August 10, 2017
9:20 PM PDT
Trilogy Universe (EmmettMcFly55)
Marty McFly Jr took a deep breath, as the train crossed the inter-dimensional barrier. It felt so exciting to finally be able to return to his world, even if he would simply miss everyone that he met - aside from the bullies, of course. He then glanced around, as he noticed that the sun had completely set beneath the horizon - a little over an hour ago. Still, he felt quite overjoyed to be back home.
"Well, folks," called out Doc, "it was just breakfast time, when we left the other world - but here, it is now several hours past suppertime. Would you rather have breakfast or supper? I know that Daria's Family Diner serves breakfast throughout the day."
"Shouldn't we just head home, first?" protested Marty Sr. "Then, again, we hadn't had a real breakfast. Not that I really blame the folks of the other world. They were simply very generous towards us. Come to think of it, I actually feel kind of bad for them."
"Well, we don't have to dine in," replied Doc. "We can just go to the take-out station, and order what we want there. With the thermo-boxes, it'd keep our food very fresh and at quite the right temperature - until we're simply ready to eat. Considering that, isn't modern technology just grand?"
"Indeed, it is," Marty Jr agreed. "It also feels nice to think that we no longer need to have distinguishing numbers." Turning to his girlfriend, he added, "I love you, Suzy."
"I love you too, Marty" Suzy replied, as she hugged him. "I just miss my parents. Don't get me wrong, I liked it when we were away, but - isn't it odd how it feels like when you come back, that the homesickness is really only getting to you then? If you get what I mean?"
"I understand, Suzy" Marlene said. "I would like to see home again, too. With everything that has happened... well, I have to admit that I would like to see my mother again. It must sound a bit sentimental..."
"It doesn't, Marly" Marty Senior said. "I miss my beloved wife too. Of course, it's rather different in my situation because of the fact that I'm married to her. Then still, you have every bit of a right to miss your mother."
"And I miss Clara" Doc said. "I'll be real glad to be able to see her again. And the kids, of course. Jules, Verne, Martin and Maria might not be living at home anymore, but that doesn't make me miss them any less."
Marty Junior leaned back, as he thought of Doc's kids. Indeed, all of them were sure growing up fine. Jules and Verne were now 39 and 37 respectively, and they both had good jobs. Jules was a scientist much like his father, and though he had yet to meet a girl, he wasn't in a real hurry with it and his life was fine, as was the project which he had dedicated his life to - fusion power. Then Verne was an actor, even though he had made suggestions of stepping in Marty's footsteps and making music instead during his youth. Martin, the third child and last boy, was now 30, nearly 31, and was a medical doctor. Like Jules, he worked on a special project in his free time - rejuvenations. This would change the face of the world as well, even though Martin's project was nearly done, while Jules' wasn't ready just yet. Then, there was Maria, who was nearly 26. Maria was running a store downtown in Hill Valley, near the Courthouse Mall. Marty Junior loved visiting her shop, partly because the McFly kids always got a discount. Of all these kids, only Verne had gotten children yet. Mike and Lucy were 12 and 10 respectively, and the pride of their grandparents.
"Too bad we didn't get to see the movie we bought these tickets for" Marlene said, a bit saddened. "We only got to see the first forty minutes or so before Cliff kidnapped us. Of course, it's a bit silly to be angry or sad about that, given that the fact that Cliff did kidnap us was so much worse."
"Please, don't remind me" Doc said, wincing. "I just can't wait to be home again. Are we going to your house of to my house, Marty?"
"We left from yours, didn't we?" Marty Senior replied. "It seems logical to me that we would return there, as well. If Jennifer didn't go over, I can always phone her." He smiled. "I can't wait to show her the pictures I made. After I've given her a real good hug, of course."
"What did you photograph, Dad?" Marlene asked. "I know you took the camera along when we visited Marty Seventeen's house..."
"Well, I made a picture of the inside of the bus, at a few occasions" Marty Senior said. "Also, I made a photograph of my counterpart's mansion in the world where he bought the almanac, and of my smart self's award. I even took a picture of the villain train at some point."
"Don't remind me, please" Suzy muttered, wincing. It only now hit home to some of them that this train had in fact been in enemy hands just a day and a half ago.
"Sorry, Suzy" Marty Senior said, sympathetically. "Finally, I took a few pictures of the world in the final universe, of the food that we all had, and of course, I asked a lot of the groups to pose for the camera - including those of the Teens in Time and Mind Warped universes. Finally, I took a few pictures of the time bus, and of the time machine that Brent Ross brought along. I'm sure you'll find those interesting, Doc - they include some of the internal machinery as well, in great detail."
"I can hardly wait to look at those pics," Marty Jr replied, excitedly. "Anyway, what is on the agenda? Are we going home first, or are we going to Daria's?"
"I thought we should go home, first," Doc explained. "That way, the rest of you can relax - and Clara and I can pick up food at Daria's for all of us. The train is a little too big to be able to park anywhere. Also, I would be able to be with my wife."
"Okay, that sounds fine," replied Marlene. "As long we don't have to wait long for the food. After all, I rather am starting to get a little hungry. I don't quite want breakfast food, though. I was thinking of going for the three-piece chicken dinner, with mashed potatoes but no gravy."
"You've got it," Doc replied, smiling. "So you're not wanting to go home, right away?"
"Well, it's not too urgent," Suzy replied, smiling. "I figured I would like to spend a little time with Marty. We haven't quite had a chance to be alone, in the past couple days. So, therefore, I'm kinda wanting to do that."
"Aw, Suzy, that's quite sweet!" gushed Marty Jr, flashing a lopsided smile. Turning to Doc, he added, "As for me, I'll sure go for three full-sized strawberry pancakes - with extra whipped cream. Also, I'd like a large glass of orange juice."
"And a Pepsi Perfect for me," added Marlene. "That is, if you don't mind."
"No, I don't mind," Doc replied, smiling. "What about the rest of you? What would you like? Don't worry about the cost. I've got plenty of money."
"I'll have three BLT sandwiches," Suzy commented, "with a Pepsi Perfect."
"I'll go for a five-egg ham and cheese omlette," Marty Sr added, "with a side of bacon and a large glass of orange juice."
"I guess that's everyone, then," replied Doc. Turning to Suzy, he asked, "If you're not going home right away, then are you planning to spend the night with us?"
"Yeah, I might as well," Suzy replied, smiling. "My parents usually go to bed at around ten, so it's not as if I'll be able to spend any time with them."
"Or you could sleep by our place," Marty Sr suggested. "I really am looking forward to being able to sleep in my own bedroom, again. In fact, I don't even mind you sleeping with my son. It's obvious that the two of you really are in love with each other."
"That's what I love about you, Dad," Marty Jr replied, smiling. "You're so liberal." He then turned to Suzy, as he asked, "Does that simply sound like a good plan to you?"
"It sounds splendid," Suzy agreed. "Of course, if my great-grandma found out about it - she'd have such a fit. She actually contends that opposite sex couples should not even live together, until they're married. Well, since she makes very good cookies - I don't want to badmouth her, too much. Still, I quite disagree with her assessment."
"I guess that's settled, then," Doc replied. "I could call up my children, and ask if they would like to come over. As I said before, I really do miss them. Since they do still live in Hill Valley - so we do usually, at least, talk on the phone everyday."
"Are we gonna tell them about what we just went through?" asked Marty Sr.
"Well, no, probably not," Doc replied. "No need to cause them unnecessary worry. I might tell them, someday - but definitely not tonight."
"Okay, I can understand that," Marty Sr replied.
"I just realized something," commented Marty Jr. "Even though I do feel a little tired, it seems odd to think that we'll be going to bed in just a few hours after we got up."
