Cousin's in Time: Part III

Ch 2

Doc: (He takes the letter and reads it aloud. We are now in his garage.) 'Dear Marty and Annie, if my calculations are correct, you should receive this letter right after you two saw the De Lorean struck by lightning. First, let me assure you that I'm alive and well. I've been living happily these past few months in the year 1885. The lightning bolt that struck the De Lorean caused a jig watt overload, which scrambled the time circuits, activated the flux capacitor, and sent me back to 1885. The overload shorted out the time circuits and destroyed the flying circuits. Unfortunately, the car will never fly again.' (He stops reading.) It actually flew?

Marty: Well, yeah. You had a hover conversion done when you were in the early twenty-first century.

Annie: It was pretty cool.

Doc: Incredible! (He keeps reading) 'I set myself up as a blacksmith as a front while I attempted to repair the damage to the time circuits. Unfortunately, this proved impossible because suitable replacement parts will not be invented until 1947. However, I've gotten quite adept at shoeing horses and fixing wagons!' (He stops reading.) 1885! Imagine I actually end up as a blacksmith in the Old West!

Marty: Pretty heavy, huh?

Annie: Must be the ideal retirement for you, huh Doc?

Doc: Indeed! (He keeps reading) 'I have buried the De Lorean in the Delgado mine adjacent to the old Boot Hill Cemetery as shown on the enclosed map. Hopefully, it will remain undisturbed and preserved until you uncover it in 1955. Inside, you will find repair instructions. My 1955 counterpart should have no problem repairing it so you can drive it back to the future. Once you have returned to 1985, destroy the time machine. ' (He stops reading and looks at Marty and Annie, confused.) Destroy it?

Marty: It's a long story, Doc.

Annie: But, the short version of it is that you've found out that it causes too many paradox situations.

Doc: Interesting. (He continues to read.) 'Do not , I repeat, do not attempt to come back here to get me. I am perfectly happy living in the fresh air and wide open spaces, and I fear that unnecessary time travel only risks further disruption of the space-time continuum. And please take care of Einstein for me.' (He looks up.) Einstein?

Marty: He's your dog, Doc.

Annie: Einstein is what you call your dog in 1985.

Doc: (He shakes his head and continues to read.) 'And so Marty and Annie, I wish you both God speed. You both have been good, kind, and caring friends to me, and I will treasure all of our times together and think upon you both with warm feelings and a special place in my heart. Take care of each other, and I hope you both have a great future together. Your friend in time, Doctor 'Doc' Emmet L. Brown. September 1, 1885.' (He has a tear in his eyes as he stops reading.) I never knew I could anything so touching.

Marty: We know, Doc.

Annie: Yeah, it's beautiful.

(Copernicus whines.)

Doc: Oh, it's alright, Copernicus. Everything will be okay.

Marty: I'm so sorry, Doc. It's my entire fault that you're stuck back there. I should've never let Biff get to me.

Annie: Stop beating yourself up, Marty. At least we know Doc's okay and happy. Isn't that enough?

Doc: Besides, there are worse places to be than the Old West. I could've ended up in the Dark Ages, but they probably would burn me at the stake for having a weird hairdresser. (He checks the map.) Now, according to this map, the De Lorean is sealed off in a side tunnel. We may have to blast.

November 15, 1955

4:35 p.m.

(We at Boot Hill Cemetery. Doc blasts open the entrance to the mine.)