Author's Note: This story is written in response to November's Challenge of last year. Lester is the boy who accuses "Calvin Klein" of taking Biff's "wallet", when Marty returns to 1955.

November 10, 1955
4:00 PM PST

Marty McFly was sitting at the dining room table of his future grandparents' - Arthur and Sylvia McFly - home. He simply was playing cards with his future father, George McFly - along with his friends, Lester Collins and Billy Stockhausen.

George, Lester, and Billy knew Marty as "Marty Klein". Marty's future mother, Lorraine Baines, saw the name "Calvin Klein" written on Marty's underwear - and she figured it to be his real name. However, he decided that he just preferred to be called "Marty".

"So, Marty," asked Lester, "you're actually a member of the coast guard auxiliary?"

"Uh, yeah, I am," replied Marty. Of course, Marty wasn't really from the coast guard auxiliary. It was rather what some people assumed of Marty, because of the vest that he wore - as he first arrived in 1955. As the vest was orangish-red, some people mistook it for a life preserver. Thus, it ended up being Marty's cover story.

"So what brings you over here, Marty?" asked Billy.

"Uh, I'm, uh," stammered Marty, "I'm here visiting my uncle, Dr. Emmett Brown." That really wasn't the truth, of course - even though he was rather close to Dr. Brown. He never intended to travel 1955. Doc was actually his only hope of returning to 1985.

"Oh, I remember him," gushed Lester. "He was our third-grade teacher. He was very nice, and he actually made learning fun. I should maybe visit him, sometime."

"Sure, I don't see any harm in that," Marty said, gently. "He's probably love to be visited from some of his former students."

"He always gave us treats on Friday," added Billy. "Ah, I sometimes miss elementary school. We didn't get that much homework, back then."

"Biff Tannen wasn't in our class," said George, "as he was one grade above us, at the time. However, I remember how he was always making fun of Dr. Brown - and singing mocking songs about him. I really think he secretly was rather jealous, that Dr. Brown wasn't his teacher. We actually weren't bullied quite as much - back in those days."

"He may have been just mimicking the adults around him," Lester suggested. "I know many people around town consider him to be Crazy Old Doc Brown."

"I just don't think that's right," Marty said, shaking his head. That was one of Marty's pet peeves. He resented how some people were very quick to shun his friend, based on the rumours "If people would just give him a chance, they might come to like him."

"I sometimes think children are more openminded than adults tend to be," Billy said, sighing. "I mean, it was much easier to make friends - when we were in elementary school. As George just mentioned - we weren't bullied quite as much, back then."

"I'm kind of surprised that you don't mind our company," Lester said, smiling at Marty. "I mean, most of our peers don't want to have anything to do with us."

"Yeah, well, I try to be friends with everyone," Marty said, smiling. "I really don't believe in hating anyone. I can't even honesty say that I hate Biff Tannen, even though I'm certainly not too fond of him. I think this world would be a much better place, if we all showed love for one another."

"I definitely agree with you, Marty," said George. "I sometimes think that, if aliens came to visit our planet, they would be dumbfounded by how much hatred and strife we have on this planet."

"I sometimes wonder if we humans are the most savage species on the planet," Billy said, shaking his head. "I mean, I sometimes feel ashamed to be part of the human race - considering just nasty some of us can be."

"Yeah," said George, nodding, "and I sometimes wonder if I'm really from another planet. All you have to do is listen to the news, to see just how corrupt this world can be. I mean, I really don't have too many friends, other than you guys."

"Maybe, in about thirty years or so," suggested Lester, "we'll have global peace and harmony. I hope the atomic wars that have been predicted never come to pass."

"Uh, I wouldn't count on it, Lester," said Marty, shaking his head. "About having global peace and harmony, I mean. I hate to be so pessimistic - but I think that we, as a human race, can be inherently selfish. It seems so simple to think we could all just be kind to one another - and I really don't understand why some people can be so nasty. I believe in taking a 'live and let live' approach to life. It would be so nice to think that we could, one day, achieve utopia - but I'm not sure if we ever will see that day."

