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ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 14

ELMO’S INVENTION

                                             CHAPTER 14

    THE FUTURE OF ELMO’S TIME MACHINE, CONTINUED

Kingsley continued.

“Then there are political races.  Knowledge of the winner, prior to an election, would be devastating.  It would result in a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Why vote if the winner is known?

“The insurance industry would collapse. Insurers of property and life could look to the future and see which policies would cost them money, and how soon. Of course, all life insurance policies would eventually result in a claim but how soon would determine if it was worth issuing a policy.

“These are just a few of the instances where your machine could determine the present by knowing the future.

“Then there is the bigger picture.  In science fiction, whenever someone travels into the past they make sure not to change a single thing.  Step on a beetle and you could come back to a different world.  But you see, even when you are traveling into the future you are trespassing on someone’s past.

“A traveler into the future could return with viruses and bacteria unknown to the world and cause world-wide epidemics. Or coming from the past could reintroduce diseases long eradicated, for which there is now no defense.

“I’ve been thinking about H.G. Wells book The Time Machine.  Of course it was fiction, but the future looked dismal for mankind.  When the time traveler traveled into the distant future the planet was inhabited by giant crabs.  I know this is only fiction, but do we really want to know what the distant future holds?

“Elmo, I’m afraid the society of the world, as we know it, would not survive the impact your machine would produce. The change in the fabric of society would also be devastating and disruptive in the lives of you and Mildred. Devastating to all the world.”

Kingsley’s opinions carried a great deal of weight with Elmo.  He sat in silence and then said, “All that work for nothing.  I’m a failure.”

“No, you’re not.  It’s just that your efforts could produce knowledge the world would be unable to handle.  I know it isn’t much, but I’m proud of what you accomplished.  Perhaps there will be a time when your time machine will serve a useful purpose, under strict control, but I’m afraid that time is not now.

“The final choice is yours, Elmo.  I can only give you my advice and opinion.”

Kingsley then stood up, put his hand on Elmo’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze, and walked upstairs.  He saw Mildred in the kitchen.  “I think Elmo needs to be alone for a while, but he also needs you.”  Kingsley left and Mildred knew the discussion did not go well.

She waited and then walked down the cellar stairs.  Elmo was wheeling his time machine to a corner of the cellar and covering it with a tarp. It now stood next to his transport chambers.  Whenever he looked at those chambers a slight smile would wrinkle his face wondering at the location of the wandering teacup. Mildred walked up to her husband and gave him a hug and a lingering kiss. 

He said, “Well, Mil, we won’t make our fortune off my time machine after all.”

Mildred responded, “I don’t need a fortune.  All I need is you.  It’s getting late.  Let’s go to bed.”

They walked up the stairs and put out the cellar lights.  In the darkened corner stood the time machine which someday might serve a purpose, but not now.

Elmo vowed to Mildred that he was done creating or even thinking about another invention. Never again would he waste his time on another useless project. But ‘never’ ended in 1995 with speculation of the existence of wormholes. The now retired Elmo could not get wormholes out of his mind. Think about how they could be used for space travel. He thought wormholes, dreamed wormholes. With pad and pencil in hand he began jotting down ideas and drawing sketches of an invention he, of course, would never produce. What would be the harm in dreaming?

                                                    THE END

This concludes my postings of Elmo’s Invention. I hope you enjoyed the novella and getting to know Elmo.

Soon I will begin sharing another novella featuring Elmo, Elmo’s Sojourn. In Elmo’s Invention you learned of Elmo’s interest in time travel. In Elmo’s Sojourn you will learn of Elmo’s interest in space travel.

Elmo’s Sojourn has quite a publishing history. Soon I will tell you about that history and give you some information about Elmo’s Sojourn.

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 13

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 13

THE FUTURE OF ELMO’S TIME MACHINE

Kingsley walked home with today’s paper from tomorrow.  He was deep in thought and anxious to organize them.  As soon as he got home he retrieved a pad and pencil, opened the paper, and while reading took copious notes.  His expression grew grave as he worked and highlighted the articles and sections he thought were important.  Once this was accomplished he prepared for bed knowing he would get little sleep.  The next morning, he awoke from the restless night he had spent with anticipation of his meeting with Elmo.  After a meager breakfast he placed a call to his friend.

Elmo answered the phone, and Kingsley could hear the anticipation in his voice.  This did not do much for Kingsley’s spirit.  “Elmo, this is Kingsley.  I thought we might get together and have a discussion about your machine.  Would six tonight be okay?”

“Sure,” Elmo responded.  “I can’t wait to talk to you about it.  It’s all I can think about.”

Mildred was listening and instantly knew the subject of the conversation.  She tried to hide her growing apprehension thinking about the last time her husband’s invention was made public with its possibility.

Kingsley arrived at precisely 6:00PM to Mildred waiting with a steaming mug of tea.  She said, “Elmo is so excited to talk to you.”  She looked at Kingsley’s expression and could detect his uneasiness.  She said no more, and Kingsley walked down the stairs to the cellar.

“Kingsley, my friend, I’m so glad you came.  I can’t wait to talk to you about the prospects of patenting my machine.”

Kingsley was known for his directness, and Elmo expected that now, but to say he was less than enthusiastic about what he heard would be a stretch.

Holding the paper obtained during his time travel, Kingsley referred to his pad of notes although he knew exactly what he needed to say.  “Elmo, I’ve highlighted some sections and articles in this paper.  Areas where your time machine would have an impact. First of all, let’s consider the future of your time machine. Once its existence was known, companies would clammer for the rights to mass produce the device. And if you did not agree to release the patent, we know how the world works. Details of the patent would be leaked. With details of your machine and slight changes, companies would begin production. Countries which are known not to observe patents, namely China and Russia, would also begin to mass produce time machines with little or no thought to the consequences. 

“Elmo, use of your time machine would destroy society as we know it.”

It was then Elmo noticed that the entire sports section was marked. It seemed the entire newspaper was highlighted with copious notes in the margins. He looked up at his friend.

“First of all, your machine could spell the end of sports betting both legal and illegal. Actually, it would spell doom for all sports.  If just one person knew the future and the outcome of any sporting event and sold that information, well you can see what would happen.”

As Elmo continued to study the paper Kingsley went on.  “Keep in mind that one person selling information scenario.  What would happen if the future of the stock market was known?  Think of the effect that would have on the economy of the entire world. What would happen if the future value of all the monies of the world was known?”

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 12

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 12

THE TINKERER GOES INTO THE FUTURE

Kingsley talked to Elmo on the phone and agreed to come over and view the time machine the next day. The excitement in Elmo’s voice was obvious. “It works! It works!” Elmo repeatedly shouted. Kinsley didn’t have to ask what works.

 The following night at 6:00PM sharp Kingsley showed up at the kitchen door, punctual as usual.  Mildred had a steaming mug of Earl Grey ready for him.

“Hello, Kingsley.  Elmo is so excited to talk to you about his time machine.  I’ll be honest with you Kingsley; I think it really does work but what kind of disruption it will cause in our lives I can only imagine.  I just want a nice quiet life here in New Mexico.”

Kinsley said, “I’ll do my best to keep the existence of the machine quiet until Elmo and I have thought through the ramifications it might pose.”

Elmo appeared at the top of the cellar stairs and said, “Kingsley come quick.  I want to demonstrate my time machine.” Elmo rushed down the stairs so fast that Kingsley was afraid he might miss a step and fall.

