12:15 PM PST
"And that was Shaken by Eddie Money," the disc jockey on the radio was saying. "It has now been a week, since two of our beloved residents - Martin Seamus McFly and Dr. Emmett Lathrop Brown - have gone missing. Up next, The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News will be playing - which is Marty McFly's favourite song."
"Aww, that's so sweet," Marty gushed, as the radio station went into a commercial for Statler Toyota. "Well, Jennifer, what would you like to do? Maybe we can play Super Mario Brothers for a little while. It will maybe prevent me from going crazy."
"That's a good idea," Jennifer replied, smiling. "We can go set up the Nintendo, and I also brought along a big bag of M&Ms for us to much on. You know, I wonder what will happen to me, after you and Doc head back to last week. I feel so nervous."
"You'll probably transform into the Jennifer of the new timeline," suggested Marty, "and you won't have any memory of this event. Once we get back to last week, it will erase this timeline, and become replaced with the new timeline. At least, that's the way that I understand it. Then again, I'm really not an expert on this - like Doc is."
"You know, Marty," Jennifer said, smiling, "the whole concept of time travel can be very confusing. I wonder if Doc might let me go another trip sometime. I know my last time travel adventure didn't turn out so great, but I really would like to visit the '60s. I know the world politics of the time weren't so great, but I love the whole peace movement - including the music, and some of the psychedelic styles."
"I apologize once again for what happened on your last adventure," Marty said, as he felt bad about what Jennifer had to experience in the Biffhorrific reality. "It was not my idea to leave you behind, but Doc had assured me that you would be all right. I wanted to put up a bigger fight - but, to be honest, I was rather anxious to leave."
"It's really not your fault, Marty," Jennifer said, gently. "Anyway, it could've been a whole lot worse. I still can't believe that Huey Lewis's band was Huey Lewis and The Rebels. I think I much prefer Huey Lewis and The News, if you ask me."
"To be honest," Marty said, sighing, "I'm not sure I would really like to hear what Huey Lewis and The Rebels sounds like. I mean, I do like loud music - but I think their style would be a lot angrier. I sure wouldn't want to hear that side of Huey Lewis. I prefer songs like The Power of Love and The Heart of Rock and Roll."
"Yeah, I prefer Huey Lewis and The News myself," Jennifer replied. "I think people were generally more pessimistic in the Biffhorrific reality, though. I remember that Pink Floyd had a song called The Money Machine, which spoke out against Biff."
"Now, that song I might like to hear," Marty said, smiling. "I never was a big Floyd fan, but I would love to him them singing an anti-Biff song. Although, on the other hand, it is a little disturbing just how much attention Biff Tannen actually got."
"Yeah, even if it is negative attention," Jennifer replied, shaking his head. "I feel so ashamed of my actions, but I was just so lost and confused. I mean, I was just too confused by what what was going on - that I pretty much gave up caring."
"I can totally sympathize," Marty replied, as he put his arm around his girlfriend. "I am so happy that everything turned out fine in the end, though. Well, let's just play Nintendo for a little while. This should help to take our mind off of our problems for a little while. I can't wait for Doc to find out what's wrong with the display panals."
"I guess you're right, Marty," Jennifer said, sighing. "You know, I can't believe we're actually hiding out like this. Then again, I understand that we can't exactly explain to them about time travel. If more people knew about the time machine, that could be a recipe for disaster. We sure don't need Biff to found out about the time machine."
"Right," Marty replied, shuddering. "We already know what happened the last time that he he got his hands on the machine. It makes me wonder what will happen, by the time the year rolls around again. Like, would our younger selves still show up?"
"By then, it probably wouldn't be necessary," Jennifer replied, gently. "I remember seeing the print on that fax paper disappearing in front of me. When you decided not to race Needles, it really did change our history for the better. I have a feeling that our future will turn out to be much brighter. You really have matured a lot, Marty."
"Thank you," Marty replied. "I think spending time in the Old West has really helped me to change my attitude. I wonder how my life would've been different, if Doc had just warned me - and I never ended up spending any time in the Old West."
