Yet again, thanks to doodlegirll for replying. So long as I know people are reading it, it'll keep getting updated. I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 4

Prepare To Be Amazed

Once they made an appointment, Mike took Ted and his Goob Pitch Machine in a box to Invent Co. Once they arrived, it looked so much different than what he remembered. It was taller and with brighter colors. With a deep breath, he entered inside. A woman at a desk looked up when he came in and smiled.

"Excuse me Ma'am," he said nervously. "I am here for an appointment with uh…"

"The name's Mrs. Harlington genius," whispered Ted.

"Oh yes…Mrs. Harlington…I'm supposed to meet her here at uh…"

"4:00 o'clock!" hissed Ted.

"4:00 o'clock! Right"

"Alrighty then sir. Please take a seat, and I'll alert Mrs. Harlington. She should be right with you."

"Oh goody!" said Mike with excitement. The woman looked at him with a raised eyebrow and continued to type at her computer.

Both Mike and Ted took a seat. As they waited, Mike took out his checklist and proudly checked off the 'Build Inventions' section. Ted raised a mechanical eyebrow.

"What's that?"

Surprised, Mike jumped and stuffed the piece of paper into his jacket.

'Uh...nothing."

"You sure?"

"Oh yeah."

"Okay."

Surprised at his lack of arguing, Mike sat back and tried to relax until he felt a hand go down his pocket…

"HEY!" he yelled when he saw Ted with his checklist. He snatched it back from him. "This is for MY eyes only!"

"What's the big deal about it anyway? It's just a dumb old checklist…"said Ted with his arms crossed.

"Well...you...you just wouldn't understand okay?" yelled Mike.

"Okay. Fine! Geez…"pouted Ted. He took the box that held the Goob Pitch Machine and held it with him.

"Uh sir?" asked the woman. "Mrs. Harlington will see you now."

"WHAT!?" screeched Mike. He stood up and fell flat on his face. Surprised, the woman ran over to his aid and helped him up.

"You alright?"

Mike nodded. Once he got a good look at the woman, he noticed that she was the mother he saw a few days ago. She gave him a pat on the back.

"Don't be so nervous. I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Er…thanks." he said. Both Mike and Ted headed towards the conference room. The woman called out to them.

"Good luck!" she said.

"He's sure going to need it," whispered Ted under his breath.

-

Mike took a peek inside the conference room. It looked just like he remembered. There was a long table with a lot of people sitting at it. Sitting at the head of the table was an old woman with big eyeglasses and a grandmother-like smile.

"Come on in. Don't be shy," she said.

Ted forcibly pushed Mike inside. He chuckled nervously as he looked around the room. He gave a friendly wave to everyone in the room. The only smile came from the woman's face.

"Welcome Michael Yagoobian to Invent. Co.," said the woman. "My name is Mrs. Leslie Harlington and my grandfather founded this company in the year 2007. Since then, we've been processing wonderful new inventions, and we were voted the second most successful company in the country. We also get a lot of our ideas from young inventors, which is why you are here today. What is it that you have to show us?"

Ted put the box on the ground and took out the pitching machine. 'Oooh'ss' and 'Ahhh's' rang around the crowd as Ted modeled the invention off.

'Um...this is the Goob Pitch Machine. Uh…have you every went to a batting cage only to realize you can't hit a ball due to your size?"

"I know I have," piped up a short man whose chair was stacked with phones books.

"Well, worry no more! The Goob Pitch Machine is devised to sense where to aim the ball, so that you can have the ultimate fun. It also helps practice your baseball skills. Allow me to demonstrate"

Ted put the machine down and handed Mike a bat. Mike stood back

"Goob Pitch Machine on," he said nervously

The machine whirred on and moved left to right until it finally pitched a ball. Mike sung the bat and the ball went flying out the window, breaking it. Mike grimaced at the broken window. He looked at Mr. Harlington, whose serious face changed into a smile. She clapped approvingly and her colleagues followed suit.

"Bravo Mr. Yagoobian! Bravo!" said Mrs. Harlington.

Mike was surprised. His confidence now raised, he bowed and everyone cheered even louder.

"Show off," whispered Ted with a smirk.

"Now," said Mrs. Harlington as the cheering died down. "Isn't there anything else you'd like to show…"

"Ahem," coughed Ted; elbowing Mike in the ribs.

"Oh! Um...this is my second invention. I call him "The Baseball Buddy," but you can all call him Ted."

As he said this, Ted jumped on top of the table. "Hiya Fellas! Ladies…" he said with a smile and a wink. The women in the room giggled and Mrs. Harlington laughed.

"Well, he sure is feisty. What does he do?"

"Well," began Mike, "I was an orphan all my life and I never had anyone to play ball with. I'm pretty sure there are kids who feel the same way; especially if they have busy parents. Well, this little guy is made to play with you and he has a knob on the back of his head, so you can adjust what kind of baseball level you want him to play. Could I get a volunteer to demonstrate? Mrs. Harlington?"

"Oh me?" she asked. "Alright…" she stood up on the table. Ted gave her a wink and Mike handed him a tennis ball.

"What level would you like Mrs. Harlington?" asked Mike.

"Oh...how about a 10. Let's spice things up!"

Mike grinned and turned Ted's knob. He then, got off the table.

"Ready Mrs. Harlington?"

"Bring it," she said with a determined look on her face.

"Okay Ted! Let 'er rip!"

Ted let the ball go. Everyone in the room gasped. Mrs. Harlington caught the ball in her hands. She threw it back to Ted, and on they proceeded with a game of catch.

"Oooh!! What fun!" said Mrs. Harlington was she caught Ted's curveball. "Mr. Yagoobian, you certainly have some wonderful ideas."

"Aww…thank you ma'am."

"Please. Call me Leslie."

"Okay Leslie."

"I would absolutely love to mass produce your inventions,' she said with a grin. " The Goob Pitch Machine will be a hit at batting cages all over the country! And we can make Ted here in different sizes to fit all ages."

Mike clapped his hands in excitement. He gasped when he saw Mrs. Harlington take out a piece of paper with a long list of 'Terms and Conditions'.

"Mr. Yagoobian," said Mrs. Harlington as she walked over to where he was. 'We would like you to be apart of the Invent Co. family. It is obvious that you have a bright future with these devices. What do you say?"

She gave Mike the contract and the pen. Ted punched him in the arm, urging him to answer. In a flash, Mike signed his name and shook Mrs. Harlington's hand.

"Leslie, you got yourself a deal."

"Wonderful," said Mrs. Harlington. "Michael, welcome to Invent Co.Industries!"

"Hey, way to go big nose," said Ted approvingly, giving his creator a high five.

Overcome with joy, Mike hugged both Mrs. Harlington and Ted. Mrs. Harlington laughed while Ted grimaced.

Everything is going according to plan with no screw ups! Thought Mike. This is the best day of my life!

-

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Things are looking up!

-Kim (Midnightmoon14)