3:30 PM PST
George had never felt so petrified in his life before. Marty Klein had been such a nice friend to him all week, even if he did start off being a litle annoying. Marty was really like no other friend he had before. There was also something that was real unsettling about him, almost as if the boy seemed so familiar to him. He couldn't think of why.
"Hey, buddy, relax," Marty said, as he flashed George a lopsided smile. "You really look as if you're on death row, or something. You don't have anything to be scared of. All you have to do is punch me out. It's not like you're going to be facing Biff."
"Yeah, you're right, Marty," George said, nervously. "You're right. It's just that, well, you've been a good friend to me. I'll miss you, once you leave. I just don't believe I can stand to punch you out. I mean, I'm just not that kind of a person."
Marty was quiet for a minute, then tears filled his eyes. Marty gently laid his hand on Marty's arm, and said, "I really understand how you feel, George. I really do. I think it's wonderful that you're a nice person. It's just that, well, you're sure going to have to show Lorraine that you can be a fighter. Please, George, just do it."
"Oh, what's the matter, Marty?" George asked, as he saw a tear slip down each of Marty's cheeks. He felt rather horrible, as he hadn't meant to make his new friend cry. "Okay, I'll do anything for you. I didn't mean to make you upset, Marty."
"No, it's not you," Marty protested, as he wept a little. "Well, it is you - but you didn't do anything wrong. I just really feel for you. It's wrong just how these kids at school can be so mean to you. You don't deserve that kind of treatment, George."
"Really?" George asked, stunned. "Then why do people treat me this way? I mean, I never hurt anyone in my entire life, but it doesn't stop others from hurting me. What did I even do to them? Even Strickland say that I'm a 'slacker'. I don't understand."
"People pick on you, because you're an easy target for them," Marty said, softly. "It is an unfortunate part of life how some people can be real cruel. It's just because of how they feel so insecure of themselves, that they feel the need to put other people down - just so they can make themselves feel better. It is very unfortunate."
"Marty, I really need to confess something," George said, quietly. After Marty smiled encouragingly, George added, "Five years ago, I really tried to stand up to Biff. That was the year he was held back a grade. He was bullying Billy, and I tried hard to..."
George trailed off, as he was feeling way too embarrassed to continue. That was the day that haunted him greatly. George, with Billy and Lester, were always considered "weird" by some of the other kids - but the bullying really didn't start until then.
"I'm sorry, George," Marty said, tearfully. "I really never knew. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Anyway, maybe after you punch me out - you could then gain the courage to finish what you started with Biff five years ago. How does that sound?"
George was stunned. Marty was, once again, acting as if he knew George for longer than a week. He began to wonder if fate had somehow brought Marty into his life.
oooooooooo
Marty Jr and Harmony watched on, as Doc '85 stepped into Hal's Bike Shop. Marty Jr couldn't believe how it seemed like Doc '85 was spending the day poking around.
"It seems as though he doesn't even care about his friend," Marty Jr commented, as he shook his head. "My poor father is locked inside of Biff's garage, and all he really does is waste time poking around? I would so love to give him a piece of my mind!"
"He sure does seem to be going about his own merry way," Harmony said, shaking her head. "I guess he's too busy with doing some nostalgic sight seeing."
"Good afternoon, sir," the salesman greeted, warmly. "I see you decided to look at some our bikes. I think I have just the bike that you're looking for. You look rather familiar to me, but I can't think of what it is about you. It's so nice to see you!"
"Thanks, Hal," Doc '85 replied. "It's sure a nice day for going biking. I'm Christopher Lloyd Brown, and I'm a cousin to Emmett Brown. I just decided to swing by, and pay him a little visit. So, anyway, what is the bike that you have in mind?"
"Well, somebody stopped by earlier today," Hal explained, "and he was wearing this same peacoat and hat that you just purchased. Anyway, I have this bike I think can go very good with that outfit that you're wearing. The bike has red and blue bars on it, and the handlebars has plastic streamers extending from the edges."
"That's such a nice bike," Doc '85 commented, as he ran his hands along the smooth bars. "I really love this bell, as well. I think you've made a excellent suggestion, and I think I'll go purchase it. This bike does look very good with my outfit, I think."
