November 5, 1885
9:30 PM PST

Emmett Lloyd Brown smiled, as he and Clara Catherine Brown were sitting outside the latter's house. Today was simply a special day for him. In fact, it was the anniversary of the day he sure came up with the idea for the flux capacitor - albeit a reverse anniversary. After all, that day wouldn't be until seventy years in the future.

"What are you thinking about, Emmett?" Clara asked, softly. "I sure don't mean to pry - but you... Well, you rather seem to be deep in thought. Are you thinking about your friend, again? Even if you never do see him, again - I'm sure that he would be real..."

"Seventy years from now," Emmett replied, softly, "if when I will first meet Marty. He simply took me by surprise. It was one very interesting week, though - and I grew so fond of the boy. It really was a little hard for me, in fact - to send him back to 1985."

"He almost seems like a son to you," observed Clara. "I wish I could've gotten to know him, a little more. Even if he sure did sort of give me the... the cold treatment. As you said, though, I sure guess I shouldn't take it so personally. Even though I'm quite glad that we are back together, I... I do feel quite responsible for... for what happened."

"Well, it's not your fault," Emmett replied, gently. "Even though I do miss Marty, I am happy to have you in my life. It's kinda still hard to believe that we're engaged. After all, I never thought that the day would come. I thought that I was destined to..."

"You sure look younger than 65," observed Clara, softly. "I guess it is because of that rejuve-whatever-you-call-it thing you told me about. Well, my father always was very mild-mannered - and my mother was also supportive. I hope they don't mind that..."

"Anybody who collects butterflies," commented Emmett, softly, "certainly wins points in my book. I'm sure happy that we were actually able to find a few butterflies of the Lepidoptera martha species here in Hill Valley. You sure seem to have loving parents. I'd love to meet them. I think Marty and Jennifer would love seeing the butterflies."

"I always think of my parents," Clara replied, wistfully, "whenever I see the butterfly. I did write them a letter, and I really hope they come to the wedding. I'd quite love to start a family. However, because you're from the future... Well, it might be a bit..."

"I'm happy that you really convinced me to build a new time machine," Emmett replied, softly. "I'd be happy to start a family, once we move back to 1985. However, it simply would be risky to the space-time continuum - if we were to have kids in this time..."

"I completely understand that," Clara whispered, nodding. "Although, to be honest, I am rather scared of moving a century into the future. I do hope you understand that I... I mean, while I am curious to see the future that you told me about - I'm also a... It's scarier than moving to a new country. It sure sounds like a lot to... get used to."

"We'd probably have to have another wedding," Emmett pointed out, "once we head back into the future. Not that I would actually mind, of course. Still, I really can't just announce that I have wife. That's not how it's done, after all - and it would be a..."

"That would be quite splendid, Emmett," Clara replied, smiling. "It would simply be nice to have a second wedding. Granted, the idea of settling a century into the future just makes me feel a little... I suppose I would learn to adopt, though - and you would..."

"I would hate to pressure you," commented Emmett, softly. "I mean, if you don't wish to move into the future... Well, I suppose we could continue to live here - and I might just make occasional visits into the next century, so that Marty will still see me. It's up to you, and... Well, I don't intend to just become one of those controlling husbands."

"I rather appreciate your thoughtfulness," replied Clara, softly. "If that's the only way we could start a family, though... Well, that would be more than worth it. I would love to become a mother, even if it does mean... I've always been quite fond of children."

"I wouldn't mind being a father, myself," Emmett replied, smiling. "I guess Marty was a little like a son to me, even if he already had parents of his own. I mean, I'll just never forget the day that I met him. He was so little, but... Well, he was just so adorable."

"I'm sure you'll make a good father, Emmett," commented Clara, warmly. "If it means we have to move to the future, then... Well, it will be more than worth it. Granted, I must admit that I'm feeling real apprehensive. I felt similarly about starting a new life in the West, though. So, I think I'm willing to make the accommodations that are..."

"It is nice of you to be so open-minded," Emmett replied, softly. "Well, I would hate to pressure you - and I've always dreamed of visiting this era. On the other hand, I sure miss Marty. If nothing else, we could maybe take a trial visit into the future - and..."

