Jack of All Trades

By Jeffery Wansley

About the Book
Jack of All Trades introduces us to Jack, a guy who comes up with an idea, and as he tries to perfect his idea some evil men want to steal it, even if that means killing him and his associates.
During his quest, Jack has to defend himself and others. This invention will change the world of travel as we know it. It will make people think about the future of not having any more accidents.
Enjoy Jack of All Trades, and perhaps you can come up with your own ideas for the future of travel, to make it safe for everyone.

About the Author
Jeffery Wansley’s hobbies are raising cattle, helping people, traveling, and spending time with his family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886049589

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Making of an Idea

The echo of dogs barking in the neighborhood on a hot summer afternoon. Jack and his lady friend Linda were having dinner, talking about making ends meet.

Jack stated, I’m sick of this, I can’t find work in none of my skills. I’m a mechanic, carpenter, concrete finisher, office manager, driver, word processor, and most of all a hustler.

Linda, a sweet innocent girl, working as a waitress at a bar in downtown Los Angeles, suggested that Jack go back to school and take up another trade.

Jack was furious. He snapped at her. Take up what? I already have enough trades, wouldn’t you think? He stormed out the house into the backyard to think.

Jack was a proud young man, brought up by a very modest man and a humble mother. A young man about 30 years old, muscular, 6 feet tall, weighing about 220 pounds, and a military veteran.

After a while, Linda came out to console him. She said, Baby, look, as long as we are together, everything will be alright.

He was calm at that point. He reached over and hugged her, saying, I know, I just get so frustrated sometimes.

She said, I know.

They left and went in to watch television. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Jack opened the door. It was their neighbors, Fred and Jenny.

Fred brought over some beer. He said, Jack, I thought maybe you could use a drink right about now. How is your job search going?

Popping the top of the beer, saying, Lousy, I can’t find work anywhere, but I’m not accepting any handouts.

Jenny said, It’s not a handout, you all are our next-door neighbors and, most of all, our friends.

Jack said, No! He was a proud young man.

Linda just threw her hands up in the air and said, We’ll manage somehow.

Later that night, Fred and Jenny left. Fred had to go to work the next morning. Jack and Linda went to bed.

Linda asked Jack, Why you won’t let Fred help us? It’s just liked a loan, it’s not a handout. Fred is a good friend.

No! Jack shouted out. I won’t do it, and I won’t hear of it again, okay? No!

Linda got upset. Crying, she said, Okay, Jack, you’re too damn proud to accept help. Maybe you will feel better sleeping in the park. She turned and went on to sleep.

The next day, Jack ate breakfast and left the house to go find work. He went to construction sites, moving companies and even some grocery stores. On the way back home, there was a terrible accident. The way the cars was mangled up together, someone had to have been killed or hurt bad.

Jack thought, With all the technology that we have on this earth, man putting a man on the moon, you would think accidents would be a thing of the past. He went on home, and took a good hot shower still thinking about that accident.

Linda yelled out to him, Are you hungry?

Yeah, Jack stated, starved.

She said, How did it go?

He said, Same as usual, a pain in the ass. The accident that happened earlier that day stayed in his mind.

Later after the shower, he had dinner. While he was eating, he told Linda about this accident.

Linda said, Not at the table.

She got up and ran out to the bathroom. Jack went behind her.

I’m sorry, Jack said, I didn’t know you had such a weak stomach.

After a minute or two, she was alright. She came back to the table. Jack told her again that he was sorry. Later, they began to watch TV. Jack asked Linda if she wanted to go to a movie. Linda said yes. They got ready and took off to the theatre. Once they got there, they saw Demolition Man. One of the things that was an interest to Jack was the accident. Where the foam filled the car to prevent injury to the driver, which was very neat. Jack’s mind began to explore the possibilities but came up with a blank.

However, Jack wasn’t the kind of person to take things lying down. The next day was the old job hunting again. Finally, he found work as an electrician’s helper. He had done some work in that field before. It wasn’t the greatest job, but it was a job. Linda was happy for Jack. That night, he took her out to dinner to an upscale restaurant. They ate steak and crab legs with all the trimmings. Linda was very proud that Jack had found work. Later they left and went by their neighbors’ Fred and Jenny. This time Jack brought the beer. They all had a lot of fun.

Fred and Jack went to watch the Dodgers on TV.

Jack, Fred said, you seem worried. Is it the new job or what?

Jack said, No. It’s this accident I saw the other day. It keeps popping up in my mind, like maybe I can do something about that sort of thing. I can’t think of what. Maybe it’ll come to me sooner or later.

Jack continued to go to work every day, and watch TV in the evenings. Every now and then, he would go to the cafe and bar where Linda was working and have a few beers. That night he met Mike. They got to be good friends. After three or four beers, Mike told Jack he was in engineering, drafting, that sort of things.

