Photo: © Al Forbes 2016
It was the culmination of my Life’s work – it had taken thirty years and all of my savings. Running on solar power, this highly portable unit can draw water from even the driest atmosphere. In a world struggling to cope with climate change, I knew it would become a lifesaver – as long as I could find a buyer.
I searched companies that would sell the unit at an affordable price. I almost had a deal worked out, but then got an offer I couldn’t refuse – from one of the big boys in bottled water.
Eau Chute! no less. They won me over with the hard sell. They told me how they could drive the price down with their volume of sales. They would have hi-tech manufacturing plants set up within 12 months. The royalties deal, and a directorship for me was very generous, but it didn’t matter. That’s not why I signed on the dotted line.
I was truly excited as I attended my first Board meeting at ‘Chute Chateau’, their luxury corporate headquarters. But I got a frosty reception. My credentials were invalid. After a brief exchange, I was thrown out on the street by security.
I got back home to find I’d been broken into. All my hard drives were missing. The only evidence of my work was, no doubt, in a vault at the Chateau. Apparently, no one at Eau Chute! had any knowledge of who I was. Those corporate raiders could now sell my machine as their own.
I sat back and waited for the product to appear. But nothing. And that was ten years ago. Maybe they’re just waiting for a global fresh water crisis?
Now, I use every waking hour to create a more efficient machine. I’m crowdfunding as I go, and everything is in the public domain. So, if you want to save lives, and get one over on Eau Chute!, give what you can.
Every drop helps!
This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, January 3rd 2016. For more details click the logo.
To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.
Walk the Self-Talk 
Poor guy what a bummer! You wrote this so well I was considering sending a donation 😉 Great write!
Thanks. I accept all major debit and credit cards! 😉
LOL … 😀
All too familiar tale, Steve.
Thanks. Sadly I think you’re right.
Hope they choke on their own water lol
Enjoyed
Ally
Maybe they will! Thanks, Ally.
A very good story, but you really need to continue this and let us know if he gets his revenge!
That’s something to think about. I’d like to think he does get his revenge. Thanks for commenting, Angie.
Great story! Lesson learned the hard way! And,unfortunately I’m sure this happens in real life. It’s a shame we have to be so guarded in the things we do.
Maybe he can bounce back! Thanks for commenting.
I have never heard the term, crowdfunding, but I like it! I hope he gets a lot of donations and puts Eau Chute out of business! The dirty rats!!
Crowd funding is where lots of people invest a small amount to get a project funded. It works well over the Internet, where people can learn about projects and donate instantly. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for the explanation!
That crowdfunded project sounds like the real thing. Is it? Where do I sign?—er … hold on a second … maybe I will have a think before signing anything this time … 😉
What is it they say,”Sign in haste, repent at leisure!” Thanks for commenting.
I’m sure something like that has happened in the corporate world.
DJ
We can only guess! Thanks for commenting Danny.
Ah, shoot – love the pun. Gotta copy write stuff that’s important I guess 😉
And well that takes moola, buckaroos, some big flow. That most of us pions just ain’t got.
Thanks for stopping by my post on the prompt, Jules
Thanks Jules. My understanding is that your writing is automatically copyright, and publishing it shows evidence of the date. I might be wrong though. 😉
Not sure if that is the same with inventions. One has to go through a long process and lots of money to patent something. One of our children tried… When you need a lawyer to protect your assets …well that can and often spells trouble. 😉
Let’s hope that the next invention helps mankind and is not sequestered by “Big Business’! Those greedy …..
I like the idea that he could bypass the big corporations and get funding from ordinary people, who want to do the right thing.
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through
many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and
I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
Thanks for visiting. You’re very welcome. 😀