"Take me away, I don't mind, but you'd better promise me, we'll be back in time!" the radio alarm blared.

George McFly leaned over past his wife and turned the radio alarm off. He kissed Lorraine and she smiled.

"Good morning honey," George said. "Today's a busy day!"

The two got out of bed. It was just them in the house. Marty had already left for school. He was old enough now to do it himself, so his parents had slept in. It was a pleasant morning for November. George wondered if that was an omen. His new novel had to be handed into the publishers that day and there was a little bit he wasn't happy about. He'd read it out to all his friends and family but they couldn't work out what was wrong either. George just knew it didn't sound right.

After breakfast George went into the study and got out the manuscript. He turned on the radio. George liked to have the radio on as he worked He re-read it through for the 100th time. George heard the telephone ring, and a few minutes later Lorraine calling to him, but he didn't really hear her.

"OK dear," he called back.

Then it hit him. The perfect scene. George quickly made the correction to the manuscript. He looked at the clock. Had he really been in there for an hour? It was time to take the manuscript to the publishers.

George picked it up and put it in his bag. He exited the house and locked the door. The garage door was open.

Marty must have left it open, he thought. But then he remembered that Marty's truck had broken down a couple of days ago and Biff was repairing it for him. George then realised the car was gone.

"Where is it?" he muttered. Then he realised. Lorraine must have taken the car.

"So that's what she was calling about!" George said to himself. He knew he had to get to the publisher's quickly - the deadline was in an hour. George knew he shouldn't have slept in this morning!

He ran back in the house and picked up the 'phone to call a taxi, but as he pushed the 5 key in the number, George realised that for some reason the 5 key wasn't working properly. It was stuck.

Not again! he thought.

George tried to push it again, but with no success. This was bad. All the telephone numbers for Hill Valley taxis had a 5 in, and he couldn't call them.

"I guess it's off to the bus stop," said George as once again he left the house, not hearing the telephone ring as he left. Luckily the bus stop wasn't too far away, and George made it there - to see the bus drive off.

"Damn!" muttered George. He looked at the timetable. The next bus wasn't due for another 40 minutes - and the journey took a half-hour. George couldn't wait that long.

"I'll have to run for it," he said as he set off.

George had left Lyon Estates and was a few hundred yards away from it when he saw a familiar truck.

"Biff!" he called, waving his thumb like a hitch-hiker.

Biff pulled to a halt.

"Mr McFly!" he exclaimed.

"Biff, I need a lift to the publishers. The address is 213 Gale Drive. Quick, it's urgent."

George got in to Biff's truck and Biff drove off. Biff enquired about the state of the novel, and George told him that it was about a time traveller.

"I wonder what it would be like to travel through time," Biff said.

"I don't know," replied George. "It's probably impossible, but then again it could be occurring right under our noses."

They arrived at the publishers. George thanked Biff and got out of the truck. Entering the building, he saw the receptionist.

"Uh, excuse me, I'm George McFly with my new novel."

"This way please."

Later George stepped outside. The publishers were happy with it and it would be due out in a few months. George looked around. Biff had gone.

Well, he's probably busy with his business, he thought. Never mind, I'll walk home. It's a nice day.

George started his walk home. On the way he entered a newsagent and bought the Hill Valley Telegraph for that day. Reading it as he walked, he didn't notice it had started to rain until it had been doing so for about a minute.

"Damn," he muttered. His jacket didn't have a hood on it, and he hadn't bought an umbrella - he hadn't thought he'd need one.

Luck was on his side though, as a familiar car drove past and pulled to a stop. The window rolled down and a man, in his sixties, poked his head round.

"Mr McFly," Doc Brown said. "Can I give you a lift?"

"Yes, thank you," replied George. George and the Browns weren't that familiar with each other, but they did sort of know each other through Marty and Doc's friendship. "I need a lift home if that's OK."

"Sure, but we have to go via the train station first. Clara wants to book a ticket for next week," Doc explained. George got into the Brown's car and they drove off.

At Hill Valley train station, Clara got out of the car. "I'll be back in a few minutes," she said as she entered the station.

"Where's she off to?" asked George.

"Oh, she's off to San Francisco for the weekend with her friends," Doc explained. "They're going to see a show. Next Sunday I believe....." Doc stopped. "Damn, she left her purse in the car. How's she going to pay for the tickets?"

"I'll take it in for her," George offered. He felt in his own pocket. "Damn, my wallet!"

"Thanks," Doc replied. "I'll turn the car around and have a look for your wallet."

George entered Hill Valley Station and spotted Clara. He ran towards her, but bumped into a woman who was leaving with lots of luggage. A jacket was on top of the cases.

"Sorry," George said, not really looking at the woman as his attention was on Clara. He didn't notice the jacket on the floor either. George gave Clara her purse.

"Thank you," she said. Clara bought he tickets and paid for them, and she and George went back to Doc's car.

"No sign of your wallet," Doc told George as they drove off.

"Maybe I left it with Biff," said George. "I'll give him a call when I get in."

The Browns dropped George off at his house just as the rain stopped. He waved them off and entered the house. George went to the telephone just as Lorraine hung up.

