July 15, 1989
11:00 PM PDT
BTTF Universe

Just as the ending credits to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure began to scroll, Marty thought back to his own experience - where he watched Back to the Future, while he was in the Family Ties Universe. He simply figured that the visitors likely felt quite the same way as he did. He noticed that the princesses were intrigued the whole while.

"We really had to adjust to a lot of things," Joanna pointed out, "as we arrived in the 20th Century. Nothing simply could've prepared us for this, though. I admit that I am rather angry with the screenwriters, though - for giving us such an insane father."

"To be entirely fair, though," Elizabeth replied, as she placed her hand on her sister's shoulder, "they were just recording history, as it happened. I mean, you simply can't change what happened in the past. If anything, they were actually merciful to us."

Marty thought of how good it really felt, to grow up in the 20th Century. He thought of how much of a culture shock it must've quite been to the girls. He figured that this was bad enough for Clara, who was only from one century ago. He simply wondered what the world would be like, five hundred years from now. It was scary to ponder.

"I'm still so amazed," Jennifer commented, "by how the four of you sure fell in love at first sight. Granted, Marty and I also fell in love at first sight - but we're actually from the same time period. Granted, it is very similar to what happened to Doc and Clara."

"We would love to meet Clara," replied Ted, excitedly. "I just have a strong feeling that one of the sequels to Back to the Future will... will quite show us how Doc and Clara have met and fallen in love. I'm sure it would be a totally resplendent film."

"From what I've heard," Marty explained, quietly, "that will happen in the third film. It sure feels surreal, discussing this sort of stuff. I can remember how sad I felt, when I thought I would never again see Doc. I even cried so much. It's strange how so much time has passed for Doc, and not as much time has passed for me. I guess I'm lucky."

"I guess you are," Ted replied, with a small smile. "I never understoood how, as Rufus would say to us, the clock in San Dimas is always running. Not that I'd ever quite want to, but what if we wished to settle at some time in the past? That could work out quite differently from settling at a time in the future, like the princess babes have done."

"Probably so," replied Joanna. "I mean, you sure can't change the past. In a way, it's a very good thing - because you don't have all these messy paradoxes to deal with. I guess the San Dimas time is a preventive measure, to keep us from being out of..."

"... alignment?" suggested Marty. "Out of synch? I can understand where that would be important. Ever since I took my first trip through time, I've since never really been able to figure out my exact age. In fact, I actually gave up caring a long time ago."

"I always have wondered about that," commented Ted. "I mean, you even came back eleven minutes earlier - so that you could save your scientist friend. I thought it really was stubborn, for him to not listen to you. I sure can understand how upset you felt - when you saw him get shot by those dickweeds. It must've been the most heinous."

"You know, I must say," Bill commented, "it really was the most atypical experience of our lives. We always wanted to be very famous, but it's totally surreal to see a movie that was based on our lives. It's so scary to think that, in this world, we're fictional."

"Don't forget, guys," Marty pointed out, laughing, "we're in the same boat as you're in. I've gotten used to the idea by now, but it still feels real freaky. By the way, this simply is ironic - that you came here when you did. You see, tomorrow, the theatres are showing the film adaption of my father's first novel, A Match Made In Space."

"I can't believe I nearly forgot about that, Marty!" gasped Jennifer. "We'll sure have to see the film, tomorrow. I think it really was a great idea to cast Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson in the roles of the couple. They even resemble your parents a little."

"The resemblances are sure uncanny," replied Marty. "Of course, what's even more ironic, is how they were cast as my parents in Back to the Future. It really would be surreal, if a movie similar to Back to the Future was actually filmed in our universe."

"I'm sure there wouldn't be any flux capacitors," Ted pointed out, laughing. "After all, that is Doc's special design - and he probably wouldn't tell many people about it. We'd totally love to watch the film adaption with you tomorrow, at any rate. It really would be the most excellent cinematic experience. Could we bring the book back with us?"

"We won't show it to anyone else," added Bill. "In a way, it really would be stellar - if we could go back in time, and encourage Ted's dad to become more easy-going. The thing is, he always was an egregious man - and he's always threatening to send..."