"I concur," replied Suzy. "Well, we were going to have breakfast or supper - and then Marty and I were just planning on going to Hill Valley Park. Say, since we never got to finish watching the movie - we could maybe watch Teens In Time at home, tonight."
"That's quite a good idea," Marty Jr agreed. Then, realizing something, he added, "Or we could maybe watch one of the other movies that we were given. Although, I don't know if I'm really in the mood for watching Back to the Future... considering how..."
"I can understand that," replied Suzy. "Still, for now, I sure would like to watch Teens In Time. I guess I sure can't help but feel as if Marly and I got a little gypped. We can always watch Mind Warped... and the associated movies, some other time. And even Back to the Future, when we're in the right mood for it. Of course, I don't think I was in trilogy. Still, I understand how it must feel - for the rest of you."
"Certainly" Marlene agreed, shaking her head. "I mean, I was actually played by a male actor. Sure, I might look a lot like my Dad, but I don't think it's quite that bad as the movies portrayed it to be."
"Movie" Doc corrected. "You only appeared in one scene, the one in Back to the Future Part II. There, you kept talking about how Marty had broken his hand in the Rolls Royce incident."
"I thought I told you before that I didn't want to talk about that again, Doc?" Marty Senior said, a bit annoyed. "We already solved that issue back in 2015, which was not that easy. As a result..."
"Yeah, I know, Marty" Doc replied. "I'm sorry for bringing it up." He frowned. "Speaking of the movies, I wonder why the folks of the Clint Eastwood universe insisted that we should take those movies along. I mean, we still had the dvd's from that one time in 1988... remember that, Marty?"
"How could I forget?" Marty Senior said, smirking. "We accidentally travelled to the world in which we were fictional characters, at a celebration event for the Back to the Future movies. We were mistaken for the actors, and they led us up to the stage. In the end, when we left, we literally bumped into our actors - Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd - and the dvd's sort of fell on me. It was a quite confusing situation. I'm sure we scared them good back there."
"Yeah, they probably weren't expecting the real Marty McFly and Doc Brown to show up" Marty Junior agreed, laughing. He was silenced by a glare from Doc.
"This was more serious than you guys seem to think" Doc said. "We really confused them. They might have written it off as some sort of hallucination, but I doubt that. If we ever entered that world again... well, it's all in the past."
"You mean in the... no, you're right" Marty Senior replied. "October 21st 2015 is nearly two years ago now."
"Glad to be correct for once" Doc replied, smirking.
"For once?" Marty Senior responded, laughing. "I think you are correct most of the time."
"I guess I am" Doc admitted. "But when you're talking about these things... you remember our conversations in the Biff-ruled world and in 1955, don't you?"
"Yes, I do" Marty Senior said. "I get what you mean, then." He shook his head. "Isn't it funny how for you, the 1955 conversation came first, while for me, it was the one in Biff's 1985?"
"It is" Doc replied. "Even though I did never experience the Biff-ruled world while having memories from that 1955 encounter, it did all fit in like that in the end, when my memories updated once I got back from 1885."
"That's one thing of time travel that freaked me out at first" Marty Senior said. "Well, besides the obvious fact that everything freaked me out at first, but this was really strange. I knew one thing, but on the other hand, some memories entered my brain of a time so long ago, and yet I never knew it happened until some seconds before."
"The wonders and mysteries of time travel" Doc agreed. "Some part even confuse me to this day. And it doesn't help that the folks of the EJ worlds seem to have a different form of time travel. Their memories update sooner, paradoxes don't happen quite as often..."
"Technically, we don't know that" Suzy responded. "We never caused a paradox to happen, did we?"
"That's right, we didn't" Doc said. "But there's a lot of times when we came close. I kept information about it all in my notebook, and I think we've had quite a few real close calls. Marty erasing from existence, Hell Valley... we seem to attract trouble."
"That must be the feeling a lot of people have" Marlene pointed out. "Sure, their problems weren't quite the world-ending type we have, but that's probably because they are not time travellers. We have some kind of duty."
"That's a strange way of putting it, but yes, I agree" Marty Senior said. "I would never go as far as to compare us with superheroes from books and television who are fighting to save the universe, but we have worked for the preservation of the universe a few times. Mostly against Tannens."
"Right" Marty Junior replied. He then moved forwards on his seat a bit. "Are we there yet, Doc?"
"At my house, I presume?" Doc asked. Marty Junior nodded. "Almost. Just a minute or two left to go. For now, I suppose you should enjoy the surroundings, even if I know the feeling you have. It's so great to be nearly home again."
"You can say that, again," Marty Jr agreed, as he looked around. "For now, I think I would like to put this whole event behind us." Just then, realizing something else, he added, "I guess, to everyone else, we were gone for just a few minutes."
"Good point, Marty!" Suzy gasped. "We were gone for... Well, I would hazard a guess that it was about three days - more or less. There were simply only two groups on this trip longer than us, and one of them was the first to be sent home."
"While the other not only went home at the exact same time as us," added Marty Jr, "but they were the group in which this whole trip started. Gee, I wonder how it must feel to be them. Well, at last, this trip has come to an end."
"And now we're finally home," Doc announced, cheerfully. As Marty Jr glanced at the window, he realized that the scientist. "I sure see Clara and Jennifer waiting outside, for us. Clara must've really called up Jenn in the few minutes, from their perspective, that we were gone. Man, it feel so good to see my wife!"
"Same with me," Marty Sr agreed. "I really can't begin to tell you just how torturous it was, seeing three women who looked exactly like my wife - and knowing none of them were her. At any rate, I guess it's as they say: all's well that ends well."
"Ain't that the truth?" Doc agreed. "Anyway, I would like for all of you to stay here - while Clara and I go to Daria's, and pick up everything you asked me to pick up."
"I think I can handle that," Marty Jr replied, cheerfully. "Even though I would love to go to Hill Valley Park with Suzy, I am also feeling hungry."
With that, the motor stopped running. Doc opened up the train door, as he motioned for everyone to step down. Marty Jr placed his arm around Suzy, as the two of them stepped out. Indeed, it was a warm night - and there was a nice cool breeze.
"You're back!" gasped Clara, as she held our her arm. As Doc ran right into them, she added, "Of course, we didn't have to wait very long - but I'm certain that wasn't the case for you. It looks like you guys all made it back, safely!"
"Marty!" gasped Jennifer. "Marlene! Junior! Suzy! It's so nice to see that you've made it back. We may not have had to wait for long, but I was still sick with worry. After all, I know how ruthless those Tannens could get. I'm glad that you guys all look fine!"
"Mommy!" Marty Jr gasped, just as he threw his arms around his mother. He then felt embarrassed, as he added, "I'm sorry, Mom! It's just that... I've really missed you."
"No need to feel sorry," Jennifer replied, soothingly. "I'm not certain if I want to know what happened, right now. At least, not tonight. We can wait until tomorrow."
"I concur," Doc agreed. "Clara, I was thinking that you and I just should head over to Daria's. I quite made a list of what everyone wanted to eat. Jenn, would you also like something? We should be there and back in no more than twenty minutes."
"Uh, no, thank you," Jennifer replied. "I just ate, not too long ago - so, therefore, I'm a bit full. Anyway, I bet you guys must all be feeling tired."
"Actually, we spent about a day and a half in that one world," Doc explained, "which I'll tell you all about, a little later. It was still early morning, when we left - even if we were up for almost three hours. I don't think any of us got real much sleep, though - with all of the excitement. So, in a few hours, I think we'll be ready to hit the hay."
"I invited Suzy to sleep by our place," Marty Sr added. "I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Jennifer replied, smiling at her future daughter-in-law. "I'm so happy that you all made it back, safe and sound. See you guys a little later, Doc and Clara."