"Lorraine?"

"Oh hi honey, hope things went well, I've gotta go, I'll see you afterwards. Bye. Oh, could you pick up that video we lent to the Johnsons? The exercise will do you good."

"OK honey, see you later," smiled George as Lorraine left, whilst George went to the phone and called Biff's car-phone. It was engaged.

"Oh well," said George to himself, "the weather's cleared up a bit, I can get the video and then go to Biff's house to see about my wallet. He should be home for lunch by then."

And so George McFly left his house and after picking up the video, walked to the Tannen house.

"Take me away, I don't mind, but you'd better promise me, we'll be back in time!" the radio alarm blared.

Lorraine McFly felt her husband lean over her and turned the radio alarm off. He kissed her and she smiled.

"Good morning honey," George said. "Today's a busy day!"

The two got out of bed. It was just them in the house. Marty had already left for school. He was old enough now to do it himself, so his parents had slept in. It was a pleasant morning for November. Lorraine liked pleasant mornings. She planned to do a bit of gardening whilst George finished work on his new novel..

About an hour later Lorraine was happily gardening when the telephone rang. When it became clear George wasn't answering it, Lorraine went inside and answered it.

"Mom, is that you?"

"Why of course it's me Marty, what's wrong?"

"I forgot my guitar and we have an audition today at lunch."

"Can't Jennifer bring you home to get it?" Marty's truck was being repaired and Jennifer had given Marty a lift to school that day.

"No, she can't, her dad's got it today. He gave us both a lift today, he needed her car as his wife has his."

"OK Marty, where is it?"

"Right by my bed."

"OK, I'll bring it in. I'll have to hurry, your father needs the car for his novel."

"OK, thanks Mom," said Marty and he hung up.

Lorraine went into her son's room and got the guitar. She called into George's study.

"Honey, I'm using the car," she called above George's music. "I'm taking Marty's guitar into school. Back in 10."

"OK dear," George called.

Lorraine got into the car with the guitar and rove off in the direction of Hill Valley High School. When she got there she went into the office and gave the guitar to the staff there. As she left, she heard them masking an announcement over the speakers - "Could Martin McFly please come to the office?"

Lorraine smiled. She'd been reminding her son to pack his thing the night before for years, and he'd always reply "Yes Mom" and then not do it. Kids, she thought. Linda had been the same, but then again she had as a kid too. Dave took after George more, a bit more organised.

Linda had been out of town the past few days, visiting her Uncle Milton who lived in Parkwood, a town in the Mid-West of the USA. Milton had moved there a few years back, and Linda had gone to see him. Or more rather, Milton's 20 year old neighbour Marco, whom Lorraine suspected Linda had a crush on. Anyway, Linda was due back in Hill Valley today. Her train would be arriving around lunchtime.

BUMP! Lorraine came back to earth with a bump - literally. She stopped the car, thinking she'd run over something. She hadn't, but she'd got a flat tyre.

Typical, she thought. And just when George needs the car.

She tried to call him, but no-one answered the phone at the McFly house. Next she tried Biff to see if he could bring a jack, but he was engaged.

Putting the phone down, Lorraine spotted one of her friends, Joanna Johnson, walking past. She'd try the phone again in a few minutes.

"Jo, hi!"

"Lorraine, how are you?"

"Fine, but I have a flat tyre. And I forgot the jack."

"Oh, have you called that Tannen guy?"

"Yeah, he was engaged. I'll try again in a few minutes. Typical, George really needs the car."

"Oh, that reminds me, Carl still has that video George lent him. I'll have him drop it off."

"Oh, no need," said Lorraine. "George can get it himself. He needs the exercise."

The two laughed.

"Well, I'll see you later," said Lorraine. "I'm going to call Biff again."

"OK, bye," said Jo as she left. Lorraine dialled in Biff's number and this time he answered. "Oh, Biff, hi, it's me.....I've got a flat tyre.....yes, that's why I'm calling you.....no, I don't have a jack, can you bring me one?.....OK, thank you. See you soon."

About 10 minutes later Biff arrived. Lorraine tried calling George again but he wasn't there.

"Damn, George's not in," Lorraine muttered.

"Oh, Mr McFly's at the publishers," Biff explained. "I gave him a lift."

"Oh thank goodness," Lorraine said.

"There you go," Biff said as he gave her his spare jack. "Next time don't forget to carry a spare with you."

"Thanks Biff," Lorraine said as she changed her tyre. Biff's phone went off, and after a quick conversation he sped off.

It was starting to rain. Lorraine didn't like Biff that much - not since that incident in the Packard at that dance in 1955 - but he was good at his job, plus he offered the McFlys discount, or did odd jobs for free, like just now. Lorraine suspected Biff was still a bit scared of George McFly since that punch. Either that or he just treated all his customers with respect. Probably the first, she thought as she pulled up outside her house. The rain was coming down harder now.

Lorraine sat down with a cup of tea. Too wet to go back outside and finish the gardening, she thought. She turned on the TV and was listening to the news when the telephone rang. It was Linda.

"Hi Mom, my train's early, can you come and collect me?"

"Sure thing honey," said Lorraine, and a few minutes later she hung up.