“All right, Elmo, I’m coming.”  Kingsley looked back at Mildred and she just stood there shaking her head.

Elmo led Kingsley down to the iron lung.  “Kingsley, I found a loose wire and after consulting my wiring diagrams, I reattached it.  And what do you know; it now works as a time machine.”

“How can you be sure, Elmo?”

“Why, I tested it and journeyed into the future.  Now I’d like you to see the future.”

This caught Kingsley by surprise.  “I don’t know, Elmo.  What happens if it’s only a one-way trip?”

“That won’t happen. I came back. And even if it did, I’m only sending you to tomorrow morning.  Trust me, Kingsley.”

That declaration was a huge jump of faith in Kingsley’s mind. Will this device work every time. And what happens if a traveler is caught in the ‘in – between? He respected Elmo’s enthusiasm and love for science but had trouble erasing all doubts of success.  But after thinking of the prospect of traveling into the future, Kingsley said, “Okay, Elmo, send me to tomorrow morning, but make sure you bring me back.”

Elmo smiled and said, “Don’t worry.  It’s foolproof.”

Kingsley stared at Elmo.

Elmo opened the lid to the iron lung and had Kingsley climb in.  Before he closed the lid he said, “First the chamber will fill with a dense mist.  That’s normal.  When the mist clears. I’d like you to go upstairs, open the kitchen door and pick up the paper.  Bring the paper along with you when you get back into the chamber. The return process will begin automatically when you close the lid of the iron lung.  You’ll be gone for a total of fifteen minutes.”  Elmo closed the chamber and initiated the process.  Soon Kingsley was lost in a cloud of mist.

Within the chamber Kingsley could see only the dense white fog which soon dissipated.  He climbed out of the chamber and found that Elmo was no longer there. Kingsley climbed the cellar stairs. Just a hint a daylight beginning to lighten the kitchen window. Mildred stood before the stove, spatula in hand, cooking breakfast. Elmo sat at the table and was the first to see Kingsley. Then Mildred saw him. Shocked at Kingsley’s suddenly appearing so early in the morning and greatly confused for she had not seen him enter the house, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Kingsley sheepishly said, “Getting the paper.” Which made no sense to Mildred. All this time Elmo sat at the kitchen table and had a huge grin on his face. Began quietly laughing. Elmo remembered yesterday.

 Kingsley retrieved the paper, smiled, and returned to the cellar leaving a bewildered Mildred and hysterical Elmo. Once in the cellar, he opened the lid of the chamber, climbed in and settled down ready to go back to today or rather yesterday. The return process was initiated, and he was lost in a cloud of mist.

When the mist cleared he opened the lid of the iron lung and there stood Elmo. He helped Kingsley out of the chamber and Elmo was excited to see him holding the newspaper which Elmo opened with great anticipation. There it was. Tomorrow’s date. He slapped Kingsley on the back and said, “Now you’re a time traveler.

  This experience presented Kingsley with an eerie feeling of possessing knowledge he should not have. He was once again dwelling in today with knowledge of tomorrow.

Kingsley was lost in wonder at what Elmo had accomplished. He built a machine that, until now, only existed in the realm of science fiction. He said, “Elmo, I’d like to keep this paper.  There’s some thinking I must do about your startling device.”

“Sure, keep it”, Elmo said.

Kingsley suggested, “Let’s get together in a day or two and discuss the potential impact your machine may have on everyday life. Think things out.  I’m sure you and Mildred do not want any more protests.”

“Sure Kingsley, sure.  I’ll see you in a couple days.”

The next morning Elmo absently minded went out the kitchen door to get the paper as Mildred said, “Elmo, you won’t believe it but Kingsley already picked up our paper and went into the cellar. Wait a minute, you should believe it because you were here. I’m so confused.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” said Elmo and smiled broadly, amused by Midred’s confusion. Which under the circumstances was normal. For there had never been circumstances like this before.

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 11

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 11

ELMO’S TIME MACHINE

One day after work Elmo stopped, once again, at Brooker’s farm for fertilized eggs.

 “How you doing, Elmo?” he shouted seeing Elmo as Brooker one of his coops.

“Not bad,” Elmo responded.  “Not bad.”

Brooker said, “I guess you come for more eggs.  Got to tell you, son, this deal is saving me money on feed and such.  Hope we can keep it going for a long time.”

Elmo thought about all the effort he put into constructing his machine, and all the grief he endured trying to explore some purpose for it. And it all came down to raising chickens.  He tried to mask his feelings and said, “We’ve got a pretty good deal going, Brooker.  A pretty good deal.”

Elmo accepted six fertilized eggs and made his way home, his heart full of failure wondering what went wrong.  He arrived home, still in a funk, and Mildred met him at the door.  She was all smiles.  “Elmo, it looks like we’ll be getting another free chicken soon.”

Elmo gave his wife a wistful smile and went downstairs to his cellar lab.  He loaded the eggs into his machine, set the length of time of aging to one year and the duration for one minute, and then pushed the button that would start the process.  He stepped back, expecting the chamber to fill with mist and eventually see mature chickens, but nothing happened.

“Now what?” Elmo shouted in disbelief.

Not only had his time machine been reduced to raising chickens, now it wouldn’t work at all. Must be a disconnected wire, he thought.  He removed the eggs and went to get his wiring diagrams.  Unscrewing a steel plate to gain access to the workings of the machine, he carefully began to probe searching for a fault.

After a short period of time he muttered, “Aha.”  He had found a disconnected wire and immediately knew that must be the problem.

Elmo referred to his wiring diagram, and then back to the wire.  He saw where the connection should be made, but to his surprise, that connection had never been completed.  The wire had been soldered to a place it should not have been. He also found some burned-out resistors. That was why the device failed to operate.  His mind raced.  Could this be why the invention did not fulfill its purpose?  Elmo made the repair, reattached the panel and retrieved the eggs.

Elmo’s thoughts went wild as he placed the eggs in the chamber, resetting the length of time to one year and the duration to one minute.

He pushed the start button.

The chamber filled with mist, and then quickly dissipated.  The eggs were gone.  A short time later they reappeared with no apparent change in age. Elmo reasoned, “The eggs must have traveled into the future and didn’t age.

Elmo jumped for joy, shouting, “It works!  It works!”

He next shouted, “Mildred, come quick!”

Mildred heard his initial exclamation.  After Elmo beckoned her, she started for the cellar with great apprehension.  Sometimes things went terribly wrong down there.  She flashed back to her mother’s teacup, wondering where it was now and even if it still existed.  She never knew what to expect at all when she was summoned down to Elmo’s lab.  But she loved Elmo and wanted to give him all the support she could – within reason.

Upon entering the cellar, Mildred found Elmo peering into his iron lung device.  He turned and said to her, “Mil, it works, I think.  It finally, really works.”

It was the ‘I think’ that bothered Mildred.

“Watch”, he said to Mildred and repeated the experiment.  Once again the eggs disappeared in a cloud and then reappeared in another white haze.

Milder muttered, “At least the eggs returned, unlike my teacup.”

Elmo then related to his wife about the loose wire, his reference to the wiring diagram and his mistake in constructing his machine.

Mildred asked, “Is that the end of our free chickens?” She had her priorities.

The question caused Elmo to chuckle realizing his wife’s priorities were so much different from his own.

“I’m afraid so, my dear.  But this is more important than chickens.

“Your teacup was part of a different experiment.  The reason I called you down is to see that my invention really worked, to see that the eggs actually traveled in time. Now I must run the ultimate test to see if it worked.”

