"Return to the Past"
Based on the characters created by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
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Synopsis: When Jennifer gets sick and misses the prom, Marty decides to borrow the DeLorean time machine and go back to 1885 to pick up a gift for her that he saw on his previous trip back there a few months before. Unfortunately, he's caught by Jules and Verne in the process and forced to bring them along with him. Back in Hill Valley on the eve of September 7th, he passes himself off as "Clint Eastwood's" identical twin brother, since Eastwood was supposedly killed in a train wreck earlier that day. Marty rents a hotel room in town for himself and Doc's kids, intending to stay the one night and leave the next day, after purchasing the necklace. Despite Marty's warnings, late that night, Jules and Verne sneak out and meet their future father. Doc doesn't realize that "John" and "Mario" are his future children because he believes Marty destroyed the DeLorean in the future.
The next morning, Marty discovers to his dismay that the necklace has been sold, and a new shipment is not due until the following week. At the same time he is reluctantly signed up to promote the gun that his "twin brother" used against Buford Tannen in the showdown. The day after the photography, the day they intend to leave, Marty falls ill suddenly. The kids get their future parents, unsure of where else to turn, and the medical doctor gives Marty a grim diagnosis. Later that night, a nearly delirious Marty decides to make a break for the DeLorean so he can get back to the future and recover. But then he runs into escaped outlaw Buford Tannen, who has revenge on his mind.... |
| Length: Approximately 52,000 words |
| Written: October 1994 - February 1995 |
| Revised: March 1997; August 1999 - November 1999 |
| What's New in '99: This revision has taken the longest so far, and methinks it was mostly due to starting school again and juggling the mix of classes, homework, working, living in an apartment for the first time, and a social life. Regardless, the story gained 10,000 words, though the amount of new writing is greater than that. I took out a huge chunk of the story and I'd say about 3/4ths of the story is totally new or done in a new way. I think it works better this way than originally, so I'm pleased with it, despite the blood, sweat, and tears. |
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Author's Notes: I got the idea for this story in the fall of 1993, believe it or not. But I didn't use it at the time, since the idea was merely a premise (Jules and Verne drag Marty to 1885 and get to interact with their parents). I didn't know where it would go from there, etc. And then I got the idea for the story that would become "The Curse of Great One," so I abandon the idea. Then, a year later, it returned to me while at school and this time, I ran with it.
This story was interesting to write because I had always wondered what had happened in 1885 the days after Marty's departure. I especially thought it was neat to have Marty attend his own funeral, so to speak. And it was fun to revisit old characters (like Maggie & Seamus McFly and Buford Tannen). |
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