"I sometimes wonder why he didn't just warn you," commented Jennifer. "I'm sure that seeing how messed up our future is would have shocked you right into changing your attitude. Maybe he thought taking your son's place would give you a little bit of practice in learning how to not let people goad you into taking such risks."
"That might be it," Marty said, sighing. He began to set up the Nintendo system, as he said, "Well, it's best just to leave the past behind - and to move forward. It's nice that Doc actually managed to find true love, and to have two adorable little boys."
"Why don't you be Mario," Jennifer suggested, as she reached for one of the control panels, "and I'll be Luigi. Anyway, I'm just happy that you learned to not let Needles get under your skin anymore. I was so horrified, when you were fired in the future."
"Well, that's all in the past, now," Marty replied, as he started playing the game. He has played this game enough times, he has actually become very good at it.
oooooooooo
About an hour later, Marty was so engrossed in playing Super Mario Brothers, he no longer thought about the situation that he was in. Just then, someone was knocking on the door. Marty nearly jumped, as he was suddenly brought back to reality.
"It's finished, Marty," Doc said, as he slowly opened the door. "Oh, I see you're both playing Nintendo. I'm sure you'd like to finish your game, but we'd better get out of here as soon as possible. I was finally able to figure out just what was wrong with the display panals. It was so simple, I really can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner."
"What was it, Doc?" Marty asked, as he was curious. "I don't mind not being able to finish the game. It's not like I'll never be able to play this game again. I'm anxious to get back home, and to set everything straight again. Let's get back to the past!"
"So, what was wrong with the display panels?" Jennifer asked, as be began to shut down the Nintendo game system. "It's a good think Marty suggested that we play Super Mario Brothers? So, what is going to happen, after you two go back to last week? As I won't be going back with you, I do feel a little bit apprehensive."
"You'll change along with the rest of the timeline," Doc explained, "and, if everything goes according to plan, you won't remember missing Marty for a week. It's nothing you need to worry about. Anyway, I had to flip a switch - as I went to replace the light bulbs. I forgot to flip the switch back. That problem was so easy to fix."
"How could you forget to flip the switch back?" Marty asked, stunned. "I mean, you are a scientist - and you happen to have a very high IQ. How could possibly forget such a simple thing like pulling a switch. It just doesn't make sense to me."
"It's because I'm so used to working on tasks that are complex," replied Doc, "that I had forgotten all about the simple things. I can't believe I was making everything so complicated for myself, when it was a problem that could've been easily solved."
"Jesus, Doc," muttered Marty, "I never even thought about that. Well, I'm quite glad that you were finally able to figure out that very simple task. Well, Doc, I guess we'd just better get out of here - before my parents happen to come looking for me."
Doc nodded, as the two of them headed out to the garage. Marty was feeling a little nervous, as the two of them stepped into the DeLorean. As Doc turned on the time circuits, Marty gave a little sigh of relief. They would finally be able to go back.
"Let's see," Doc said, as he was deep in thought. "We came here shortly before one on January 18, so I think it would be a good idea to return at one. That way, I would be able to give Verne the video game that I picked up - and then we could go on our family trip. I would invite you along, but I kind of wanted it to be just our family."
"Right, I understand," Marty replied, nodding. "It's just nice to be able to spend time alone with your family - and I am feeling pretty exhausted, anyway. After we return home, I think I'm just going to take a little nap. Maybe I could come over tonight."
"Well, let's just head over to Hill Valley Park," Doc suggested, "and, after we return to last week, then I will be able to present Verne with his package right away."
Marty smiled at Doc, as his older friend drove off to Hill Valley Park. Marty felt quite jittery, as he was so excited about being able to return to the time he came from.
"All right, Marty," Doc warned, as he began hovering the DeLorean, "brace yourself for temporal displacement." Marty slowly took in a deep breath, as Doc accelerated the DeLorean to 88 miles per hour. The DeLorean then broke the time barrier.