"It'll be nice to spend a little time alone with Emmett," Clara replied, "even if we're just going out to pick up dinner for everyone."
"Oh, most certainly," Doc agreed, as the two headed for the garage. "Well, why don't the rest of you head inside - and make yourselves feel comfortable?"
Marty Jr nodded, as he placed his arm around Suzy. Silently, the two of them began to make their way towards Doc's house. Indeed, there quite was still time enough to enjoy the evening. He tenderly squeezed Suzy's shoulders, as the latter smiled back at him. He realized that this was who he wished to spend the rest of his life with.
oooooooooo
Marty McFly Sr leaned back, staring at his empty plate. He just couldn't eat anymore, even if he had wanted to. But he didn't - he was feeling way too full for that. The musician took a final gulp of his glass of orange juice and smiled.
"Boy o boy Doc," he quipped, "you sure know where to order food. It was a delicious meal."
"Yeah, Doc, ordering at Daria's was a great idea" Suzy agreed. "I really enjoyed the meal. Of course, part of that might be because I had been deprived of food for so long. Even if I've had a few meals in the other world, this just isn't the same. It's so nice to be able to eat without kissing Tannens for it."
"Kissing Tannens?" Jennifer replied, stunned. "I guess that you still haven't told me the entire tale. Sure, a summary is fine, but I get the feeling that there are some details that you've left out."
"Well, with adventures as long as this one, you'll always do that" Marty Senior said. "But as I told you before, I've taken some pictures of the trip, and I'm sure that they will provide you with a nice view of everything."
"Oh yes, you took your new camera, didn't you?" Jennifer said, smiling. "I guess that was a real good present for you. Ever since your birthday in June, you've carried it with you wherever you went."
"Yes, it sure is a treasured possession of mine" Marty Senior said, patting it. "Should I show the pictures right away? If you want to see them..."
"Sure, go ahead" Doc replied. "I guess that everyone has finished his or her meal now, so there's no need to wait any longer."
"Just a moment, Doc" Marlene corrected. "I've still got to eat the last bit of my chicken. But, yeah, after that, I'm about ready to go."
"Good" Jennifer said. "Would anyone like some dessert? Clara told me that we've got plenty. If you don't, I'll just fetch some for myself. I've gotten a bit hungry again from seeing you guys eat."
"What do you have, Clara?" Marty Senior asked. "Anything that I would like?"
"Oh, I believe so" Clara replied. "We've got some delicious ice cream. I'll go fetch it. It should be in the kitchen somewhere..." She walked off, Marty Senior looking after her for a moment before returning his attention to his camera.
"You sure got a big house, Doc" Marty Junior said, thoughtfully. "I know, I've been here thousands of times before, but it always surprises me how you manage to make every room comfortable."
"You're being a bit silly, Marty" Suzy pointed out. "Your house is just as big as ours."
"Yes, that's true" Doc said. "And I had a reason to buy this house. It was A - on a sale, B - large enough to store the train and C - far enough away from the centre of Hill Valley for comfort. But why Marty bought a similarly sized house..."
"You never expected me to do so?" Marty Senior replied, laughing. "Oh, come on, Doc. One of the first thing I asked you when we arrived in 2015 on that horrible time trip was whether I would become a rich rock star! You can't say you didn't expect this at all once my rock and roll career took off."
"Maybe not" Doc admitted. "But still..."
"I'm finished!" Marlene announced, smiling.
"And I got the ice cream" Clara said, returning from the kitchen. "I'll serve to everyone who wants, and then you can start up your pictures, Marty."
"On my way now" Marty Senior replied, smiling. He then walked over to the television, got out a cable and connected the camera and the TV. He then pressed some buttons and smiled at the screen. It sure was convenient to have such a large television, even in cases where you didn't have to watch six shows at once.
A few seconds later, the blackness on the screen was replaced by a view of the McFly house, filled with balloons and other decorations. Marty Senior smiled - his birthday party photographs. He then quickly pressed some knobs, and within a few moments, he was where he should be, as the inside of the time bus appeared on screen. He then hurried over to join his wife and kids on the couch, while Doc and Clara were on the other couch.
"This is the first picture I made" Marty Senior commented. "You can see the insides of the bus when it wasn't as full yet. I'm sure you'll recognize all of those persons as the counterparts or twins of people we know."
"This is so fascinating," replied Jennifer. Then, in a quieter voice, she added, "It's just a very surreal feeling, seeing a woman who looks like me - but is not me."
"It was so hard for me, believe me," Marty Sr pointed out. He placed his arm around his wife, as he added, "After all, it really was hard for me to look at her - and realize that it wasn't... really you. Can you imagine how torturous it felt for me?"
"Yeah, I can quite imagine so," Jennifer replied, softly. "Why don't you show me some pictures of the mansion that you stayed it? Now, I'm beginning to wish I was there."
"Well, I'll admit that it sure was fun," Marty Sr explained, "once we managed to defeat the bullies." He pressed another knob, as he added, "Okay, here are the locals of that world. Now, remember, it was the year 1968 in that world."
"Got it," Jennifer replied, smiling. "So, you mentioned this was the universe where you ended up being stuck in the year 1885?"
"That's correct," Marty Sr replied, shuddering at the thought. "I simply cannot, for the life of me, figure out how he managed to... cope. Somehow, though - with the help of Doc's diagrams - the world ended up becoming far more advanced."
"It looks so advanced," Jennifer pointed out. "You and I don't look all that old, even if we are supposed to be a hundred. It also looks as if there are two Docs, with Clara. I guess that the teens are Alex and Emily. Alex looks a lot like our son... and you."
"Indeed, he sure does," replied Marty Sr. "I guess my face does runs in the family." He pressed another button, as he added, "Here are the casts of Teens In Time and Mind Warped. In some of the worlds, Mind Warped was a trilogy that replaced..."
"It does seem odd," breathed Jennifer. "Y'know, I am curious to see the Mind Warped trilogy. Well, how did the characters of those worlds feel about..."
"I'm sure they felt quite confused," Marty Sr suggested. "Sort of like how I felt, when Doc and I landed in that world where we were characters from a trilogy... called Back to the Future. By the way, we really discovered that the Mind Warped trilogy existed in the universe of Teens in Time - and vice versa. It was just so..."
"Man, now I'm beginning to feel so left out," Jennifer replied, sighing.
"Same with me," replied Clara. "I suppose, in many ways, Jennifer and I were so lucky - but, in another sense, I feel as if we..."
"Well, you know what they say," Doc pointed out. "The grass always looks greener on the other side. Although, on the other hand, I also understand what you mean."
"Listen, guys," Marty Jr piped up. "I sure don't want to be rude - and I can always see the photos, some other time. For now, though, Suzy and I would quite like to go to Hill Valley Park. Do you guys mind if we..."
"Not at all," Marty Sr replied, smiling. "You two go out, and have some fun. Please try to be back at our place by one in the morning, though - okay?"
"We will," Marty Jr promised, as he and Suzy stepped up from the couch. "See you all later. I'm so happy to be back in our world, again."
"I cannot believe that the kids don't..." Clara began to grumble, as Marty Jr and Suzy stepped outside the house.
"Honey, please," Doc protested. "Don't be so hard on them. I mean, after everything that they have gone through, I think they deserve some time to enjoy themselves."
"I guess you're right," Clara muttered, halfheartedly. "I won't even pretend that I can really understand what all you went through. I apologize for being judgemental. What about you, Marlene? Are you gonna take off, as well?"
"Uh, no, I think I'll stay here," Marlene replied, softly. "I'm intrigued with the pictures, and I also love the vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and Reddi-whip topping."
