Back To The Future - First Draft (4/4)
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWNNobody said anything about hitting her! You're just going to take a few liberties with her.
MARTY
That's exactly what I said! I mean, a guy and his mother -- that's illegal, isn't it?
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Look, Marty, she's not your mother yet. And if you don't go through with this, she may never be. I know it's hard, but there are some things we must do in life that are unpleasant. Some choices must be made that are difficult. Nonetheless, we must make them. Besides, this may be more than a simple question of your own existence, he added. The fate of the entire space-time continuum may rest on your shoulders
.
Marty tried to smile at him.
MARTY
That's just what I needed to hear.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
It'll be fine, Marty. (patting him on the shoulder) You'll be fine. Good luck. He stuck his hand out and Marty shook it. But there was still a question that was nagging at him...
MARTY
Professor, if something does go wrong tonight... if I don't get my parents back together... when do you think I'd cease to exist?
The Professor shrugged.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
There's no way of knowing.
MARTY
Perfect...
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
It could happen at the moment you arrive back in the future, theoretically, it could happen at the moment of your birth...or conception. Actually, it could happen at any time. It's a question to which I hope we'll never learn the answer.
Marty nodded vigorously.
MARTY
Amen.
INT. CAR - HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
Not too much later, Marty pulled into the high school parking lot with Eileen at his side in the Professor's Packard. He carefully parked the car. It was hard for him to look at his mother, Eileen, in the dress she was wearing. It was a light pink color, low cut, showing off her cleavage. He stared at the clock in the dashboard instead.
MARTY
Uh... let's just sit here for a few minutes... (voice cracking)
Eileen looked at him with motherly concern.
EILEEN
Are you all right, Marty? You seem a little...nervous.
MARTY
Oh, no, I'm fine...fine.
He tried to smile at her. It came out pretty shaky. But Eileen smiled back a moment later.
EILEEN
I'm usually nervous myself on first dates...but not tonight. It's funny, but somehow, I feel like....like I know you.
MARTY
Uh, yeah, well, believe me, I sure feel like I know you!
He wondered how George was doing, and wished he'd hurry up and get his ass out here!
INT. HIGH SCHOOL DANCE
The dance was in full swing. The band, Lester Moon and the Midnighters, were on stage, playing The Blue Tango. In the middle of the dance floor was a big paper-mache Eiffel Tower, around which students were doing the Tango. George looked up at the clock in the gym. 8:59. He quickly looked at his watch. It read 8:55. Which one was right?
He ran over to a student nearby.
GEORGE
What time do you have?
NEARBY STUDENT
(looking at his watch) Five after nine.
George let out a moan and ran as fast as he could from the gym!
INT. CAR - HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
Marty shifted uncomfortably in the seat and glanced at the clock again.
EILEEN
Why are you so nervous?
Eileen asked with a frown, watching him carefully. Marty took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had to get a grip!
MARTY
Well, Eileen...jeez, that's hard for me to say. Have you ever been in a situation where -- well -- you know you have to act a certain way, but when you get there, you don't know if you can go through with it?
EILEEN
You mean like how you're supposed to act with someone on a first date?
Marty titled his head to the side.
MARTY
Well, sort of....
Eileen nodded, interrupting him.
EILEEN
I think I know exactly what you mean.
MARTY
You do?
Eileen nodded again, slower.
EILEEN
And you know what I do in those situations?
Marty finally looked at her, waiting for the answer.
EILEEN
I don't worry about it!
The words had barely left her lips when she lunged at Marty, nearly knocking him over, starting to kiss him passionately. Eileen climbed all over him, her skirt everywhere. She reached out and took Marty's hand, lying limp at his side, and placed it on the top of her bare breasts. Marty couldn't move, paralysed in shock that this promiscuous teenager was his mother!
INT. HIGH SCHOOL -PAY PHONE
George stood at a pay phone, quickly dialing the number for the time. The phone rang two long times before a woman answered.
WOMAN (on phone)
At the tone, the time will be 9:00 exactly.
Before the tone could go off, George dropped the phone and raced down the hall. He had to get to the parking lot!
INT. CAR - HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
Eileen had been attacking Marty for about a minute -- a very long minute in Marty's opinion -- before she suddenly stopped and pushed him away. The buttons at the top of her dress were undone and her bra was exposed.
EILEEN
This isn't right.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL
George reached the front of the school doors and threw them open. Suddenly, he was jerked to a stop. He looked behind him and saw his jacket had caught on the door jamb. He tried frantically to get it loose, all the while aware of the seconds ticking by.
INT. CAR - HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
EILEEN
I don't know what it is, but...when I kiss you...something's wrong. It almost feels like...like I was kissing my brother...or my father.... I don't understand it, but I just know it's wrong. (looking at Marty, eyes wide) I guess that doesn't make any sense, does it?
Marty stared at her, finally finding his voice.
MARTY
Believe me, it makes perfect sense.
Sudden footsteps crunched on gravel, approaching the car. Eileen glanced outside.
EILEEN
Sounds like somebody's coming.
The steps grew closer. Marty looked at the clock. Nine on the dot.
MARTY
(murmurs) Not now, George! Not now....
The driver's door was suddenly thrown open. Marty had hardly turned toward it when he was yanked out of the car roughly. Instead of George, he saw someone he had not expected in the least. It was Biff!
BIFF
I been lookin' for you, asshole, the bully growled in a low voice.
He shoved Marty over to Skinhead, standing nearby. Marty fought to get free, but he was no match for Biff's gang. Three against one was never good odds.
EILEEN
Let go of him!
Eileen demanded, watching the spectacle from inside the car.
EILEEN
Leave him alone!
A smile spread across Biff's face when he noticed Eileen.
BIFF
Look at what we have here!
His eyes traveled across her body and he saw her bra half exposed.
BIFF
Eileen -- I didn't know you were that kinda girl!
EILEEN
I'm not!
Eileen started to climb out of the car.
BIFF
Oh no, you don't!
Before she could get anywhere, Biff grabbed her and pushed her back inside, then climbed in after her. He looked at his gang as he pulled a struggling Eileen towards him.
BIFF
Take him around back. I'll join you in a minute.
His gang made no move to leave.
BIFF
Go on! This ain't no peepshow!