“Well, Elmo, how are you going to do that?”

After removing the eggs from the chamber, Elmo pushed a small stepstool in front of the iron lung.

Mildred said, “You’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do.”

“There is only one way, Mil, that I can think of to know if it really works.  A person must be transported into the future and return and report on the experience.

“I need your help.  All the parameters are set.  All you need to do is push this button to initiate the process.”

Mildred knew there would be no living with Elmo if she didn’t help, and if she didn’t help, he would just get someone else.  She mumbled, “All right, Elmo, but it’s the return part I’m worried about.”  She added, “Remember the teacup.  What happens if you don’t come back?”

Elmo disregarded that possibility.

Before he closed the lid to the chamber, Elmo said, “That was a totally different type of experiment.  But remember that every experiment has an element of uncertainty.  That’s why they are called experiments.

“I have to know if my machine works, and I’m almost positive that it does.  I need to do this experiment to confirm that it does.”

With that Elmo closed the lid and indicated to Mildred to push the button.  The chamber filled with a heavy white mist, and when it cleared Elmo was gone.  After five minutes it once again filled with the blanketing mist.  Once the chambered cleared, and much to Mildred’s delight, there lay Elmo with a huge grin on his face. He pushed open the lid and shouted, “It works!  It works!”  After all the hard work, disappointment and failure, his time machine finally worked.

“Mildred, I was talking to you fifteen minutes into the future down here in the cellar.”

“How can you know it was in the future, Elmo?”

“Well, for one thing, you don’t remember me talking to you since I entered the chamber.”

“You’re talking to me now, Elmo.”

“Well yes, but something happened while we were talking that will confirm my knowledge of the future.”  Elmo waited another few moments and said, “Your roast is going to burn.”

Minutes later the first odors of burning roast filtered down to the cellar.

“Elmo, why didn’t you tell me earlier?  I could have saved the roast.”

“And I would have changed the future.”

Mildred hurried upstairs in a huff.  Seconds later there came a crash from the kitchen.

He said quietly, “And you’re going to burn your fingers and drop the roast.  I forgot to mention that part.”

Elmo was anxious to share the fact that his time machine finally worked with someone in the scientific community.  He immediately thought of notifying the Tinkerer’s Club, but that idea did not last long.  The last time he consulted the club it ended in a disaster when someone leaked the events of the meeting.  The only Tinkerer he trusted was Kingsley Dasher, and that’s whom he would contact.

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 10

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 10

ELMO FINDS A USE FOR HIS MACHINE

The day after Kingsley’s visit Mildred called.  Elmo answered the phone expecting more trouble, “Hello.”

“Hello.  It’s me.  I miss you so much, but I just couldn’t take the conflict and uproar.  I’m coming home.  I hope all the protests are over.”

“It’s all over, Mil.  My invention is history.  I’m not even going to patent it, it’s done.”

Mildred could hear the disappointment, the depression in his voice.  She loved him so much and wanted to comfort him in his loss.  She said, “Elmo, I’ll be home as soon as I can.  I love you.”

He responded, “I love you too, Mil.  And I realize more than ever how much I need you. Hurry home.”

After hanging up the phone, Elmo immediately felt better, but at the same time, he felt disappointed that his efforts had resulted in a failed device, and when an unintended use was identified, an angry mob descended on Los Alamos.  Would the folks of Los Alamos ever forgive him for causing so much disruption in their community?  Would society ever understand that he thought his machine might help and not harm? How long would it take for his life to return to normal?  All these thoughts were on his mind as he waited for his love to come home.

Mildred arrived the next day to the open arms of her husband.

The city cleared most of the trash, but there was no way that things would be back to normal for a long time.  Mounds of debris still littered the front yard and the curb.  Neighbors passed by and shook their heads. Cars passed by and slowed down to take in the site of the event that marred their community.

Mildred said, “I can’t wait until all this disruption is over and our life returns to what it once was.”

Elmo loved Mildred so much, yet at the same time, he wanted the efforts he put into his invention to have some purpose.  But he also realized that to pursue that purpose would mean more misery for him and his wife.  Society just wasn’t ready for the radical change his invention would provide.  Elmo now knew that changes that affected people’s paychecks were difficult for society to swallow.  Money was more important than progress.

* * *

Elmo’s machine still worked fine, although not as he had intended. And for that matter, he did not understand why it worked the way it did. And with this unsolved mystery he wanted to continue to use it in some capacity.

One day he said to Mildred, “Maybe I’ll contact Nate Brooker.  I matured eggs into chickens in the past; maybe I can do that and gain something in return.”

The next day Elmo drove out to Brooker’s Farm.  Nate was repairing some fencing, saw Elmo, and waved a gloved hand.  The two men walked to meet.

Elmo said, “Nate, could I set up a deal with you to mature some of your eggs in my invention?  Five for one.  I mature five eggs, and you give me one chicken, cleaned and ready to cook.”

Nate said, “I know all about the protests out at your place.  You sure did stir up a hornet’s nest.  You’re a good man, Elmo, and this sounds like a deal that could help us both.  I’d be glad to give you a chicken for fertilized eggs you turn into chickens, but how will I know the chickens will be normal?”

Elmo scratched his head, and then said, “Do you have to submit chickens for inspection?”

Nate responded, “Why yes I do, on occasion.”

“Then submit one of the chickens I age and see what the results are.  I can almost guarantee you that there will be no problems.”

“Well, I trust you, Elmo.  And what could go wrong?  You’re just aging the damn eggs into chickens. Just speeding up the natural process.”

Nate’s expression suddenly became pensive, and then he asked Elmo, “I’ve just been thinking about aging.  Have you thought about what else you could age, say cheese or wine? Another idea, I don’t know the size of your machine. Could you age cows? I sure would be willing to buy calves and, in a matter of minutes, have full-grown cows. The environment guys would love it. No more methane-producing cow farts.  I, of course, would share the profits with you. Maybe help you make more machines.

Elmo responded, “These are great ideas.”

Elmo’s eyes brightened as he considered the prospect of finally having additional purposes for his invention.  But then he thought some more, and the happiness was replaced by dread, how much conflict would occur when he got involved in the cheese and wine industries?  Before his mind’s eye were protests from those livelihoods depending on raising cattle, aging cheese and wine.  There would be picket lines set up by those involve in any industry involving the aging process. And didn’t cowboys carry guns?  Elmo realized that, with the exception of his chicken farmer friend, he could not think of a way to use his machine that would not endanger someone else’s livelihood. He had yet to consider the anger of other chicken farmers. And if they found out what he was doing for Nate, would they demand the same service? That would set chicken farm managers and coop builders after him. Anyway, he wanted to build a time machine, not an aging process.  He mused to himself and smiled, at least I’ll be able to provide the occasional chicken for the dinner table, but he wished for so much more for his efforts.

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 9

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 9

ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE

It was the morning of the sixth day after The New York Times people left town.  The article about Elmo and his invention was published in The Los Alamos Herald and was the impetus for the visit from the Times. Much to Mildred’s joy and astonishment there were no immediate repercussions from the article in The New York Times.  The residents of Los Alamos had already had their feathers ruffled by the topic and there were no further reactions.  Elmo and Mildred began to relax, confident that all the problems involved with the invention were behind them.  That morning Mildred asked Elmo, “Could you run out and get the paper?  I’ll make you a nice breakfast before you go to work.”  Mildred had mellowed and Elmo’s life was back to normal, but that was about to change in seconds.

