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?”
