Short Bedtime Stories Presents: Ben Ventor's New TV Invention

Short Bedtime Stories Presents: Ben Ventor's New TV Invention

"No Peter," Ben's mom said nicely, "that is Ben's screwdriver."

     "Mine," Peter said turning his body away from his mom as if to protect the screwdriver from her prying hands.

    "Peter," Ben's dad entered the conversation, "Ben needs that screwdriver to make us another cool invention."

    "Mine," Peter insisted as he got up and ran into the other room.

    This used to be a frustrating part of parenting for the Ventors, but after three kids they had begun to accept that this was a normal part of growing up.  Peter had yet to understand that everything was not his.  It was a tough lesson to learn, and Ben's parents knew there were many adults that were yet to learn that lesson. 

    "Where's Peter?" asked Ben, entering the room and searching for his screwdriver.

     "Burying your screwdriver in the living room like a pirate’s treasure," answered Fran from the couch as she watched her favorite TV show.  "It's pretty much as good as gone.  Years from now someone will discover it as a great archeological find."

"Not Funny, Fran," Ben said, getting a little annoyed.  "Mom,” he said, hoping his mom would be more useful than Fran, “can you help? I need that screwdriver for a project I am ..."

     Ben did not finish his sentence.  Yet again, an idea for an invention had struck in the middle of problem he was having.  A long time ago, Ben had asked his grandfather the secret to becoming rich.  His grandfather had said, "It's easy.  Just find a need and fill it."  This had pretty much been at the core for the reason Ben built everything he built.  Whenever Ben saw a need, he filled it.

     Three days later, Ben came into the room where Fran was sitting.  She was again watching an episode of iCarley and was laughing hysterically. 

     "Fran, can I watch Mythbusters?" Ben asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

     "No, but you can go stick your head in a nearby toilet," she said, munching on the popcorn she had prepared for her "perfect afternoon."  "And hopefully it will be one that has been recently used."

     "Thanks, Fran," Ben said, and meant this time.  He needed Fran to be completely unwilling to do something in order to test out his new invention.  Ben walked over to the tv and pulled out of his pocket a little black cube.

     "What are you doing, twit?" asked Fran, not so lovingly.

     Ben placed the cube on top of the tv.

     "Just changing the channel of my tv to mythbusters," Ben answered, like Fran would not care.

     "Oh," said Fran, not really caring.  "Ok, I think I'll go read my Ivy and Bean book."

     Ben's invention had worked perfectly.  So well in fact, that Fran had left the room and her popcorn behind.  Ben sat on the couch, propped his feet up, and began to enjoy his own "perfect afternoon."  Unfortunately, his mom had seen the whole exchange between Fran and Ben.

    "What just happened Ben," his mom asked.

    "Oh, hey Mom," Ben said, surprised.  "I did not see you back there.  I was trying out my new invention, and it worked perfectly."

     "Did you invent a brainwasher, and now Fran is your servant?"

     "No," said Ben a little outraged. "That would be terrible, Mom.  I don't brainwash people," he explained moving to the tv and picking up the little black cube for his mom to see.  "It’s called a miner."

     Ben's mom put her hands on her hips to show Ben she was concerned.  "What does a miner do, Ben?"

     "Well, first it sticks to anything I want it to," Ben said, sticking it to various objects around the room like the lamp, the wall, and his own forehead.  Ben's mom didn't say anything.  She was still waiting for what the cube actually did.

     "It's called a miner because anything I stick it to becomes mine."

     Again, Ben's Mom did not look very happy with this invention. 

     "Peter was my inspiration," said Ben, hoping this might sway his mom.

     "Ben, people could use that to steal stuff.  You could go into any store and take out whatever you want without paying for it."

     "I know,” said Ben with his eyes getting wide with excitement. “Isn't it great?  And, it does not just work in stores.  Like you saw with Fran, it works anywhere and on anything.  I could stick it on a car, an island, or Fran and they would all be mine."

     "So Fran would then be your brainwashed servant," said Ben's mom knowing he had proven her concerns valid.

   

How the miner is used today:  It is not.  Ben's mom made Ben destroy the invention.

How much it sold for:  0 dollars

What Ben bought with the destruction of the miner?  People able to think for themselves.






Don't forget to check out part 1 of Dr. Shaw's children's book series of inventions and craziness called Best. Theme Park. Ever. for just $.99 on Amazon. Please leave a positive review on Amazon if you will!  It helps get Dr. Shaw's work discovered by others.  Also, when you buy it on Amazon, you can choose which iPod, iPhone, iPad or other device to send it to, as long as you have the free kindle app installed on that device.