Elmo opened the front door, took a few steps and then slowly backed up and closed the door.    Their usually quiet street was overflowing with cars, buses and a great mass of people milling around appearing to anticipate something.  Elmo had no idea what was going on but had a very bad feeling.  Mildred was not going to like this.  He peered through the window, and it was then he caught sight of a placard where his name appeared being carried towards his house.

Elmo had little choice.  He had to let Mildred know that something was going on.  If he didn’t, it would be like trying to hide a herd of elephants taking up residence on their front yard.  He gently called, “Oh Mil, there’s something I think you should see.  I’m sure it won’t amount to much.”

She entered the front room and asked, “What won’t amount to much?”

As she approached the front window Elmo pushed back the curtains.  Mildred stood as if paralyzed, and then shouted, “I knew it!  I told you talking to The Times was a big mistake.  But no, you were going to save the world.”  She stormed out of the room leaving Elmo alone with his thoughts of how this would all work out.

Soon more placards appeared identifying the various organizations present.  There was The Friends and Relatives of Prisoners.  They were joined by The Society of Prison Guards and another group representing ex-cons.  A large group of construction workers were present, their group wearing hard hats, were involved in the building of prisons.  Along with their signs, they paraded with a scarecrow suspended from a pole with of picture of Elmo’s face attached to the head. 

Keeping to themselves, Elmo spied another small group which stood out like a sore thumb.  Outfitted in expensive suits and equally expensive shoes, they held professionally manufactured signs proclaiming them as The Society of Defense Lawyers.  Their main beef was the possible elimination of endless appeals which kept them supplied with their expensive attire.

Elmo found it strange, but not disappointing, that this great milling crowd of protesters was not protesting.  He also noticed that a buffer zone was carefully observed between the house and the crowd.  The answer to his observation of inactivity soon became clear when the news trucks began to arrive.  What was the purpose of a protest if there was no one there to record it?  Elmo thought it was something like that tree falling in the forest and no one heard it.  He noticed something else most disturbing.  There was a secondary crowd forming in the distance away from the main body of protesters.  He could not recognize individual faces, but he knew who they were.  They were the residents of Los Alamos coming to witness the spectacle.  This would anger Mildred even more. 

Once the cameras were in place and the reporters had their makeup on and were holding microphones, the crowd began to come alive holding up signs and voicing their respective opinions. 

But all was not quite finished.  The icing on the protest cake was the arrival, with as many lights flashing as possible and sirens wailing, of the Los Alamos police.  Four police cars came to a skidding halt on Elmo’s front yard creating deep tire tracks.  The chief of the Los Alamos police, John McFurdy first went over to the press and diligently spelled his name for them.  Then he went to Elmo’s front door and knocked.  Elmo asked the chief in and offered him a cup of coffee.  Sitting at the kitchen table, McFurdy said, “All the groups out there obtained permits to protest.  There is nothing we can do but ensure that no damage happens to your property.”

Elmo recalled the deep groves he had observed in his front yard.

Chief McFurdy continued, “State police have formed a perimeter around you house to ensure that no one without a permit enters the protest zone.”

Elmo knew that the perimeter was not that great.  His neighbors had already broken it. The term ‘protest zone’ made the hairs on the back of Elmo’s neck stand on end.

After McFurdy left, Elmo noticed that six officers had stationed themselves between Elmo’s house and the press.  There was a hushed silence.  The first camera lights came on and it was as if someone threw a switch: All hell broke loose.

The once silent crowd instantly created a roar.  Each group shouted their rehearsed chants.  Soon after the beginning of the protest, Elmo’s effigy burst into flames.  The various groups began to hurl eggs and tomatoes at Elmo’s house and the police. The lawyer’s contingent hurled non-libelous insults and carefully recorded what they said.  A few rocks were thrown, later determined to come from the area populated by the ex-cons, but no real damage was done to the house or bystanders including the police.

The protest went on for two days while the press conducted interviews.  One woman came forward and held up a copy of The New York Times pointing to the before and after pictures of Elmo’s demonstration shouting, “My son is in prison.  I don’t want him turned to ash.”  Behind her stood a grizzled ex-con, his shaved head glistening in the sun.  “Nobody is putting me in no fucking death chamber,” indicating his life of crime was not yet over. 

After the media had their film and interviews they began to pack up and leave.  With the media gone the protesters lost their enthusiasm and quietly slipped away leaving a mess of litter and protest signs.  There were some portable toilets available, but not nearly enough to handle the large crowd, so the area around Elmo’s home was not only a mess but also a health hazard.

* * *

Once the protesters had left, Kingsley Dasher slowly made his way to Elmo’s residence not knowing what he would find.  He climbed the front steps and knocked on the door.  The Elmo that greeted him was one he didn’t know.  The man appeared beaten, the image of a lost soul.  Before he could stop himself, Kingsley asked, “How are you doing, Elmo?”

Elmo stood with slumped shoulders, and dark-rimmed eyes answered with a raspy voice, “I’ve been better.”

“May I come in?”

“Of course.  I wouldn’t mind a little company right now.”  Elmo led his friend into the living room and offered him a seat.

Kingsley said, “You had to endure quite a ruckus, Elmo.  I feel guilty that I was the one who pointed out the obvious use of your invention.  I suspected something might happen once the existence of your invention was made known, but I never imagined the level of hostility.  The reality is our society is a fickle society.  It professes one set of values, but it is mere lip service.  The values that are actually in practice are completely different from those voiced. 

“Money is the value our society holds dearest.

“Your invention would have saved millions of dollars, perhaps billions in doing away with the prison system and at the same time providing swift justice for the guilty.  But at the same time, it would have deprived hundreds maybe thousands of people of their livelihood.  Construction workers and prison guards would suffer and let us not forget the lawyers with their endless appeals.  Society has problems with such sudden changes no matter how beneficial they are.”

Kingsley then took a moment to look around and wondered where Mildred was.  “How is Mildred handling all this?”

“Not very well.  The day the protests began she left for her sister’s home in Santa Fe.  I call but she refuses to talk to me.”

“I’m sure she’ll come around once all this is over.  It will just take some time.  This whole experience was quite a blow for both of you.  To say it was a life-disrupting event would be putting it mildly.”

The two men sat in silence for a while and then the phone rang.  Elmo jumped up hoping it was Mildred, but he was to be extremely disappointed and further upset.

“Hello,” he said.

Kingsley watched Elmo’s face and immediately knew the news was not good.  Elmo had little to say during the short call.  After hanging up, he told Kingsley, “That was a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union calling to notify me that they are issuing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of prisoners, families of prisoners and ex-convicts.  Apparently there are organizations of defense lawyers also preparing lawsuits.  This whole thing is just getting worse and worse.

I was hoping to patent the device and make some money.  Now it appears it may cost me everything I have.  This is definitely not going to bring Mildred home.”

Kingsley knew that Elmo needed to be alone.  He rose and said, “I would suggest you issue a statement saying that upon further consideration, you’ve decided to discontinue any further attempts in patenting or selling your machine.

“Your science was sound, Elmo.  Society just wasn’t prepared for such a sudden advance.”

Kingsley left Elmo sitting on the couch, a man in love with science and defied by society.

