It's About Time

Ch 3

They had gotten to some apartments near the video store.

Marty puzzled over the shoe, "How is this going to help us find Doc, Einy?"

Annie was near the liquor store when she heard an old female voice with a bullhorn out the window, "I see you sneaking into that liquor store, young lady!"

Before Annie could ask her a question, she went back into her apartment.

Annie muttered, "What was that about...?"

Marty paled when he saw the buzzer: E Strickland. "Um Annie...?"

Annie came over to him and saw the same thing. "Oh crap."

Marty pushed the button and the same old female came out of the window. "Step away from the door!" The two of them turned and saw the old lady. She added, "Now, let me get a look at you two."

Einstein barked at her. Marty nagged, "Einstein c'mon!"

The lady continued, "Just as I suspected, a couple of hooligans! Get along now! Scat!"

Marty asked, "E Stickland? You aren't related to Vice Principal Strickland, are you, ma'am?"

The lady confirmed, "Not that it is any of your business, but I am his sister, Edna. You're one of those McFly slackers aren't you? Baines too?"

Annie told her, "Uh yes we are... What has the old man... I mean what else has your brother been saying about us?"

Edna pointed out, "Nothing I couldn't have deduced for myself... Slackers! State your business, children. You're making me miss Merv."

Marty replied, "Well, see that's the thing. I'm not sure why we are here. Einstein brought us here and..."

She huffed, "Well?" That's when Annie showed her the shoe that Marty had. Edna was confused at first but then gasped. She ordered, "Stay there." She walked away from the window for a brief second before returning with the other shoe. The door buzzed open as she instructed, "Leave that creature outside."

Annie turned to Marty and stated, "I'll stay with Einstein. You go on ahead."

Marty nodded to her before turning to Einstein briefly, "Sorry Einy."

With that, Marty went in the door to see Edna Strickland.

She huffed, "Well, took you long enough."

Marty stammered, "Uh there are a lot of stairs..."

Edna pointed out, "To return the shoe I mean. I lost it ages ago. You can put it down with the other one." Marty did as he was asked. She added, "Much better. So neat and orderly. I suppose you'll be wanting some sort of reward now?" Marty tried to decline as she told him, "All I've got is tea and candy." Marty tried again as she said, "I'm sorry I called you a hooligan. I try not to jump to conclusions, but after all - nine out of ten people in this city are hooligans. It's a fact, look it up." As she was saying this, she was starting to prepare her tea. She finished, leaving the tea to boil. She went back to her business peering out her window. She brought her bullhorn, "Hey you kids! Put out those cigarettes!"

Annie couldn't believe how loud she was being and she was just outside with Einstein. Marty came over to Edna.

Marty asked, "Uh Miss Strickland... Do you remember when you lost your shoe?"

Edna raised a brow, "Shoe?"

Marty pointed to the one that they had brought, "That one over there."

Edna perked up, "Oh, that shoe! My, what a nosy nellie you two are. No one likes a busybody you know..."