Lets go through the basics, Armando began, indicating a pair of plastic goggles. Safety first.

Oliver put the goggles on.

These are special ones, by the way, Armando said. Modified by myself for improved functionality.

He reached and clicked a little button on the bridge of the glasses. Oliver gasped as the world turned black and white.

The black and white function is for improved contrasting, Armando explained. Then he clicked the button again and Olivers world turned green. Infrared for night work.

Will there be a lot of that? Oliver asked. Night work?

He didnt mind if there was. In fact, the prospect was quite exciting. The idea of working until midnight seemed quite romantic to Oliver.

Armando was nothing more than a heat-sensored red blob as he answered. Ill try to keep it to a minimum. He clicked the button and reappeared in front of Olivers eyes once again as the old man hed become quite familiar with. But there may be times when we must, times when you will be expected to forgo sleep.

Ill do anything, Oliver replied stoically. And he really meant it. He wanted nothing more in the world than to help Armando. To be his apprentice. To have the old man as a mentor.

But Armandos troubled expression seemed to suggest he had other things on his mind. Im most certain you will. Then he snapped back to attention. Come, come, lets get to work.

The rest of the day for Oliver was a dreamlike blur. Armando showed him all the basics of carpentry and electronics. They started by making simple paper circuits with copper tape, coin batteries and LEDS, then moved on to building a small electric motor with a battery, wire, and magnets.

Well look at the chemicals another time, Armando explained as the exciting day drew to a close.

Olivers head felt very full, but he absorbed everything like a sponge, eager only to know more and more and more, eager, too, to prove himself to Armando so that the elderly inventor trusted him enough to take him on full time as an apprentice.

As night fell on Olivers second day in the factory, Armando announced, Lets stop for dinner.

Oliver removed his goggles and smoothed down his flyaway hairs, wiping away others that had gotten stuck with sweat to his forehead. It had been hard work but he wouldnt have it any other way.

As they began to walk together toward the kitchen, Oliver heard a sudden noise from the other end of the factory. He flinched in shock, and heard the thin growl of Horatio the bloodhound in the distance.

Someones here, he exclaimed, turning back to Armando with an expression of panic.

Yes, the old inventor confirmed. Thatll be Lucas, the factory foreman.

Oliver paused, shocked and surprised. You mean to say, someone else works in the factory?