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 8

                                ELMO’S INVENTION

                                        CHAPTER 8

                         TIME MACHINE, BIG NEWS

The following Wednesday Elmo went to work and immediately became aware that something was not quite right.  Everyone stared at him as if he had two heads.  His usually friendly coworkers were avoiding making eye-contact with him, were uncomfortable to be in the same room as him. Someone finally handed Elmo the latest edition of the Los Alamos Herald, published that morning.

Elmo was shocked at the headline, shouting in huge bold print, Scientist, Elmo Baker Has Invented a Prison that will Change Humanity.  He couldn’t believe it.  He kept muttering to himself, “They promised not to publish.”  He read on and found to his dismay all the details he shared with Nate Bush.  How would this change his life?  He was sure it would not be for the better; trouble was surely down the road, and he had a feeling the road would not be a long one.

After sitting in his cubicle, he immediately phoned Nate.  “You promised not to publish anything about my invention.  I trusted you.”

Elmo could hear the guilt in Nate’s voice as he answered, “I wanted to honor my promise, but the managing editor insisted I publish the article.  Circulation is down and he wanted something that would catch the readership’s interest.  All we ever get to report is the local news, and with the gossip in this town, most people know what we publish before we publish it.  This story is big.

“But I trusted you.  People at work look at me as if I’m some kind of freak.  What are the rest of the people in Los Alamos going to think?”

“Take it easy, Elmo.  I’m sure this will blow over in no time at all and everything will return to normal.”

The next day Elmo’s life would change in a big way.

* * *

The Los Alamos rag was read by the locals for local news. Because interest in the paper’s stories appealed to former Los Alamos residents, stories were posted with a wire service.  That’s how Elmo’s problems reached a new level.

The Friday morning after the story appeared in The Los Alamos Herald, Elmo and Mildred were sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast.  Mildred asked, “Things calmed down in work, Elmo?”

“Things are better now.  I explained, to anyone interested, that I discovered the ‘prison’ by mistake, that I’m not really sure that it has any practical purpose and that’s the truth.  I can’t picture the thing being used, and Kingsley Dasher hinted that there may be problems down the road even though he was the one who first envisioned the device as a prison.  I sure didn’t tell anyone that it was a time machine that I really wanted to invent.  I can just imagine the response I would get from that bit of information.”

Elmo was about to continue when the ringing phone interrupted him.

Mildred said, “I’ll get that.  Hold your thought.”

Elmo watched as she answered the phone.  At first she had a puzzled look on her face, and then her eyebrows knit, and her forehead wrinkled with shock and confusion.  She said to the caller, “Yes, Mr. Slattery, this is the residence of Elmo Baker.  He’s right here.”

Elmo was puzzled.  He didn’t know a Mr. Slatterly.

Mildred held her hand over the mouthpiece and whispered, “He’s a reporter from The New York Times.”

A film of sweat broke out on Elmo’s forehead.  He knew this was going to be trouble.  He slowly took the phone from Mildred.  “Hello, this is Elmo Baker.  How can I help you?”

“Dr. Baker, this is Joe Slatterly from The New York Times, the paper is extremely interested in the wire story published by The Los Alamos Herald.  I’d like to come to New Mexico and interview you and take some pictures of your machine.  It could change the penal system as we know it.  We feel that the public needs to know about your invention.”

Elmo thought about the reaction that the locals had when they read about his invention.  He could not imagine what it would be like if the entire country, no wait, the entire world knew about his invention.

Elmo said, “I don’t think I’d be comfortable letting the world know about my invention.  The reaction locally was not the best.  I’d rather forget about the whole thing.”

“But Elmo.  Can I call you Elmo?”

“Sure, Elmo’s fine.”

“You could change society for the better.  The convicted could fulfill their debt to society and not experience the degradation and dangers of prison life.  There would be less recidivism.  Prisoners could get on with their lives without the scars of prison life.”

Elmo began to weaken.  “I suppose my machine could serve a benefit to society.”

“I’m sure it would.  Have you thought much about patenting and selling it?”

“I do plan to patent it, but after that, I don’t know.  I’m just now getting over the shock of how the news was taken around here.”

Slatterly talked fast.  He didn’t want to lose Elmo.  “Well, an article in The New York Times would certainly provide a great deal of publicity.  It might cause some rough spots for you, but it would definitely make the public aware of your device, especially potential customers.  And you know what they say.  ‘There’s no such thing as bad publicity.’”

Mildred listened to Elmo’s end of the conversation and could tell he was wavering and began to think he would do what the reporter wanted him to do.  The gleam in his eyes was beginning to frighten her.  See had seen that look too many times before.

After a few more minutes Elmo finished his conversation by saying, “That would be fine, Mr. Slatterly.  I’m looking forward to seeing you the day after tomorrow.”

After Elmo hung up Mildred immediately asked, “Elmo, what are you doing?  Are you going to talk to that reporter even after how our neighbors and friends reacted after they found out about your machine?  How could you?”

Doubt passed over Elmo’s face, but he quickly recovered.  “Mil, I could help society, free-up money for uses more important than prisons, like education and medical research.”

“Oh, I see, Elmo.  You are going to save the world while we become lepers in our own community.”

“That’s a little harsh, Mil.”

“We’ll see,” Mildred said as she stormed out of the room.

* * *

Two days later The New York Times reporter, along with his photographer, appeared at Elmo’s front door.  They called ahead from the airport before they left New York to let Elmo know when he should be expecting them.  When the doorbell rang Elmo wanted to get to the front door before Mildred, who had been moody ever since the reporter’s call. 

Elmo opened the door and extended his hand to the young smartly dressed man before him.  “You must be Joe Slatterly from The New York Times.”

“That’s right, sir.  And this is my photographer, Larry Hitchcock.  I’ve been looking forward to this interview and seeing your machine.”

Elmo began, “First, call me Elmo.  Let’s go down to the cellar.  I’ve been planning a demonstration for you.”  Elmo led the way to the cellar door and found Mildred standing close to it.  She was civil to the two men from The New York Times, Elmo knew she would be.  What he feared was how she would react and what she would say after they left.

As the group descended the stairs to Elmo’s laboratory, Elmo said, over his shoulder, “I’ve arranged a little demonstration to show you how my device works.”

Once in the cellar, Larry said, “Look, Joe, an old iron lung.  I haven’t seen one of those in years.  Elmo, do you collect old medical equipment too?”

Slatterly was in a hurry.  He wanted to see the demonstration, talk to Elmo and get out of Hicksville as soon as possible.  “So,” Slatterly asked, “where is your machine?”

Elmo pointed to the iron lung, “That’s it, gentlemen.  I needed a chamber that would fit a human.  Although it may not look like much, what makes this iron lung unique is the electronics I’ve incorporated.  Let me show you how it works.”

Walking to a cage at a far wall, Elmo extracted a rat, which he had recently obtained, and returned to the iron lung.  He put the rat in the chamber and motioned for Larry to approach.  “Larry, you might want to take a ‘before’ photo of the rat.”

“Sure, Elmo.”

Once the photo was taken Elmo said, “I will conduct this experiment in two stages.  This rat is about four months old.  The lifespan of a rat is about three years.  I will first set the time dial to two years and the length of the experiment to one minute.”  Elmo pushed the initiate button and said to the men, “Please observe.”

They stepped closer to the chamber and saw that a white mist had enveloped the rat, and then quickly disappeared.  The rodent appeared to be slightly bigger than before.

Elmo said, “As you can see, the rat has increased in size.  Now I shall set the time dial to twenty years.”

