The Weird World of The Moose

Stuff that catches my eye

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 Day 21 - Babysitter

Friday October 21st 2005 Hill Valley, California

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The fact that Marty met up with him on the porch was, looking back on, the first warning that this wasn't going to be the cakewalk Verne thought it would be.

Having been raised in the Wild West – at least for the first half of his life, not to mention all the time travelling, Verne had seen a lot in his sixteen years, so the idea that two kids could seriously test him never entered his mind.

Jules no doubt, would probably have pointed out from all they'd heard about Marty McFly from Dad it was pretty obvious that at least one of kids would be just as much trouble as their father. Although even Verne's brainy brother would have thought that both kids would be handful was a beyond probability.

“Thanks for this, Verne, you're a life saver,” Marty greeted him, the relief on his face was probably another warning. “Jen said it would be impossible to get someone at this short of notice on a Friday night, but you Browns have always got my back.”

Indeed they did, plus Marty was offering thirty dollars an hour to look after his kids – warning number three – which would give Verne more than enough money to buy the latest installment of his favourite game.

“No probably, Marty,” Verne reassured him, “is there anything I need to know?” After his first babysitting experience, Verne always remembered to ask that question – having to call your mother for an emergency room trip would do that sort of thing.

Marty threw a brief look over his shoulder – geeze how many warnings had Verne got? - then shook his head. “Nah, no allergies or anything like that. Jen's already made dinner for them, it's in the oven, you can give it to 'em as soon as we leave.”

At that Jennifer appeared, opening the front door and stepping out onto the porch, wiping her brow in a way that Verne had figured was exaggerated, but as time would show it clearly wasn't. She smiled, the relief on her face matching her husband's. “Verne, you're amazing for doing this! Did Marty already tell you about dinner?”

“Yep!”

“Great,” Jennifer looked over her shoulder and then lowered her voice. “There's also ice cream in the freezer, but only if Marlene and Junior behave themselves, you can help yourself, though.”

With that final warning – which of course went right over Verne's head, the McFly's told him where the emergency numbers were, what time the twins were supposed to go to bed and when they expected to be home – just after midnight.

“Have fun, you guys!” Verne saw them off with a cheerful wave.

“Bye Mom! Bye Dad!” Marlene and Junior's voices called out from the living room window, before turning their attention to him. “Hi Verne!”

“Hey,” Verne greeted the kids before pressing his thumb to the door look and letting himself inside.

At which point he was suddenly ambushed.

Well, admittedly, he did get a brief warning in the form of the McFly Twins yelling “Heads up!” but it was less than a seconds notice.

Nerf balls were totally NOT soft.

Fortunately, he managed to duck behind a door before he end up one giant bruise. “Hey, hey, c'mon, give me a break!”

“There's another Nerf gun around somewhere,” Marlene hollered from her position behind the couch. “Find it and fight back!”

Verne briefly considered doing so, but he was pretty sure that firing not-so-soft balls at two seven year olds were probably not the sort of thing a good babysitter would do. “I'm a pacifist and is this any way to treat the guy that's here to give you dinner?”

“Aww, you're no fun,” Marty Junior pouted, but thankfully Marlene took pity on him, lowering her Nerf gun and after a nudge, Junior did as well.

“We're playing Secret Agent,” Marlene announced, “and you're a wuss. Mommy and Daddy lasted way longer!”

“Yeah, well...maybe they have thicker skins,” Verne shot back, not leaving the safety of behind the door. “Are you two gonna behave yourselves? Or don't you want ice cream?”

Thankfully, that was the magic word and the twins lay down their arms.

Jules would call Verne out on this sort of bribery and point out that the twins were going to learn they could get what they wanted through bad behaviour. But Jules wasn't here, so he could shove it.

Besides dinner was chicken nuggets and salad which was one of Verne's favourites and he was gonna enjoy it and the chocolate ice cream for dessert.

Marty and Jennifer could figure the rest out.

(Not too sure how this prompt turned out in the end...I had a great idea of Verne having to babysit Marlene and Marty Jnr and I've been working on it on and off for like a month, so yeah.

But! It's "Back to the Future" Day here in Australia and I wanted to post something, so I figured "What the Hell" ;O)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July (August, September) 2024- 20. Local Legend

Verne Brown was, if possible, even more excited about what was about to happen then he'd been about travelling through time in Papa's amazing train.

Today, was the big day, he would finally meet Marty McFly!

For his whole life, Verne had heard about Marty or as the townspeople in Hill Valley called him, Clint Eastwood. One of Verne's earliest memories was hearing all about how the teenager had stopped “Mad Dog” Tannen.

“Knocked him right out into a pile of poop!” His playmate of the day had told Verne, eyes wide with excitement, waving his arms about. “Then the Deputy arrested him and took him to jail! An' my Pa hasn't needed to worry about anything since.”

Seeing as the playmate in question, Art's pa was the owner of the saloon in town, Verne wasn't too sure about that. He'd overheard Mama complaining about Mr Caruthers having trouble in cups, which sounded pretty worrying to Verne.

He'd mentioned this to Jules, who had only shaken his head at his little brother and rolling his eyes told Verne there was no such thing as cups that could cause trouble. Maybe Jules was right – he usually was to be honest – but Verne had definitely had trouble with Mama's bowls of soup sometimes, so he wasn't entirely convinced that cups could cause trouble too.

But that wasn't important right now, as Papa did all the mysterious things he did to get the train ready to go through time, Verne tried not to bounce on the bench he was sitting on with Mama and Jules too much. Jules especially loved to complain about vibrations if his little brother so much as breathed wrong.

Verne wasn't going to let his brother spoil the day though, Verne had a million questions to ask Marty, like what was it like to “borrow” a train? What was it like to knock out a big meanie like “Mad Dog” and what had Papa being like in the olden days (even if the olden days was actually the future days...although not as future as the days the Brown family were in now).

“My Papa was best friends with Mr Eastwood,” Verne remembered telling Art, not that the other boy had believed him.

“No-one knew Mr Eastwood,” Art had declared confidently. “That's why he's a legend! Legends are always mysterious, they have no friends, that's how they disappear without anyone stopping them.”

Verne had always figured that everyone believed that Mr Eastwood had died going over the ravine, it was why the mayor had named it after him. Of course, the Browns knew the truth, Mr Eastwood had gone back to the future to live as Marty McFly again, but obviously Verne wasn't going to share that.

“You think he's still alive?” Verne finally replied.

“'Course! He got off that train before it went over the cliff an' then went into hiding so those outlaws wouldn't be able to find him.” Art said with completely certainty with a nod. “He's probably down in Mexico now, or finding gold somewhere.”

That was a pretty cool thought, Verne wondered what the 80s was like...maybe everyone had their own gold mine? How amazing would that be!

