Author's Note: New chapter for Smart Marty. Details the last two days before Saturday finally arrives.
Disclaimer: I have no right to claim to own the Back to the Future movies as my own. All characters featured in this are not mine. They are just my (alternate, in Marty and Emmett's case) interpretations of the characters.
6: Chapter Six
It was a bright and sunny Thursday when Marty re-arrived at the old version of his High School. However, to the young genius, it wouldn't have mattered which kind of weather it was. The important thing was getting his father and mother back together. After all, if that failed, the teen could be erased from existence. Talk about a heavy burden to bear.
After Marty's decision on what to do, he had continued to work, this time the work on getting himself home. After all, while getting his parents to fall in love was undoubtedly important, return to the point in time where he originated from was also an issue that had to be dealt with. Anyway, he had continued to write out files about how to harness the lightning until at least 1 AM, when Emmett had gently reminded him that he had school the next day. Which had, of course, prompted Marty to correct him and say that the time he judged as being 'tomorrow' was in fact on the very same day, but the teen had gotten the hint and quit. Which had worked out in his favour as he found himself able to think far more clearly today.
As he was entering the hall-way, it didn't take Marty all that long to track down his parent. George McFly had decided to withdraw to the sides this time and was trying to avoid getting kicked and bullied. As Marty neared, the teen recognised on his father's face first fear, then relief and recognition as he saw who it was, and then a stubborn look as the '50s teen realised why Marty was approaching him. The teen scientist sighed. This was, once again, going to be a long day.
"Good phase of the day where the sun appears to be rising, George" Marty greeted, as polite as he could.
"Hi" George muttered, and then: "If it's about the dance, I'm not going."
Marty suppressed a sigh. He was expecting this. But this simple statement wasn't enough to convince him. "Look, George" he insisted. "I comprehend the fact that you are hesitant about entering an event where people shall be around which are generally judged to be on a higher place on the social climbing construction consisting of two vertical constructions which are connected with several horizontal constructions, than you are. However, you shall not have to worry about that. Lorraine does like you, it just hasn't entered her conscious brainwaves enough yet."
George shook his head. "I can't go" he insisted. "Not next Saturday. I have a television show to watch that night – Science Fiction Theatre." He smiled. "It's a really cool show. It's about aliens and the future and things like that."
Normally, such a show would've made the teen curious, as he understood his father's apparent interest in science and science fiction, which were topics that he liked, as well. Now, though, he had to keep in mind that there were more important things to do. "But Lorraine has taken a liking to you" he insisted. "She's not expressive about it, that's all."
George shook his head again. "But she's dating you already!" he exclaimed. "I encountered her yesterday afternoon, we had a brief conversation, and she told me that she'd asked you to ask her to the dance! I can't date her now, Marty – I can't just steal her from you!"
Marty desperately tried to come up with some response. "If she talked to you, then she likes you" he stubbornly insisted. "She just doesn't comprehend it yet. That's the reason why we have to tell her. Maybe at the ceremonial, we could introduce you to her more properly, or set something else up…" Of course, that wasn't really Marty's plan – it was simply his attempt to convince his father. He'd already got something entirely different planned for the dance – but of course he couldn't tell George about that particular plan!
The taller teen sighed. "I don't understand you, Marty" he muttered. "Lorraine is the most beautiful girl in school, she's charming, attractive and intelligent. And she's got a crush on you. She's got anyone to pick, and she chooses you. Half the people on this school who know about that fact are insanely jealous of you. Yet, you insist that I should date her! That's like having won a million in the lottery and try to give the ticket you need to collect it away! Why don't you forget about this and have a great time with Lorraine at the dance on Saturday?"
Marty sighed, wishing that he could tell his father the truth, but knowing that he should restrain himself, for the continuum's sake. "She's not really my type of female human" he therefore said. "And I'm a little nervous around girls." That was the truth – he really didn't have much experience with this, after all.
His father wasn't convinced. "Nobody can be more nervous around girls than me" he insisted. "Marty – I just can't go. I'm sorry, but I can't. I am just too insecure, and I really don't want to miss Science Fiction Theatre."
Marty frowned – and then, the beginning of a plan was coming up to him. "What if they don't broadcast?" he asked. "Shall you go then?"
George raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think they won't?" he asked. "Have you got a relative working at a TV broadcasting place or something?"
Marty shook his head. "No, I was just wondering" he said, trying to sound as casual as he could. "But, to answer my question, would you go to the ceremonial?"