"Anyway, Marty," Doc asked, "why don't you just show my wife the pictures you took of Brent's time machine, as well as that of... of your more intelligent self?"
"Yeah, I have pictures of both," Marty Sr replied, sighing. He remembered his feelings from the first time he had encountered his super-intelligent counterpart. Even as he held no hard feelings towards his counterpart, it sure still made him feel a little ill at ease. "How about I show you those of Brent, first? It's really just as what we've seen in the films, and then some. I really wonder what the Bobs would say, if he ever..."
"I think it's best that we not go there," Doc replied, as he sounded rather uneasy. "I'm just... Well, perhaps, I'm being too hard on myself - but I will never quite forget about how we created a major... confusion... in that one world. When we were mistaken for the actors who played us. I don't know why it still bugs me, but it just does."
"All right, then," replied Marty Sr, sighing. He figured that it was best not to press the issue. "Take a look at this. Here is a picture of Brent standing beside the machine."
"Interesting" Jennifer muttered. "It's so weird to see someone whom you know as being fictional being... real. Well, one could make a similar picture easily by getting Crispin Glover to pose for it, but I know this is the real Brent Ross."
"It would be pretty hard to get Crispin to look like this again" Doc kindly pointed out. "He's already in his fifties, so I gather he wouldn't resemble Brent anymore. Even with rejuvenation techniques being around the corner, I don't think he'll be exactly the same."
"Yeah, that's a good point" Jennifer replied. "I hadn't even thought of that." She paused for a second, then added: "Next picture please, Marty."
"Right away" Marty Sr said, smiling. He pressed the button, and the next picture appeared on screen. It showed Marty Sr standing next to Brent and Todd. Brent had swung an arm around the time machine. The forty-nine-year-old smiled, as he remembered the moment at which this picture was taken very well."
"This is amazing" Clara muttered. "Granted, I've come to understand that with photoshop and all that, one could easily recreate such a picture. However, we know this is for real. Even while I've been married to Emmett for over forty years now, it remains odd to see what all happens."
"Oh, I know" Jennifer muttered. "I remember how we visited that other world in 1990. It was stranger than anything I'd ever experienced."
"EJ #57" Doc agreed.
"...what?"
"EJ #57 is the dimensional code you have to type into the time machine to get to that world" Marty Sr explained. "It played a pretty big role in our travels to chase Cliff, as he kept chasing through worlds that we had already visited or that they had already visited... remembering them telling us about their travels through dimensions?"
"Yeah" Jennifer replied, then frowning as she realised something. "Hey... if you know their code, does that mean we can travel to their world now, if we wanted to?"
"Great Scott, you're right!" Doc exclaimed, stunned. "I hadn't thought of that before yet... I was too busy thinking about the chase and other things. That could be interesting, travelling to their world again."
"But not now" Marty Sr interrupted. "Next picture, everyone?"
"Sure" Jennifer replied, smiling. "What's up next, anyway?"
"I don't recall" Marty Sr shrugged. "They're not in the right order anyway. We'll just have to wait and see." He pressed on the button, and the new picture appeared. To his surprise, Marty Sr found that it was a picture of Marty Eleven's mansion. Wow, the order's really messed up.
Jennifer and Clara gasped. "What's that?" Jennifer asked, stunned. "It looks like a mansion... but it's so big! And what does it say up there... Martin McFly Enterprises? What is that supposed to mean!"
"That is exactly what I wondered when I saw it for the first time" Doc said, smirking. "It's the building where Marty lived in in the world where he used the sports almanac. As we told you during dinner, they reconciled eventually, but Marty remained pretty wealthy. So did I, for that matter."
"You?" Clara replied, surprised. "But you didn't profit from the sports almanac, did you Emmett?"
"No, but I did set up the same hover conversion shop I did in this world, just a little earlier" Doc answered. "Anyway, shouldn't we look at the pictures instead?"
"You're right, Doc" Jennifer said, blushing. "I got distracted again. Carry on, Marty."
Marty Sr pressed the button again, and the view changed to show a picture of an award. Marty smirked, remembering the event. "Ah" he called out. "That's the award I've been talking about earlier. The one my smart self earned."
"Great Scott!" Doc called out. "I still can't believe he really invented hover technology. That must sound nasty to you, but..."
"It's okay, Doc" Marty Sr replied. "I know you don't mean anything with it. I was more freaked out by him than you were, remember? I still am, for that matter... I just got accustomed to his presence." The musician sighed. "It's a nice fellow, as long as you're not talking about science or anything related to it."
"Fascinating, Marty" Jennifer replied. "Would that be about it?"
"There should still be a few pictures of the Clint Eastwood family and our dinners" Marty Sr replied, pressing the buttons on the remote control again. "Ah, here is one of them. This is the refreshment stand which was set up to feed us." He looked over at Jennifer, Clara and Marlene, a bit apologetic. "Sorry for the pictures being in the wrong order. There must be something wrong with your television, Doc."
"Or with your beloved camera, of course" Jennifer said, smirking.
Marty Sr was silent for a moment, as he hated the idea of something being wrong with his camera. However, he quite had to admit that his wife had a point. He then glanced at the clock on the wall, and turned back to his wife.
"Hey, Jenn," Marty Sr commented, softly. "It's getting quite late. I know it was early, when we left the other world - but you weren't with us. I rather do think it's high time that you, Marly, and I get back to our mansion. Besides, I am feeling a little tired."
"I agree," replied Marlene, excitedly. "I just finished up my bowl of ice cream, and I'm also anxious to get back home. It'll be nice to see my own bedroom, again."
"All right, then," Jennifer agreed, smiling. "Even if it does rather look as if you enjoyed yourselves in Doc's mansion, there is nothing just like being at home." Marty Sr and his daughter nodded, as she continued, "In that case, I think we should get going."
"You folks have a great night," Doc commented, as he led the McFlys to the door. "It sure was a great evening - and, maybe tomorrow, we could take another look at the pictures. One thing is for certain, it will be an evening to remember."
"Have a safe trip home," added Clara, waving - as the McFlys headed towards their car. "Try to have good dreams."
Marty Sr smiled - as he, his wife, and their daughter waved back. He felt very elated, as the trio stepped into their car. Just as he quite started the engine, he heard a disc jockey announcing that it was KKHV. Everlong by the Foo Fighters just came over the speakers. Indeed, it felt so nice to hear something that sounded familiar to him.
"I sure am exhausted," Marlene commented, as Marty Sr pulled out of the driveway. "It's been so hard for me, watching everyone leave the world - and knowing that we would be last. Some of them did take naps on the ground - but, for me, it was..."
"Say, Marty," Jennifer asked, softly, "I understand you're probably feeling quite tired of dimensional hopping, but do you think it would be quite possible for us to... to take another one? Like, for instance, the folks who had visited us back in..."
"Their the same folks that the trip started with," Marty Sr reminded his wife. "Well, I'm not gonna say 'absolutely not'. They are nice folks - and I quite would not mind seeing then, again. However, it rather just seems like ... It still seems as if, every time either of us take a trip into another dimension, something ends up... ends up going wrong."
"Actually, not quite," Marlene replied, quietly. "If it really wasn't for the fact that the bullies got their hands on the time machine, I'm sure that the event really could have gone without any hitches. It was only when the bullies crashed the train into..."
"Please, Marlene," Marty Sr protested, firmly. "You and Suzy quite had the worst part of the deal. I just think it's best that we not dwell on that. Your mom and I care about you, and..." With excitement in his voice, he added, "I see the top of our mansion."
"This is exciting, Dad!" exclaimed Marlene. "It's fascinating how, even in a house that big, it can still feel cozy and... and homey. It's sure not like those Victorian mansions, where they're decorated quite beautifully - but tend to lack the family atmosphere."