"I sure realized something, Emmett!" gasped Clara, as she began to look quite sad. "If we rather end up moving a century into the future, then everyone I have ever known will be dead. Even if we could still take visits into the past, it still makes me feel as..."

"Great Scott!" Emmett gasped, as he realized that he sure never considered that aspect of time travel. "Of course, everybody I simply knew... will know... in 1985 isn't yet born. I didn't have that many close friends - but, then again, I wasn't that terribly sociable. I did have some friendly acquaintances, but... I really was a bit of a loner."

"I just hope I won't have too much trouble with making friends," commented Clara, in a near whisper. "So, uh, did you say that the people in the future were less friendly? You did mention there being people in the future that thought you were... crazy."

"They were just a vocal minority, actually," Emmett explained. "People like Biff Tannen and Mr. Strickland quite seemed to... have it in for me. I am certain there were others who were quite... leery of me. I guess that's to be expected, though - since there..."

"You had mentioned that, in 1983, you were commended," pointed out Clara. "I guess that would sure be proof that not everyone thought badly of you. Besides, from what you told me of Biff and Strickland, they didn't quite seem to be exemplary examples of courtesy - so, as such, I guess you'd take their opinions of you with a grain of salt."

"Precisely!" Emmett replied, nodding. "Occasionally, there are kids who will pull pranks on my garage - but... Well, they tend to be the bully types - so it's sure not like there are people who are generally polite and courteous, but still feel a need to harass..."

"Goodness, I should hope not!" gasped Clara, as an expression of horror crept across her face. "I declare, if those kind of people really did exist... I'd say that they're even worse than the... the openly rude types. After all, talk about a massive dissonance!"

"Thankfully, not everybody treated me like dirt," Emmett replied, softly. "Most of my customers have expressed real gratitude for my service, and they outnumbered the occasional rude customer I would get. Marty's friends generally treated me in a very decent manner, which I appreciated - and I was casual friends with Marty's father."

"Oh, yes, you did tell me about Marty's father!" exclaimed Clara. "You mentioned that he was an author of... Now, what did you simply call it? Oh, yes, science fiction! So, I reckon that Jules Verne would be considered... science fiction? He does seem to..."

"Yes, Jules Verne would be considered science fiction," replied Emmett. "His is really of the more realistic sort, though. In the future, more science fiction works would just be focused on time travel or extraterrestrials - and they aren't always futuristic, either."

"That sounds so fascinating," replied Clara. "Now, what are extraterrestrials? You said that they're beings that... come from other planets? Sometimes, I've sure wondered if there might be other planets that also... contain life. Whenever I would really suggest that to anyone, though - that would simply snap at me to not be silly. I felt that it..."

"Some people are quite closed-minded," Emmett replied, rolling his eyes. "I know some people have found controversy in the fact that you encourage your pupils to imagine, since some people view that as 'idle thinking'. I do find that to be very sad, since it..."

"My parents have never scolded me for using my imagination," Clara explained. "Some of my friends weren't quite lucky, though. I can't even begin to imagine... there's that word... what thinking serious thoughts all the time would be like. I mean, it would..."

"I completely sympathize with that," agreed Emmett. "Even as a scientist, I need time to simply let my mind wander. Otherwise, I would experience a real... burn out. As of 1985, there are plenty of adults that simply encourage kids to use their imagination. I believe that... Well, can you just imagine what a world without fiction would be like?"

"No, I can't honestly say that I'm able to," replied Clara, softly. "I suppose I could, if I tried hard enough - but... Well, why would I want to? Anyway, I love to imagine what the future might be like - and... I would want nothing more than to view the future."

"Well, I'd be more than happy to oblige," Emmett replied, softly. "I think I'll be able to start on a second time machine, in fact, as early as next month. When I finish, I sure promise to bring you along, and let you see for yourself just what the future is like."

As Emmett glanced up, he smiled by what he observed. The light streaked across the sky, leaving a trail in its wake. It was a shooting star, of course - but the sight rather reminded him of the DeLorean time machine, as well. He really began to dream of the day of finishing his second time machine. It sure would be another day to remember.