Once again Elmo initiated the sequence and once again the chamber filled with a white mist.  As the mist began to clear, Nate and Larry could see the rat shrivel.  It became no more than a husk and then collapsed into a mound of dust and bones.  Elmo told Larry, “You can take the ‘after’ picture now.”

Joe and Larry were speechless.  Both expected this claim, for a device which could serve as a prison, to be the fantasy of some demented scientist, but here was the proof before their eyes.  They were truly amazed at what they had witnessed.  Larry took the picture but still couldn’t believe what he had seen.

Joe, still mystified at what he had witnessed, asked, “How did you do that, Elmo?”

“Well,” Elmo began, “the science is rather complicated.  Let’s just say that the theory and principles behind this device are based, for the most part, on Einstein’s work.”  Elmo could not reveal, in reality, that he did not truly understand how it worked and that it was meant to be a time machine.

Joe asked, “So this thing will kill the occupant?”

Elmo was shocked and quickly answered, “Oh no, no.  As you witnessed, the first run only aged the rat.  I wanted the rat to expire in order to demonstrate that time, in the chamber, had truly advanced.  I wasn’t sure if you would believe, with the first experiment, that the rat had aged.

“If a human had been in the chamber he would have aged twenty years in a matter of minutes.  His debt to society, paid.”

After a few more questions for Elmo, Joe said, “I guess we’re finished, Elmo.  This will make a great story, and the pictures should really open the eyes of the public.”

Elmo felt apprehension with the last comment.

Joe asked, “Elmo, could we get a photo of you standing in front of your machine?”

Elmo hesitated, but finally said, “I guess it would be all right.”

Larry took the picture, and the trio then walked up the stairs out of the cellar.  Joe and Larry said their goodbyes and drove away.

As Elmo closed the door he could hear Mildred walk into the room behind him.  This was the moment he dreaded.

“Well, Elmo, were those fellas impressed by your machine?  Did they get the story they wanted?”

“Yes, dear, I think things went rather well.  I demonstrated the device, and they were most impressed.” 

Mildred turned and, as she left the room, said with coldness in her voice, “We’ll see what happens when the story comes out.  I hope I’m wrong about bad things to come and soon the entire matter just fades away.”

Elmo began to think that this was going better than he had hoped, but that thought was short lived.

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 7

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 7

THE TIME MACHINE REVEALED

Mildred watched as the members of the Tinkerer’s Club ascended the stairs from the cellar and prepared to depart.  Harold Kinter, William Dupree and James Forsyth bid her goodbye.  Much to her surprise, Kingsley Dasher took her hand and said, “Elmo has a marvelous intellect, and his invention could someday garner you a great deal of money.  Only time will tell.”  With that he walked out the door and was gone. 

Elmo was the last to depart the cellar and Mildred could immediately tell that things had not gone as well as he had anticipated.  She was puzzled by Elmo’s downtrodden appearance and Kingsley’s departing comment.  Wanting to question her husband, she asked, “Elmo, why don’t I pour us some coffee and we have some dessert?”

Elmo, distracted by his thoughts, after a moment, replied, “That’s fine with me, my dear.  I have a great deal on my mind, and perhaps talking would help.  Things did not go as I had hoped during the meeting, and I need to gather my thoughts.  I am confused about the future of my invention.  Nothing is going as I had planned.”

Mildred set the kitchen table with two steaming mugs and plates of Elmo’s favorite dessert, spice cake.  She watched Elmo sip his coffee and then push the dessert away.  Now she knew something was definitely wrong.  Elmo never refused spice cake.  “What happened in the cellar?” Mildred asked.

Elmo hesitated, and then began, “I demonstrated my time machine using the kitten and the results were as I expected.  To everyone’s surprise, Kingsley made a comment after the experiment.  As he began to speak, I expected him to give insight into why the machine was not working, but to my surprise he said that it was working.  Only it was working in a manner not that I appreciated.  He said that I had invented the perfect prison and that my machine had the potential to change society.”

Mildred sat deep in thought remembering what Kingsley had said before departing.  Suddenly her face lit up, “He’s right.  I never would have made the connection.  The man’s a genius.  I’m so proud of you, Elmo.  Your invention will change our society.”

This did not serve to heal Elmo’s fragile ego, instead, Mildred’s comment only served to increase its fragility.

Elmo had invested a great deal of effort in planning and then building his machine.  Now, not only did it not work, but someone else had discovered its use.

Mildred could see that her husband was deeply upset.  She extended her hand across the table and said, “Come to bed, my dear.  Perhaps there is something I can do to improve your mood.”  Mildred was successful, but it wasn’t long before matters took a drastic turn.  Once again it was something that Kingsley had hinted might happen, but even he could not predict the extent of the turmoil Elmo’s machine would cause.

* * *

To this day Elmo doesn’t know how it happened or who was the one to break the secrecy surrounding the meeting of the Tinkerer’s Club. For a moment he thought maybe Mildred, but no, she would never break his confidence.  He was sure it wasn’t Kingsley.  Kingsley had trouble communicating with the members of the club.  Elmo could not picture him going to the press or even breaking the club’s confidence with a friend.  Elmo doubted he had few friends outside the club.  That left James Forsyth, William Dupree and Harold Kinter as the culprit.  He questioned them all and everyone denied that they talked about the machine.  Elmo knew one of them was lying.  His money was on either James Forsyth or William Dupree.

James was a people person and loved being the center of attention.  He also enjoyed talking about his work and Elmo could just picture him letting slip the nature of the Tinkerer’s meeting.  James’ tongue was often ahead of his brain when he really got going in a conversation.

William was also a suspect.  Being short, and as most short people, he feared being ignored, feared being lost in a crowd – literally.  So how better to avoid being lost than becoming its center.  Elmo could picture him trying to impress people.  Telling them of a great new device that would do away with prisons and save society billions of dollars.  And after explaining all this, whispering, “Now promise that you won’t tell a soul.”

The more he thought about who the culprit might be, the more Elmo became sure that William was the guilty party, but William, as well as the rest of the members present that night, emphatically denied speaking about the machine to anyone.

The manner in which Elmo discovered that the secrecy of the Tinkerer’s Club meeting had been broken was a phone call he received from a local newspaper.  Published only once a week, The Los Alamos Herald was primarily concerned with community events, births, weddings and funerals.  Most of what was news in the town of Los Alamos was Top Secret so there really wasn’t much to report.  When word of Elmo’s invention began to spread through the tight-knit community, the paper was all over it.

One evening, while Elmo and Mildred were enjoying their supper, the phone rang.  “I’ll get it,” said Elmo as he rose to answer.  This was long before the age of telemarketers, and for that matter, answering machines.  When the phone rang you knew it was something important.  Elmo answered, “Hello.”

A voice on the other end said, “Hello, this is Nate Bush calling from The Los Alamos Herald.  I’d like to speak to Dr. Elmo Baker.”

Mildred watched Elmo and saw his expression range between puzzlement and fear. 

Elmo said, “Elmo here.  What can I do for you?”

“I’ve been told you’ve invented a rather unique machine, a machine that may do away with prisons.  Could you comment on this device?”

Elmo did not know how he should answer.  He thought the events of the meeting would remain confidential.  He now felt anger and frustration and did not know where to direct it.  He had to respond. He couldn’t lie for he would soon be filing a patent for his machine.  “I have built a device that can age the occupant to a predetermined age.”

“How long does this process take?”

Elmo responded, “Oh, just a matter of minutes.”

“How exactly does it work?”