"True that," Marty Sr agreed, cheerfully. "Well, we've managed to make all the green lights - and we're now only three blocks from home. I'm thinking of hitting the sack."
"I think I will, too," Jennifer replied, stretching. "I think we can simply trust Junior and Suzy to be back by one. They've always been real good kids, and I won't mind having Suzy as a daughter-in-law. She obviously does come from a very good upbringing."
"Indeed, she does," Marty Sr agreed, as he passed the last intersection on the road leading to their mansion. "Well, here we are! I can see that the porch lights are on."
Marty Sr went silent, as he turned onto the driveway leading towards his mansion. It felt nearly surreal, as he was still just getting used to the very concept of being back in his dimension. He felt as if he would need to take a little rest, and clear his mind.
"Yes, we've made it!" shrieked Marlene, excitedly. "Man, I really missed my bedroom! I can hardly wait to... This is just so exciting!"
"Indeed, it is," Marty Sr agreed, as he turned off the engine. "All right, guys! The last one to the mansion is a rotten egg!"
With that, the three McFlys quickly ran towards the mansion. Naturally, Marty Sr was the last to show up. He quite did not care, though - as he sure felt happy to be back. As he stepped inside, the familiar scents brought a very big smile to his face. Indeed, there certainly was no place like home.
oooooooooo
Suzy MacArthur smiled, just as she and her boyfriend stepped into Hill Valley Park. It sure was a clear night, as the stars were clearly visible. The moon was not quite full, but it was pretty close. Indeed, it was a perfect night for taking a romantic walk.
"Great night, eh?" Marty Jr asked, smiling. "I think the temperature is perfect. It's not too hot, and it's not too cold. Certainly not as hot as it was in the universe we stayed at. Well, I sure do hope the others aren't too mad that we left the photo viewing. It's just that... Well, I saw that it was getting pretty late - and I just wanted for us to..."
"I'm sure they'll understand," Suzy replied, softly. "It isn't like we haven't already seen everything. Besides, I simply don't know about you - but, personally, I would rather... not think about the trip, now. Right now, it's just you and me - and it's just the..."
Before Suzy could finish talking, her boyfriend drew her close - and then he placed his lips over her mouth. As the two of them kissed, Suzy simply marvelled at how soft her boyfriend's lips were. Indeed, she sure could not have asked for a better boyfriend.
"Think positive thoughts," Marty Jr urged, softly. "Here we are, surrounded by nature - and the birds and crickets are making rather beautiful music." With a soft chuckle, he added, "I just reckon they perform even better than Huey Lewis and The News... and Led Zeppelin." Then, in a very quiet whisper, he added, "And even my dad."
"Oh, you better not let your Dad hear you say that!" Suzy mock scolded, as she gave her boyfriend a playful shove. The teens burst out laughing, as she added, "Anyway, I agree that this is very nice. As nice as modern technology is, I just hope that it..."
"I know what you mean," Marty Jr replied, as the couple stepped onto a trail. "I don't think we need to worry about it, though. That's sure a nice thing about forming parks like these. We have safe places, where we know that wildlife won't be threatened."
"That's a great point," Suzy agreed, softly. "I do get a little sad, when I see farmland getting cut down, so that people can build a Wal-Mart - or some other major business corporation get built in that area. Joni Mitchell's song, Big Yellow Taxi, comes to mind. I'm not really a big fan of her music - but, somehow, that song resonates with me."
"I know what you mean," agreed Marty Jr. "By the way, did you remember to spray some insect repellent on you? After all, that is one of the major drawbacks of taking nature hikes - especially at this time of night. Dealing with those damn mosquitoes."
"Oh, you bet," Suzy replied, smiling. "They're sure about ten times stronger than they were, just twenty years ago, and they don't create any pollutants. I'm very sure we'll be fine, and your Dad wanted us home at one. Say, what should we do, tomorrow?"
"That's certainly a good question," Marty Jr replied, softly. "I know you said you were disappointed that you really were not able to finish watching Teens In Time. Y'know, I sure don't know if I'll ever be able to watch the movies the same way! Having met the characters, it just seems as if... I did manage to snag their autographs, by the way."
"That's a good point," Suzy agreed - as she did, in fact, remember conversing with the core cast. "I hadn't really thought about it, to be honest - but, now that you've rather mentioned it. Gee, now I'm quite torn on whether or not I want to see the movies."
"Let's not worry about that, Suzy," Marty Jr whispered, as he gave Suzy's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Just look up to the stars, okay? Just gaze at the constellations, and try to clear your mind of all troubling thoughts. I'd like you to feel at peace, Suzy."
"Yes, I would like for myself to be at peace as well" Suzy replied, as she put an arm around Marty Jr's shoulder. "Of course, it's going to be rather hard for me to be so, given that I've just seen these other me's... and even weirder, those versions of you dating someone else."
"Yeah, that's a good point" Marty Jr replied. "Prior to this day, I often wondered what other dimensions would be like, but I had never thought of the repercussions it would have on our relationship. I just assumed that it would be the same in each world. After today, though... Harmony, Stephanie, I wasn't sure how much more I could take!"
"Yes, I felt odd about it too" Suzy replied, sighing. She then felt a cool breeze drift past them and smiled again. "Anyway, like you said, we probably shouldn't dwell on this. How about we sit down on the park bench over there?"
"Sure, why not?" Marty Junior replied. "We should probably sit down somewhere, and that's better than nothing. Come on, Suzy." He walked over to the bench, and Suzy followed his lead. They then both sat down and leaned back.
"I just wonder what everything will be like in the future" Suzy said, dreamily. "This dimensional travelling really gets you thinking about stuff like that, even if it's not as much as time travel. Still, we saw my other self from that one version of 2047... well, that's about as close to seeing a future me I've ever come before."
"Yeah, I suppose so" Marty Junior replied. "Maybe one day, we'll have children too. Do you think they will be called Martin Seamus McFly III and Jennifer Jane McFly too, just like the kids we had in that other world?"
"Well, of course, those versions of us had two versions of Marty III, because of the time travelling incident" Suzy pointed out. "I get what you mean, though. Yeah, we might name our kids that, if we have them. Of course, it's completely up to us. This is one thing which we won't have to merely speculate about, it's something that we'll decide ourselves."
"Yeah, that's true" Marty Junior said, chuckling. "It's so weird how you keep speculating about everything, and that causes you to forget that you can actually influence this. It's just one of those strange side-products that time travelling, and in this case, increased interest in the future, tends to produce."
"That's a good point, Marty," Suzy whispered. "Of course, it's probably best that we live in the present. I'm not sure if Doc would ever let us travel into the future - but it probably is best that we don't. It really would end up just... complicating things."
"You've got a point," agreed Marty Jr. He glanced upward, before adding, "Y'know, I simply wonder if there are as many dimensions as there are... stars. I do know there are dimensions that don't even have us in it. Meeting the Teens in Time folks sure..."
"That is rather fascinating," Suzy agreed, as she thought of Mallory Ross. "I can even remember the World One folks telling us that they visited Narnia, which is simply... far different from Earth. I wonder if we can visit Narnia by entering a dimensional code."
"But haven't you read The Last Battle?" Marty Jr asked. "Narnia ended back in the late 1940s. Come to think of it, I'm rather wondering just how it was possible for the World One folks to there. I don't think even travelling back to the 1940s would work, as..."
"Marty!" Suzy chided, as she felt stunned. "You are not thinking fourth-dimensionally. Or is it fifth-dimensionally? Seeing as how we're sure able to travel through time, don't you... don't you think it would quite be possible for people to enter various eras of Narnia from various eras on Earth? I mean, don't you remember Prince Caspian?"