“Alright, Clara, boys, Einie...hold on, we're about to experience temporal displacement!” Papa called over his shoulder, the train picked up speed, craning his neck Verne could see out the windows, wondering where they were before he spotted the sign... he couldn't read too well yet, but that sign had been pointed out to him enough over the years.

Eastwood Ravine Rail Bridge

The world outside disappeared in brightness and the sound of roaring booms filled the air.

When everything cleared, they would be in another time, and Verne would finally meet the person who'd he'd ever known as a legend.

(OK, so McFly July has wildly streeetched out, but hey September 2nd is when Marty goes back to 1885 to rescue Doc so this particular drabble seemed apt!

I was never entirely sure how old Jules and Verne were meant to be at the end of the movie, I thought maybe 8 and 6, but that might be too old, so I'm gonna hope that Verne's vocabulary isn't too advanced in this.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July/August 2024 - 19. Playing Hooky

Friday June 1st, 1934 Hill Valley, California

Stuart Strickland took the edicts handed down from Grandfather Strickland extremely seriously.

The fact that Grandfather had once been the Marshal of Hill Valley – during the wild times when a person couldn't turn around without bumping into cowboys, bandits and various ne'er-do-wells – and that Father had been the Police Chief.

Stuart was not entirely sure what the future held for him, but whatever it was, he would follow the rules to the letter.

Today was the last day – ever – of school, graduation would be held tomorrow, thirteen years of education coming to an end.

And he was the only one in his homeroom class... not even the teacher had bothered to show up, no doubt figuring that as was tradition there'd be no seniors in the building today. Which was appalling, when rules weren't adhered to, madness reigned. Mr Springer should be taking roll and noting the absences, school was not technically over yet after all. Stuart decided to take it upon himself to note the names, he would deliver them to the Principal's secretary during lunch hour.

Throughout the morning, he added to the list, not at all shocked by the absence of Irving Tannen, who been out of class more than he was in it, but he had to admit surprise at the McFly twins lack of attendance. Not that the two of them were particularly scholarly, slackers was the term Stuart would apply to them, but they followed school rules, at least until now.

It wasn't until Physics class in the afternoon that Stuart discovered that one other student wasn't playing hooky.

Emmett Brown.

Which shouldn't have been a surprise, because unlike the rest of the senior class, Brown wasn't old enough to get up to the kind of shenanigans his classmates did. The boy – and he was a boy, he had skipped a number of grades and thus was only thirteen years old.

He was also the top student.

The entire thing grated Stuart to no end, Brown unsurprisingly, kept to himself most of the time, except when it came to science classes, where he seemed unable to help himself from raising his hand and answering questions that left those three or four years older scratching their heads.

It wasn't fair that some people could be so much more intelligent than others, even if those other's worked their fingers and minds to the bone. Stuart was second highest student, but what did second place get you? Not your name on the school trophy that was for sure.

Stuart had yet to enter the classroom, spying Brown through the window in the door, Mr Bosley, the Physic teacher was there, but from the look on the man's face he was already on vacation.

Reaching out for the doorknob, Stuart paused...was there any point going inside? Brown was scribbling away in a notebook, probably solving the unknowns of the universe.

The past five periods, Stuart had been more than happy to sit by himself in a classroom, despite the very poorly concealed eye rolls of the class teacher who had no doubt hoped for the entire class to be a no-show thus earning themselves a free-period.

For the briefest moment, Stuart considered not entering the classroom, it was the final period of his school life, was attending this class really necessary, it wasn't as if Mr Bosley would teach anything. It would be fifty minutes of sitting in the same room as a thirteen year old, knowing the next day they would receive the award for Best Student in the Class of '34.

But Stuart squashed the idea almost as soon as he thought it, Strickland's did not bend the rules, they most definitely didn't play hooky. Grandfather and possibly Father would die of shame if they ever found out about it and even if they didn't Stuart would know what he'd done. So, clenching his jaw he opened the door and entered just before the second bell rang.

At least, Stuart Strickland would have perfect attendance, even if he wasn't the top student.

(Yep, I'm still plugging away on McFly July (August), I do plan on finishing this challenge, I'm just really bad at being on time.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed (if that can be said) this look into the mind of Stuart S Strickland.

The McFly twins are Arthur (George's father) and Beth - I always thought it'd be fun if two generations before Marlene and Marty Jnr there was a set of boy-girl twins in the McFly family.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July/August 2024 - 18. Hill County Asylum

Friday August 15th 1980 Hill Valley, California

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“And they say that if you go down to the fence near the old asylum at midnight, you can still hear the screams of the poor souls locked up in there.”

“Ooo, I'm so scared, don't let the scary crazy people get me.” Marty made a show of flinching and gave an exaggerated shiver.

“Really?” Dave raised an eyebrow. “That story scared the shit outta me when I was your age.”

Marty sat up, feeling rather proud, it wasn't often Dave admitted been scared of anything, especially not if his little brother declared he wasn't scared.

“So you're saying you don't believe the old asylum site is haunted?” Dave went on, poking at the campfire in front of them with a stick.

Marty shrugged, not quite able to believe his big brother actually believed in ghosts.

“We're not too far from where it is, the old asylum,” Dave continued, shooting him a look. “It's only a couple of miles away, actually.”

Marty eyed his brother, not sure if he was being serious, if was honest, Marty hadn't even known there was an Insane Asylum in Hill Valley, were those even really a thing outside of movies?

“Yeah, just over that way,” Dave pointed over Marty's shoulder. “There was a breakout just before it closed.”

OK, now Marty knew his big brother was pulling his leg. This sounded way too dramatic. “Let me guess, one of them had scissors for hands and went after the football QB and his girlfriend.”

Dave shot him a less than impressed look. “Of course not, it's not some movie, none of the patients were in there for murder or anything. Most people were just worried that because it was winter they might freeze to death.”

Marty felt slightly guilty. “Were they all found?”

Dave shrugged. “The Health Department said so, but not everyone was convinced.”

Marty was immediately suspicious of his brother again. “Come on, I'm not falling for some story about a crazy ghost in the woods.”

Dave shrugged, reaching for the open bag of marshmallows and spearing one with the stick before holding it out over the fire. “Suit yourself, little bro, I just thought you'd like to know, in case there's any weird noises in the night.”

“The only weird noise, will be you snoring,” Marty shot back with a smirk.

“Haha, very funny, don't say I didn't warn you.”

Dave was always pulling stuff like this, and Marty sure as Hell wasn't about to fall for it, not this time, after all, now he was 12 he was a lot smarter. Case in point, with his own stick he skewered Dave's marshmallow – roasted to perfection before his brother could eat it himself.

“Hey!”

“You snooze, you lose,” Marty poked his tongue out.

Of course, Marty was pretty sure Dave wasn't going to let him get away with stealing his marshmallow, which was why, later on in the middle of the night when they were all supposed to be asleep in their tents and there was a noise that sounded a lot like someone fighting through bushes, Marty was sure his brother was behind it.