"Lorraine?" It was George, coming home.

"Oh hi honey, hope things went well, I've gotta go, I'll see you afterwards. Bye. Oh, could you pick up that video we lent to the Johnsons? The exercise will do you good."

"OK honey, see you later," smiled George as Lorraine left.

At the train station Lorraine saw her daughter by the kiosks.

"Linda, hi! How was the trip?"

"Oh, fine," replied Linda. "You know, I could have sworn I saw a guy who looked like Dad a few minutes ago, but he ran past so quickly I couldn't see for sure. Don't think it was though."

"Let's get your luggage together," Lorraine replied. She noticed a coat next to Linda. "Whose is this?"

"I found it just now," said Linda. "I was about to hand it into Lost Property."

Lorraine looked at the label. "Property of Caroline Cohen." it said

"This is Biff's girlfriend's coat," Lorraine told her daughter. "We can drop it off on our way home."

"Take me away, I don't mind, but you'd better promise me, we'll be back in time!" the radio alarm blared.

Biff Tannen got up. 9am already! He was sure he'd set his alarm for 7am. Just as well he didn't have much work to do today. Normally on a Friday he would be busy, but today for some reason it was quiet.

Biff quickly made himself some breakfast, and checked his schedule. He had to finish working on Marty McFly's truck, pick up his girlfriend from the train station and get the house sorted. His kids, Tiff and Tom, were staying with him this weekend.

Biff set to work on the truck. After about an hour Biff realised he needed a spare part which he didn't have.

"Damn," he muttered. He got into his truck and set off to the hardware store. On his way back, Biff saw George McFly near the Lyon Estates sign.

"Biff!" George called, waving his thumb like a hitch-hiker.

Biff pulled to a halt.

"Mr McFly!" he exclaimed.

"Biff, I need a lift to the publishers. The address is 213 Gale Drive. Quick, it's urgent."

Biff wanted to go home, but the McFlys were his best customers and Biff didn't want to argue with George McFly. George got in to Biff's truck and Biff drove off. Biff enquired about the state of the novel, and George told him that it was about a time traveller.

"I wonder what it would be like to travel through time," Biff said.

"I don't know," replied George. "It's probably impossible, but then again it could be occurring right under our noses."

They arrived at the publishers. George thanked Biff and got out of the truck. When George was inside the building, Biff's phone went off.

"Hello, Biff's Auto Dealing.....hello, Lorraine.....flat tyre, hmm?.....have you got a jack?.....no, you don't have a jack. OK, I'll bring one over. See you in 10."

About 10 minutes later Biff arrived. He noticed Lorraine on the phone again, but whoever she was calling wasn't there.

"Damn, George's not in," Lorraine muttered.

"Oh, Mr McFly's at the publishers," Biff explained. "I gave him a lift."

"Oh thank goodness," Lorraine said.

"There you go," Biff said as he gave her his spare jack. "Next time don't forget to carry a spare with you."

"Thanks Biff," Lorraine said as she changed her tyre. Biff's phone went off, and he answered it.

"Hello, Biff's Auto Dealing.....hi Caroline. Where?....at the station?....OK, I'll see you there." Biff got in his truck and sped off to the station, as the rain started.

Biff parked near the entrance and went inside. He looked around for his girlfriend, returning from her sister's place in San Francisco. He spotted Clara Brown walking back towards the exit. Looking away, he missed seeing George McFly with Clara, as he was looking for his girlfriend. He spotted her picking up her luggage.

"Hi, are you OK?" he asked as she loaded her cases back onto the trolley.

"Yeah, somebody bumped into me, I didn't see who," she replied. "I think that's everything, let's go."

They got into Biff's truck. "First of all I need to pick up my spare parts, which I set off for hours ago," said Biff, and he told his girlfriend about the interruptions by George and then Lorraine McFly. They stopped off at the hardware store and Biff picked up his parts.

Back at the Tannen household, Biff and Caroline took her luggage into the house.

"You know," said Biff, "considering you only went for a few days, you've taken half the house with you."

"Biff," she called., "have you seen my jacket?"

"No, didn't you have it with you?"

"No, I must have left it at the station." Caroline called the station, but it hadn't been handed in.

Biff entered. "Hey, look what I found," he said. Caroline hoped it was her coat, but it was a wallet. She took it and looked inside. It was George McFly's.

"Great, we can drop it off and I can buy a new coat," said Caroline when there was a knock at the door. It was Lorraine and Linda McFly.

"Hi," said Lorraine. "Is this yours?"

"Yeah, where did you find it?" asked Caroline.

"At the train..." Lorraine began but she was interrupted.

"Biff? You there?"

"George?" Lorraine said to her husband.

"Biff has my wallet, I hope," said George.

"Oh, yeah, found it in the truck," said Biff.

"I tried calling but it was engaged."

"Caroline was on the phone to the station," replied Biff.

"Did you get that video from the Johnsons?" asked Lorraine.

"Here it is," answered George.

"Well, now that everything's back to its rightful owners, come on in for a coffee," said Caroline. "Biff, go put the kettle on."

Last Revised: June 4th 2004

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