Marty Jr was momentarily silent, before adding, "Well, I suppose you do have a point. It's true that they were simply able to spend several years in Narnia, without any time passing by on Earth. It was also true they they could return in Narnia, a thousand..."
"See what I mean?" Suzy asked, smirking. "The teen version of your father even told us that Susan Pevensie's children had appeared in Narnia, during the Golden Age."
"I must be out of it, Suzy," Marty Jr commented, softly. "I never even quite thought of the idea of visiting... fantasy worlds. However, I quite wondered what happened to Susan. Well, if she lived - and went on to have children - then I'm so happy to..."
"He had also mentioned Oz," Suzy added, "and Neverland - and that world from David Bowie's movie, The Labyrinth. I do wonder it'd even be possible to visit Wonderland."
"I guess the possibilities quite are endless," Marty Jr replied, softly. "I do also wonder if there are even worlds where we were rather born in other eras, without any of our ancestors having travelled through time. After all, some of our counterparts have..."
"... different birthdays," finished Suzy. "Of course, in the EJ worlds, some of us really had different birthdays in the same year - and they also actually had slightly different ancestries. I suppose, with that considered, it might even be very possible to actually have counterparts born as far back as the Stone Age. Maybe not, but it could be..."
"Then, of course, if you consider the concept of reincarnation..." Marty Jr began to say. "Y'know, Su, I understand that this is interesting stuff - but this is also simply a lot of heavy thinking. We could always talk about music, of course - but that's a..."
"We do talk about music, a lot," Suzy agreed. "I mean, we both listen to hard rock and heavy metal - and we quite hate this rap crap that some of our peers listen to. It's not something that we couldn't talk about any other time, though. Also, it's hard to get..."
"I understand what you mean," Marty Jr replied, as he gave Suzy's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Well, the world that we came from is actually quite interesting. Marly and I were born a hundred years earlier, and seeing photo albums of our family was so... I do have a hard time imagining living in that era. Even living in the 1980s would be..."
"That sure does give us a lot to think about," commented Suzy, in a near whisper. "It is simply hard for us to imagine life without rock music, for instance. Yet, if rock music never was invented - and we never knew about rock music - then we really would..."
"We would have no idea of what we were missing," Marty Jr agreed. "Well, that really goes for pretty much anything. I really believe that our personalities are quite shaped by our environment. It's simply the whole nature versus nurture argument, in fact."
"So, anyway..." Suzy commented, as she reached into her pocket. She pulled out a large bag of M&Ms, as she added, "I swiped this from Doc's house. I simply thought that we could have a little snack. We could gaze up at the stars, and enjoy our..."
"Oh, Suzy!" Marty Jr exclaimed, laughing. He then kissed Suzy's cheek, as the latter tore open the bag. "Finally, some chocolate - without having to kiss the Tannens."
"Oh, please, don't even mention it," Suzy replied, shuddering. "Okay, Marty, open up wide." Marty Jr complied, just as Suzy simply placed a piece of chocolate candy on his tongue. Suzy then giggled, before adding, "All right, Marty! Enjoy your chocolate!"
Suzy watched, as Marty Jr closed his mouth. Within moments, a smile came across her boyfriend's face. She then ran her finger along the dimple in his left cheek.
"Hey, that tastes good," Marty Jr replied, smiling. "Y'know, as much as I'm enjoying it here in the park - I do think we should start heading back, soon. I'm sure in the mood to listen to some music. Even though I enjoyed what we heard in the other world..."
"I know what you mean," Suzy replied, nodding. "It'd be so nice to go back to hearing something a little more familiar. Y'know, speaking of music, I do wonder just how your father dealt with the fact of his son being the one to introduce rock music into..."
"Well, perhaps, Dad felt that he would be a little old to..." Marty Jr started to say. "I can understand that rock music was, originally, the music of rebellion. Nowadays, it's simply not that uncommon for rock-loving teenagers to just enjoy the rock classics of their parents' - or even their grandparents' - youth. After all, Led Zeppelin is now..."
"They've been defunct for almost 37 years, now," added Suzy, as she began to feel a little pang of sadness. "The fourth album is also about 46 years old. I don't quite know why this makes me feel a little sad, but... I mean, they were such a legendary band."
"Indeed, they were," Marty Jr replied, softly. "It's just so hard to believe that, in their day, critics dismissed them. After all, they actually underestimated how legendary Led Zeppelin would become - and how kids, forty years later, would still be listening to..."
"It is remarkable," agreed Suzy. "I simply don't think there were as many teenagers in the seventies who liked music from the thirties - or, hell, even music from the forties."
"That's because music from the thirties and forties didn't exactly rock," Marty Jr was quick to point out. "I mean, you can't exactly crank up and jam out to Glenn Miller or Frank Sinatra - even if, back in the day, their music rather did appeal to teenagers."
"Good point," agreed Suzy. "I quite tend to worry, in fact, that some of the older rock bands may end up being forgotten - or that, one day, rap will become overwhelmingly more popular than rock. Of course, when rock was first invented, I am quite sure that many of the old folks of the time had similar feelings about... swing and big band."
"I guess we quite needn't worry," Marty Jr replied, smiling. "We still have active rock stations that play the rock classics from the seventies onward, along with the newer rock stuff. I think it's best, y'know, if we simply look on the positive side of things."
"Very true," Suzy agreed, as she cupped Marty Jr's face with her hands. She planted a kiss on his lips, as she added, "Anyway, you'd like for us to start heading back?"
"Well, if you don't mind," Marty Jr replied, softly. "It's so nice out here, of course - but I do quite miss seeing my house. I sure think this trip has made me realize a few things that I tend to... take for granted. I think it'll just be awhile, in fact, before I feel in the mood to go another time travel or inter-dimensional trip. It feels good to be back in..."
"I can attest to that," Suzy replied, smiling. "When I first learned about time travel, I couldn't stop thinking about how fun it sounded. I even quite entertained the idea of going back to the early seventies, and catching Led Zeppelin in concert. It still rather would be nice, of course - but we certainly know Doc feels about stuff like that..."
"Well, even my parents never really got to see Led Zeppelin in concert," Marty Jr pointed out. "They were actually only twelve years old, when John Bonham choked to death on his vomit - and, thus, the band opted to split up. So, even if it actually might be nice to see them - doing so could be a major risk to the space-time continuum."
"True that," Suzy replied, as she slipped an arm around her boyfriend's shoulders. "At least, we can still listen to their music. I can imagine just how hard Clint Eastwood had it, when he was stuck a century in the past. That certainly can't be much fun, at all."
"No, I imagine not," Marty Jr agreed, as the two of them began to make their way out of the park. "Well, anyway, it'll be so nice to flop on my own bed in my own bedroom."
The teens laughed, before inserting some more candy into their mouths. Suzy thought of how grateful she quite felt to finally be back in her home dimension and time. It also felt very nice to not be at the mercy of Tannens, and it sure especially felt great to be reunited with her boyfriend. Indeed, she thought of how all was well that ended well.
oooooooooo
Dr. Emmett Brown sighed, as he glanced towards his wife. Indeed, it really felt nice to be back home. He thought of how odd it felt, the past couple days, when he shared a bed with his counterpart from World Two. Of course, he really had nothing against his counterpart - but sleeping with him sure did not feel a thing like sleeping with his wife.
"I can tell you're ready for bed, now," Clara commented, smiling. "I will admit that I did feel a little envious. However, I also understand how it must've felt - worrying about if the girls will ever be fine. It's strange to think of how, in some of the worlds, Maria..."