At least until he looked to his right and saw Dave still in his sleeping bag and not snoring for once.

The noise stopped and Marty briefly considered poking Dave awake, but no way, Dave would never let him live it down if he wussed out.

The sound of rustling leaves filled Marty's ears again and he tensed... then told himself it was probably one of the other kids, Dave hadn't said, but considering he'd never heard of it Marty was pretty sure if there's been asylum, it would have closed AGES ago and no crazy people would still be wandering around.

Still...the rustling was really creepy... What kind of people ended up in Insane Asylums?The new kid at school, Needles, would probably say someone like Doc Brown, but Needles was an idiot. The Doc was totally cool. Marty kind of wished his friend was here, he'd probably have some cool invention to keep any intruders out of the camp, instead all they had was the Scout Master, one of the campers dads and Dave (of all people).

There was the sound of sticks snapping and Marty seriously considered shaking his brother awake. He shook his head, he could deal with this, whatever this was. Slowing his breathing, Marty strained to listen. Had anyone else been woken up? It didn't sound like it... it was probably just a wild animal or something. Hopefully, not a bear though... Bears totally freaked him out.

Finally, silence...well mostly silence, settled over the area and Marty nodded off back to sleep.

When he woke up the next morning, everything was totally normal...except for one thing.

Near the edge of the camp before the clearing gave way to dense woods and despite the fact that there were no pine trees near by, there was a pile of pine needles...

“Old Man Peabody,” Dave hissed to Marty as they prepared to packing up their sleeping bags and tents.

Marty rolled his eyes, if he had to put his money on who did it...it'd be Needles, sure he wasn't here, but that was totally the kind of crap he'd do.

Who the Hell was Old Man Peabody anyway?

(OK, my plan to have finished this by 15th of August is obviously not going down... but still...

Happy Australian Release Date BTTF1!)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July (August) 2024 - 17. "Linda's Boutique

1992 Hill Valley, California

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“Ugh, what's in here? Lead weights?”

“Oh come on, it's not even that heavy. Don't be such a wuss.”

“Says the one who's not carrying anything.”

“I am too, I'm carrying the entire weight of expectation,” Linda declared, striking a pose. “Opening Day is tomorrow.”

Catching Marty's gaze, Dave rolled his eyes, at least until Linda came over and grabbed the box from his hands.

“You call this heavy?” She huffed. “I could carry ten of these.”

“Does that mean you'll get the rest of the boxes?” George asked as he entered through the glass doors, toting a box of his own.

“Oh come on,” Linda pouted, sitting the box on the counter heavily. “You guys are meant to be supporting me, not whining.”

“Of course, we support you, honey, but maybe you could have hired some help with this?” Lorraine pointed out from behind a very tall stack of scarves and hats.

“Yeah, what about Greg and Craig?” Dave teased. “You're telling me you couldn't get your boy toys to come and show of their muscles.”

Linda folded her arms. “They're not my boy toys, besides, they use their brains not their brawn.”

“Considering they got out of this, you're right about that,” Marty smirked from where he was pretending to clean off the counter to avoid been pressed into service by his sister.

Linda put her hands on her hips. “Are you going to help out? Or just mooch around?”

“Mooch around, of course.” Marty grinned at her, before reaching for a stack of business cards on the counter, picking one up and reading it.

“Linda's Lovely Boutique. That' the best name you could come up with?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Says the guy who named his band the Pinheads? Pardon me for not asking your opinion.”

“You could have asked Dad,” Dave pointed out. “You know, the actual writer?”

The three McFly children turned their attention to George, who shook his head. “I'd rather stay neutral on this.”

“I think it's a wonderful name, very catchy,” Lorraine declared, straightening the hats she'd set down. “You want people to be able to remember it.”

“At least you didn't call it Lovely Linda's,” Dave mused, “because that'd make you sound like a -”

“David!” Lorraine scolded. “Watch your mouth.”

Dave put his hands up in placating gesture. “I was just kidding, Mom.”

“I don't want you talking to your sister like that,” Lorraine continued, hands on hips.

“I'm sorry, really, bad joke,” Dave scrambled, “I'm sorry, Linda.” He did at least sound contrite, especially with both parents looking less than impressed with him.

Linda gave Dave a smug smile. “I bet you're regretting taking the day off now.”

“Linda, I'm hurt, you think I wouldn't be here to support you? You're my favourite sister.”

“I'm you're only sister.”

“Semantics,” Dave waved a hand. “Seriously though, congratulations on all this, I know you'll be a success.”

Linda waited for a moment as if expecting more teasing, but when Dave said nothing more, she gave him a genuine smile. “Thanks, you're my favourite brother.”

“Hey,” Marty objected. “What am I? Chopped liver?”

“Well, Martin, I haven't heard you say you believe in me.”

“Come on, you're my sister, I can't be too nice to you.”

“You two,” Lorraine looked between her sons. “Stop picking on your sister.”

“Just kidding, Mom,” Marty waves his hands before turning back to Linda. “This place looks amazing, you're gonna rake it in.”

Linda beamed, she'd worked hard for this, and it was awesome that her family recognised it. “Thanks. Now... let's get back to work, like I said, tomorrow's the Grand Opening!”

As the McFly Family headed back outside, Linda looked over her shoulder at the space over the door. She couldn't wait to but up her sign...

But maybe she'd just make it Linda's Boutique.

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July/August 2024 - 16. Paradox

Friday October 25th 1985 11:56pm Hill Valley, California

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Finally, after thirty long years and more set-backs than he could count, it was time...

The invention that Emmett Brown had dedicated almost half his life to was ready for it's first test, and even more to the point...it was a test he knew would succeed.

Which was a very odd feeling to have... was it even a test if he already knew the outcome? In some ways though, it was a less comforting idea than he would expected.

Chiefly because...despite having seen the evidence of the time machine's success with his very own eyes – part of him had the niggling feeling that something...anything could go wrong.

He looked over the DeLorean once again, searching for anything he might have overlooked, he'd tested the remote control meticulously, checked the starter (which appeared to be in perfect condition, so much so that Doc worried it might not have the starting problems that had as it turned out, been necessary for Marty to reach the cable in time for the lightning bolt. He had to assume, however, that the problem would develop), made sure his stopwatches were completely in synch and then checked the bright yellow case he had picked up from his garage mid-morning which contained the most important ingredient of all.

Everything was ready... well almost everything. Reaching into his front pocket Doc pulled out a piece of paper that had been taped back together and showed every bit of it's thirty years.

Dear Doctor Brown,

On the night I go back in time, you will be shot by terrorists.

Please take whatever precautions necessary to prevent this terrible disaster.

Your friend,

Marty

It had taken Doc a number of years to actually read the note as he debated with himself the various reasons for and against knowing his own destiny.

