𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 , 𝚖. 𝚖𝚌𝚏𝚕𝚢

0.17

"Thank you officer." Doc calls to the cop. Doc turns to the teens, "Say—you two better get going." Marty's voice is laced with nervousness, "Yeah, I guess." Darleen looks at him and places the back of her hand on his cheek, "You look a little pale—are you alright?" Marty gives Darleen a smile—but he still looks uneasy—a bit distant...and scared. Marty look back at Doc, "I don't know Doc. This whole thing with my mother—I don't know if i can go through with it, hitting on her I mean." Doc narrows his eyes, "Nobody said anything about hitting her. You're just gonna take a few liberties with her." Marty feels frustrated, "That's what I mean! I'm gonna have to actually cop a feel! This is the kinda thing that could screw me up permanently!" Doc gives him a stern look, "You have Darleen with you. Look, you both better get going—just be back here before 10."

Marty is about to open the door to the Packard for Darleen before pulling out the snapshot. All that's left of Linda is her feet—he stares at it before putting it back into his pocket and opening the door. Darleen gets in before closing the door herself. As Marty goes to the driver side—he talks to Doc. "If this thing at the dance doesn't work out and my folks don't get back together...when do you think I'd fade out?" Doc shrugs, "Beats the hell outta me."

——

The "Enchantment Under The Sea" dance is well underway. On stage is Marvin Moon and the Starlighters. Marvin plays lead guitar and sings, there is also a drummer, a piano player, a sax player, and a bass player. They're playing "3 Coins in The Fountain." The gym has been decorated in undersea motif. As usual school dances—the teachers are all acting as chaperones, a busy refreshment table, and wallflowers on the sides. George is on the sidelines, bobbing out of time with the music. He's quite nervous—and he's waiting for Darleen.

As he dances—someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns and sees Darleen with a smile on her face, "Nice dancing." She says making him laugh. "Thanks." He says back. The two go to the dance floor and start to dance with each other, "Remember the plan George." Darleen reminds him. George nods—feeling his nerves rising again.

——

Doc's Packard pulls into the parking lot and parks. Marty—at the wheel—looks very uneasy. Lorraine sits next to him in her best party dress. Marty glances on the clock on the dashboard. It's 8 minutes before 9. "Uh, you don't mind if we park—uh—for a few minutes...?" Lorraine gives him a flirty smile, "That's a great idea. I'd love to park." Marty looks at her with a questioning look, "Huh?" Lorraine laughs, "Marty, I'm almost 18 years old. It's not like I've never parked before." Marty's eyes widen, "What?!?" She scoots very close to him and he fidgets.

"You seem nervous, Marty. Is anything wrong?" Lorraine asks in a concerned voice. Marty has scooted himself all the way against the door, "Uh, no." Lorraine pulls a pint bottle of sloe gin out of her bag. Marty is shocked. "What are you doing with that?" He asks. "I swiped it from the old lady's liquor cabinet." She answers before taking a nip. "Lorraine, you shouldn't drink." Marty exclaims. "Why not?" She asks. Marty starts to stutter through his explanation, "Well, you may...regret it..later on, uh...in life."

"Don't be so square Marty. Everybody whose anybody drinks." Lorraine said. Marty looked forward, "Maybe I could use a hit." He swipes the bottle—right as he takes a swig—Lorraine pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights up. Marty spits out the gin in surprise. "Jesus—you smoke too?" He asked as he wiped his chin. "Now, Marty—you aren't gonna tell me that smoking is unhealthy. Everyone knows that it calms your nerves and that it's good for circulation." Marty shakes his head, "It'll give you cancer! Look, it says so right here—" He grabs the carton. The side panel says, "This fine tobacco blend calms the nerves and improves circulation."

Marty gives it back. "You know—you sound just like my mother. When I have kids, I'm gonna let them do anything they want. Anything." Lorraine says making Marty roll his eyes, "I'd sure like to have that in writing." The comment goes right past Lorraine. "So what are your parents like?" Lorraine asks. Marty gives her a tight-lipped smile, "Lorraine—lately—I've come to the conclusion that I don't know anything about 'em."

——

Marvin Berry and the Starlighters just finished up a number. Everyone applauds. Marvin steps up to the microphone. "We're gonna take a little break now, but we'll be back in just a little while, so don't go away." The band members leave their instruments and head out a side door. George now glances at the clock in gym. It reads 8:59. Alarmed—George checks his own watch. Darleen had left to go to the bathroom—George was left to panic by himself. He runs over to a nearby student, "What time do you have?" The student looks at his watch, "Five after nine." George starts to panic even more. He runs out of the gym.

——

George goes into a phone booth and dials a number, a woman answers. "At the tone, the time will be 9 o'clock exactly." The same prankster—Dixon—from school, sticks a broom handle through the phone booth door handle. George tries to get out—but he's trapped. Dixon laughs loudly. George starts to jerk the door handle frantically. Dixon just laughs louder.

——

Marty fidgets and looks at the clock. "Marty, why are you so nervous?" Lorraine asks again. He takes a deep breath, "Well, 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?" Lorraine nods, "Like, how you're supposed to act with someone on a first date?" Marty shrugs, "Well...sort of.." She smiles, "I know exactly what you mean." Marty looks at her, "You do?" She nods eagerly, "I do—don't worry about it!" And with that—she throws herself on him—kissing him passionately and Marty is in absolute shock.

Lorraine stops abruptly, pushing away from him. She looks confused, "This isn't right," she sighs, "I don't know what it is, but...when I kiss you, something's wrong. I almost feel like—like I was kissing my brother. I guess that doesn't make any sense, does it?" Marty nods with relief, "Believe me, it makes perfect sense." He hears the sound of footsteps on the gravel, sighing in defeat he looks at the clock and sees that the time is now 9:00. "Sounds like somebody's coming." Lorraine says. Marty looks down, "Yeah...I know..."