"Yeah, our Maria is almost 26 years old," Doc replied, sighing. "While she always has been quite fond of Marly and Junior, it just seems strange to think of her being a close friend to them. Well, at least, our Maria was lucky enough to avoid being..."
"Oh, please don't even mention it," Clara begged. "Sometimes, it quite does make me feel sad - just thinking of how none of our children are still living with us. I even recall how I cried for weeks, when Maria was making arrangements for moving out. It'll just be a matter of time, until Marty and and Jennifer also find themselves in the same..."
"And I still remember when Marty Sr was just a little boy," Doc replied, sighing. "I simply feel as if..." He began to blink back tears, as he added, "Sometimes, I really do wonder where all the time has gone. Even with time travel, we can't exactly stop..."
"C'mon, Emmett," Clara urged, as he placed her arm around her husband's shoulders. "I think it's high time that you head to bed. It's so obvious that your adventures have taken a lot out of you. You may a genius scientist, but you are also a human being."
Doc nodded, as he figured that it was best not to put up a fight. More often than not, he tended to be real stubborn about going to bed - even when he needed the rest. In fact, he recalled how it caused him such problems with Marty - when, back in 1988, he and Marty kept jumping between dimensions. Still, he realized that his wife was right.
"I guess I won't bother arguing with you on that," Doc replied, softly. Then, as he felt a sudden niggling sensation, he added, "However, I do want to take just one last look around our yard. I just want to make sure that everything is as they should be."
"Very well, then," Clara replied, sighing. "I'll be heading upstairs, right away. Please, don't take too long. I sure can't help but feel as if... if you're using this as an excuse to stay up, longer. I mean, Emmett, I've rather known you for about forty years."
"I promise, it won't be long," Doc assured his wife. "If I'm not in by five minutes, then you can start looking for me."
"Five minutes it is," Clara agreed, reluctantly. "Please, Emmett, do not let me down."
Doc nodded, just as he stepped outside. He smiled, as he felt a gentle breeze blowing over him. He headed towards the garage, hoping that everything there was fine.
"Great Scott!" Doc gasped, as he caught sight of a vehicle that he realized should not be there. He ran back into the house, as he called out, "Clara! Come quickly! I've just found the station wagon, the vehicle from World One, right outside of our house!"
"You're kidding!" Clara gasped, as she ran down the stairs. "I was just about to head off to bed - and I... Well, I guess we mustn't leave our poor World One counterparts wondering what happened to their vehicle. This is just so... I can't believe it."
"I'm so sorry, Clara," Doc replied, softly. "I understand that you really wanted to get to bed - but I think it's important to take care of this, as soon as possible."
"We do need to bring their vehicle back to them," Clara agreed, softly. "Are you sure that this cannot just wait until tomorrow, though?"
"I'm very afraid that, if we wait until then, we'll rather forget," Doc insisted. "Besides, you know how hard it is for me to sleep - when we have unfinished business. I'll really be able to rest more easily, one we get this final task taken care of. Please, Clara."
"All right, then," Clara replied, sighing. The two of them stepped into the den, as she added, "So, uh, you're gonna call the McFlys?"
"That's correct," Doc confirmed, as he turned on the videophone. "Sit on the couch, okay?" Clara nodded, as he punched in the McFlys phone number. "Here we go."
"Hello, Doc and Clara," Jennifer greeted, as her face appeared on the screen. "Marty is getting ready for bed. May I ask what you're calling about?"
"Jennifer," Doc replied, slowly. "I was looking around my yard, and I realized that we still have a station wagon to return to World One. Now, I do understand that it's real late - but... Do you think that you and your hubby would... mind coming with us?"
"I'll ask Marty," Jennifer replied. Then, furrowing her brows, she added, "However, if we get to their world in the station wagon - then how... Well, just how are we gonna get back here? I'm sure that their world is pretty nice, but I wouldn't want for us..."
"I have an idea," Doc suggested, eagerly. "Clara, why don't you and Jennifer head to World One in the train - and the rest of us go in the station wagon? I sure understand how you ladies simply felt left out - but, this time, you can also join us. We'll also have a way to return to our world. Does that sound like a good plan with the two of you?"
Clara and Jennifer simply looked at each other, and then they nodded. Doc smiled, as he felt happy for the ladies. Even though he was not exactly looking forward to going on another trip to another dimension, he felt confident that this would go smoothly.
"I believe Junior and Suzy are still at Hill Valley Park," Jennifer explained. "I don't know how they would feel about going on this trip, but it is quite best if you ask if they want to go along - so that, this time, they aren't actually the ones who feel left out."
"We'll definitely do that," Doc promised. "I don't reckon we'll stay there, for long - but I think it just won't hurt to visit with them, a little. Now, from what I recall, they left a little earlier in the day. I think, if we visit them at 8:00 PM on this date - it sure should not be too early or too late. It'll also give the 1987 folks a chance to return..."
"Oh, yeah, that's right!" Clara gasped. "You did tell me about how the whole trip quite started in that year. I must say, I do feel quite bad for them. They really are the ones who will have a lot of pressure to... Now, that would be World EJ #57, right?"
"That's correct," Doc confirmed. Turning to the screen, he added, "So, with that, you guys should come straight over. The sooner we get this taken care of, the better."
"Got it!" Jennifer agreed, nodding. A sound could be heard on the other side, as if a door had opened and closed. "Say, it quite looks as if Junior and Suzy just got back. In that case, forget what I mentioned about them. We'll be over shortly, okay?"
"What's going on here, Jenn?" Marty Sr asked, as he stepped in front of the screen. "I was hoping that we could turn in, for the night."
"We need to deliver a vehicle back to World One," Jennifer explained. "Ask the kids if they want to go along. I don't think the trip should take us too long."
"Got it!" replied Marty Sr. "I do want to get to bed, soon - but I understand that this is something that needs to be done."
"Right," Jennifer agreed. Then, turning back to Doc and Clara, she added, "Just give us about ten minutes or so, okay? We'll be over, a little shortly." Doc nodded, just as the screen went black.
"Well, Clara, I guess that's settled," Doc replied, as he turned to his wife. "Looks like they'll be over in ten minutes."
"I sure hope that the trip will go fine" Clara said, sighing. "The last thing we need is even more troubles. However, I am quite interested in seeing their world again. It's been twenty-seven years since I last was there... and since I first was there, too."
"Yeah, we've only visited it once" Doc said. "I hope Marty remembers to bring his camera along, 'cause Martin and Maria are sure going to be eager to see his pictures. I remember how Martin felt when we told him about the visit. He was just three at the time, so he barely remembered it - and thus, he felt cheated out of an experience the rest of the family did have. Maria, of course, wasn't even born yet."
"Yeah, it was in June of 1990, wasn't it?" Clara said. "For about two weeks, in June of 1990. We quite had the situation there, especially with everything that happened."
"It was little over two weeks" Doc reminded his wife. "From Saturday, June 9th, up to Monday, June 25th, if I'm not mistaken. It was a strange situation - but we had some fun time as well. Like when we celebrated the birthday of Marty's counterpart."
"Oh yes, that's right" Clara said, smiling. "I almost forgot that. Yeah, we had some fun, and of course, you guys got to debate about everything... even if that nearly went into a fight."
"Yeah, I remember that" Doc said, wincing. "Luckily there were no bad feelings this time around. I maintain that the way our counterparts handle time travelling is a bit irresponsible, but I guess that I'm not the one to make complaints about that."
"Yeah, that's very smart" Clara responded. "But Emmett, if you don't need me for anything else, I'll be off now. I need to get changed back into my clothes again." She frowned, and looked outside. "Should I take a coat along?"
"You should, yes" Doc responded. "We should be arriving earlier in the day than we're departing from, but you won't know how things go when in another world. We might be still talking late at night. It's better to take precautions."