Then having read it, he had to admit being somewhat... annoyed by the fact Marty had been so sparing in the details. Where exactly had he been shot? What weapon was used, revolver? Shotgun? Machine gun?

In some ways, the note was more of a curse than help. Not that he wanted to die having finally realised his dream, but it did pose a problem... Doc was pretty certain that Marty never would have taken off in the DeLorean if he hadn't believed Doc had been killed. And if Marty didn't return to the past, what sort of effect would that have? Would it be a paradox?

Perhaps not, after all, the idea for the flux capacitor had come to Doc prior to any interaction with Marty and while the teen's presence was evidence that the time machine would succeed, Doc had still needed to put all the work in. Which he was certain he would have done in any event, so was Marty's presence really necessary then?

On the other hand...if Marty did not return to the past, his family life would be very different... and how would that effect things? Doc had never actually considered the ramifications of changes in the past, he'd hoped to visit the Old West, but the future had always been the goal. Changing the past was just asking for paradoxes.

For one thing, the Marty he knew now wouldn't have the same stories about a cowardly father and depressed mother, if anything this Marty would be stunned when he saw the George McFly of thirty years ago. Doc didn't remember every word he'd exchanged with Marty all those years ago, but he definitely recalled what Marty had said about his father. Would the same things that happened in 1955 still occur with the teen's memories being so different?

The entire thing was a mind bender, particularly the fact that as far as Marty's timeline was concerned these events hadn't actually happened, even though it had... Or had it? Was the Marty Doc had met thirty years ago the Marty he knew now? Or was he some sort of..fragment an echo? Surely this Marty would have said different things, maybe even acted differently, but if he did, shouldn't Doc remember it now, did the fact he didn't mean everything would somehow happen the same despite it all?

It was enough to give him a splitting headache.

After much thought, Doc had decided not to risk a paradox, but this meant that he not only had to avoid getting himself killed, he also had to make sure Marty didn't realise he hadn't been. Which made things a lot more difficult, Doc couldn't just get himself, Einstein and Marty out of the Lone Pine Mall parking lot immediately after the first test, go somewhere safer and report the Libyans to the authorities. No, Doc would have to make sure that everything that happened on that tape – which he had watched so many times he could recite it word for word – happened.

Which meant there was one more thing he needed to put on before his radiation suit. The bullet proof vest that he had purchased a year before and painstakingly modified to be able to deflect the power of a shotgun round.

“All right, Einie,” Doc turned to his faithful canine friend. “Are we ready?”

The sheepdog barked and seemed to be shaking his head, which confused Doc for a second, until he realised...the camcorder...

He'd left the camcorder back at home.

Doc checked his watch, it was coming up on 12:30am there was time to call Marty and have his friend collect the camcorder.

As he heard Marty's voice on the other end of the line, heavy with sleep, Doc was thoroughly glad he'd forgotten the camcorder, otherwise the teen might not shown up at the Mall at all!

(Haha, this one's confusing... What does happen when Lone Pine Marty goes back? Does he somehow regain memories of a life that didn't happen? Or maybe that Marty knew about George's wimpy origins so wasn't as surprised as Doc thought he would be.

I used to have a weird theory that Lone Pine Marty and Twin Pine Marty switched places, thus creating each other's timelines (and Doc always lived :OP) but it seems there's only one timeline in BTTF, so I guess not.

Time travel's confusing, y'all.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July (August) 2024 - Erased From Existence

Thursday November 10th 1955 2:13am Hill Valley, California

Marty couldn't sleep.

Which made sense, not only was he in a strange bed, he was thirty years in the past!

He'd attempted to drift off a few times with the hope that when he opened his eyes he'd be back in his room and his siblings voices would be too loud in the hallway and Marty would pull the pillow over his head to block the noise out.

This time around, however, he might not do the latter, because hearing Dave and Linda bickering would be a relief right now.

He had told himself to stop looking at the photo he carried around in his wallet, because for the past four days it had only been bad news.

Dave, his big brother, who only last week (or thirty years in the future?) Marty had told off for being an absolute pain in the ass, had completely disappeared from the photo.

As for Linda, his sister, only her lower half remained, which was creepy as Hell in broad daylight, never mind the middle of the night. Marty had been seriously pissed that she hadn't thought to come out and get him when Jennifer called, she always did annoying stuff like that.

Or did she? Doc had said the photo couldn't be taken literally, it wasn't as if in 1985 Dave and Linda had been slowly disappearing like some horror movie.

“It's difficult to say that 1985 even exists,” Doc had pondered the day before, getting side-tracked as usual when the two of them were supposed to be coming up with a plan to get Marty's parents together – despite the fact Marty was going to be taking his mother to the dance. “In some ways it must, since you're here, along with the Time Machine, but unless everything is predestined – which it can't be otherwise none of your actions would be effecting the future.”

The Doc had gone off for a bit like this, using words like “relativity” and “time theory” and a bunch of other stuff Marty had ended up tuning out. The whole time travel thing was confusing as Hell and he had other things to worry about. Like trying to prevent himself from being erased from existence!

Marty had to wonder though...even if he succeeded in getting his parents together, would Dave and Linda come back? It was a question he couldn't bring himself to as the Doc, because he really didn't want to hear that he had no idea, or even worse...that they wouldn't.

He was regretting every time he'd wished or Hell said aloud that he wished his siblings weren't around. Obviously he hadn't meant it, but it seemed deadly serious now. A part of him wondered if he'd even want to go back if his siblings didn't exist... of course, no-one would know... but he would.

Right? Frowning, Marty grabbed the photo from the nightstand and peered at it again. He could still remember the day the photo was taken, and he could still remember Dave and Linda, but maybe if...when he got back to the future – providing he got his parents back together – he wouldn't remember them at all. It sent a shiver down his spine and he dropped the photo back on the nightstand and pulled the pillow of his eyes.

Ugh, he and Doc still hadn't come up with a plan to Mom and Dad together and Marty sure as Hell didn't want to think what might happen when he disappeared from the photo.

One thing was clear in Marty's mind, though...he was never taking existence for granted again.

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July (August) 2024 - 14. Jennifer's Porch Swing

When Robert moved back to Hill Valley with Jennifer in the summer of 1984, he wanted to make his daughter feel at home.

Not that they hadn't visited the town before, after all his mother still lived here, but after a few weeks Jenny would be impatient to head back to San Francisco, where – she cliamed – interesting stuff actually happened.

Robert had been slightly offended on behalf of his hometown whenever Jenny said that, but then again he'd left Hill Valley himself as soon as he graduated high school, so it wasn't as if he didn't understand the feeling.

However, there were benefits to a small town, among them the fact they had an actual house rather than a rather cramped apartment. A house with an actual yard and a porch.

