“I’m tellin’ you Helen, on the way back from the gas station Danny got in the back of the van and started taking one of the machines apart to see how the coin-box worked. He didn’t even touch the pies I bought him!”

“I think it’s great that he’s so enthusiastic.”

“Enthusiastic! It’s like workin’ with one thirteen year-old, and one twelve year-old”. I was thirteen.

“Donald! You should be proud of your brother. Maybe all he needs is a little encouragement.”

“Encouragement? What Danny needs is a sense of reality. It’s not about figuring out how to change the machines to take tokens. We can pay someone to do that. It’s about keeping people from stealing the idea… and about getting permission!”

“Why do you need permission?”

“Because I just lease the machines, Helen. If the manufacturer sees I’ve been taking them apart, they’re gonna think I’m goin’ into competition with them.”

“So what are you gonna to do next if you can’t modify the machines? You gonna get a lawyer?”

“Christ Helen, you know we can’t afford that! I heard that Garrett paid over $5000 getting Danny’s invention patented… and they paid even more trying to defend the patent.”

“Well if you can’t get a lawyer then you’re gonna have to trust someone…”

***

Who my dad ended up trusting, was the company that made the machines. Capstan Enterprises was out in Ohio, and my dad usually drove a truck there once a year to trade in the machines that needed to be reconditioned. He called them up and arranged a meeting, and then made plans to drive out a month earlier than usual.

The meeting was going to happen during summer vacation, so me and Danny were both going to go on the trip with my dad. When Danny found out he was supposed to go, he just shook his head.

“You gotta go, Danny. You’re the inventor!”

“No way Donnie. They’re gonna to see I’m a chump, and just steal the idea… The reason things worked out with the Egyptian is because I stayed in the van. If I'da gone in with you, the owner woulda thought the idea was dumb, because I look dumb.”

“I already told the guys in Ohio that my brother was the inventor… and that he had been awarded a US patent. They said they’re looking forward to meeting you… If you think you look like a chump then you’re just gonna have to fake it.”

“Then I’ll just look like a chump who’s trying to fake it. I’m gonna mess this one up just like I messed-up the patent for Garrett.”

“Danny you’re being silly. You didn’t mess up the patent. It got overturned because they found prior-art.”

“I did mess it up Donnie! The patent challenge got rejected the first time, but I was dumb and went down to the courthouse. That slick lawyer saw me waiting in the lobby on his way out of the courtroom. I could see that look in his eye just like he could see the look in mine. Just one look and he knew I was the kinda guy who can’t win.”

“They’re expecting you Danny! What am I gonna do? Dress Tommy up and pretend he’s you? There’s no other way.”

***

Dad and Danny had loaded the machines in the rental truck the night before, so all we had to do on the morning we left for Ohio, was to add the cooler full of produce that my mom had prepared, and Uncle Danny’s sport-coat. Danny had spent over $100 for the coat back when he had first been awarded his patent. He wore the coat all the time, but he hadn’t worn it once in the month since he found out about the meeting. He’d had it dry-cleaned and tailored, and it was laid-flat inside a giant garbage bag in a safe place in the back of the truck.

Sometime after we entered Pensylvania, we hit a big pothole, and Danny begged my dad to stop so he could check on his coat. It was a good time for lunch anyway.

The restaurant at the rest-stop was one I’d never heard of, but it looked good, and I was real hungry. My dad ordered a burger and fries, and I ordered a two piece fried chicken plate. Uncle Danny said he’d have the same thing as me. After we ate, my dad asked me if I wanted an ice-cream. I said no, because I knew Danny was holding himself back from eating too much, and I didn’t want him to break down.

Danny needed to use the bathroom, which usually took about a half an hour, so me and my dad went out to wait next to the truck. I felt a little guilty when we walked past the place where the compressor hose was coiled-up. While we waited, my dad told me he was worried because Danny was acting strange.

“What if there’s some truth in what Danny says, and the people at Capstan get turned-off because of how he looks? How he talks? I mean, I don’t talk too smart, and he even sounds a little... slow to me.”