Marty tried to get free and help his mom -- do something -- but he was helpless! As he was dragged away, he saw Biff slam the door and lunge toward Eileen to kiss her. She fought and a moment later, all Marty saw were her skirts and flailing arms and legs. Eileen was trying to scream, but Biff -- in some way or another -- kept cutting her off.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - SIDE ENTRANCE
Marty was dragged around a corner, the car vanishing from his view. A man stood at the side door, smoking something. Marty twisted his head around and saw him about the same time the black man saw them. It was Reginald Washington, the same guy who had liked his music.
REGINALD WASHINGTON
Hey! What's going on there?
Marty tried to answer, but one of the bullies conveniently had their hand over his mouth.
GUMS
Beat it, black boy!
Reginald took a step forward.
REGINALD WASHINGTON
Hey, now, you'd better --
SKINHEAD
Listen, spook, you lookin' for trouble?
REGINALD WASHINGTON
No, sir, I don't want no trouble.
Reginald backed away and went back into the school. Marty was left alone, at the mercy of Biff's gang.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL
George finally managed to get his jacket free and ran down the front steps across to the parking lot.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
He hurried through the lot, his eyes skimming the rows of car for the cream colored Packard. Finally, he zeroed in on it. His eyes widened as he saw that Eileen and Marty were struggling inside, Eileen screaming. George steadied himself, hiked up his pants, and rushed to the side of the car. He opened the driver's side door.
GEORGE
Hey, you! he said forcefully. Get your damn hands -- uh oh!
It wasn't Marty inside with Eileen. When the guy inside turned around, he saw with horror that it was Biff Tannen instead! An icy stab of fear hit George in the chest.
BIFF
(deadly serious) I think you got the wrong car, McFly.
EILEEN
(struggling to sit up) George! Help me!
George looked at her, feeling strangely detached from the situation. He didn't know what to do! A part of him wanted to run as fast and far away as possible, but at the same time he knew he couldn't leave Eileen alone with Biff.
BIFF
(same deadly serious voice) Just close the door, McFly, and walk away.
EILEEN
George! Please! Help me!
George stood rooted to where he was, unable to make up his mind. His eyes darted between Biff's mask of anger, and Eileen's tear streaked face. What should he do?
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - SIDE ENTRANCE
Marty was shoved back against the school wall. His head slammed against the concrete wall and he winced. Gums and Match kept a firm hold on him, so he couldn't get away. Across from him, Skinhead pulled his fist back, ready to slam Marty in the face. Marty closed his eyes, tensing up, waiting for the blow.
But it never came. Instead he heard footsteps and cries of surprise from Biff's gang. He opened his eyes and saw that Reginald had brought some friends. It was the band that was playing at the dance.
BAND MEMBER
Who you callin' 'spook', peckerwood?!
Skinhead tried to throw a punch at him -- but the guy got him instead! Then the rest of the men went after Gums and Match - who saw them approaching and tried to make a run for it, releasing Marty. Marty darted away to the parking lot, not letting the chance to escape pass by. He had to get back to Eileen!
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
George stared at Biff, who stared back angrily.
BIFF
All right, McFly, I asked you politely to leave. Now I'm gonna have to teach you a lesson!
Biff stepped out of the car and before George could move, he grabbed his right arm and twisted it back. George let out a moan of pain. Biff started laughing, as if it was some kind of great joke. The laugh taunted George, made him angrier and angrier.
Without thinking about it, his left hand clenched into a fist and he spun around. His fist connected solidly with Biff's face, and the smile dropped from the bully's face a second before he dropped to the ground, out cold!
George looked at his hand, stunned, as if he couldn't believe that it had done such a thing. Marty reached the site just then, skidding to a stop. Eileen climbed out of the car and gave George a hug. He hugged her back tentatively. Marty ducked back into the shadows, not wanting to be spotted by either one of them and ruin the moment. A few other kids from the dance were migrating toward the site now.
GIRL
Did you see that?
GUY
Kid's got the greatest left hook since Jo Louis! Laid 'im out cold with one punch!
ONLOOKER
Somebody better call an ambulance.
Marty shook his head, amazed that they were talking about his father! He watched George and Eileen walk slowly toward the school, arm in arm. Right before they entered, Eileen turned around and caught sight of Marty staring at them. She gave him a shy smile and he grinned at her in return. Once they entered the building, he turned and ran back to the side of the school, where he had left Biff's gang.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - SIDE ENTRANCE
The band members were running off Biff's gang. As Marty approached them, one of them got one last kick at Skinhead in the ass before they spilt.
MARTY
Hey, thanks a lot, you guys,
The three hoods scatterred into the night.
BAND MEMBER
It's okay.
MARTY
Well, you guys go back in there and play the best version of 'Turn Back the Hands of Time' that you can, glancing towards the door.
The band members shook their heads.
BAND MEMBER 2
Sorry, my friend, we're through for tonight.
Marty looked at them, stunned.
MARTY
What do you mean?
DRUMMER
Look at Lester's hand. He smashed it on top of old Skinhead. We can't play without Lester.
Marty glanced at Lester, who was wrapping a handkerchief around his bruised and bleeding hand.
MARTY
But you guys have to play! The dance isn't over yet! You gotta play 'Turn Back the Hands of Time'. My parents gotta -- George, Eileen gotta dance the last dance and kiss!
BAND MEMBER
Hey, man, the dance is over...unless you can find somebody who can play the guitar.
Marty turned to look at Reginald.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL DANCE - STAGE
Marty stood on stage with the band, playing Turn Back the Hands of Time with them. He could see his parents dancing cheek to cheek in the middle of the dance floor. Marty watched them carefully as the song ended, holding his breath. They leaned forward slowly, hesitantly....then their lips met in a kiss! He smiled in relief, then checked the time. A few minutes before midnight.
Marty stepped forward to the microphone set up.
MARTY
Well, folks, that about wraps it up for this evening....
The students moaned in disappointment.
STUDENTS
Aww, one more! Just one more!
MARTY
You want one more, huh?
Marty looked at the clock again, then turned to the band. None of them appeared to have any objections. He looked at the crowd, considering, then finally decided to go for it.
MARTY
Well, I probably shouldn't do this, but what the hell, you're gonna be hearing a lot of this in the future anyway... (turning around) Follow me, fellas, he told the band members.
