8:00 PM PST
Land of Colour Universe
The light streaked across the sky, leaving a trail in its wake. For a minute, Marty was reminded of Doc's time DeLorean - which would leave fire tracks behind whenever it would travel through time. Then Marty realized that what he saw was a shooting star.
"Did you see that?" exclaimed June. "Mommy says that when you see a star fall from the sky, someone's wish is being granted. I wonder whose wish is granted tonight."
"Right now, my wish is to have our family move here," commented Mallory. "It was wonderful spending some time in this world. It's a shame that we have to leave for home in two days. Our world will seem really cold and mundane, after this."
"We'll really miss you folks a lot," April replied. "I mean, you have all been so swell - and it was great getting to know you people. Maybe you all can come back to visit."
"That would be great!" exclaimed Marty. "I should say that, of all the dimensions I have visitied, this one is my favourite." Except for maybe Doxopolis, Marty thought. Narnia was really nice, too. It'll seem boring back home, after this.
"You guys are very wonderful people," added Alex. "How about we talk about some things that we wish for - and let's leave out things like world peace, even though I guess you guys already have that. At any rate, let's try to be a bit original."
"All right, then," April said, smiling. "I guess my greatest wish would be to travel the world, and to see all of the other cultures in the world. I greatly enjoy travelling."
"My greatest wish would be to bring Grandma Emma back to life," added June. "After all, she died a year ago - and I really do miss her greatly. I greatly wish we could all live forever, you know. I mean, it's really sad to lose people that you're close to."
"Oh, yeah, I certainly know the feeling of that," Marty said, nodding. He remembered how, during his first time travel adventures, he ended up preventing Doc's death on two separate occassions. Furthermore, his father had been murdered in that horrific version of 1985, when Biff Tannen was rich and corrupt - and married to his mother!
"I also miss Grandma Emma a lot," May said, nodding. "Another wish I have, though, is to one day become an actress. I enjoy acting in our school plays, and I really want to be in a movie someday - or, at least, a television show. That would be my dream."
"I would rather be a singer," insisted June. "I sure hope to, one day, be able to write my own songs. My teacher tells me I write great poems, but I would rather sing."
"I play lead guitar in a rock band with my friends, called The Pinheads," explained Marty. "I really hope our band gets discovered someday. I mean, I still remember how we used to have a problem at dance auditions - and how we often got told that we were too darn loud. I really believe Strickland had it in for us."
"I don't think Strickland liked anyone," Linda said, as she made a face. "He's always taking down to all of us, and calling us 'slackers'. You know, I sure wonder what his relationship with his wife is like. Do you think he calls his wife a 'slacker', too?"
"What is a slacker?" asked April. "Strickland doesn't sound like a very nice person."
"Yeah, he sure wasn't," Marty said, sighing. "A slacker is a person who evades his or her duty or work - which, in his mind, would account for 99 percent of the students."
"Y'know, I really can't think of too much that I want," August commented. "I mean, we live in a nice neighbourhood - and we have a very lovely home. Our parents are very supportive of us, and they love us dearly. We also have a countryside near by, as well as a nice lake we can go swimming in. So what would you wish for, Alex?"
"You know, if you had asked me this question a few years ago," Alex said, sighing, "I would have said that I would like to have lots of money and be rich. I mean, I would still like to have lots of money - but I now realize money isn't everything. I am now vey ashamed to remember that, a few years ago, I actually scoffed at Christmas as being sentimental nonsense. I guess I was just being selfish, and I was a bit tired of doing the same things year after year. However, that night, I had been visited by two ghosts who had shown me what Christmas was really all about. I certainly learned."
"You mean you didn't like Christmas?" asked April, shocked. "How can anyone not like Christmas? I mean, it's a joyful time of year - and I'm sad it's almost over."
"Looking back,' Alex said, blushing, "I realize now I was being silly. I have to say it was great spending Christmas with you folks, and I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with my family, too. Let's see, if I was to wish for one thing not related to money - I would wish that Uncle Ned never took his first sip of alcohol. It was scary to discover that my favourite uncle had a drinking problem. He's in rehab, now - but we still have to watch him, to make sure he doesn't slip up again."
"Speaking of uncles," Marty said, nodding, "I wish Uncle Joey had been grounded the first time he stole something. Then, that way, he never would've been in prison. I mean, I used to really look down on him - but once I got to know him a little more, it turns out that he really isn't all bad. He's just a bit of a troubled individual, I guess."
"I don't think grounding him would have work," Linda replied. "According to Mom, he was one who would spend a lot of time in his bedroom. He seemed a bit anti-social."
"I guess you do have a point, Linda," Marty said, sighing. He remembered how, back in 1955, Grandma Stella said that he liked being in his playpen all the time. Then, in 1968, he had pretty much locked himself into his room all the time. Marty did talk to him a little bit, and it appeared that Joey's social skills left something to be desired.
"It was so devastating for me, though," Alex said, sighing, "when I found out that he had a drinking problem. I really don't like to think of him as being the black sheep in the family. My parents really had to crack down on him, and tell him that he had get some councilling. Sometimes, I really believe we should bring back Prohibition."
"That really wouldn't work," Marty said, matter-of-factly. "I mean, I myself am no fan of alcohol - but prohibiting it is not really the answer. People would just find their way around the law - or they may move to Canada. It wouldn't be good for our country."
"I guess you have a point, Marty," Alex said, sighing. "Well, I don't dislike alcoholics - or else, I would have to dislike Uncle Ted. Anyway, I can't say that I dislike anyone. I just don't like how many people's lives are ruined by alcohol usage."
"I hear you, Alex," Marty said, sympathetically. After all, in the old timeline, alcohol had messed up his mother - and it often made her very aggressive. He remembered how, when he was in the Packard with his mother-to-be in 1955, he was insistent on getting his mother to stop drinking. It bothered him that his mother was often drunk.
"So what about you, Linda and Mallory?" asked April. "What do you girls wish for?"
"Hm, well," replied Linda, "right now, I guess I would just wish that marry Kevin, and have have a family together." Then, turning to Marty, she added, "I think you would make a very wonderful uncle. You really do have a way with kids. I mean, I see how you are with Jules and Verne - and the little ones here obviously like you, too."
"I think you'd make a great aunt, yourself," Marty said, smiling back. "You have a really great way with kids. I really wish you and Kevin the best of luck.'
"As for me," Mallory said, smiling, "I would also love to have a family in the future. I hate to sound mean, but I really do want Skippy to leave me alone. I believe a man should be strong - so he can stand up for himself, and protect the woman he loves."
"Kevin sure fits that description," Linda said, smiling. "I guess you guys can tell that I am pretty smitten, eh? I will certainly look forward to seeing Kevin again. Although, I do admit that I wish Kevin and I can move here and live together. Then again, there is also my family to consider. Well, this certainly will be a memorable event."
"Well, why don't we all go inside, now," suggested August, "and we could drink some hot chocolate and eat some more sugar cookies. Those cookies are really delicious."
Everyone nodded in agreement, as they followed August into the house.