chuck," replied Doc. "I have more good news. I've been checking weather reports and it seems that there will be some thunderstorms up to the north."

"Look at the picture now," said Chuck, holding it up to Doc's face.

Doc continued, "I could bring a lightning rod and set it up on the …" Doc Brown halted immediately when he saw the picture.

"See?" said Chuck. "Richie and Joanie are back in the picture."

"Richie and Joanie are back but you…" Chuck looked at the picture. There was Richie and Joanie but no Chuck. "I don't understand."

Doc looked at Chuck in horror. "Chuck," he murmured, "you're transparent." Chuck slowly lifted up his hand and noticed he could see right through it. "Chuck, how old are you?"

"19." He replied.

"When is your birthday?"

"This is hardly the time to plan for a party," said Chuck.

"Just tell me when is your birthday?"

"July 16," replied Chuck.

"1938," added Doc.

"So what?" said Chuck.

"Don't you see what this means?" said Doc. "Today is October 17, 1937. You are supposed to be born exactly nine months from yesterday."

"And yesterday is the day I broke up my parents," gasped Chuck.

"I'm sorry, Chuck," said Doc. At that moment, Chuck disappeared altogether.

Meanwhile, in 1957, Howard and Marion were sitting on the couch. "I'm so glad I went to see Chuck's basketball game," said Marion.

"Me too," said Howard. "I'm so proud of my son."

"I'm proud of all three of our children."

"Yes, Marion, we raised three wonderful children." At that moment, they felt a cold breeze blow through the house. "Close the door, Rich," said Howard, "you're letting in the cold air." Just then, Richie and Joanie were walking in. They closed the door.

"Did you go to the basketball game?" asked Marion.

"Yeah," said Rich.

"How did it go?" asked Howard.

"Milwaukee lost," said Joanie.

"What have you two been up to?" asked Rich.

"We were just talking about how we raised two wonderful children," said Marion.

"Yes, we are proud of both of you."

"I wonder what it would have been like if we had three?" said Marion.

"I guess we'll never know," said Howard.