There was one thing that Jenny had always wanted ever since they'd gone a holiday up to Lake Tahoe a few years back.

A porch swing.

Honestly, Robert didn't quite get it, after all it had been mid-winter at the time, who would want to sit outside? Apparently, Jenny did, bundled up, of course, but still her breath had been visible.

At least here, she be able to use it in the summer months and not make him worried she'd catch pneumonia or freeze half to death.

It proved to be quite a task, purchasing the swing, putting it together and then bolting ito the porch ceiling all without Jenny noticing, but it was worth it to see the look of surprise and happiness when she came outside on the morning of her birthday.

“Dad, oh my God, thank you!” Jenny had been bouncing on her toes and then gave him a tight hug.

Of course he might not have been so quick to put up the swing, if he'd know that just a few weeks into the school year, Jenny would find herself a boyfriend, Marty and – despite the colder weather – spend many hours sitting with him out there.

Robert supposed he could comfort himself with the fact that at least he could see them out there, if he craned his neck and it wasn't like the couple could get into too much mischief out there.

Which was really brought into focus when Jenny asked him for permission to go on an overnight camping trip with her boyfriend. Despite giving his permission – he trusted Jenny not to do anything foolish - he would have much preferred if they had decided to stick to the porch swing.

(Fear not, I haven't given up on this! It's just work has been super busy after taking a week off!

Haha also I amused myself with the fact that Robert's hope does come true and rather than going to the Lake Jennifer does end up on the porch swing.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 13. Weather Experiment

Sunday November 13th, 1955 8:00am Hill Valley, California

___________________________________________________________

The rain was still coming down hard, but as far as Doc was concerned that was a good thing, it was unlikely the Town Square would be even quieter than usual on a Sunday.

Sneaking a look at Marty in the passenger seat, Doc had to wonder how this went originally, without the time traveller showing up...again. Surely, he would have packed everything up from the previous night's “weather experiment” last night rather than this morning. He could only hope this wouldn't have some unknown consequences to the space time continuum.

On the other hand, Doc's future self had ended up living in 1885 and as far as Doc could tell nothing untoward had happened... He assumed that his older self had left Hill Valley before his – their father had arrived, although considering their mother had been born and raised here it seemed like a dangerous idea to be anywhere near the town.

“All right, we need to move quickly and try not to draw attention to ourselves, there's a service in the church just off Main, I'm not sure how many people will come out in this weather, but you never know.” He cautioned the teenager.

“Right, Doc,” Marty gave a nod.

The rain eased a little as Doc parked his Packard, which was a relief because they'd have to climb a ladder, not to mention the clocktower itself to get the various cables.

It was while up the ladder that Officer Foley wandered past, which Doc was quite sure was more than a coincidence.

“Little late taking all this down, Doctor Brown,” was Foley's greeting.

“Apologies, the thunderstorm made it too dangerous to deal with conductive cables,” Doc explained, hoping Foley didn't know about the lull in the rain and that the excuse would suffice. Doc was more than willing to part with another fifty, but he didn't think Foley wanted to make a habit of taking bribes.

“Hmm,” the police officer gave a vague nod and peered at Marty, who was doing a rather poor attempt at appearing inconspicuous by hunching his shoulders and pulling down the hat he was wearing. Having said that, it was all but impossible to see his face, so maybe he knew better than Doc. “You get whatever it was you were hoping for?”

Doc couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. “I did indeed, in fact it was more successful than I thought possible.”

“Good to know,” Foley tipped his own hat before continuing on his way, whistling as he did.

“Weather experiment?” Marty repeated, pulling his hat back from his face.

“I had to tell the man something,” Doc shrugged, “apparently the law doesn't appreciate the local populace hanging up cables in the town square.”

Marty rolled his eyes and grinned. “Yeah, imagine that.”

Unhooking the cable from around the lamp post, Doc tossed it down to the teenager with a grin. “Most people just don't understand the importance of scientific experimentation.”

Marty caught the cable. “Yeah, I know, Doc, but don't worry, I'm not one of them.”

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 12. All Nighter

So working at Burger King wasn't Dave McFly's ultimate career plan, but it was all right money for the work, especially if one pulled an all nighter.

And this would be his first all-night shift, which he'd been looking forward to and dreading it equally. According to the manager, Steve, the hours between three and five were definitely the quietest of quiet nights, but you better not be constant yawning, just on the outside chance that someone actually did walk through the door.

Considering the lack of anything that could be called a nightlife in Hill Valley, Dave really couldn't imagine anyone coming in.

Which was why the sound of the front doors sliding open almost scared the shit out him, Dave's first thought was that it must be a hold up and he suddenly couldn't remember what the combo to the safe was or if there was a panic button around.

Then there was the utter relief as the guy in question came up to the front counter and asked for a Whooper Meal at which point Dave realised it was Doc Brown.

Which almost made him do a double-take because it was 3:35am and the last person Dave would have ever expected to see out and about at this hour was an old guy.

On the other hand...Doc Brown had a bit of a reputation in town – although, Dave had got his dog, Maverick from a litter of puppies from two of the scientist's dogs not to mention Marty hung out with “the Doc” and swore he was totally awesome – so maybe it wasn't so weird he'd be pulling an all nighter too.

Dave was kind of tempted to ask what the scientist was up to, but he wasn't sure the scientist would tell him, after all Doc Brown lived in a garage that was practically in the parking lot of the Burger King which was seriously just weird and it was a pretty good bet that whatever Doc was doing, it might be something illegal.

Dave decided it was better to just ask the standard question for any fast food customer. “Do you want to upsize?”

(OK, so it's not July anymore, but I figured...what the Hell ;O)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 11. Reading George's First Draft

Saturday, March 15th 1975

4:33pm

Hill Valley, California

If I chewed my nails, I'd definitely be doing it right now...

On the other side of the room, lying on the bed with a growing stack of pages beside her, Lorraine was almost to the last page of what was, to this point my life's work.

I guess I didn't need to be so nervous, I was pretty sure that even if this was the worst first draft in the history of the world, my wife wouldn't say it as bluntly as that.

Critiquing my manuscript was my editor's job, but considering one of the main characters in my novel was based on her, I really wanted to get Lorrie's opinion on it.

Of course now I was rethinking the whole idea of basing a character on my wife in the first place, seriously, what the Hell was I thinking? I mean, isn't there some sort of saying about never putting people into a book unless you're planning never to speak to them again.

And considering that we had three kids and this house together, that certainly wasn't my plan, so if that saying proved true I had really screwed up...

Finally, Lorraine finished the final page and laid it down on the top of the rest, before straightening the pile.

I told myself I was been ridiculous, but the fact she didn't say anything right away was worrying, Lorrie usually gave her opinion quickly and decisively, so as the seconds passed I had to wonder... just how bad was it?