Elmo was not about to admit that he really didn’t know that it was intended to be a time machine and that something went wrong, so he answered, “I’d rather wait until I patent the device before I divulge its workings.  Also, I’d appreciate it if you would postpone writing any article until I receive the patent.”

Nate was disappointed at this request but felt he had to respect Elmo’s wishes.  He responded, “I’ll write-up the article and wait until I hear that your patent has been granted.”

Elmo, somewhat relieved, said, “I would appreciate that a great deal.  I’ll give you a call when the patent is approved.”

After hanging up the phone, Elmo said to Mildred, “Someone broke their word.  That was The Los Alamos Herald, and they want to know about my invention.  I can’t believe all this is happening about something I truly do not understand.”

* * *

Later that day George Holkum walked over to Nate’s desk.  The paper was losing money and George, the managing editor, needed to turn that around. 

He asked Nate, “How did that prison thing interview go?  Are we dealing with a nutcase or what?”

Nate began to perspire.  He knew that the paper was in trouble and needed sales.  He also knew he had a fantastic story, but he had given his word.  Nate said, “I think it’s the real thing.  The man is a scientist, and he wants to keep things quiet until he gets a patent.”

George said, “Publish the story.  Maybe it will increase our circulation.  We’re not in a position to not publish something important.  We have a responsibility to the stockholders.”

Nate responded, “But boss, I gave my word.”

“Your word won’t sell papers.  Publish your story!”

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 6

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 6

ELMO’S PRISON

When Kingsley rose, everyone looked in his direction.  It was not unprecedented that he would speak at a meeting, but it was a rare occurrence.  What Kingsley said to the group would usually solve the problem at hand.  Elmo prepared to hear great things from Kingsley and gain insight on how to fix his machine.

After once again clearing his throat, whether to gain everyone’s attention or because he found talking to be an effort, no one was sure, he began to speak.  “Elmo, you must be rewarded for your effort.  Although you have not accomplished what you set out to accomplish, and perhaps never will, your invention could possibly change the course of society.  I have no doubt that mankind will greatly benefit from your invention, if they choose to embrace its benefits is a different matter.  Only time will tell.”

Elmo, along with the rest of the group, was both puzzled and full of anticipation.

Kingsley continued, “However, I am a mathematician and not an ethicist and cannot predict the consequences of your discovery.”

Elmo said, “I am totally lost.  You say I have made a great discovery, yet at the same time say that its use will produce ethical problems.”

“That’s correct, Elmo.  Your invention, in my mind, would be the perfect prison.”

Elmo, along with William and James, stared at Kingsley in total disbelief, and then slowly began to understand what he was saying.

After a few moments of deep thought, Harold Kinter voiced his thoughts to the gathering, “Of course, I can see it now.  Elmo, your invention, though unintended, could do away with prisons as we know them.  Year-long sentences could be served in a matter of minutes.  It would save society millions of dollars and save prisoners from the dangers inherent in incarceration.

“Think of it!  No matter what the length of a prisoner’s sentence, the punishment could be delivered in a matter of minutes.  Your invention could funnel money into projects that benefit society and save prisoners from harm.”

They all looked at Elmo.  His visage was one of disappointment and disbelief.  “I meant my invention to be a time machine; instead, you say I invented the perfect prison.  I failed.”

Kingsley stepped totally out of character and attempted to comfort his colleague.  “Elmo, some of the greatest discoveries in the world were made by accident.  Look at all the lives that were saved by the discovery of penicillin.  If Fleming had not noticed that petri dish with mold and dying bacteria, who knows how long it would have taken for someone else to discover that life-saving antibiotic.

“Think of the value of your discovery, and someday I am sure that you will determine the principle behind the device.  With your invention, no matter the length of a prisoner’s sentence it could be served in minutes with virtually no expense to society.  And when it comes to a death sentence, your machine can accomplish that too, but a death sentence is a death sentence no matter how it is accomplished.

Then James Forsyth began to speak, “I can think of another question which requires an answer. After a prisoner serves his term in your machine, what is his mental state? Is his mind the same as it was before the prison term? Or does his mind age along with his body?  Although I cannot imagine how the mind ages with the lack of experience.”

Elmo said, “I can think of no answer to the question of mind aging. I feel this can only be determined with the test of a human subject. But I must add I owe a great deal of gratitude for introducing important questions I had not considered.” 

“Your device could save society millions, perhaps billions of dollars and funnel the revenue into efforts that would better society.  Education, medical research, providing for the elderly and that is only the tip of the iceberg of what could be affected by this machine.  But I fear there will be obstacles to this scenario which I cannot anticipate.

“You see, our society is inconsistent.  It professes one set of values yet lives by another.  We say how important education is, but we do not support it the way we should, not to mention that the key to education is parental input.  We pay lip service to medical advancement, but do not fund the conjecture that could become reality.  And when a discovery is made, many times it is beyond the reach of those who would benefit.  We say we value the elderly yet turn away when we could make their final years more comfortable. 

“I fear there will be great objection to your discovery but cannot anticipate the form it will take.  Good luck, Elmo.  You have a difficult path ahead of you.”

ELMO’S INVENTION, CHAPTER 5

ELMO’S INVENTION

CHAPTER 5

THE TINKERER’S CLUB

With the experiments completed and his understanding of what he had observed, there was only one thing to do: Call a meeting of the Tinkerer’s Club.

Elmo moved in a circle of physicists, mathematicians and theoretical scientists at Los Alamos.  They referred to themselves as the Tinkerers, one member or another constantly came up with ideas to explore and devices to construct.  There were approximately ten members, the numbers would vary with interest and transfers to other parts of the country.  Gatherings of the members would take place with as little as two or as many as all current members.  It all depended on what the members’ specialty was or were too busy involved in their own ideas.  They would ponder on their own time; ideas no one would pay them to ponder.  The opportunity to contribute to the knowledge of man was their driving force, also if successful, develop a second income. They referred to their efforts as ‘cellar science’, although they did not all have cellars, but the original members all did. What they all had in common was the joy in letting their imaginations run wild without restrictions.  They didn’t all work in cellars, some worked in garages and some in rented space, but they all shared a scientific curiosity. 

Elmo was the youngest member.  Age was not a factor for being accepted into the group, only a passion for science and a high level of intelligence.  Most of the members had projects in progress, or theories they wanted to explore.  When a member felt his work had come to a milestone he would call a meeting to be held in his laboratory.  Those who would attend would study the results and give advice, if they could, but there was almost always encouragement to press on with the project.

Elmo took a week to prepare his presentation.  It would usually involve the members’ theory, applications of the project and any problems which needed to be solved 

On the night of the meeting four members arrived to analyze the conjecture Elmo would present.

Harold Kinter promised to attend the meeting.  He was forever the first to a meeting for he had only one thing in his life, and that was his science.  Physics was his field, and he had occasion to work with Elmo.  A few years older than Elmo, Harold was portly and a bachelor and would likely remain so all his life.  He spent his workdays and after work hours contemplating esoteric theories to occupy his mind.  In another life, he could well have been a model for Sherlock Holmes.  Although his habits did not readily welcome others into his world, he was not a loner.  He chose to surround himself only with those who could stimulate and impact his thoughts.

Another member, James Forsyth, also agreed to come.  Forsyth was also a physicist but the direct opposite of Harold.  James was so gregarious that when someone met him, they immediately thought he was a salesman.  He had the life of an average guy, married with two children.  In his mid-forties, his chestnut hair had begun to gray at the temples.  It was only when someone asked him what he did for a living that the impression of James Forsyth changed.  He would begin talking about physics and couldn’t stop.  Only when he opened his mouth about work did those around him realize he was far from the average guy.