Marty walked over to his amp and twisted the volume to the maximum amount it would go. He placed his guitar against it and shattered the expectant silence of the gym with a loud riff from the instrument. The audience looked both shocked and horrified, and the band exchanged looks of confusion. Marty started in on a Chuck Berry song, Johnny B. Goode, expressions in the gym changing to astonishment. It took a moment, but the band finally figured out what was going on and joined in. Marty grinned as the first -- very first -- sound of rock 'n roll was heard.
Kids started dancing, only a few at first, then more joined in. Marty started moving on stage, like the rockers did at heavy metal concerts. The crowd roared, total pandemonium breaking out on the dance floor. No one had ever heard this kind of music before! The band got more and more enthusiastic as the chaperones clasped their hands tightly to their ears, horrified expressions on their faces.
Marty shifted the music to Rock Around the Clock, noting in satisfaction that the entire gym was dancing to the music. He loosened the tie around his neck, sweating from those hot stage lights, then decided to just take his jacket off. He yanked it off his body and tossed it into the crowd.
Meanwhile, out in the hall, an old teacher who had been chaperoning the dance was on the phone.
OLD TEACHER
That's right, officer, (over the music) there's a riot in the school gym!
In the gym, on the stage, the man with the sax stepped forward and improvised an impressive solo. Then it was Marty's turn. He reached up and tore open his shirt, making all the girls shriek. Finally, with a nervous look at the clock, he wrapped the music up with a final riff. The walls of the gym shook with the applause. Marty took a bow and smiled at the crowd. Behind him, the Midnighters were breathless with all the excitement.
MARTY
Good night, everybody!
Marty shouted into the mike. He stepped back, heading for the door, but the band members crowded around him.
REGINALD WASHINGTON
Man, that stuff cooks! That's the hottest sound I ever heard! You gotta play that Monday for that record company cat from New York!
Marty lost the smile on his face, suddenly serious.
MARTY
I won't be there Monday.
The band members looked stunned. Marty continued to talk before they could ask any questions.
MARTY
And don't you guys play it either, he cautioned. It's time hasn't come yet. If you play it, you might screw things up. It'll happen on it's own.
LESTER
What are you talking about?
MARTY
Rock'n roll!
He turned and ran off stage, darting though the halls to the front of the building. Outside, he could see Professor Brown's truck in front of the school, engine idling, waiting to go.
Marty burst out of the school and jumped into the cab, slamming the door behind him.
INT. TRUCK
He noticed that the Professor was in an Army uniform.
MARTY
Everything's cool. (breathless) They danced, they kissed, they're in love! Let's go!
Professor Brown put his foot on the gas and they tore out of the parking lot.
INT. TRUCK - HOURS LATER
Several hours later, Marty was still talking about the evening's events to the Professor.
MARTY
I sure wish I could have seen the punch!
It was almost three in the morning.
MARTY
I mean, he decked him -- laid him out cold -- one punch. It must have been beautiful! I didn't know he had it in him!
Professor Brown took his eyes off the road a moment to look at Marty, something about what he was saying making him uneasy.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
You didn't?
MARTY
Nope. My father's never clenched a fist in his entire life!
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Curious... (sudden concern) Very curious.
Marty shook his head, unaware of the Professor's worries.
MARTY
I just wish I could have seen it...
He let his voice trail off, staring out the dark window, at the highway unwinding before them. Professor Brown turned his attention back to driving. For the first time all evening, Marty lapsed into silence. When the Professor next looked at him, ten minutes later, he was slumped back in his seat, his forehead resting against the window, eyes closed and snoring softly. Professor Brown didn't disturb him. Marty had a long and busy night and deserved some rest. Especially considering how much work had to be done in the next day.
The light of dawn had hardly begun to shine in the east when they crossed the state line into Nevada. The Professor pulled into a gas station and stopped the car. The tank was running low and they still had a ways to go. Not to mention that, according to a sign next to the station, there would be no more chances to fill up for 150 miles.
EXT. GAS STATION
Professor Brown turned to Marty and shook him awake, then handed him his bag and told him to go change. As Marty headed for the bathroom, the Professor got out of the truck and headed for the small building where the grizzled gas attendant was waiting.
INT. GAS STATION - BATHROOM
Inside the bathroom, Marty quickly changed out of the suit he had worn to the dance and into his 1982 clothes, pulling some Army fatigues and a jacket over them. The Army clothes were a little loose, but it didn't matter. Once he had the clothes on, Marty took the bottles of Coke he had brought with him in his bag and stuffed them deep into the jacket's pockets. He looked in the dusty mirror, checking his appearance to make sure he looked okay and the Coke bottles weren't visible. They weren't. Marty quickly gathered up his things and left the stuffy restroom, joining up with the Professor just as the gas had finished.
EXT. GAS STATION
GAS ATTENDANT
Twenty six gallons, checking the readouts. That'll be $3.75.
Marty almost choked. Since when was gas so cheap? Before he had much time to reflect on that, Professor Brown paid the man and climbed into the truck. Marty had no choice but to follow and they continued towards the test site.
INT. TRUCK - MILITARY INSTALATION
Hours later, Professor Brown was driving the truck down a dirt road. At the end of it was a huge barbed wire fence, padlocked, with a huge sign. U.S. Army. Restricted Area. Authorized Personal Only. Their goal. The test site.
The Professor nudged a dozing Marty as they approached the gate and pulled to a stop. He had previously told Marty to leave the talking to him, and Marty had no problem with that. He certainly did not want to get them arrested. Almost as soon as they had stopped, an M.P. stepped up to the truck, a rifle in hand.
M.P.
Where do you jokers think you're going? he asked, peering into the cab.
The Professor picked up some papers -- their orders -- off the dashboard and handed them to the guy.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
We're here to deliver that refrigerator.
He pointed to the back. The M.P. glanced at it and shook his head.
M.P.
Do you know where you are?
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
This is where they're gonna drop the bomb, right? Well, Philco wants to find out what it does to their refrigerator.
The M.P. strolled over to the back and used his gun to lift up a corner of the tarp and look under it.
M.P.
What's with the motorcycle?
Marty watched the Professor carefully, wondering how he would answer this one. As before, he had a logical answer.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
General Motors wants to find out what it does to their truck. The motorcycle is because we don't want to find out what it does to us.
The man glanced at the papers.
M.P.
Well, you better shake a leg. That bomb goes off in fifty-five minutes!