"Well, at least not in our lifetimes," said George, shaking his head.

"Hey, Marty," Lester asked, turning to Marty, "do you believe in reincarnation?"

"Uh, no, I can't say that I do," replied Marty. "I believe those of us who are nice, and care about humanity, will go to heaven when we die. People who just spread evil and malice will go to hell. I sure hope that Biff learns to change his ways, before he dies."

"I agree with you, somewhat," said Billy. "Only I believe that those who are evil create their own hell. Those of us who care about humanity also create our own heaven. That's exactly why I try not to let Biff Tannen and his gang get to me. I understand how they will, one day, receive their comeupance - just like we will, someday, receive ours."

"You can chalk it up to karma," added Lester. "Even the Bible mentions karma. You know, that verse that mentions how you will reap what you sow."

"That's one of my favourite Bible verses of all time," said Marty, as this was an issue that he felt strongly about. "It's also quite true. There is also, of course, the Golden Rule, do unto others as you would have done unto you."

"It looks like your parents raised you the right way," George said, smiling at Marty. "I also believe in turning the other cheek, which is why I actually refuse to fight Biff."

Marty sighed. He simply hadn't thought of why his father never stood up to himself before. He could rather understand his father's reasoning, somewhat. Still, it didn't exactly mean that it was wrong to defend yourself from bullies.

"Uh, George," Marty said, gently, "I agree that vengeance is not the way to go... that we should forgive those who do us wrong... and that we should love and pray for our enemies. Still, I do not believe this quite means that we should allow people to walk all over us. I believe that it is very important to have some self-respect - and I also believe that it's important to defend those that we love.'

"I guess you're right, Marty," George said, sighing. "It's just that my parents raised me to be pacifistic. Besides, I would rather have a few friends who actually like me for who I am - than to have many friends who like me just for who they expect me to be."

"Again, I don't argue with that," Marty replied, softly. "I guess what I am saying is, why do you keep letting Biff bully you into doing his homework? I mean, he should do his own homework. You're not his personal slave. George, you are your own person."

"Marty is right, George," added Lester. "You should just tell him that, no, you will not do his homework. The reason why Biff pushes you around, is because he knows that you're a pushover. You should stop being such a pushover."

Marty smiled gratefully at Lester, and said, "See, George? Lester agrees with me. I understand that you want to be liked - but, let's face it, Biff and his gang sure don't like anyone. The other thing is, you really should follow your dreams. As my uncle is always saying, if you put your mind to it, you could accomplish anything."

"I quite want to believe it, Marty," George commented, softly. Marty placed his hand on Marty's shoulder. Within the last few days of interacting with his father's younger self, he learned so much about his father. There really seemed to be hope for him!

"Well, George, it definitely is true," assured Marty. He figured that, with a lot of encouragement, Geoge might be able to overcome his insecurities. "If you really love writing science fiction stories... Well, just go for it! I rather think that you should just let us read your stories. You shouldn't be so shy, George. I mean, I'm your friend."

"Yeah, I really would like to read some of your stories, too," added Billy.

"Yeah, George, we are your friends," said Lester. "You could, at least, let your friends read your stories - can't you?"

Marty felt sudden anticipation, as he was curious to find out more about his father's stories. If anything, he might even give his father some pointers. It sure seemed as though it'd be a waste, if his father never gained the courage to display his talent.

"Yeah, I suppose," said George, sighing. Marty breathed a sigh of relief, as he saw a hint of a smile on his father's face. "Thanks for the pep talk, buddies. You guys really are such good friends." Marty smiled, as he realized that he made some progress.

"Yeah," agreed Lester, smiling, "we're a circle of friends."

"You're a great friend, too, George," added Billy.

Marty gave George's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "Just keep your chin up, buddy. You sure are a great person, George. You really are." Flashing a lopsided smile, he asked, "Now, George, how about those stories?"

George smiled at Marty, with gratitude. It seemed obvious, that George viewed Marty as no other friend he had before. Marty actually felt great, knowing that he could just make a big difference in his father's life. George quite seemed to have some potential.