“Mr Pantolo says the guys in Ohio build things for a living, and they probably don’t worry much about manners.”

“Mr Pantolo again... I’ll tell you something Tommy, Mr Pantolo is in the business of trying to make people feel good. The guys at Capstan are in the business of trying to make money off of them.”

When Danny came out he apologized, and said that nectarines always do this to him.

***

The next morning my dad looked even more nervous than the day before. I asked him if it was because of how uncle Danny was, but he said that wasn’t it.

“He’s my brother. If I end up having to go back to work in the shipping center, then that’s what I’ll do. I’d probably make more money there anyway. I’m worried because I never told the Capstan people that Danny’s patent got overturned. Somebody who doesn’t talk well might not bother them, but someone who’s deceptive sure will. What do you think Mr Pantolo would say about that?” I didn’t know.

On the way to Capstan, we stopped for breakfast. Danny ordered a banana, and a bowl of oatmeal. I started to order the same thing, but Danny told me I don’t have to starve myself because he’s fat.

We left the truck at the loading dock, so the men from Capstan could unload the broken machines, and reload it with new ones. My dad talked to the men for a while, then we walked around to the front entrance.

“Mr Brancaccio, It’s good to finally meet one of our best clients. I’m Arthur Capstan. We’ve spoken on the phone.” My dad shook hands with him. “And this must be Daniel. The inventor. Good to meet you as well… And who is this handsome young gentleman?”

“Tommy sir.”

“Good to meet you Tommy.”

We shook hands. Something I had only done a few times. Then Mr Capstan invited us all in to the conference room. I was expecting to wait in the lobby, but my dad motioned that it was okay for me to join them. In the conference room, we were introduced to Mr Capstan’s attorney, Moose Addison.”

Everybody introduced themselves, and Mr Capstan asked my dad about the drive out to Dayton. Then he said why don’t we just get down to business. Right away, my dad said he wanted to wanted to admit that Danny’s patent had been overturned after two appeals.

“Well, that happens.” Said Moose. “Sometimes it’s the best patents that get overturned. A good patent often has applications in many industries, and thus has the most potential for prior art. And that’s exactly what seems to have happened in your case Daniel.” My uncle suddenly looked happy.

“You know about my patent?”

“Well Yes.” Said Moose. “I subscribe to a directory that allows me to look up patents by the inventor’s name. I only found one in Rhode Island that was attributed to a Brancaccio. Your patent is a clever one, and I’m not surprised that prior-art was found.” Danny looked even happier.

Then they talked about the token idea, and also an idea that Danny had while we were driving. “Instead of tokens” Danny said. “The owner could have, like, a garage-door opener that could activate the compressor instead of the coin-box.”

“A remote-control to override the coin box…” said Mr Capstan. “Both ideas sound like they have potential. Honestly I’d never envisioned the need. Maybe I don’t deal enough with the end customers… Tell me Daniel. Did you attempt to implement either of these Ideas?” Danny sat silent, and I thought maybe he didn’t understand the question. Eventually my dad answered.

“Danny Wanted to.” Said my dad. “He even got tokens from the arcade, and started taking the machine apart... But I was afraid you guys would think I was going into competition.”

“I see. Well Daniel, it’s impressive that you’re both theoretically, and practically minded.”

Moose said that he doubted either idea could be patented, but that didn’t mean they’re worthless. He had to do some research before he could say for sure. Mr Capstan thanked my dad for trusting him with these ideas, and said he’d call with a proposal on Monday if that was alright. My dad agreed.

After the meeting, Mr Capstan gave us a tour of his factory. It was a little bigger and cleaner than the place where Danny worked. We saw where they were building their first-ever coin-operated car-vacuums, and my dad said he’d like to try them out.

After the tour, Mr the receptionist gave us all “Capstan” Baseball hats, and then we drove the truck, full of refurbished machines, back to the motel. My dad and Danny both seemed really happy.