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Projects - Short Story
Projects - Short Story
Daniel MacDevitt
Projects 10
5 Dec. 2017
Time-Traveling Scientist
Nikola Tesla lived a quiet life. He kept to himself and ran experiments in his New York
laboratory. He was currently trying to think up a way to use the flow of water and his signature
alternating currents to create electricity. Lost in thought, Nikola heard a faint crackling. He
disregarded it, the sound similar to the snapping and popping of one of his many electrical
projects. Slowly but surely, it grew louder until it became concerningly noisy. Nikola jumped up
from his seat and ran over to one of his large windows overlooking the city streets. He saw a
large ball of lightning manifesting in a crosswalk. Believing this to be an experiment of his gone
wrong, he dashed down to the ground floor right as the lightning dissipated. Out camea
vehicle? It was like a car, the new-fangled things, but it was so sleek. It was smaller, shinier,
with a minimalist design and it was quieter. No rumbling engine and no sputtering of smog from
the back side. What kind of car was this? It didnt have a logo hed ever seen before. It was
silver, shaped like a T, but it tapered at the bottom to a point. As he was inspecting this new
car, someone opened the door and stepped out of the drivers side.
explain on the way. He waved Nikola over and ushered him into the passenger seat.
After settling in, Nikola looked over the interior of the car in awe. The seats were
smooth, black leather and there were colorful lights blinking all over the dashboard. The most
remarkable detail, though, was the large screen in the place of the radio in a traditional car. Of
course, Tesla wouldnt know about car radios yet, so the discovery was even more astounding.
What is this? Who are you? Where did you come from? Where are you taking me?
This, Elon gestured to the steering wheel, is the Model S. I own Tesla, an electric car
company from the 21st century, and this is one of our vehicles. Like I said before, my name is
Elon Musk. Im secretly a time-traveling alien, here to protect Earth from its own destruction.
Tesla was touched that this man had named his futuristic company after him. So, if you
own an electric car company, I assume the future is running on renewable energies?
Unfortunately, no. The opportunities for inexhaustible energy have increased tenfold,
and the technology has advanced, but people are resistant and money is a big issue. Im taking
you to Maui because its a small island with a need for renewable power. Thats why Im
recruiting you to help the people of Hawaii. Elon started the car and it began to hum. The same
electricity crackles and within seconds, the pair were teleported to the Maui Arts and Cultural
Center parking lot. As Nikola slid out of his seat and into the sunlight, large banner hanging
above the building caught his eye. Billionaire and CEO Elon Musk as guest speaker--this
Im presenting a speech on energy on Maui in two days, and I need a viable option to
present to the audience, Elon explained from the drivers side window, Normally, Id do it
myself, but I need to visit my home planet for a while for a family emergency. I need you to
think something up so I can announce it on Friday. Youre one of the greatest scientific minds to
ever exist, Nikola. I believe in you. And like that, the car disappeared once again.
Tesla didnt know how to handle this kind of responsibility. How was he supposed to
come up with an energy solution for the future? He wandered the streets of Kahului searching for
an answer. As the sun began to lower in the sky, he came upon Kahului Beach road, and watched
the ocean in awe. He watched the water ebb and flow, the white capped waves dissipate into the
Hydroelectric power. Tesla told Musk. We capture the power of the ocean--the
waves!--and we turn it into electricity. The islands surrounded by water. This method could
the mechanical energy from the waves and turn them into electricity, and then theyll transport
the electricity to storage units back on-island. Then you can use the power for whatever you like.
Itll be enough to power every building, home, and institution three times over.
Thisis incredible, Nikola. This is doable. Ill present this and see how it goes.
And so Elon proposed the hydroelectric plan to the public. There were all kinds of CEOs,
investors, and millionaires in the audience who were invested in bringing Maui into the clean
energy age. After he stepped offstage, he was accosted by dozens of people wanting to put their
The presentation was a success! Elon announced to Nikola. The plans are being drawn
up now, and everything should be finished and executed by 2019! Of course, Tesla was happy
to help, but he was starting to miss his laboratory back home in New York, 6,000 miles and
decades away.
Oh, how could I forget? We need to take you home. Elon and Nikola piled back into
Thank you again, Tesla. Elon was extremely grateful to the scientist.
papers, circuits, and plans. He realized he hadnt completed his plans to capture the power from
the water of Niagara Falls, but now, he thinks, it wont be too hard.