Jack said, I do a little drawing myself.

Mike said, What do you draw?

Jack said, I’ll draw another beer.

They both got a laugh out of that.

Jack had a little too much to drink, but he didn’t have to worry about driving, because Linda was almost off from work. She helped Jack up and got him to the truck and she drove home. Fred was her pull up and went out to greet them. When he saw Jack drunk, he helped get him in the house. Fred told Linda he would see them tomorrow, then left. Linda fixed Jack some black coffee, then put him to bed.

The next morning, Jack got up and went to work with a slight hangover. Linda was worried a little, but she had seen him a lot worse.

Later that day, Jack got off work and thought about the night before. Thinking of last night, he took a moment and bingo! He said, I got it, I got it, I got it. After work he took off for home to tell Linda the news. He was speeding thinking about this great idea. He was overjoyed to have come up with such a new but simple invention.

When he got home, he told Linda what he thought of, but Linda didn’t understand.

He said, Look, with this idea or invention, there will be no more accidents, ever. He said, I haven’t worked out all the intricate details yet, but I know it will work.

Chapter 2

The Development of the Idea

He kept thinking and finally he went down to his basement to start sketching it on paper and work on it some more. Jack got his drafting board and went to work. He wrote down every detail and thought, every note, until he came up with something that just might work. Then he thought about cost. He didn’t have the money to experiment with, so he was at a standstill.

He sat for about an hour thinking, then Linda yelled, Jack, dinner’s ready!

Jack yelled back, Okay, baby, let me put these drawings up, I’ll be right there.

Once he got cleaned up, he went to the table, but he was stuck. He sat there in a daze.

Linda said, Jack, your dinner is getting cold.

Jack didn’t move.

Linda yelled, Jack!

Jack jumped. What?

What? she said. Snap out of it, eat your dinner. Then she said, What’s got you so incoherent, what are you working on?

Jack began to eat, saying, I figured out how to save millions of lives. Well, thousands of lives every year, and I don’t have any money to buy materials to developed it with.

Linda said, Well, if it can save lives, I’m pretty sure some big company would invest in it.

Jack said, Yeah, but then I’ll be out of the picture.

She said, Simply sell it to them.

Jack said, Well, maybe I’ll consider that, but I still have to get it patented so they won’t just steal it. I’m going to call Mike, maybe we can work on it together, and maybe he has some thought about it.

Linda said, He might steal it.

Jack said, I’ll offer him a partnership if we perfect it.

So, Jack called Mike and told him what type of idea he had thought of. They agreed to be partners and work on it together. Jack told Mike he would come over tomorrow with his drawings. After work, Jack went home, ate dinner, dropped Linda off at work, and headed over to Mike’s house.

Once Jack arrived, Mike let him in and said, How about a beer?

Jack replied, Why not? After all, when we perfect this idea, we all can drive drunk with no fear.

Mike said, Let’s go into my study while I get us a beer.

Jack went on in and said, Wow, this is beautiful, Mike.

Mike said, What?

Jack replied, This study, it’s great.

Mike said, Yeah, thank you, sometimes I just fall asleep right here.

Jack said, I could die in a room like this.

There was a big sketch board for his engineering projects, a fireplace, a bar, big-screen TV, and a nice leather sofa.

Mike said, Let’s get to work, shall we? Here’s your beer.

Jack stated, Mike, this idea I got works off sensors and laser beams at certain angles, cameras and all computerized components in cars, trucks, and vans and maybe in airplanes someday, but let’s stick to cars and trucks right now.

Mike said, Jack, this is brilliant. This idea is worth billions.

But there is just one problem, Jack said.

What? said Mike.

It would be years to put this into operation. Jack stated, Mike, then we don’t have no time to lose.

Mike replied, Yeah, you’re right.

Both guys began to work on different parts of the idea silently. Then they would prepare notes and come up with the best and safest way to use each part with the other. After hours of work, Jack realized he had to pick up Linda. He gathered some materials and headed out the door to pick her up. He told Mike to keep this under his hat.

Mike said, Will do.

Jack took off and picked Linda up.

Once she got in the truck, she said, How did it go?

Jack stated, We’re working on it. It’ll take some time before we can present it to anybody.

So, you got to keep on working. Linda said, What about you? Seems like I’m the only one that is working for a while.

Jack said, Don’t rub it in. I’m still working too. It’s for both of us. One day you won’t have to work, sweetheart.

She looked at him and said, That’ll be the day, and smiled.

They went on home. She took a shower while Jack watched a little TV. On the television, he saw several car commercials and said to himself, Maybe one of them would be interested in the world’s first line of an All-Safe Car.