The other teen had to consider that idea for a moment. Finally, with a very clear touch of hesitancy, he nodded. "Yeah, I suppose I would go" he said. "I mean, I'd have few other things to do." He smiled at his future child. "But, really, the chance for something like that to happen is really small. How did you come to think of it, anyway?"
As Marty tried to think of an answer, the school bell rang. "I have to go" George apologised. "If I don't, I'll be late. I should have five minutes, but I don't want to cut it close. See you later." With that, he ran off in the direction of his classroom, Marty looking after him, glad that he hadn't been forced to answer George's question. "That went optimal" he muttered, sarcasm obvious in his voice. "Now, that plan I had."
As Marty had been talking to his father, a plan had started to rise, and now, he could concentrate on it. The plan was quite simple, actually – remove George's television show. Well, it appeared to be simple. Marty, however, had enough knowledge to realise that this plan would be by no means 'simple' and would require a lot of planning – like the other plans which he had come up with. Three plans, and all of them scheduled to occur next Saturday. It would truly be mind-wracking.
The teenager started to walk through the hall-way, trying to devise a way to make it all work. As he did so, though, he soon regretted staying there and not going to some other place. A lot. A feminine cry of 'Clint' made clear that his mother had seen him. And indeed, within moments, Lorraine Baines, who was never going to be his female ancestor once removed if things continued like this, was standing in front of him, grinning from ear to ear at the sight of her 'boyfriend'.
"Clint, where have you been!" Lorraine exclaimed. "I haven't seen you since yesterday morning!" That was true – indeed, Marty had done a pretty good job at avoiding his mother as much as he could. Until now, then. Still, he hadn't been paying attention this time, being distracted by his father and the dance.
"I was busy with other things" he simply apologised. "Watch, Lorraine, I really have to go…"
"Oh, I understand" Lorraine said, nodding. "You wouldn't want to be late for class – I'm sorry. I just wanted to know something – you know, I haven't got a busy evening on Friday, and I just figured that maybe we could go to dinner together? I'll even pay. It sounds like a great way to get to know each other better. So have you got anything else to do tomorrow evening, or are you free to go along with me? Don't you think it's a good idea? You're not busy that night, are you?"
"Well, no, I shouldn't be busy with anything," Marty started, "but… um… I…"
"Then we can go" Lorraine decided. "Don't feel shy, Clint. I'm sure we'll have a great time!" With that, she rushed away, calling out: "See you then!" before vanishing around a corner.
The teenager sighed, as he looked after her. Knowing his mother, she'd come looking for him again the next time she was able to do so. He'd better head over to the library – at least that was a place where he wouldn't be disturbed as often. There, he could freely go on thinking – and develop a third plan for Saturday. Which he knew for sure would be every bit as hard as thinking up the other two had been. Marty suppressed a sigh. Life in the fifties sure wasn't easy.
oooooooo
Marty sighed, as he arrived back in the garage. One more day had passed, and instead of losing a problem, he'd gained one – getting George to the dance. He'd spent the whole morning sitting in the library and trying to make it work, and a good part of the afternoon as well. Now, he was pretty much secure that it could work, but he was exhausted now. And he didn't even know for sure whether it would work either.
The teen walked into the main area of the garage and was immediately greeted by the sight that he'd encountered for a few days now – Emmett half-sitting and half-kneeling in front of the television, fascinated by what was going on in front of him – the video that had been filmed in 1985. Marty took a step forwards, and coughed softly.
Emmett swiftly turned around. "Marty" he said, a little embarrassed as always. "Good afternoon. Are you back from school again?"
"Apparently so" Marty said, taking a look at the television screen, on which his friend had stopped the tape at the point where the camera filmed the time machine and was semi-hovering in front of the time circuits. The scientist briefly admired the circuitry that he had installed himself before turning to his friend. "Emmett" he said, softly. "I know that you're not going to receive enjoyment out of this, but I really should explain to you about what originally happened on…"
He stopped, as Emmett sighed. "Marty" he said. "I don't want you to betray your princap… princep… principles." He looked at his friend for a confirmation on the grammar and continued after Marty's nod. Also, you know that I'm inexperienced with this sort of thing. I'm bad at keeping secrets, and I know I can't tell anyone about this. To add your problem into the mix…" He sighed. "Stop thinking about it, Marty. It's very kind of you, but I'd probably forget it anyway, so it wouldn't be worth it."
Marty sighed. "Emmett…" he tried.
"No, Marty."
