December 1, 1989
4:45 p.m.
Tokyo, Japan
Annie's POV
I had just gotten off of the plane and holding my rose that Marty gave me, I made my way through the lobby of the airport. The lobby was huge and so high-tech. I got to a young man holding a sign with my name on it. He was thirty years of age, light skinned, red short hair, blue eyes, and wearing my dad's business uniform. He asked, "Annie Baines?" I nodded and answered, "That's me." He smiled at me and introduced himself, "It's nice to meet you, Annie. I'm Charlie Halts." I perked up and responded, jokily, "Is your real last name or did you just want me to halt?"
I giggled at that and Charlie shot me a look. I looked at him, apologetically and said, "Sorry, it's just…" Charlie perked up and responded, "Ah, first time in Tokyo?" I nodded and said, "Yeah. How did you know that?" Charlie answered, "Well, it is a bit oblivious." I smiled sheepishly and he added, "And your father pre warned me that you've never been this far away from home before." I nodded sadly and responded, "It's true." 'Not counting the time Doc, Marty, and I went to the Pokémon world.' I thought to myself with a giggle. He perked up at me giggle and asked, "What the hell is so funny?"
I saw that he was right next to me and he heard me giggle. I quickly recovered and answered, "Oh, I just thinking about the time me and my cousin got locked out of our houses during this big snowstorm." Now, that was funny yet weird at the same time! Charlie smiled at me and asked, "So are you and your cousin pretty close?" I answered, with a blush, "Yeah, Marty's my boyfriend. We've been going steady for a while." Charlie responded, "Ah, young love." I asked, not trying to be rude, "What about you?" Charlie showed me a wedding ring and answered, "I'm happily married." I smiled at that.
We got my luggage and headed off for the hotel. Charlie brought me over to my dad, who was with a Japanese guy and they were speaking Japanese. Dad turned and saw me and Charlie. He turned to the Japanese guy, who looked very important, and said, "Mr. Tatagowa, meet my daughter Annie Baines. Annie, this is my boss, Mr. Tatagowa." Mr. Tatagowa bowed to me and I quickly followed suit and bowed back. He got up as did I and responded, "It is an honor to meet you, Annie. Your father has told me so much." I smiled at him and responded, "And it is an honor to meet you. I must say, Tokyo is quite…."
I didn't want to swear in front of dad's boss so I finished, "Futuristic. It seems so high-tech." Mr. Tatagowa smiled at me and responded, "Well, that's because technology is taking over while many of the old traditions are fading away." Dad turned to me and added, "Mr. Tatagowa is in charge of all of the offices, even here in Tokyo." I turned to him and asked, "So, he's like the creator of your company?" Mr. Tatagowa nodded and answered, "Sure am." He looked at his watch and added, "I must go. I'm due at a board of directors meeting." He bowed to all of us and we bowed back. He got back up as did we and he walked away.
Charlie turned to my dad and said, "I'll see you later, Mr. Baines. Nice meeting you, Annie." With that, he walked away before I could thank him. Dad turned to me and hugged me. He told me, "I sure have missed you, Annie." I hugged him back and responded, "I've missed you too." I let go of him and said, "Dad, there is something I've got to tell you." Dad smiled at me and responded, "If this about the time machine, I understand." I perked up and he added, "Your aunt called me and told me that Marty said that you bring it up." I smiled at him and looked down and said, "I'm sorry that I lied to you, dad…"
I stopped right there because dad hugged me again, only this time it was a bigger hug. He responded, "We've both been the worst to each other and Doc is right. You deserve this….and I hope your friend Timmy gets it too." I smiled at that and I told him, "Me too, dad." Dad let go of me and started to show me around. He told me, "Once I give you the tour, you should call your aunt and uncle and let them know you're okay." I nodded and added, "And Marty too." I showed him the rose Marty had given me and added, "After all, he is my boyfriend."
Dad smiled and responded, "It's about time." I shot him a look and he added, "Sorry, Annie." I smiled and told him, jokily, "It's Amelia Lamont and Amie Kuhn to you." Dad smiled at me and we went to dinner after that. It felt good being with my dad again. I sure did miss him.
I went to the phones and got a hold of Aunt Lorraine and Uncle George. I only wished that I could see their faces when Marty told them that he was Clint Eastwood from 1885 and Calvin Klein from 1955. I giggled a little. Boy, were they going to freak!