Professor Brown and Marty glanced at each other, relieved, then drove through the now-open gate. They had passed the first obstacle.
INT. MILITARY BUNKER
Colonel Nordell peered through binoculars at the barren desert from the artillery bunker. The bunker had a full communicational base in it, with 105mm Howitzers, ready for any last minute attacks. The desert appeared to be peaceful and deserted...then the Colonel saw the army truck speeding toward the test sight. He turned toward Lieutenant Glass, standing beside him.
COLONELL NORDELL
Lieutenant, what's that vehicle doing down there?
The lieutenant glanced up, looking unconcerned. Two guys delivering a refrigerator from Philco, sir.
COLONELL NORDELL
From Philco? (shaking his head) Jesus H. Christ! How many refrigerators do we have to blow up in this test?
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
Marty and the Professor reached the tract houses a few minutes after being allowed inside. This suburbian site was 1.5 miles from the blast site, according to a large sign nearby.
Professor Brown backed the truck into a driveway of a house where two mannequins were positioned on the front lawn. The man was set up with a lawn mower and the woman was in a chaise lounge. Marty looked at the bizzare spectacle for a moment, then jumped out of the truck to open the garage door for the Professor. He finished backing the truck inside and switched off the ignition.
It was hot outside already so Marty took off his jacket and tossed it inside the cab of the truck. He helped the Professor take the tarp off the back and start to hook the time machine up.
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
The clock read 11:30AM inside the detonation control room. The room bustled with activity as the time drew near for the blast.
TIMEKEEPER
Coming up on exactly 30 minutes to detonation. Lock all timing circuits...now.
TECHNITION
Mark!
He flipped a switch, starting four clocks counting down in sync.
SECOND TECHNITION
Check arming circuits!
The third technition looked at the board. Arming circuits are green.
MAJOR LANZA
Final evacuation check!
LIEUTENANT JONES
Roger!
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
There it is -- Ground Zero... and your target is 800 yards.
Professor Brown and Marty peered through binoculars at the side of the house. Behind them the time machine was ready for action, the power converter set up on the roof of the truck with the solar cell panel pointed toward the front of the vehicle.
MARTY
It was sure nice of Uncle Sam to put those yardage markers up for us. (noticing the markers at every 200 yards from the tower)
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
We're at one and a half miles, so you're just a little over a mile from where you want to be, (lowering his binoculars) Wait until minus 3 minutes before you go -- that should give you plenty of time, and it should be close enough to zero hour that they can't do anything to stop you. Park the truck at 800 and get in the refri-- the time chamber. Just be sure the nose of the truck is pointed at the bomb....the power converter will do the rest.
Professor Brown headed into the garage again and Marty followed. The motorcycle was on the ground, with the mannequin who had been mowing the lawn in the side car passenger seat.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Here's a walkie-talkie, (handing Marty the object from inside the truck and pointing to the channel selector knob) I'll be on this frequency. (moving it up a few numbers) This one's the Army.
A voice from the control room came on, mixed with static.
VOICE
T minus 28 minutes, and counting.
The Professor checked the time.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
I'd better go! (holding his hand out towards the teenager) Good luck, Marty.
Marty shook his hand.
MARTY
Thanks for everything, Pro.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Professor Brown grinned. I guess I'll see you in... about 30 years.
Marty swallowed hard, remembering the Professor being gunned down in the future. This was the last time he would see him alive.
MARTY
Uh... yeah... I hope so.
The Professor gave him an intense look.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Is something wrong?
Marty shook his head, biting his lower lip as he tried to fight back the threat of tears.
MARTY
It's just always so hard for me to say goodbye.
Marty turned suddenly and stepped outside, unable to stand looking at the Professor any longer. After a moment, Professor Brown spoke.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Marty, (sounding hesitant) I know I've repeatedly asked you not to tell me anything about the future, but....well, those loud bangs on the tape recorder....are they....
MARTY
Professor -- there are some doors that shouldn't be opened, Marty said softly, without turning around.
The Professor nodded slowly. In the background, the walkie-talkie spoke.
VOICE
T minus 27 minutes.
Marty raised his binoculars again and looked at Ground Zero. The Professor watched him for a moment, then went over to the motorcycle. He stared at the mannequin, realizing that something was amiss. Professor Brown reached into the truck cab and pulled out Marty's Army jacket and placed it on the mannequin. Then he got on, started the engine, and drove away.
Marty continued to look through the binoculars, hardly aware of the Professor's departure.
INT. MILITARY BUNKER
Lieutenant Glass watched the desert from the artillery bunker through his own set of binoculars. He saw the motorcycle from the truck with the refrigerator speed away with the two men who had come with it inside. The Lieutenant turned to Colonel Nordell beside him.
LIEUTENANT GLASS
There go those two lovers who brought the refrigerator.
Colonel Nordell nodded. All right. He picked up a phone nearby. Evacuation is complete. This area is secure, he said into it.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
When the Professor vanished from view as he sped away, Marty lowered his binoculars and checked the time. He had about 25 minutes left before the bomb would detonate and over 20 minutes to go before he had to start driving towards the site.
Marty decided now would be a good time to look around. He walked around to the front of the house, taking a moment to check out the yard and home's exterior. Except for the mannequins in the front, it looked pretty typical for a 1950's home. Marty walked across the grass and tried the door. It was unlocked. He stepped inside.
Marty was expecting the place to be empty. To his amazement, the inside was completely furnished. It looked like a model home, awaiting display. Current issues of popular -- in the 1950's, anyway -- magazines were on the tables. There was a radio, even a TV in the room. Marty looked in the dining room and saw another group of mannequins seated at the table, with place settings arranged before them. Marty shook his head, chuckling at the lengths that the government went with these experiments.
He went into the kitchen and looked around this room. It was completely furnished like the other rooms, down to the last detail. In one corner a Frigidaire refrigerator sat. Marty walked over to it and opened it up. It was well stocked with food. He saw meat, cheese, milk eggs, Coke, fruit, and vegetables. Marty plucked an apple from inside, took a bite from it, then set it back inside. He shut the fridge and retraced his steps back to the living room to check out the TV.
The TV was full of static and snow when he first switched it on. Marty twisted the channel knob, finally tuning into a somewhat muddy image of the Howdy Doody Show. Since it was the only thing he could get a reception on, Marty watched Clarabell dancing around and slowly shook his head.
