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Doctor Emmett Brown was looking through the recordings of the time travel experiments where he'd recruited volunteers. Specifically, he was looking at the notes for the times he'd sent trams of people back in time to November 12, 1955. It was an experiment that had received positive feedback all around, he remembered. Several people wanted him to run it again next year, and nearly all of them had enjoyed the experience. Including the volunteer whose death had just made the news.
The announcement had startled the scientist once he'd made the connection between the name and the volunteer. Wanting to reflect on the memories, he'd come to the institute to search for the records, leaving a note behind stating where and when he was in case someone wanted to talk to him. And when Doc heard the door open, he had a very good guess as to who was joining him.
"Doc?" Marty asked, walking into the office. "Good morning, Marty," Doc replied. "What are you doing at the Institute on Christmas Eve?" Marty asked, sitting down next to his friend.
"Well, do you remember the person who had that thing in his hand at the stairs next to the clock tower on the day that you went back in time?" Doc asked, knowing that with all of the timelines in existence now, it would take a bit to find the memory.
Marty closed his eyes and went into thought. "The guy who ... tried to give us the flyer for the clock tower before we needed it and jumped a few steps? Or was it the guy next to him?" Marty asked.
"The guy next to him, Marty. He had quite a few friends and made an incredible impact on those around him, it seems," Doc said. "I believe that during the experiments where I sent people to November 1955, he was there on multiple nights, including the final night. Which was so popular that it could be called 'insane' by the people of 2025."
"Had? Is he ... dead?" Marty asked. "I remember talking to him, and he also spoke to Young Goldie Wilson. He was pretty loud and encouraging when getting George to stand up to Biff and make him let go of Lorraine." Doc nodded, confirming it.
"It made the news. I didn't know him, really, but I still can't help but feel sad about it," Doc mused. "I hope everyone who's mourning can find some peace. Damn, it had to happen near the holidays of all times." This would put a shadow on many people's Christmas.
Marty nodded in understanding. From what he remembered, the guy was a good person.
"According to comments left on this YouTube repost of the news story, he was a traveler," Doc said. "He's been all around the world, and he's used videos to show some of the lesser-known spaces that have interesting things or history." He pulled up the video on his computer to show to the teen.
"It looks like he was just as kind and friendly as when we met him," Marty said, reading the comments. "This is heavy, Doc. I hope his family and community of friends are doing okay and getting the support they need." Doc nodded at Marty's words, and they sat in silence for a moment.
"Well, as sudden as it is, we should be getting home," Doc said. "Clara and the boys will be worried if I'm gone for too long."
"Doc, we have a time machine," Marty said. "Time travel is not to be used for personal gain! Yes, mourning and then going to before you left to resume your life counts as personal gain! It can't be healthy to use time travel like that, either!" Doc said sternly.
Marty nodded in understanding, then helped Doc put away his records. Silently, the pair wished for the volunteer to be resting in peace as they left the Institute of Future Technology. "Hey, Doc, let's tell the rest of my family about the time machine while we have the chance in normal time," Marty said. "Now, of all times?" Doc wondered.
"I mean, having just been reminded AGAIN about how life can be, I just feel like it's right. And I've been wanting to make it feel less awkward when interacting with them, so surely knowing why things have changed would help," Marty said.
Doc thought about it on the way to the DeLorean and nodded. "Of course. We'll do it tonight, and we'll answer their questions to the best of our abilities. Of course, we'll have to warn Clara and the boys about our plans, but it will work out."
"We just have to put our minds to it, right?" Marty said, smiling at Doc. The scientist nodded back at him, glad to have such an amazing friend and to have been able to do so much to help him over the years. He would treasure this friendship for his entire life.