His mind began to zoom, thinking of how he could spend all those millions of dollars. Trips all around the world, cruises with his wife. Then he got sleepy. By that time Linda was getting out of the shower, and they both went to sleep.

The next day, they were at it again, perfecting their idea. Jack told Mike that they would have to conceal their drawings so that anyone that consulted about it would not get any funny ideas. This is a dog-eat-dog world, and for millions of dollars people would kill. So, they came up with a plan; each one of them would keep part of the invention, and one part was no good without the other.

But Jack said, We both need to know where the other is, in case something happens to one of us. Mine will be in the spare tire of my truck.

Mike stated, Mine will be under this rug, no one comes in here, there’s a trap door under it. The sketches we’ll present to potential buyers will be copies that can be destroyed, okay?

Jack replied, Okay, partner.

After days, then weeks of work, they finally perfected the All-Safe Car. That was the title of their invention, All-Safe Car.

The next step was to consult buyers or investors to donate money in the project to see if it really would work. Well, Jack decided he would go and use another one of his trades: selling.

He said, I’ll sell it to the highest bidder.

Mike said, Well, I’ll be your assistant.

They laughed and went on their way.

The first company they went to was a large car manufacturer. They presented their idea. The company was interested but told them that it took millions just to test the car, and their budget just would allow them to invest in it. So, Jack and Mike gathered their material and left.

Mike told Jack, I knew it would take a lot of money to test it, but I never thought about millions.

Jack stated, Well, that means one thing.

Mike said, What?

Jack replied, If it will take millions to test it, then it’s got to be worth billions. Let’s be careful who we talk to.

Mike stated, Yeah, you’re right about that.

They went on home, down but not out. Jack continued to work every day. He got into his usual mode, watching TV and spending time with Linda.

Fred and Jenny came over. Fred had the beer. Jenny and Linda carted off to their usual spot, the kitchen, to fix some popcorn. The game was coming on.

Fred asked, How’s your project, Jack?

Jack replied, We worked out all the bugs but one.

What’s that, Jack? Fred asked.

Jack replied, The money to run tests to see if it works.

Fred stated, Maybe you should try an invention-type company, you know. One that would look at your idea and point you to potential investors.

Jack replied, Right! Now anything is worth a try.

So, he decided to call Mike and let him know what he considered on doing.

Mike asked Jack to plan a meeting, so he could be there. Jack had set a meeting with this firm called Inventors’ Choice. They both went to the meeting. The firm offered them a lumpsum of money for the invention.

Jack stated, That’s not enough!

The executive of the firm, Mr. Phillips, said, Gentlemen, I think $300,000.00 is a fair offer, considering this prototype hasn’t been tested yet.

Jack still said, No! I have to have at least two million.

Mr. Phillips leaned in his chair thinking for a minute. Then he stated, Let me contact my associates and I’ll get back with you.

Mike had a business card and gave it to him. They both left.

After getting outside, Jack said, I don’t trust that guy. I got a bad vibe from him.

Mike said, Relax, buddy, you’re just thinking about all that money.

Jack replied, No, I’m thinking about my neck. It’s just something I saw in that guy’s eyes. I say we forget about it.

Mike said, No! This might be our big break. Let’s not blow it.

A couple of days later, Mike received a call from Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Phillips said, I’ve talked to some of my associates, and we’re still considering your proposal. Is there an address where we can reach you?

Mike said, I’m not here most of the time. You can reach me by phone, or just leave me a message.

Mr. Phillips replied, Will do, bye-bye, we’ll be in touch.

Once Mr. Phillips hung up the phone, there were two gentlemen in the office with him. He told them, I don’t know how, but I want those prototypes of that car. Find him and get them.

Those two men were his employees of another kind: hitmen!

They found out Mike’s address through the phone company. They ransacked his house looking for those sketches but didn’t find them.

Chapter 3

The Plot to Steal the Idea

Mike had met Jack at the bar to talk to him about what Mr. Phillips had told him. He told Jack that Mr. Phillips asked him for his address.

Jack stated, Why? He’s got your phone number. Mike, let’s put those sketches in my tire, okay? Just to be on the safe side.

Mike said, Jack, you’ve been watching too many movies.

I may have, Jack replied, but I’m never too cautious about my feelings.

Mike said, Okay, Jack, okay, let’s do it. So, they put the sketches in the spare tire, and Mike said, There, are you happy now?

Jack said, Yeah.

Then they returned to the bar and had some beer.

Moments later, those two goons walked in. They recognized Jack and Mike from the camera in Mr. Phillips’ office. They sat and waited for them to leave. After about an hour, Mike and Jack left. Mike went his way, and Jack went his. The two goons followed Mike. They thought he had the prototype. Mike thought about what Jack said about being too cautious. He started watching in his rearview mirror, and he saw two guys in this plain-looking car. They turned whenever he turned. He really got scared. He sped up, but they sped up also. He hit the bike that was close to the curb at the first turn. They were right behind him.

