May 24, 1986
5:30 PM PST

Marty felt quite nervous, as he and his band mates were practicing for the concert. It seemed like a rather terrifying task, as Marty Jr knew that he'd actually be playing for his father. Still, he realized that it could be worse. At least, he would still have a lot of assistance from his father. Also, it wasn't as if it was his father's first performance.

"This is gonna be so exciting, everyone," commented Zach. "It's simply a great way to start out our Memorial Day weekend. Even KKHV is playing our songs, now. It's rather nice. The best thing is, my dad's gonna be at the concert. He'll be cheering me on."

"That sounds so awesome, Zach," gushed Marty. "My parents are also planning to be there. They gave me their word, this this morning. I just wish Doc could show up, too - but he has to take care of his pregnant wife. I sure don't hold it against him, as...."

"Of course not," replied Billy, laughing. "I still remember how my mom was, as she was carrying Bobby. I'm sure that getting pregnant can be the pits. I mean , I'm happy for Clara - as well as Dr. Brown. I can imagine that they're both feeling real excited about becoming parents. Still, carrying another person inside of you must be rather tough."

"You know what the funny thing is," commented Joey, laughing. "When I was simply a little boy, I used to envy women - and their ability to become pregnant. I just thought it was a fascinating concept. It was also before I found out how babies were made."

"When I was little," explained Marty, "my sister sure would always insist how, as soon as she turned eighteen, she was gonna have a baby." With sudden fascination, Marty realized that it was true of both Linda and Marlene. "Well, since then..."

"Well, she just turned twenty," commented Zach, "and she still doesn't have a baby! I guess, when you get older - and you learn more about pregnancy and parenting - the thrill rather starts to wear off." Looking around, he added, "Well, guys, enough about having babies. We have a show to put on, very soon. It's sure gonna be a fun night!"

"Yeah, we even have our very first sold out show," Joey replied, excitedly. "I wonder if it does help, now that our songs are being played on KKHV. Just yesterday, I heard one of our songs... sandwiched between a Led Zeppelin song and a Van Halen song!"

"Wow!" exclaimed Billy, as the whole group cheered. "I really wish I could've tuned in, but I was at my grandma's - and she simply doesn't care for loud music. You didn't, by any chance, happen to get it on tape - did you? I would love to hear that, so much!"

"Sorry, Billy," Joey replied, apologetically, "I didn't have a tape recorder handy. I was in the car, when I heard all three of those songs. It made me feel real good, inside. It was almost like I was... Well, anyway, I'm real sure we'll be hearing our songs on that station - many more times! We should maybe just keep tallies on that, or something."

"That's a very awesome idea," agreed Marty, flashing a lopsided smile. While Marty Sr did fully share in the enthusiasm of his band mates, Marty Jr was quite more in awe of actually witnessing the beginning stages of his father's career. "We should go for it!"

"I bet Douglas Needles is totally green with envy," Zach suggested, smirking. "I really can't imagine that he'd ever attend one of our concerts. In fact, I have a feeling that he'd prefer to scrub toilets. Well, he doesn't quite know what all he's missing out on."

"Well, guys," Joey called out, as he looked at his watch. "It's really about time for the show to start. I really think we should go hit the stage." As the group high-fived each other, he added, "The newness of this is starting to wear off, now. It's really starting to seem a little routine, in fact. Not in a bad way, of course. I just mean, it's great..."

Marty swallowed, as he began to follow his band mates onto the stage. Marty Jr sure felt a little leery. However, he also began to feel much more confident. He thought of what he was always taught. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.

oooooooooo

After the concert, Marty and Jennifer headed off to Pizza Hut - with Zach and Zoe. It did seem like a rather long wait for Marty Jr, though - as he was a little used to pizzas being hydrated, in just a matter of seconds. The pizza sure smelled delicious, though. Both Sr and Jr enjoyed pizzas with just cheese, as well as the seasoned bread sticks.

"I must, you guys were totally awesome!" gushed Zoe. "Jenn and I even ran into the program director of KKHV, and he was impressed. He has no regrets, whatsoever, of playing your songs on the air. He also told us to tell you to keep up the great work!"

"Oh, that's such great news," replied Zach, excitedly. "I know that Harmony seems to be a real hit. Of course, the song does have a profound message. It probably helps a little, as well, the the song has a catchy neat. I guess we could say we're rock stars."

