Rather than try to explain the situation during his visit to say goodbye, he should've simply said "Come with me, I need to show you something," and then take her to where the time machine is.
Clara, like Emmett, is also a scientist. One look, and she would've understood everything.
He came to say goodbye, not to convince her about him being a time traveller. I don't think he planned to tell her about the reason that he had to leave.
shareI know, but I was referring to the part where he had to tell her. She said, "I have to know, if you sincerely do love me then tell me the truth."
That would've been a good opportunity to show her instead.
Good point I guess. Perhaps Doc thought she would believe him if he told her the truth, without having to prove it.
share
Maybe if the DeLorean was functional perhaps. Taking her for a ride in a futuristic motor carriage *might* convince her, but since the DeLorean would not move under its own power, all he could show her was the time circuits and the marginal light show it produced.
And show her a big machine that didn't work? You think that would've been enough?
shareBut it did work, obviously. Otherwise Marty wouldn't be able to be sent back to 1985 the next day, lol.
Of course, I know you're referring to its lack of mobility, but I doubt it'd need that to convince Clara. Considering the design, materials, and gadgets that didn't exist in her time, to her the thing would look like something from out of this world (in this case, the future). Not to mention the way Doc and Marty had it set up on the railroad with their plan in mind.
Do you think Clara would just assume all this was created (and in a short space of time) just so Emmett could lie to her?