The teen nodded slowly. "All right, then not" he said. "I have more to do anyway." That was the truth, but he knew for sure that he wasn't going to drop this subject permanently until he'd convinced his friend. A life was at stake here, after all. "Anything else happen that I should know, or things that you want to ask me, before I go to work on the temporal field warping and displacement vehicle?"
"Well, no," Emmett started, and then he paused. "Well, actually – yes. Do you mind going along with me to Grass Valley tomorrow. You know, to prepare for my ranch? Look at some horses and all? I suppose that it might help you calm down."
The teen thought about that for a moment. "Well, yes, I suppose I'd like it" he said. "It might indeed put my neural brainwaves at ease and some scientists think that rest might help one to think clearer – which I now agree with, partly, as you proved it to me last night." He smirked. "So, yes, I'd like to go with you."
"Good" Emmett said, smiling. "Don't worry, Marty – we're going to be all right. It's like you keep saying, if you put your internal functions…"
"…to it, you can accomplish anything" Marty concluded. "Yes, that's correct." He smiled slightly. "Thanks for reminding me, Emmett. You truly are a friend." He paused for a moment. "I'm sure that this shall help."
"Of course it will help" Emmett said. "And even if it doesn't, it's better than working on the time machine all the time – boy, that sounds funny."
"It does" Marty agreed. "Speaking of the time machine, it's about time that I go back to work." With that, he moved over to the truck, and started working on his future journey to his home time once more.
oooooooo
Marty's security about this plan helping him soon seemed to have been a mistake. However the trip to Grass Valley, where Emmett had gotten a lot of information about breeding horses, had been very interesting, the whole relaxed feeling had given him time to think. And every second of that time had been filled with worries about Saturday night, which made him not be exactly happy now. Now, it was Friday evening, November 11th, 1955, and he was in the local diner with Lorraine.
The teen genius then stared at the girl in front of him. He had to admit that he'd feel bad when he would get his mother to fall in love with his father on such a forced way. However, he knew there wasn't any other way. They could not have his parents fall in love the normal way – not anymore. Maybe Saturday it could've happened, or Sunday, or even Monday, but not now. One look at his mother's face convinced him of that.
"You're pretty silent today" Lorraine commented. "What's wrong? You should be happy. After all, tomorrow, we're going to have a lot of fun at the dance. Can you dance, Marty?" That was, from her point of view, a good question, as she'd seen how science-orientated Marty was.
"A little" Marty responded. "I guess I'm just feeling a little nervous, that's all. I've rarely ever been to a dance before. I never make it a habit to attend such public festivities." Once again, that was true. Marty had been given some dance lessons at school, but had soon abandoned it in favour of staying in class and studying mathematics instead.
Lorraine gently gave Marty a pat on his right hand. "Well, I'm sure that you'll do fine" she said, as reassuringly as she could. "I'll help you. Don't you worry about that, Marty – everything will be all right."
Marty blushed, as he couldn't help but be grateful for Lorraine's kindness towards him – even though he was horrified at the fact that his mother was amorously infuated with him. "Thank you, I suppose" he finally said. "I can't help but be worried, though, about Em… about uncle Emmett."
Lorraine frowned. "Is your uncle ill, then?" she asked, obviously confused.
Marty rapidly shook his head. "No, that isn't it" he said. "It's… it's a complicated story. Let's just say that I'm afraid of losing him… forever."
Lorraine got what he meant, even though she was still clearly confused about the how and the why. "I see" she said, softly. "Have you got a lot of family?"
Marty hesitated, then shook his head. "No" he said. He knew that he himself did have some family, even here in the past, but 'uncle' Emmett was an only child, and was in 1985 still without children himself – even though he was married. In fact, the realisation that Young Emmett was still a bachelor was quite weird for the teen scientist who, even though he knew better, was used to Jennifer Clayton-Brown always being a part of his friend's life. After all, they had married in 1965, which was three years before Marty was born. Would be born. Might be born.
Lorraine nodded. "I see" she said, with sympathy, although also put off a little by the fact that Marty didn't care to elaborate – something the teen genius himself was of course oblivious about, given his lack of social skills. "Don't worry, though. Everything should turn out fine." She smiled, then blushed slightly. "Well, I hope so, at least."
Marty smiled faintly. "Thank you" he said, realising that Lorraine was telling the truth. Everything would be fine. He would, somehow, convince Emmett to listen to his warning. The problem was, he just didn't know how yet. And with the day of the climax of his stay in 1955 being just around the corner, time certainly was running out for him.