MARTY
The 'fabulous fifties,'
He was grateful that he wouldn't be stuck in that decade forever.
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
TIMEKEEPER
T-minus fourteen minutes.
The first technition nodded.
TECHNITION
Lock all arming circuits.
The task was completely quickly.
SECOND TECHNITION
Preliminary arming circuits locked.
The other two quickly followed.
THIRD TECHNITION
Main arming circuits locked.
FOURTH TECHNITION
Auxiliary arming circuits locked.
INT. MILITARY BUNKER
Inside the artillery bunker, Captain Teague began to pass out sunglasses to his troops and to the privileged civilian spectators.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
You are here to witness one of the most spectacular sights in the history of man, he said. It is really quite beautiful. There will be an intense white fireball that will recede into a bright yellow glow, accompanied by an intense shock wave....
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
Professor Brown headed towards the gate on his motorcycle as the M.P. listened to the countdown on their radios.
VOICE
T-minus 7 minutes. 7 minutes until final detonation.
As the Professor got closer to the gate, one of the M.P.'s opened it and waved him through. Professor Brown waved back over his shoulder, not slowing the vehicle down in the least.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
Marty started to take off his army fatigues as he watched the TV. Under the clothes was the outfit he had come with from 1982. As soon as he had shed the clothes from the Army, he switched the walkie-talkie on to check the time before the bomb would go off.
VOICE
T-minus 6 minutes and counting...
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
Professor Brown continued the high speed on his motorcycle down a dirt road, then up a hill and into the mountains. Finally, when the ground leveled off, he cut the engine and stopped the motorcycle. The Professor reached for the binoculars around his neck as he got off the bike and walked to the edge of a cliff. He peered at the test sight with it's tract homes and the tower where the nuclear bomb sat.
Professor Brown grabbed his walkie-talkie and listened to the control voice.
VOICE
...5 minutes and counting...
He switched channels to the one Marty was on.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Calling Marty! (into the walkie-talkie) Do you read me?
There was a long pause, during which static played with the radio. Then cut to:
MARTY
I read you, Pro.
Cut to:
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Is everything set? Have you put the formula in the power converter?
Cut to:
MARTY
I'm on my way to do that right now.
Marty brought the walkie-talkie with him as he went into the garage and opened the door into the cab to get his jacket with the bottles of Coke in it. But it wasn't there!
Marty blinked, shocked, and checked the floor and behind the seats. Nothing. He started to panic. Marty climbed into the back of the truck and checked there, even though the chances were very slim that it could have gotten there. It wasn't.
Marty snatched the walkie-talkie off the front seat where he had set it.
MARTY
Professor! (panicing and fearful) I can't find the formula! I left it in my jacket, and my jacket's gone!
Cut to:
Professor Brown heard Marty's news and turned to look at the motorcycle behind him. There was Marty's jacket, still on the mannequin where he had inadvertently set it earlier.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Oh my God!
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
Detonation Control was getting busier and busier as the time for the bomb to go off drew closer and closer.
TIMEKEEPER
T-minutes 3 minutes, 30 seconds...
TECHNITION
Released safety switches! First Safety.
The second technition flipped the switch before him.
SECOND TECHNITION
First safety released.
THIRD TECHNITION
First safety released!
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
Professor Brown was horrified at the turn of events that had suddenly sprouted. He frantically called out instructions to Marty over the walkie-talkie.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Marty, it's over. Do you understand? It's over. Now I want you to get in the refrig-- the time chamber, and we'll just pray that the lead lining --
MARTY (over walkie-talkie)
The refrigerator! Hang on, Professor!
Professor Brown stared at the walkie-talkie, wondering what was going on.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
Marty ran into the house and straight to the kitchen. He yanked open the refrigerator and his eyes fell on those bottles of Coke he had seen earlier. Marty let out a deep sigh of relief, though he knew the ordeal was far from over. He'd had serious visions of his tombstone there for a few minutes.
MARTY
Don't worry about a thing! (into the walkie-talkie) There's plenty of formula in the refrigerator!
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
On the hill the Professor was confused. The refrigerator? he said to himself. His eyes slid over to Marty's jacket in the motorcycle, considering... After a moment, Professor Brown switched the frequency on the walkie-talkie to get an update on the time.
VOICE
T-minutes 2 minutes, 50 seconds.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
Marty pulled himself up on top of the truck's cab to get to the power converter, juggling the two bottles of Coke he had brought with him from the refrigerator. Without thinking, Marty tried to twist the cap off the bottle, but it wouldn't budge! He didn't have a bottle opener with him either.
Aware of the time ticking down, Marty finally smashed the neck of the bottle against the roof of the cab and poured the Coke -- along with a few pieces of broken glass -- into the power converter.
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
TIMEKEEPER
T minus 2 minutes...
TECHNITION
Release second safely!
SECOND TECHNITION
Second safety released!
The switch was flipped.
THIRD TECHNITION
Second safety released!
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1.5 MILES FROM TEST SITE
Marty climbed down from the roof off the truck and got inside the cab. It started without his hitch and he slammed his foot against the accelerator, heading in the direction of Ground Zero.
INT. MILITARY BUNKER
Colonel Nordell watched the bomb site with his binoculars from the artillery bunker. It was deserted as it should be. He was about to turn away, when a flash of movement caught his eye. He couldn't believe it when he saw the truck racing towards the site of the bomb.
COLONEL NORDELL
Jesus! What's that truck doing out there?
Captain Teague and Lieutenant Glass turned to look through their binoculars.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
He's heading straight for the bomb!
LIEUTENANT GLASS
He's gotta be a Commie spy -- trying to sabotage the test!
COLONEL NORDELL
Captain! Get your men on this artillery and blow that truck to Kingdom Come!
Captain Teague nodded curtly and turned to his crew.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
Men, get on this artillery and blow that truck to Kingdom Come! Fire mission! Let's move!
The military men made a dash for the 105mm Howitzer.
INT. TRUCK - EN ROUTE TO GROUND ZERO
Marty drove the truck past mile marker 1.3, unaware of the eminent danger. Gun breeches were opened with 105mm shells being loaded inside the artillery bunker. The weapons were slammed shut and cranked around towards the outside and the truck.
INT. ARTILERY BUNKER
SARGENT GUNTHER
Captain! Give us some coordinates!
