Kevin C Bayless

The Visionary's Burden Kevin C Bayless

What if one of history's greatest new inventions ended up in the hands of two ten-year-old boys?An aged physics professor suddenly disappears. He returns twelve years later to hold a news conference of sorts at Washington University. At this presentation, he demonstrates an incredible invention and discusses its world-changing impact, as well as the grave consequences should it fall into the wrong hands. He tells the audience that though the invention's power is immense, he feels that humankind is not ready for it. Then he shocks everyone by appearing to commit suicide. A few months later ten-year-old Nicholas Dover, a captive prisoner in his mother's quest for retail nirvana, is left alone to wander about briefly at an estate sale while his mother negotiates the price of a lamp. Nick finds a box containing an old Polaroid camera, film, and photos, and the man supervising the sale tells Nick he can take the entire box gratis. Nick goes home excited to show his acquisition to his father. They get the camera working, and Nick and his best friend Ken Willits proceed to squander all of the film from the box in less than an hour. Later the same night while looking through the photos in his bedroom, Nick accidentally discovers that the camera does far more than take pictures. Through trial and error, Nick and Ken learn that they can use the camera to travel anywhere. And they use it to fuel the greatest summer of their young lives. Meanwhile, quantum entrepreneur Brandon Hedgcoth is looking for the camera and the technology behind it. Frank Gruman had initially approached Brandon about manufacturing options for the technology. Though their collaboration failed, Brandon still desperately needs to discern the invention's secret - the survival of his business and livelihood depends upon it. After Frank disappears, Brandon discovers that a couple of mere children are utilizing the technology to attend professional baseball games (among other things). He figures out a way to confront them, intent on stealing the device. What he doesn't know is that Frank and the children have developed a close bond, and in the end it is Brandon who experiences the true power of the technology.