Posts tagged ‘Billy Collins’
ELMO’S INVENTION: CHAPTER 9, ELMO FINDS A USE FOR HIS MACHINE
CHAPTER 9
ELMO FINDS A USE FOR HIS MACHINE
But first, a message from my poet friend, Steve.
Local poet Steve Kupferschmid has published a poetry chapbook with Kelsay Books entitled “Weight of Water.” The thirty-one poems in the collection reflect upon the joys and sorrows of youth and age, of love and loss. Compact in form yet rich in imagery, this collection offers an enjoyable, memorable read. Available from Amazon or any bookstore.
I have heard my friend, Steve, read his poems and they call to mind the poems of Billy Collins. Poems which tell a story, but at the same time, have a deeper meaning
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 5, ELMO’S PRISON
But first, a message from my poet friend, Steve.
Local poet Steve Kupferschmid has published a poetry chapbook with Kelsay Books entitled “Weight of Water.” The thirty-one poems in the collection reflect upon the joys and sorrows of youth and age, of love and loss. Compact in form yet rich in imagery, this collection offers an enjoyable, memorable read. Available from Amazon or any bookstore.
I have heard my friend, Steve, read his poems and they call to mind the poems of Billy Collins. Poems which tell a story, but at the same time, have a deeper meaning.
CHAPTER 5
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.”
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