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
(shaking his head) I don't have any! We'll have to fire direct!
INT. TRUCK - EN ROUTE TO GROUND ZERO
Marty drove by the 1 mile mark as the three Howitzers were pointed in his vague direction.
Cut to:
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
Fire!
Cut back to:
Something suddenly exploded a hundred feet to Marty's side, dirt raining down everywhere. Marty gripped the wheel tightly in his hands, his nerves strung out.
MARTY
Jesus!
INT. ARTILERY BUNKER
Meanwhile, Captain Teague was shouting more instructions at his men. Having seen the first blast with his binoculars, he now had a better idea where to fire.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
Drop 5 elevation, add 8 deflection!
Another weapon was adjusted to the position and fired.
INT. TRUCK - EN ROUTE TO GROUND ZERO
Marty had managed to calm himself down after the first explosion. He'd hardly began to breathe normally again when something else exploded, this one a lot closer in front of the truck, but still off to the side. Marty twisted the wheel to the side, terrified of being blow up, hardly noticing the 1400 yards marker as he drove by it.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
On the hill, Professor Brown could see the whole thing through his binoculars.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Oh my God! he cried, feeling helpless to do anything.
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
TIMEKEEPER
One minute, fifteen seconds!
TECHNITION
Release final safety.
SECOND TECHNITION
Final safety released!
The third technition flipped the switch.
THIRD TECHNITION
Final safety released!
INT. ARTILERY BUNKER
In the artillery bunker, Sergeant Gunther realigned the Howitzer, to a new position.
SERGEANT GUNTHER
Drop 2 elevation, minus 3 deflection.
INT. TRUCK - EN ROUTE TO GROUND ZERO
The new shell hit the ground several yards before the truck, sending a heavy rain of dirt on the windshield. Marty drove around the hole and looked behind him, shuddering as he realized how close that one had come. Up ahead was his goal, the 800 yard maker. Marty slammed the truck to a stop and turned to the Army channel on the walkie-talkie.
VOICE
Exactly one minute till detonation! the voice said. 59....58....
INT. ARTILERY BUNKER
COLONEL NORDELL
(lowering his binoculars and turning to Captain Teague) He's stopped, Captain! Right at the 800 yard marker!
Captain Teague smiled tightly.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
We'll get him for sure this time! Add 1 and a half elevation! he added to his men.
INT. TRUCK - STOPPED
Inside the truck, Marty listened to the countdown, his heart pounding with exhilaration and fear.
VOICE
...53...52....
MARTY
Hurry up!
He threw open the door of the truck to the outside.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
Professor Brown continued to watch the truck with Marty in it, his walkie- talkie in the other hand.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Move the truck! They're gonna draw a bead on you!
The truck did not move.
INT. ARTILERY BUNKER
Sergeant Gunther finished the adjustments on his weapon.
SERGEANT GUNTHER
I've got a bead on him!
EXT. TRUCK - STOPPED
Marty was about to climb in the back of the truck, the countdown still on his walkie-talkie.
VOICE
..47...46...
Marty let out an impatient sigh and decided to report in to the Professor. He flipped the channel, but before he could say anything, he heard Professor Brown was yelling at him over the airwaves.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN (over walkie-talkie)
Back up! Back up! (frantic) They're drawing a bead on you! Back up!
Marty froze for a moment, then took off for the cab of the truck as fast as he could, expecting to be hit by some weapon any second.
INT. ARTILERY BUNKER
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
FIRE!
Sergeant Gunther pulled the trigger and the cannon let out a noise that shook the ground.
INT. TRUCK
Marty turned the key in the ignition of the truck, threw the stick shift into reverse, and hit the gas pedal as hard as he could.
A second later, a huge explosion wiped out the 800 yard marker where he had been parked. The truck trembled from the shock wave. Marty stopped the truck several hundred feet away and watched the smoke clear. A huge crater in the ground was all that remained of yard marker 800, where he had been seconds before. He swallowed hard.
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
TIMEKEEPER
T-minus 30 seconds! the voice from detonation control said.
Colonel Nordell turned away from the window before the smoke cleared on the last explosion.
COLONEL NORDELL
Everybody into the bunker! Take cover! Now!
There was a mad dash as the men all left their posts and headed for the stairs that lead to the underground bomb shelter. The truck was forgotten.
INT. TRUCK
Marty could hear the voice start counting down the remaining thirty seconds before the bomb would go off. He turned the key in the ignition, but the engine wouldn't start! His face grew even paler then it was already as he tried it again. Still, nothing happened!
VOICE
....24....23....22...
EXT. NEVADA DESERT
Up on the hill, Professor Brown kept his binoculars trained on Marty's truck.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Come on, Marty! (unaware that Marty was having any problems) Come on!
VOICE
....20...19....18...
INT. TRUCK
Marty swallowed hard, gripping the key as hard as he could and turning it for the third time. The engine groaned....but then it caught! He sighed in relief and aimed at the crater, over a hundred yards away.
VOICE
...14...13...12...
Marty grabbed the walkie-talkie and leaned over it, wedging it against the accelerator. The truck started moving and he threw opened the door, jumping to the ground. The truck picked up speed as Marty ran to the back, grabbing hold of the sides of the vehicle and pulling himself inside. He threw the switches on the time machine, turning it on and preparing it for the trip back... he hoped.
It could have been his imagination, but Marty swore he could still hear the timekeeper over the roar of everything.
VOICE
...9...8...7...
The truck pitched forward into the gaping hole left from the Howitzer shell. Marty lost his balance, unprepared for the jolt, and fell into the bed of the truck. His head struck the metal floor, which left him slightly dazed for a second. He realized that the truck had gotten slightly off center with where the solar cell that was positioned just so as it had fallen and quickly climbed to his feet to jerk the cells back where they belonged.
VOICE
...5...4...3...
Marty threw open the door of the refrigerator -- or time chamber -- and stepped inside.
VOICE
...2...1...
He slammed the door shut.
INT. DETONATION CONTROL ROOM
TIMEKEEPER
Detonate!
Three technitions, turned their keys at the same time, setting off an incredible white fireball that made the surroundings invisible with light for a moment before dimming to a glow of softer yellow.