"... me off to the Alaskan Military Academy," finished Ted. "Marty, no offence, but I never could help thinking of how lucky you really were - even in the original timeline. Your mom was a little disapproving, but he absolutely was nothing like my dad was."

"Your dad is awfully insufferable," agreed Elizabeth, "but he, at least, would never try to kill anyone. Y'know, you can always come live with us. It sure would be outstanding for all four of us to live together. We're real destined to marry, one of these days - so there would be no harm of it. Besides, it would actually tjust ake a load off our rent."

"Believe me, Liz," Ted replied, "it is very tempting. However, I really have to be there for Deacon. I get quite hurt, though, that my dad doesn't even love me. I asked him, several months ago, if he even loved me - and he just laughed at me, and asked who could possibly love a brat like me. It makes me feel sad - because he's my father..."

Marty's heart simply went out to poor Ted. Of course, he really sympathized with Ted - when he and Jennifer just watched the movie in the theatre. Now that he knew Ted in the flesh, though - he wanted nothing less than to provide comfort for that fellow.

"I sure understand how you feel, Ted," Marty replied, as he placed his arm around the young boy. "I myself was actually in that position, in the original timeline. There rather were a few times, whem my mom was just emotionally abusive to me - and it did hurt."

"He did tell me about it, a few times," added Jennifer. "I don't remember the timeline, of course - but it rather did happen a little over a week, before Doc unveiled the time machine. That morning, she asked how she could love a brat like him - and she added that she didn't have to love him, simply because she was his mother. It's so horrible!"

"I understand that she really was drunk," Marty added, as tears filled his eyes, "but it was something that stung me. I simply had a bad day, and I remember how I wept on Doc's shoulder. Of course, it never happened in this timeline - but I feel as though..."

"To be honest," Ted commented, blushing, "I've often cried myself to sleep, because of how my dad would hurt me. Usually, not quite physically - but I do want to have a father who loves me, and cares about me. The thing is, my dad simply never cared if my life was going well. He only has an interest in my life, so that he can control me."

"I'm sorry, Ted," murmured Marty, as he blinked back tears. "I could just see why you would want to go back in time, and change that. I sure suppose, even with the risk of a paradox..." Marty held Ted close to him, just as he suddenly began to weep silently.

"I really don't know what to say, Ted," added Elizabeth, as she also had tears in her eyes. "I understand how hurt you are, and I'm rather sorry that your father is quite an asshole. Just know that I care about you, and Bill cares about you. I mean..."

"I think what Liz means," piped in Bill, "is that you simply have friends who care about you. Anyway, my father also really cares about you - even if he had been more than a little preoccupied with... Well, it appears that he and Missy are headed for divorce. She seems nice enough, but... Well, let's just say that she seems a bit, uh, flighty."

Marty knew that Elizabeth and Bill simply meant well - but it seemed to barely console Ted, as Marty could simply tell that he was also crying. Marty himself felt so helpless, as he had no idea how to help Ted. After all, nothing could replace a parent's love.

"You know, Ted," suggested Elizabeth, "I know I'm not a parental figure, but I've had the very same problem with my own father. I mean, I can totally sympathize with the way you must feel. I simply never could understood why so many people, nowadays, find the idea of being a princess to be glamorous. If anything, I think it's overrated."

"Thank you, Liz," Ted replied, tearfully. "I guess you and I have so much in common, even though we're from two different eras. I simply remember how scared we were, when your father was about to chop off our heads. It was a rather scary moment."

"I really remember being quite surprised," commented Joanna, "by your reaction over the suggestion of the iron maiden. I guess I now understand why. In the present, it's the name of a heavy metal group. I must say, the music of the present is excellent!"

"I sure must admit," replied Marty, "I am pretty surprised. After all, even people from our parents' generation tend to think that our music is too loud. I sure remember how Clara reacted, after she was first exposed to rock and roll. Anyway, it is getting very late - and I think we should go to bed. We'll really have lot of fun tomorrow, though."

As the visitors all cheered, and then stretched their arms - Marty just thought of how his life had never been quite the same, since that day almost four years ago. In fact, had it not been for him - his father would've never wrote A Match Made In Space, for more than one reason. He really was excited to catch the film adaption of that novel.