"You're right" Clara agreed. "I'll be off now." She walked out of the room and up along the stairs. Doc stared after her for a while, then turned his head around. He had more to do after all.
"Let's see" the hundred-and-seven-year-old muttered to himself. "What should I do first? I suppose getting the train would be smart. After I get myself a coat of my own, of course. It'll still take another eight minutes and seventeen seconds before Marty and Jennifer arrive, so it's better to make preparations before leaving."
Doing as he himself said, the inventor headed down to the lab after getting his coat, and walked over to the basement of the house, where the train had been stored that afternoon. The inventor smiled at the large machine, which his counterpart had unfortunately dismantled. Doc himself could never bring him to destroy his machine. There was just too much work in it.
The inventor then opened the doors and went inside. He switched the time circuits on and inserted the destination time: August 10th, 2017... what time of day should he choose? He remembered the whole chase had started roughly around 4 PM, but the time spent in 1987 and 2017 before departing amounted to something as well. Plus, they didn't want to annoy his counterpart by showing up right away. He decided to pick 9 PM, which was a time at which his other self was sure to be long back, but not to bed yet. He then had to suppress a sigh, as he stared at the Present Time display and noticed it was already past eleven P.M. One really had to do hard things to help his friends. Shaking his head, Doc added the dimensional code and pressed the 'ENTER' button.
The scientist then turned on the flying circuits, and the train lifted up. He smiled at the familiarity of the old machine, which always gave him a bit of a thrill. He sure hoped that Clara would be able to fly the machine well. While he didn't want to insult his wife, or downgrade her driving/flying capabilities, giving the controls of his time train over to somebody else was not something he took lightly.
As he flew the train out of the basement, he noticed that Clara was not outside yet. Good, that gave him time to make some more preparations. He went inside the station wagon, and inserted the new destination time: August 10th, 2017, 8:50 P.M., EJ #57. He had thought that it would be wise for the station wagon and the train to appear with some time in-between, as not to alert the people who were sure to be still out at the time.
Just when he finished with setting the controls in both the time train and the station wagon - for as far as he could do with the latter, as he wasn't entirely familiar to the vehicle - Clara stepped out of the house, fully dressed. "Are Marty and Jennifer there yet?" she asked, smiling.
"No, they aren't" Doc replied. "They'll soon be here, though. There's two minutes left of the ten minutes Jennifer told us about."
"Well, you know how tardy Marty can be sometimes" Clara reminded him. "Wouldn't surprise me if they showed up late."
"We'll see" Doc responded.
In the end, the result was a compromise. The McFly car showed up after eleven minutes and twenty seconds, making Marty be late, but not too late. The driver exited, and Doc had to keep himself from chuckling at the state of his poor friend. Marty looked at him as if he hadn't slept for days. The scientist shook his head as the rest of the family exited as well, Jennifer looking curious, Marlene hesitant, and Marty Junior and Suzy paying attention to just each other - although that was understandable. He then looked back at Marty, who walked up to the inventor and his wife and came to a halt just two feet in front of him. This time, the scientist couldn't resist a chuckle. "Come on, it's not that bad."
"No, I suppose not," Marty Sr replied, somewhat wearily. "I guess it's just that I was hoping to take a little break from dimension travel."
"At least, we'll sure be together," Jennifer pointed out, as she placed her around her husband. "Granted, I suppose Clara and I have a different view on this - but..."
"Look at it this way," commented Clara. "We'll be returning to the world that we had already visited, before. Wouldn't they be nice?"
"It would be the first time for them, actually," Doc pointed out - as he glanced at Marlene, Marty Jr, and Suzy. "Otherwise, I do agree with what you're saying. C'mon, Marty, it'll be a lot of fun. Anyway, we certainly shouldn't be gone for too long."
"Well, I suppose you're right," Marty Sr agreed, sighing. "Anyway, it's really not as if we have any bullies to pursue - so, in that case, I guess it's a positive."
"Now, that's the spirit!" Doc replied, approvingly. He glanced at his wife, as he added, "All right, you and Jennifer take the train - and the rest of us will go in the station. We should wait until we get to Hill Valley Park, before be cross dimensions."
"Got it," Clara replied, smiling. Jennifer gave her husband a big hug and a kiss, before joining Clara. "So, what time are we going to be there?"
"You two will show up at nine," Doc explained, "and we'll show up ten minutes earlier. Initially, I thought of eight - but then I realized that it might still be a little too early."
"See you shortly, then," Clara called out, as she and Jennifer headed for the train.
"All right, you folks!" Doc commented - as he turned to Marty Sr, Marlene, Marty Jr, and Suzy. "Let's get up and at 'em. Into the station wagon."
Doc swallowed, as he stepped into the vehicle. It really felt odd to be operating a time machine that did not belong to him - but, of course, he had no choice. He quite did not feel that it was right to keep something that was not his in his possession.
"Oh, look at the two little lovebirds!" Marlene teased, referring to Marty Jr and Suzy. "It seems as if they've been inseparable, all night."
"Well, you can hardly blame them," Doc pointed out, as he started the engine. "After everything that we've been through, I sure think it's only natural." Then, with a sigh, he added, "Even being separated from Clara for a little over ten minutes is really..."
"... making you feel rather agitated?" Marty Sr finished, knowing. "Jesus, Doc, I know exactly what you're going through. At least, Jenn and Clara will simply be joining us in the other world." Turning towards the back, he asked, "Kids, got your seat belts on?"
"Yes, we do!" Marlene, Marty Jr, and Suzy all replied - simultaneously. Every occupant of the station wagon then laughed.
"Oh, good!" Marty Sr replied, approvingly. "So, to Hill Valley Park we go!"
"That, at least, sure seemed to be a constant," Doc replied, smiling. "Well, other than the Teens In Time World - and the world of that... that other trilogy."
"Yeah, as good as advanced technology is," Marty Sr commented, "it'd be a shame to lose sight of the value of nature. Keeping an even balance is the key."
"Suzy and I were talking a little about that," Marty Jr explained. "It's really hard for us to imagine living in even the 1980s, although I wouldn't mind visiting - but I also rather enjoy Hill Valley Park. Sometimes, it is nice to get in touch with nature."
"Indeed, it is," Suzy agreed. "It also provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere, so that Marty and I can take romantic strolls. I'd feel sad, if they ever tore the park down."
"Please, don't even suggest such a thing," Doc groaned. Then, with a dreamy sigh, he added, "I am reminded of why I enjoyed the Old West, even though it is also nice that we returned to the 1980s. It was being able to enjoy the wide open spaces."
"I'm so glad that you did return, Doc," Marty Sr replied, softly. "I just remember how, back in 1988, when we were travelling between worlds... Well, I remember feeling so sorry for my other self. I remember wondering if your other self ever would return."
"I do feel rather bad for what your other self went through," Doc agreed. "Especially the one that quite grew up in the... the Griffhorrific Timeline. If I can recall correctly, my other self didn't even make the trip to 1988 - when we showed up."
"So, in other words," Marty Sr commented, "when we showed up in that world, it was just in the timeline of... of after my other self... who quite grew up in the Griffhorrific timeline... had spent some time in the 1920s?" As Doc nodded, he added, "This is just so heavy. Would it even have been possible to enter that world, in the timeline of..."
"I actually have no idea," Doc replied, sighing. "This sure is too much heavy thinking, for this time of night. Anyway, we are now entering Hill Valley Park - so, as such, I'm gonna accelerate. Guys, brace yourselves for temporal-dimensional displacement."
Doc began to accelerate the station wagon to 88 miles per hour, until it departed one version of the Trilogy Universe - to enter the other version of the Trilogy Universe.