Finally, I couldn't take I any longer, clearing my throat and hoping that my voice wasn't too high I asked. “Well...what did you think?”

I have no idea how long it took for Lorrie to reply, it felt like hours or maybe even days... she looked up from the pages, one of those wide beautiful smiles bloomed on her face and suddenly she was rushing across the room to throw her arms around me.

“Georgie! That was amazing! You wrote this entire thing, came up with everything...” she pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I loved it!”

That was music to my ears, after all, as far as I knew Lorrie had never read a Sci-Fi book, so the fact she enjoyed it was high praise. Although I guess the fact she's my wife, might make her opinion kind of biased, but then she did read the whole thing.

Her words also make me realise a very important fact.

“Yeah, I did...I mean, of course I got some inspiration from real life.”

Lorrie grinned, raising her eyebrows. “I did notice some similarities, in fact, you might have exaggerated a little.”

“What? I certainly didn't!”

“Really?”

“Well, I can't say a hundred percent that you actually could dodge lasers, but I wouldn't be surprised.”

Lorrie leaned in close enough that our lips touched. “You shouldn't, aren't you always saying if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything?”

I did say that...and I would say it now, except we had better things to do right then.

Even better than sending off my first draft to my editor.

(I was planning to do the "Baking Uncle Joey's Cake" prompt, but this idea popped into my head, so I had to type it it out.The muse will do what it wants, LOL.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 10. Rite of Passage

Monday September 10th 1984 2:35pm Hill Valley California

__________________________________________________________

Jennifer Parker couldn't believe it...

She'd never been in trouble at her old school, but here she was in detention and she'd only been at Hill Valley High a week!

She'd visited Hill Valley before, it was her father's hometown, but now it was Jennifer's as well and it seemed she wasn't getting off to a good start.

It wasn't even her fault, how could she be held responsible for the school bus being late? What exactly was she supposed to do? Break an Olympic record to run here?

Looking back on this morning, Jennifer probably shouldn't have said that last bit to the vice principal. The other twenty or so kids on the bus had got away with tardy slips, but she'd been written up for back-talk.

How was she supposed to explain this to her Dad? He was going to be so disappointed...

She opened the door to Classroom 718 – where the Vice Principal, Mr Strickland (that was his actual name, Strickland!) was sitting at the teacher's desk at the front of the room, he looked up and gestured sharply for her to enter.

Jennifer made her way to a desk in the middle of the room and slumped into the chair, this was going to be one long hour.

There was a cough and then...“What are you in for?” The voice cracked slightly.

Jennifer blinked and sneaked a peek, and to her embarrassment felt her cheeks redden, beside her was...well probably the cutest boy she'd ever seen. And they were meeting in detention of all places!

It took a moment, but she finally whispered. “Mr Strickland said I back-talked him.”

The man in question, thankfully didn't seem to hear them as he rather aggressively flicked through a book.

The boy grinned and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, pretty much everyone gets that one. It's like a rite of passage.”

Jennifer couldn't say she entirely believed that, but she couldn't help smiling back.

The boy coughed again and was possibly blushing a little as well. “Uh, so haven't seen you around before.”

Jennifer shot a quick look at Strickland, but there was still no sign that he heard them. “I just moved here...I'm Jennifer Parker.”

“Marty McFly,” the boy's voice cracked again, which honestly...was adorable.

(Heh, I thought it would be fun if Marty and Jennifer met in detention and Strickland totally would be the kind of asshole to give people tardy slips for a late bus...

Marty describes the first time he and Jennifer met as like been struck by lightning, Jennifer's not as dramatic as that, but I hope it's clear she's still taken by him.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 9. A New Puppy

Monday July 25th, 1932 5:18pm Hill Valley, California

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emil Brown slowly opened the front door as silently as possible, tucked under his arm was a box that needed to be handled with the utmost care. Ordinarily, he was more than happy to have Emmett run down the stairs to greet him especially after a long day at work, but not today.

Today, Emil needed to get the box upstairs without either his son or his dear wife catching him, otherwise the surprise would be ruined.

For the first time, he regretted having constructed such a large house, it seemed to take forever to cross the foyer to the stairs and he could only hope that Emmett would remain up in his room or perhaps the lad would be outside, he'd taken digging in the dirt a lot lately.

As for Sarah...well, she would probably be in the kitchen overseeing the preparations for dinner, even though it was her birthday today.

However, Emil was more than certain that his gift for her this year would be the best received yet – well, excepting the year they found out that they were going to be parents.

As it happened luck was on his side, Emil made it to the upstairs sitting room without encountering either son or wife. He gently set the box on the table in the centre of the room and peered inside, the puppy was still curled up, fast asleep.

Now he just had to wait for Sarah to wrap up dinner plans to her satisfaction and come upstairs... which of course meant that time passed interminably. Emil started to wonder if his wife would ever come upstairs.

Finally, after what seemed like two hours, he heard the sound of Sarah's footsteps coming up, and also the less than gentle footfalls of Emmett.

“I'm in the sitting room,” he called out.

“What are you doing up here, dear?” Sarah asked as she entered the room, “I was expecting you in the kitchen wanting to know what we were having for dessert,” she teased.

“Yes, usually, but your gift required a quiet space so...” Emil gestured around the room.

Sarah wrinkled her brow in confusion, while Emmett declared. “What kind of gift needs quiet?”

Emil grinned and gestured towards the box. “Come and find out.”

“Emil, you didn't?” Sarah's eyes widened with excitement, although Emmett was quicker.

“It's a dog!”

The dog in question started awake, blinking with wide eyes at the two new faces.

“Emil!” Sarah gasped, bringing her hands to her cheeks. “You...this....a dog for me?”

Emil gave a laugh, and came over to give his wife a hug. “Of course, I know you've wanted one since you were a little girl.”

“What's his name?” Emmett asked, as the puppy curious now, stood up in the box and licked at his fingers.

Sarah moved over to get a closer look. “He's so adorable...is it a he?”

“Indeed he is,” Emil nodded.

“Let's call him Nemo,” Emmett suggested, bouncing a little on his toes.

“Nemo?” Emil had never heard such a name before and could only wonder how his son had come up with it.

“Nemo,” Sarah tested the name. “I like it,”

And the newest member of the Brown family, Nemo gave a bark and wagged his tail.

(And so the love of dogs for Doc begins!

Nemo is a nod to Captain Nemo from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and of course the digging is part of his hope to dig to the centre of the earth.

I head canon Doc as been born in 1920, so he's younger here than in the "Back to the Future" game.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - Wrong House

“Henry, that's it, we need to sell, right now.”

Henry's first instinct was to snap that they sure as Hell wouldn't be... there was no way they could let Biff Co. run them out of their home, they'd worked hard for this place and maybe it wasn't the life Henry had always hoped for his family, but he wasn't about to sell.