"I never actually thought that Harmony could become so popular," commented Marty, dreamily. That was strictly Sr talking, of course. Marty Jr was quite well aware of how that was his father's earliest big hit. "I was simply inspired by the news. While I do try to maintain an optimistic stance, some people in this would can make one question..."

"I see what you mean, Marty," Jennifer replied, softly. "Anyway, I quite think this is a nice tradition. Yeah, I sure wanted more than just ice cream. I didn't eat much dinner, tonight. I was so excited about watching you guys perform. You guys all are great!"

"You're The Pinheads?" asked the waitress, as he walked up to the table. "Well, some of The Pinheads?" Marty smiled, as he felt elated. "I quite wish I could've come to the concert, tonight. Well, it really feels nice to be able to serve you guys - at any rate."

"Hey, thanks, Melissa," Marty replied, smiling. As the waitress set down the pizza and the bread sticks. "Well, next time, I hope that you'll be able to show up. So, uh, what bands do you enjoy listening to - besides us? I rather love Van Halen, as well as Huey Lewis and The News. I also really like listening to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers."

"All very excellent choices," Melissa replied, smiling. "Well, I don't think I really have a favourite band. I actually enjoy just about anything that you can bang your head to. The only thing I'm really not fond of, is that satanic stuff... all that black metal stuff."

"We really don't care for that music, either," Marty explained, softly. "Well, thank you for the food. You have a good night, now." Turning to the rest of the group, "I rather could get used to this, guys. It feels so nice - getting a fan to serve us, this evening."

"Do you think she might give us a discount?" Zach asked, smiling. "After all, we're sure famous - and she rather does enjoy our music." Marty smiled, as he wagged his finger at Zach. "I'm just playing around! I don't think I've even met Melissa, before! It simply feels good, having strangers recognize us. I think she's a little older than us, in fact."

"Well, you look a little older than eighteen," Marty pointed out, chuckling. Taking a bite out of his pizza slice, he added, "This is very good stuff. I think Domino's is kind of bland, compared to this. My sister sure feels that the crust is too greasy, though."

As soon as the words came out, Marty realized that - similar to the pregnancy issue - this also sure applied both Linda and Marlene. Marty Jr had yet to meet young Linda, but he was already starting to learn about traits that his sister and his aunt shared.

"I think your sister should just lighten up," Jennifer commented, laughing. "My mother would give me a lecture, though, if she knew that I was at Pizza Hut. She tends to be a health food nut. When we have children, I sure plan to be more relaxed about they eat. I'm not gonna let them eat ice cream, all the time - but I do think that they'd..."

"You hypocrite!" exclaimed Zoe, as she gave Jennifer a gentle shove. "I know that, if left to your own devices, you would rather stuff yourself full of ice cream. Jenn, don't even pretend as if you wouldn't do such a thing. I really know you, all too well!"

"She maybe just really feels as if she has to say it," suggested Zach, "lest people think that she'd be a pretty terrible mother." Jennifer blushed, as everyone else burst out laughing. "Yeah, Jenn, I can see you blushing. I dare you to deny it! I dare you!"

"Yeah, Jenn," agreed Zoe, as she gave Jennifer another shove. "You've rather heard what Zach said." Turning to Marty, as asked, "Well, Marty, how about you? Don't you think that, if she was allowed to do so, she'd just gorge herself with ice cream? You're amongst friends. You can let us know what you think. C'mon, Marty, just spill it out!"

"Uh, I'm not gonna say anything," protested Marty, as he saw how nervous Jennifer was. "You're not gonna put me on the spot, like this." After a deep swallow, "So, uh, what do you guys think of George Orwell's 1984? That's a real depressing book, eh?"

"That's right, Marty," ribbed Zach, laughing. "Just go ahead, and change the subject! Don't bother answering that question. I sure can see how you are!" After taking a sip of Pepsi, he added, "Okay, all right. I guess I did get a little carried away. I'm sorry."

"I understand that you guys meant no such harm," Jennifer replied, softly. "I'm it'll be some time, anyway, before Marty and I even think about being parents. I do love my mom, a lot - and I know that she's only looking after me. I guess it's really her duty to be a bit of a... Well, to be honest, I think Orwell's book is actually a little interesting."

Marty couldn't help smiling. Marty Jr actually read the book, earlier in the year - while Marty Sr only started reading the book. He felt happy that the book wasn't reality. It was simply a great feeling, just having the freedom to "goof around" with his friends.