EXT. TIME MACHINE/REFRIDGERATOR
The bright white light hit the power converter. Marty glanced up inside his cramped quarters to see a thin beam of the same color hit him from the focusing lense suspended above his head. He closed his eyes as a strange feeling swept over his body....
The yellow glow from the bomb lasted a few moments, turning everything yellow. The tower which housed the bomb was vaporized and the truck of Marty and the Professor's began to melt from the intense heat. Inside the command bunker, the Army officers with their men and the chosen civilians gaped at the site before them as the mushroom cloud formed, it's radioactive smoke reaching thousands of feet into the atmosphere.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - HILL
Safely on the hill, Professor Brown turned his back on the site and over to the mannequin in the sidecar. A medium sized bulge rested in one of the pockets of the Army jacket. The Professor looked at it a long moment, long after the light of the bomb faded and the shock wave had passed. He remembered Marty's words from earlier and wondered: Should I look....?
INT. TIME MACHINE
Marty saw completely and utter darkness around him. The air around him had grow hot and stuffy. He resisted the urge to cough and felt for the handle of the refrigerator door. His hand came into contact with it after a moment's search and he pushed forward.
EXT. NEVADA DESERT - 1982
A crack of sunlight split the darkness. Marty pushed the door harder and a shower of sand rained on him. He climbed to the outside world. The sun was shining brightly in a clear blue sky. Marty looked down at the refrigerator and saw that it was half rotted and worn away with age. Next to it, he recognized the remains of the Army truck, twisted and almost unrecognizable, half buried in the sand.
Marty took a step away from the refrigerator and looked around him. It was barren out here. He saw nothing but an ocean of hot sand all around. Marty glanced at his watch. It was noon exactly. He squinted up at the merciless glare of the sun.
MARTY
Shit!
Marty decided the best thing for him to do would be to start walking. He set off in the direction of the sun, not sure which way to head. A few minutes after he started the hike, Marty started to hear a low hum off in the distance. It sounded like a helicopter.
The sound grew closer and he looked up at the sky, his eyes searching for the source. He saw something in the sky, but it looked strange. The craft started to lower itself toward the ground, grains of sand flying everywhere. Marty squinted his eyes and put a hand over them, turning his head away. Between the glare of the sun on the thing, and all the flying sand, it was almost impossible to tell anything about it.
After a moment, the noise faded away and Marty turned around. Right in front of him was a strange sight. It looked like a car from the 1950's....but it had three whitewalls, propellers, and funny fins on the side. At the back of the car was something that resembled the Professor's power converter. As Marty stared at the contraption, he noticed Professor Brown in the driver's seat.
Marty opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The Professor opened the door and jumped out, heading towards Marty. He looked older then he had in 1952, but not as much as he had in 1982. Professor Brown seemed different to Marty, his posture straighter with more of a spark in his eyes.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Marty! You're here! Right on time! How are you? Feeling okay?
Marty tried to speak again.
MARTY
(hesitantly) What year is this?
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
(beaming) 1982! March 18, just like we planned! My calculations were absolutely correct! Thirty years! God, I cannot believe it's been thirty years! Sure, it was a long time ago -- longest I've ever had to wait for the results of an experiment!
Marty was confused.
MARTY
And you're alive, Professor? (remembering what happened right before he left 1982) You weren't shot?
Professor Brown looked at him blankly.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Shot? Who'd want to shoot me? I've never felt better in my life!
Marty didn't know what to say about that. He continued to stare at the flying vehicle and at the Professor.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Hop in, Marty, (turning and heading for the vehicle). We've got a long drive ahead of us.
MARTY
What do you call this? (as he cautiously started towards the contraption)
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
A car.
Marty watched as Professor Brown opened the door and got inside. He slowly followed suit.
INT. CAR
Inside the car, Marty noticed the controls and the dashboard were streamlined in a kind of old-fashioned futuristic style. He was distracted from his examination of the car's interior by the Professor leaning over and pulling out a 16 ounce bottle of Coke. He grabbed a bottle opener that was on the dashboard and opened it up, then pulled open the dashboard in front of Marty and hooked the bottle to a funnel labeled fuel inside. Marty remembered leaving the formula in his jacket. Somehow, Professor Brown must have found it.
MARTY
Professor... You peaked, didn't you?
Professor Brown shrugged, looking a little sheepish.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Yeah. I figured, what the hell!
A moment later he lifted the car up from the sand and flew them away from the old nuclear test site.
Professor Brown waited a few minutes before starting to answer some of the questions Marty had begun to throw at him. Marty wanted to know everything that had happened over the past thirty years to the Professor. Things seemed so different from when he had left.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
You see, I never rebuilt the time machine after it was destroyed in 1952. I decided that experimenting with time and possibly changing history was too risky. Anyway, experiments in time travel were banned in all 87 states after the governor of Cuba caught Dr. Felstien fooling around in the Bermuda Triangle -- that was back in '64.
MARTY
87 states? Time travel bans? What the hell?
Marty didn't understand anything. He tried not to think about that part of the conversation. There were some other, more important things to wonder about.
MARTY
But if you didn't rebuild the time machine, how did I go back in time in the first place?
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
According to your girlfriend, Suzy Parker, you and she were at the movies. You went to the restroom and you never came out. Obviously, you stepped through an inter-dimensional time warp, created by the original operation of the time machine.
Most of this was still going over Marty's head.
MARTY
Obviously! (trying to appear that he understood.)
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
But I told everyone your disappearance was due to a teleportation experiment you were helping me with. So don't mention anything about time travel to anyone.
MARTY
(nodding) What theater was I at?
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
The Orpheum.
Marty smiled, some of this finally clicking into place. He looked out the window and saw, far below, a clean and more of that old-fashioned modern look on a city. It had streamlined skyscrapers and even some flying cars. Marty couldn't believe it.
MARTY
Wow! Look at that city!
Professor Brown glanced out the window.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Pretty, isn't it?
MARTY
It's the most beautiful city I've ever seen! What is it?
The Professor smiled at him.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Cleveland.
EXT. McFLY HOUSE
It was night when they reached Marty's house. It was the same one he had left, but it looked different. On closer inspection, Marty noticed the corners were more rounded, almost streamlined, and a large power converter sat on the roof next to the chimney. The Professor landed his car next to another one in the driveway that had all the elaborate propellers and stuff on it too. Marty guessed that this was considered the norm here.