Especially not for the absolutely criminal amount that those Biff Co. thugs were offering... it wouldn't even get them a shack in a decent town so what would be the point?

Meanwhile, his son Harold was bouncing next to him on his toes. “Are we gonna go after him, Dad? Are we gonna call the cops?”

Henry decided no more cop movies, the last thing Harold needed to be thinking in Hill Valley was that cops were good. They were all on the payroll of Biff Co. here.

“Hell, no, Harold, Loretta, Flora let's get back in the house, it's not safe out here.” As if to prove his words the sound of gunshots rent the air, and Henry quickly put one arm around each of his kids and hustled them back inside.

Flora meanwhile, closed and bolted the door and gave him a look over her shoulder. “I'm serious, Henry, I've had enough this town, it's bad enough getting eggs and rocks and bricks thrown at the house, but now strangers are breaking in!”

“It was just some scrawny white boy,” Henry pointed out, defensively, sure he'd had the shit scared out if when Loretta's terrified screams had thrown him out of his sleep. He'd had visions of some huge thug attacking his daughter and wondered if the baseball bat he kept by the bed would be enough. As it happened it would have been more than enough, one good swing...

Henry left the thought unfinished, as angry as he was at the home invasion, he wasn't going to revel in thoughts of violence.

“This time, but what about next time?” Flora presses the point, arms folded.

Henry shook his head. “We'll deal with that if it happens,” he replied, just as stubborn. Although even as he said it, Henry wondered...he'd worked so hard to get himself and his family into a home...

But maybe this was the wrong house.

(More fun with minor characters in the trilogy, apparently the husband and wife who live in Marty's house in 1985-A don't have names, but their kids are Harold and Loretta).

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 7. Back in Town

Sunday 5th July 1885 4:35am Hill Valley, California

_______________________________________________________

At the Palace Saloon Chester Carruthers waved off the blacksmith Mr Brown, who was finally able to move under his own power.

It had to be said that Chester had never seen a man react that way to one shot of whiskey, it was the darnedest thing. Emmett had seemed fine as threw back the shot and then placed the glass back on the bar and then, suddenly, he'd passed out landing face down on the floor with a resounding thud.

It had taken some ingenuity to get Emmett to come back around, but Chester and Joey had managed to concoct a special something that finally had the blacksmith up. They should patent it!

Chester was just about to retire to the backrooms of the saloon and get some shut eye until it was time to reopen when suddenly the saloon doors swung open with enough force to hit the walls.

He turned to tell whoever it was that service was over for the night and if they didn't mind not to break the doors down...

The words died in his throat.

In front of him dressed head to toe in black was a truly disturbing sight, one he'd hoped to never see again.

“Hey there, barkeep, you're not closed yet are yer? A man needs to wet his whistle after a long ride.” The gravelly voice sent a shiver down Chester's spine, which he tried to suppress because if there was one thing that set off the man in front of him it was a less than an appreciative reaction to his presence.

“Well...we – I mean... uh... what would take your fancy, Mr Tannen?”

Mr Tannen grinned, his teeth were more yellow than white, but stood out against his dirt smudged face. “Yer best bourbon and some chewin' tobacco.”

Chester didn't actually sell chewing tobacco, but he wasn't about to mention that, if it got “Mad Dog” Tannen out of his saloon faster, he'd happily part with some of his own supply. And he'd give the drink away for free, too, even if it was bad for business.

As far Chester could tell, though, it seemed pretty unlikely Tannen would have any money on his person, considering the last time he'd been seen in these parts he'd been very swiftly leaving town.

Now, Tannen was back which meant his posse must have scared off any witnesses to his recent criminal activity, which wasn't all that surprising, but Chester always hoped the next time would be the last.

He poured a generous glass for the bane of Hill Valley's existence and set his pouch of chewing tobacco on the counter.

Tannen picked up the glass, knocked it back in one gulp and the banged it down on the counter. “So, tell me, barkeep, we finally got a blacksmith in town? My horse needs re-shoein'.”

Chester hid a wince...and could only hope that Mr. Brown wouldn't end up regretting settling here.

(As a big George/Lorraine shopper I figured I'd do the "High School Sweethearts" for this prompt, but instead this popped into my head for the alternate prompt!

Poor Doc, he's about to meet the worst Tannen of them all.)

[anonymoose-au]

McFly July 2024 - 6. Biff's Grand Opening

Saturday 22nd July 1978 9:55am Hill Valley, California

___________________________________________________________

This was it, the day Biff Tannen had been working towards since...well...it was kinda hard for him to remember. Probably somewhere between losing like fifty bucks on a horse race for his first bet – well, first legal bet and finishing the third six pack in a week.

But all that was behind him! Now, despite everything, he was about to open for business, sure it had taken about twenty years, and various embarrassment moments, but the day was here.

Terry from Western Auto had finally agreed to let him set up shop outside his store, Biff had managed to hang up the bunting without falling off the ladder and everything an auto-detailer would need was in the bed of his new truck.

Biff had considered getting a bull-horn, but after all the money he'd put down, he was running low on funds and couldn't justify it. He did actually know someone who had a bull-horn, but he sure as shit wasn't about to ask them to borrow it.

Instead he'd delivered a whole bunch of flyers around the place...or rather he'd gotten Junior to do it, the kid had bitched the whole time, of course, accusing Biff of being the worst Dad ever for using his son as cheap labour.

Biff hadn't actually planned to pay the kid, but he'd actually felt kinda shitty – he only saw his son every second weekend – so against his better judgement he'd given the kid forty bucks. It was only afterwards Biff realised he had no way to know if Junior had actually done the job and not thrown five hundred flyers into the Valley River.

He guess he'd know in about five minutes, when Biff Auto-Detailing would open for business with a 5% off Opening Day special.

It was school holidays, which meant a lot more people would be out and about, which with any luck would translate into business.

There was a jingle behind him as the door to Western Auto opened and Terry stuck his head out and looked more than a little surprised to see Biff there.

“Wow, you were serious,” Terry sounded thoroughly shocked, and eyed Biff's truck. “Nice wheels.”

Biff didn't bother to answer, Terry had always been an annoying runt, just because Biff had crashed his car a couple of times. Which was some bullshit, because that could happen to anyone and it gave Terry – well his Dad more business, so why the Hell should he have an attitude?

Having not worn a watch – because only losers did – Biff checked the clock on the Courthouse before feeling like an complete idiot because the stupid thing hadn't run in years, before craning his neck to see the clock on his dash. It was now four minutes to ten.

People were wandering around the Town Square, but most of them avoided Biff's gaze, so he made a concentrated effort to look at little less angry at the world. He'd taken a course in business at the local community college, or at least three weeks of one, but he had picked up on a few things, one of them being 'present a friendly face' as cringe worthy as that was.

“Well, well, Mr. Tannen, what do we have here?”