Also due to arrive was William Dupree.  He was a mathematician who also craved human contact.  Now in his mid-fifties, and a bachelor, he was exceedingly short.  At just over five feet tall, he found himself often ignored.  Desperately wanting his voice to be heard, he found the Tinkerer’s Club an avenue to have a more intimate relationship with his colleagues.

Elmo was surprised when Kingsley Dasher also agreed to attend.  Kingsley rarely attended meetings.  When in attendance, he would make Harold Kinter appear to be the life of the party.  Kingsley defined the term ‘loner’.  Tall and thin, with a shaved head, he was at least sixty but no one knew for sure, well, no one also  knew if he was married, had children, or anything of his background and education.  Although he rarely attended meetings, when he appeared he was more than welcome by the presenter for Kingsley was considered ‘the brain’.

He would sit alone and listen to the presentation and arguments.  Often during the course of a meeting, he would not say a word.  When the presentation and discussions were completed, at times he would merely rise and leave, never saying anything.  However, when he did speak there was total silence to grasp every word he uttered. 

Two days before the meeting was scheduled to occur, Elmo informed Mildred that the Tinkerer’s Club would arrive to discuss his time machine.  She responded, “I’ll have a pot of coffee and dessert ready for them.”  She knew the coffee would be consumed, along with perhaps a second pot, but the dessert hardly touched, except for Harold Kinter.  He definitely would enjoy a dessert.

The day of the meeting, Elmo made a decision on his way home.  Mildred made him get rid of the rats and he agreed to.  In reality, they were beginning to smell up the entire house, so he had no problem in agreeing. Also, it was work to maintain them.  However, now he needed a subject to demonstrate his machine.  Elmo recalled that his wife had, for some time now, been aching for a pet cat.  She loved cats and often told Elmo, “If I had a cat it would keep me company while you’re at work.”

With this in mind, he stopped at an animal shelter on his way home and selected a six week – old orange and white tabby kitten.  When he arrived home and walked into the kitchen carrying a cardboard box, the kitten inside began to meow.  Mildred ran to Elmo and took the box he was carrying and peered inside.

“Oh, Elmo, you brought me a kitten.”  She lifted the kitten out of the box, and hugging it to her breast, and was rewarded with instant purring.  “Elmo, she’s beautiful.  Thank you so much.”

Elmo asked, “What will you name her?”

“I’ll have to think about that for a while.  I just hope you can tolerate the damage she’ll do until she’s old enough to be declawed.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem, Mil.  You’ll be able to have her declawed tomorrow.”

“I can’t do that tomorrow.  She’s much too young.  She must be at least … Oh no, Elmo, you’re not putting her into your chamber, are you?”

“Dear, you made me get rid of the rats.”

“They were stinking up the cellar and I could smell them in the house every time you opened up the cellar door.”

“Mil, I need to demonstrate the time machine tonight to the Tinkerer’s Club.  Look on the bright side; she won’t have a chance to cause damage with her claws.”

“Elmo, if anything happens to my kitten there will be hell to pay.”  Mildred looked down at the little ball of fur and scratched her ears which intensified the purring, saying, “I’ll miss your kittenhood, but in all honesty, not the damage you might cause with those front claws.”  With a final squeeze she gave the kitten to Elmo who put her back in the box and took her down to the cellar.

After dinner the Tinkerers began to arrive.  The first was Harold Kinter, as was the custom.  He accepted a steaming mug of coffee and a plate of cake and then descended into the cellar.  In rapid order, James Forsyth and William Dupree appeared at the front door, accepted mugs of coffee, and then joined Harold in the cellar. 

The last to appear, as also was the custom, was Kingsley Dasher dressed in a suit and tie.  All the rest of the members were dressed casually.  Kingsley had never been a casual person.  Mildred was ready for him.  “A cup of Earl Grey, Kingsley?” She knew he preferred tea.

“Why, that would be much appreciated,” he answered.  After obtaining his beverage, he joined the rest of the group in the cellar to witness tonight’s presentation.  He took his usual location of choice away from the rest of the group.  He would appear to be indifferent to the entire event, but all the members knew he would be listening intently and would only comment when he thought his input would be of value or steer the meeting in the direction which was required.  Stationed in an old recliner in a corner of the cellar, Kingsley tented his fingers and closed his eyes.

In the meantime, Harold, James and William gathered around Elmo’s machine with great anticipation.  Elmo was identified as a valued member for his curiosity and intelligence.

Elmo began, “What you see before you, my friends, is my attempt to produce a time machine.  I chose to construct it around an iron lung so that a person, a time-traveler, could comfortably recline inside.  The intention was to have the time-traveler travel forward in time and return after a preset interval, however, the machine would remain here.”

Elmo went on to explain his theory for time travel and his calculations.  The group was amazed as he discussed the basis of his theory for time travel.  Kingsley listened through half-closed eyes.  Elmo continued, “However, there is a problem and that is the reason I called this meeting.  I have tested my device on a variety of animal subjects, including fertilized eggs.  It was with the eggs that I determined the flaw in my machine.  You see, the subject does travel forward in time but does not leave the machine.  Rather, they age, and after the preset interval of the journey, they do not return to their original state but remain at their future age. Fertilized eggs become chicks. Chicks become chickens. Given the required length of time, rats become skeletons.  I would now like to demonstrate this phenomenon.”

“Before you demonstrate your device,” Kingsley asked, “How does it create mass? As you describe your results, mass was created with your egg experiments and where did mass go when you produced a rat skeleton?”

Elmo’s face showed puzzlement. He had not thought of this question before.

The mass question produced total silence in the group. They all knew of the balance between mass and energy. That the formation of mass should result in a tremendous drain of energy from somewhere. By the same token, the loss of mass should result in a dramatic increase in energy. Enough energy to obliterate the area surrounding the experiment. The question of the production and loss of mass stymied the Tinkerers.

Suddenly Harold Kinter began to smile. He thought he had a possible answer to the mass question. He began, “There is only one possible explanation. Somehow, and I’m sure no can answer how, Elmo’s machine has been able to tap into the realm of dark matter and dark energy. I feel that can be the only explanation.

“The existence of this strange form of matter and energy is postulated and may someday be proven as fact. And can be the only explanation for the creation and deletion of mass which I can think of.”

The entire group pondered this explanation and were unanimous in their agreement.

Elmo then went to the cardboard box and picked up the kitten which immediately began to purr and lick Elmo’s hand.  “This kitten, six weeks old, is tonight’s subject.  I will set the journey into the future to six months.  The length of the experiment will be five minutes.”

He deposited the kitten into the chamber, and after adjusting a few dials, initiated the process.  As usual, the chamber lit up and filled with mist.  After the haze cleared there stood a nearly full-grown cat with the identical markings of the kitten. Elmo lifted the feline out of the chamber and went upstairs to deliver the nearly mature cat to Mildred.

When he returned, Harold, James and William were excited and at the same time puzzled.  Harold began, “This is truly amazing, Elmo.  I’m sure you are not far from inventing a true time machine.”

William and James concurred with Harold’s observation.  James added, “When the problem is worked out, this could be an invention of unimaginable proportions.”

Much to everyone’s surprise, Kingsley cleared his throat and began to speak.