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
Go on in, (noticing Marty's hesitation) I'll be with you as soon as I adjust this blasted flow capacitor.
As Marty got out of the car, he noticed more flying cars, busses, even trucks in the air above his home. He shook his head and turned his attention back to his house. He stared at it a long moment and took a deep breath before walking to the front door. Marty rang the doorbell, unsure if he should just barge in. With all the changes he had seen so far, he wasn't sure if it would be a good idea.
The door was answered a minute later, but not by who he had expected. A robot, looking vaguely like the one Marty had seen on Professor Brown's blueprints that one night, pulled the door open. It was only about three or four feet high, with a little bow tie on.
ROBOT
Greetings, Master Martin. Let me take your coat.
Marty stared at the thing for a moment.
MARTY
Right....
He slowly took off his silver Porsche jacket and handed it to the robot. Finally, he stepped into his house.
INT. McFLY HOUSE
Marty was surprised. Things actually didn't look that different from when he had left. His mother, sitting in the living room, jumped to her feet and rushed towards him.
EILEEN
Marty! You're back! I'm so glad to see you!
Eileen McFly gave her son a hug, then seemed to notice his clothes. She looked at Marty, a faint smile on her face.
EILEEN
Where did you get these silly clothes?
Without waiting for an answer, she turned to the robot.
EILEEN
Sparky, get Marty some clean clothes.
ROBOT
Yes, Madam.
Marty watched him turning and heading out of the room, as his mother spoke again.
EILEEN
Your father's in the study. Say hello to him.
He nodded and walked down the hall. Marty stopped halfway to the study, suddenly noticing several display cases hanging on the hallway wall. In one there was a pair of boxing gloves with a plaque: McFly-Liston Fight, Madison Square Garden, 1966. In the case next to that was a silver boxing champion's belt with George M. McFly, World Middleweight Champion, 1963. In the last one was a framed magazine ad with a picture of George McFly holding a weird device with the words: The Champ gives tooth decay the One-Two Punch with Son-O-Dent ultra sonic tooth care system, by E. Brown Enterprises, under the photo.
Marty was surprised and a little shocked on all that had happened since he had left.
George McFly looked up from his desk as Marty entered his study.
GEORGE
Welcome home, son!
His voice sounded a little different to Marty's ears. More confident and forceful, not nearly as meek, like it had been before.
GEORGE
The Professor told us what happened with the experiment -- that there might be some side effects... lapses of memory.
Marty edged closer to the desk to get a better look at this new George McFly. He, like the Professor, seemed different -- for the better, but still different. Dad didn't seem to notice his scrutiny. He continued talking.
GEORGE
Your mom's got one heckuva dinner planned tonight! She's been pushing buttons all day!
Marty nodded as if he understood, and as he did so, he noticed a familiar looking figure outside the window. His eyes narrowed and Marty realized it was Biff, wearing a security guard uniform and in a chaise lounge, appearing to be asleep. Marty's father followed his gaze and opened the window.
GEORGE
Hey, Biff! What are you doing, sleeping on the job? A security guard's supposed to be alert!
Biff smiled and sat up.
BIFF
Yes, sir, Mr. McFly!
GEORGE
What am I paying you fifty cents an hour for?
BIFF
I'm sorry, Champ, (getting to his feet) It won't happen again, sir.
He began to walk around the yard.
George closed the window and sat back down at his desk. Marty watched as he attached a suction cup that was connected by wire to something that looked like a pen on his forehead. He waved the pen over a blank check and with a few electronic beeps, handwriting appeared on the paper, spelling out, Pay to the order of the Coca Cola Company.
MARTY
What are you doing, Dad?
Marty watched, eyes wide in amazement.
His father glanced up, puzzled.
GEORGE
What's it look like I'm doing, son? I'm paying the fuel bill. It's over $2.00 this month -- we really oughta try to cut down.
Marty continued to watch his father. George looked a little concerned.
GEORGE
What's wrong, son? You act like you've never seen a Write-O-Matic before.
Marty pulled out his Bic pen from his pocket and looked at it, shaking his head.
GEORGE
Say, what have you got there? (noticing the pen for the first time) An antique pen? Let me see that! He took it from Marty and examined it carefully. I haven't seen one of these in....well, this is strange. How do you fill it with ink?
Marty's father flashed him a strange look, which made Marty feel slightly uneasy. He looked like he wanted to say something, but before he did, someone knocked on the door. A second later, Eileen came into the room.
EILEEN
Marty, there's someone here to see you.
Suzy Parker came into the room. She was wearing some strange clothes, with her hair styled in a different, unusual way, but Marty didn't care.
MARTY
Suzy!
SUZY
Hi, Marty!
MARTY
What did you do to your hair?
SUZY
What did you do to yours?
Marty and Suzy both laughed as Professor Brown slipped into the room.
GEORGE
Hey, how's my favorite girl?
She smiled.
SUZY
Fine, Mr. McFly.
GEORGE
Why don't you two get out of here -- I'm sure you can find something better to do than watch me pay bills!
Suzy looked at her boyfriend critically.
SUZY
Marty, you'd better change your clothes. You can't go to Mambo Class looking like that.
Marty stared at her blankly.
MARTY
Mambo class? You mean people still do the Mambo?
Suzy shrugged.
SUZY
Sure. Everybody does the Mambo!
Marty thought about that for a moment, wondering something important.
MARTY
Don't tell me you've never heard of rock'n roll...
Suzy now directed a blank look at him.
SUZY
Rock and what?
PROFESSOR EMMETT BROWN
I've never heard of it either.
Marty gave a big grin.
MARTY
Well maybe it's time you did!
He took Suzy's hand and the two of them left the room, Eileen and Professor Brown following.
George McFly was left alone in his study, sitting at his desk. Something about the conversation earlier with his son was gnawing at him. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out his hydraulic scrapbook. After he plugged it in, the pneumatic cylinders began to turn the pages automatically. It stopped at a certain page and George looked at the newspaper clipping he had saved in there, way back thirty years ago.
Police Quell Near Riot At School Dance, the headlined said. It was that old Springtime in Paris dance the article was talking about. Beneath the headline was a somewhat grainy photograph of the young man on stage who had played that strange music. As George looked closer, he saw that the young man in the picture bore a striking resemblance to his son.
George shook his head slowly.
GEORGE
Nah. Couldn't be....
FADE TO BLACK
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