"Pa," Little Joe said, as he stared at the weird contraption on the table. "What in tarnation is that thing?" Ben picked it up and looked it over, carefully. There was a loose piece on the top and it slid off as Ben turned the strange thing on its side. The piece was attached to a long spiral cord, and it hit the floor with a clatter. Joe retrieved it and inspected it for damage.
"I have no idea what it is, Joseph," Ben murmured. Joe placed the loose piece back on top of the machine. There was a click, but after that, nothing. Joe took it from his father's hands and started to look over it, himself. It was black and had white buttons with numbers and letters on them. He pressed a couple of them and waited. Nothing. He shrugged.
"I don't think this is good for anything," Joe announced in dismay.
"You're probably right, but why don't you leave it until Adam gets back from town. He might know what it's for."
"Okay, Pa." Joe placed it back on the table and they both turned to leave. A piercing noise filled the air, causing both of them to jump, and whirl back around.
"Sounds like some sort of signal," Ben said, hesitantly. Joe nodded and instead of backing away he picked up the loose piece.
"HELLO!" a strange voice squawked. Startled Joe leaped backwards and bumped into Ben.
"Hello...Ma'am?" Ben said, when he finally gathered his wits.
"FINALLY!" the voice bellowed. "Jack told me he was taking me out at four o' clock! Where is he?"
"You're trapped in there?" Joe called. How could someone be trapped in such a tiny piece of equipment?
"You could say that!" the miffed voice came through, again. "I've been slaving away in here, dusting, sweeping, and doing the dishes!"
"Doing the dishes?" Ben said in shock.
"That's right! And where is Jack? He promised to take me out." The voice was beginning to sound deflated. Joe started to feel sorry for the unfortunate screeching person who had gotten herself stuck in the tiny box.
"We'll get you out of there, Ma'am," Joe promised.
"FORGET IT!" The women screeched, and there was a loud click.
"Hello? Hello?" Ben shouted.
"You think she's okay, Pa?" Joe asked.
"I hope so," Ben replied. "Put the box down," he instructed. Joe did as he was told.
"What are we going to do?" Joe asked.
"We'll wait for Adam. He knows more about these new fangled things, then we do," Ben replied. Then, thinking for a moment, he turned to Joe and said, "What do you think we should call the box?"
"How about a telephone..." Joe suggested.
"Telephone?" Ben questioned.
"Yeah, it has sort of a nice ring to it. Scientific like," Joe replied, feeling very pleased with himself.