"Who cares about that stupid bike?" Marty Jr cried out, with indignation. "My father is locked inside of Biff Tannen's garage! How about getting him the hell out of there?"
"I'm happy how you approve, Chris," Hal said, smiling. "That will be $40. When you see your cousin, make sure to tell him I said 'hi'. He purchased a bike from me last week, in fact." After Doc '85 handed Hal two $20 bills, he said, "Have a nice day!"
"Thank you very much, sir," Doc '85 replied, smiling. "Now, if only I could remember how to ride a bike. It's been a pretty long time since I last rode one, so I'm probably a little bit rusty at this by now. Anyway, you have a nice day yourself!"
"Don't worry about it, Chris," Hal called out, cheerfully. "Once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget how. Anyway, just have yourself a wonderful weekend!"
"Now, how about rescuing my dad from Biff's garage?" Marty Jr asked, with a hint of annoyance. "Don't you even care that your good friend has been trapped inside that musty garage all day? Come on, now! Why are you acting so selfishly?"
"Maybe he's afraid to spend any time at the Tannen's property," Harmony suggested, quietly. "I sure agree that he should be more concerned about your father. Where do you suppose we would head off to next? Let's check up on the younger version of my grandfather. I know he's been busy preparing to send your father back to 1985."
oooooooooo
Doc '55 had never felt so worried in his life before. Marty was one special friend to him, and the last thing he really wished to do was let his young friend down. There was also this whole space-time continuum to consider. The longer that Marty spent any time in the past, the more he would be creating a great temporal risk.
"Hey, Doc," a familiar young voice called. Doc '55 stepped down from the ladder, as he saw how Marty One had just shown up. "How do you suppose I look? I sure don't feel too comfortable in these clothes, but I know you said to dress up for tonight."
As Doc '55 took a rather good look at the suit Marty One had on, he replied, "I think you look great, Marty. Have you done any more practicing with your father? I never quite expected him to be afraid to take a stand for himself. After all, I do remember how he was a lot more outgoing - when I had taught him in the third grade."
"Well, listen, Doc," Marty One said, a bit nervously, "I actually found out something about my dad, that I never quite knew before. It turns out he did try to stand up to Biff five years ago - when Biff was bullying his friend, Billy. He failed to do so."
"Great Scott!" Doc '55 gasped, as he was greatly stunned by this new revolution. "I knew George and his friends really were not like other kids, but I really don't recall them being bullied. Then again, Biff and his friends were all in the fourth grade."
"It turns out he never forgave himself for that incident," Marty One added. "I felt so bad for him, when he told me about how he had failed to defend Billy. My heart just went out to him, and I sure feel bad that I ever thought less-than-fondly about him. Anyway, after a lot of encouraging him, I'm confident he will pull through tonight."
"I'm so happy to hear that," Doc '55 replied, as he placed his hands on Marty One's shoulders. "You know, I feel very bad that my opinion on him was less-than-stellar. After all, I could really relate to him to some degree. For instance, I sure know that it's very hurtful to have people picking on you, simply because you're different."
"I always try to be friendly towards everyone," Marty One commented. "Anyway, I should maybe go check up on my mom. I hate to say that, but I really feel uneasy around her. I mean, she was certainly acting aggressive towards me all week."
"Well, it is going to be important for you to get close to her," Doc '55 commented. "I understand that it's really not too easy for you. You know, I never even intended on use the time machine to travel to the past. The future is what I was really after."
Marty One was silent for a moment, then he commented, "You know, Doc, speaking about the future - I really do need to tell you about what happens on the night..."
"Shut up, Marty!" Doc '55 snapped. Marty One suddenly looked wounded, but Doc '55 was getting real irritated with this. "You sure have got to be one of the most stubborn people I have ever met! How many times do we have to have this discussion?"
Marty One stared at Doc '55 wordlessly. Then tears began to roll down his cheeks, as he quietly turned around and walked away. Doc '55 was then struck with that pang of guilt. He never meant to upset his young friend, but he couldn't quite understand why his friend was so persistent in telling him about his future. He could be so annoying.