Biff managed not to wince at the sound of much hated voice, you'd think after twenty something years, a person wouldn't still get the heebie jeebies at running into their old school vice principal, but Strickland was a different thing altogether.

For one thing, Biff had the distinct displeasure of having to see the bald jerk every second holiday, because Irving Tannen aka Dad was a damn idiot.

“Mr Strickland, hello, you're a bit early, but I happen to be starting my business up today, maybe you got a flyer?”

Mr Strickland raised an eyebrow as he looked over the bunting, the truck and Biff himself. “I see.”

“Auto detailing,” Biff continued, trying not to grit his teeth. “A couple of hours with me and your car will look good as new.”

That might be a bit too much, Strickland's car was a total clunker in the worst shade of olive green, it was pretty much unsalvageable, but Biff couldn't really be choosey.

“I find that... very hard to believe.” Strickland folded his arms, looking completely unimpressed.

That was mostly on old baldy, he was the one who'd picked the car he drove, but Biff reminded himself of the money.

“I guarantee my work and I'm a full five percent cheaper than my competition, and just for today, there's an extra five percent off that.”

Strickland raised his other eyebrow. “And how much exactly would that be?” He asked. “I know math wasn't your strong suit, Tannen, or English...or science...or history -”

“For today only a detail will cost you twelve bucks fifty,” Biff interrupted, somehow managing not to sound nearly as pissed off as he felt.

“Twelve-fifty?” Strickland looked as if he'd sucked on lemon. “And you actually promise to make my car look new for that?”

“Yep, inside and out,” Biff replied.

Strickland didn't look like he bought it and honestly, Biff would rather spit on the old man's car than clean it, but yeah... He needed this business to be a success, so he had to do the unthinkable.

“I'll knock of fifty cents and make it twelve even for you,” it felt dirty saying it, but if there was anything that Strickland loved apart from discipline, it was a bargain. And this was a bargain. He still looked undecided and Biff decided it was time to bring out the big guns. “C'mon, do it for your sister.”

For a second, Biff thought he'd put his foot in it, played the risky game and lost, especially when Strickland's face went utterly pale, before red stained his cheeks.

To Biff's surprise – and although he'd never admit, gratitude – the Vice Principal of Hill Valley High stuck his hand in his pocket and yanked out his wallet. “Make it ten and you've got a deal.”

Ten?! That was insulting! Biff was about to tell Strickland where to go, then reconsidered, if he made a show of it, detailed Strickland's car here in the Town Square in front of everyone the rest of the town would probably take that as a sign that Biff Tannen, despite being...well Biff Tannen was trustworthy.

Sometimes, you had to go low and this was hardly the lowest Biff had ever gone. “Deal, park your car here,” he pointed to the empty spot, “and I'll have it ready for you by noon.”

If Biff's younger self could see him now he'd probably want to punch his own block off, but his younger self was an idiot and could make like a tree and beat it.

Biff's was gonna be a success, even if it meant cleaning up Strickland's car.

(Right, even though Biff's the actual worst, I had fun writing this, especially when Strickland showed up to be Biff's first customer! It was almost enough to make me feel bad for Biff, if he wasn't...you know...Biff.)

[anonymoose-au]

5. "Don't Need Money, Don't Take Fame"

“I just don't get what you married him for, Mom.”

Jennifer McFly looked up from paperwork to see Marlene standing in the doorway of the study, arms folded.

“If I hadn't you and your brother wouldn't be here,” Jennifer reminded her daughter.

“Yeah, but we wouldn't know about it, so the point still stands, Dad's such a disaster, so why'd you marry him?”

Jennifer had always figured she'd done a good job not revealing her doubts about the life she'd chosen to her kids. It wasn't as if she regretted everything, she didn't regret her twins for one thing and hey, who's life was perfect anyway? Certainly no-one Jennifer knew.

But, she'd be lying if she denied Marlene's observation, as the years had passed, Marty McFly had definitely not made much of himself.

Jennifer guessed she was a liar then, because her reply was immediate. “Your father is hardly a disaster, Marlene, he works hard and he does the best he can.”

Marlene rolled her eyes. “Yeah, as long as nobody tries to tell him to do something different, even if it's a really good suggestion.”

Jennifer frowned, had Marlene overheard the argument she and Marty had the other night? It seemed that way, even though she'd done her best not to raise her voice, even though her husband made it very hard not to.

“Some people are just stubborn, Marly,” Jennifer raised an eyebrow, “which you would know.”

Marlene smirked. “Yeah, but I'm a teenager and I'm allowed to be.”

Jennifer shook her head with a laugh, she probably should correct her, but Marlene's attitude reminded her of better days... of when she and Marty had been young. Sure he'd been a smart-ass, but he'd been an entertaining one.

Unfolding her arms, Marlene walked into the study and sat down on the daybed, frowning. “C'mon, Mom, you're smart, you're cool...or at least you were, how'd you end up with Dad?”

Jennifer tapped her pen – Marlene had told her off for using one, it was so out of date – and wondered how to answer. To be honest, more and more lately she often wondered the same thing herself, she was well aware of her husband's disappointments in life, but at the same time... pretty much all of them were due to his own actions.

“There's much more important things to life than being cool, Marly, there's being a good person. There's having things in common and enjoying each other company.” Which was all true, even though it seemed to be so less and less for her and Marty.

Marlene didn't say anything, so Jennifer decided to continue – after all, she didn't want her daughter to be the kind of person who only looked at the surface. “I know your father had a dream to be a rock star and he was good, but just because he didn't make it doesn't mean I thought any less of him.”

Which was true, although she sometimes wondered if Marty believed that, if she should tell him, but the merest reminder of his lost dream usually resulted in an argument.

“It reminds me of lyrics from an old 80s song -”

“Ugh, no, Mom, I don't wanna hear about ancient music,” Marlene broke in, her distaste evident in her tone.

“Ancient? I think that's a bit unfair, young lady,” she scolded, attempting to hide her smile. “Far better than whatever passes for music now. It was called the Power of Love and as it said you don't money or fame to love someone.”

“Oh my God, for real?” Marlene gave a huff. “That is so low-res! Please never mention it again!”

“Well, you asked,” Jennifer shook her head at her daughter's dramatics, had she ever been like that as a teenager? She doubted it.

“Yeah, and I totally regret it now,” Marlene flounced to the door, then paused, looking over her shoulder. “But I guess, for the sake of my existence...I'm glad you're so sappy.”

“I'll take that as a compliment!” Jennifer called after Marlene as she disappeared towards the kitchen.

Shaking her head, Jennifer returned to her work, although she couldn't help the small niggling thought that while money and fame wasn't necessary for love, respect for one's partner probably was.(

(Hmm, deep! But yeah, this probably takes place a couple of years before the whole "You're Fired" business, Jennifer is still kinda hoping things can be fixed, hope dies last and all that.)