Then the thug on the passenger side pulled out his gun and began shooting at Mike. Mike was afraid now, wondering why anybody would want to kill him. He kept driving. The thugs were right behind him, shooting. They had silencers on their weapons, so the sound didn’t disturb to many people. Some saw the action and call the police.

Mike thought about the police and drove toward the precinct. But before he there, the guy shooting shot his tire. He kept driving until he got close to a house. He stopped and jumped out and ran through the yard and hopped the fence. When he hopped the fence, it was a family having a family reunion. The two thugs seeing that it was too many people got back in their car and drove off.

One man at the reunion asked Mike if he was alright.

Mike replied, I think so, can I use you phone, I need to call a friend and the police.

He called the police first, then Jack. He told Jack where he was, and what had happened, and Jack, not taking any chances, grabbed his gun. Linda went with him. Mike had told the police what had happened before Jack got there. When Jack arrived, Mike told him exactly what happened.

Jack was pissed and said to Mike, I told you I didn’t like that guy.

Mike replied, We can’t just say that it’s him behind this.

Jack said, But who else? Come on, I’ll take you home. The tow truck’s got your car.

So, Mike got in the truck with Jack and Linda, and they took him home.

On the way Jack said, Are you alright?

Mike said, I’m okay, just shaken a little.

They pulled up at Mike’s house and noticed that the door was ajar. Jack pulled his gun. They both got out. He told Linda to stay in the truck. They went in.

Jack looked around first, then Mike said, Oh my GOD. His house was a wreck.

Jack said, You believe me now? You can’t stay here tonight. Come on, you can stay with us.

Mike didn’t argue. They left and went and reported the break-in to the police. The police said that they had no witnesses so no one could be charged. Then they left and went home. Once they got home to Jack’s house, Jack showed Mike to his room, and asked Mike if he had a gun.

Mike said, No.

Jack replied, Well, that’s another trade of mine.

Mike stated, What, collecting guns?

Jack stated, No, using them. I’m ex-military also.

Mike stated, Jack, do you think Phillips had something to do with this?

Jack replied, I do, but we can’t prove it. We just must stay alive. Afterwards, Jack said, Goodnight. Here’s the shotgun, you, may need it. They found your house, they can find mine. Jack went into his bedroom.

Linda was waiting. She said, Jack, I’m scared.

Jack stated, I’m sending you home to your mother.

She said, What about you?

I’m staying, Jack replied. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. Then he said, Go to sleep, everything will be alright.

The lights were turned off and they fell asleep.

The next day Jack put Linda on a plane to Ohio, where her mother lived. Jack and Mike prepared themselves for whatever was to come. They just couldn’t say who was behind the whole thing, so they continued to go on to work. The two thugs went back to Mr. Phillips, and told him that the prototypes were not at Mike’s house.

He said, Then Jack must have them. Let’s let things cool down a bit first before you try, Mr. Jack.

So, they just watched Jack and Mike for a couple of days. After a couple of days, Mr. Phillips got impatient. He called on one of his cop friends for help on getting the prototypes. He told Mr. Phillips he would let him know what developed. In the meantime, the two hitmen followed Jack after work to try and see if he had the sketches.

Jack went to another potential buyer that day and he seem interested in buying the idea. So, Jack went and told Mike about it. The two lynchmen, using the service entrance, went in to see the gentleman, who just talked to Jack. They began talking about Jack.

He said, Yes, that young man just left.

Then they asked did he leave anything.

The gentleman, Mr. Bowen, said, Like what? Then he asked, Who are you guys?

One thug said, We’re working on case about some stolen material.

Mr. Bowen stated, What sort of material?

Sketches of a car maybe?

One thug said, As a matter of fact, yes.

Mr. Bowen then stated, You are not cops, and reached for the phone.

Then one of them pulled his gun equipped with a silencer and shot Mr. Bowen in the head. They left unseen to report back to Mr. Phillips.

Moments later, coming from lunch, Mr. Bowen’s secretary discovered his body, and screamed, alerting everyone in the nearby vicinity. Once the police came, they began questioning people. They reported a young man had visited him last as they knew. They gave the description of Jack. So, the police put an all-points-bulletin (APB) out on Jack. Jack had no idea what had happened. When he returned to Mr. Bowen’s office with the sketches, the police were everywhere. Jack didn’t go any further. He turned around and went and found Mike. He told Mike that he went to see Mr. Bowen about the prototypes, and he was interested.

However, when I returned to his office to show him, the police were all over the place, so I left.

Mike said, Let’s go catch the news, to see what happened.

When the news came on, the reporter said that Mr. Bowen had been murdered.

Jack stated, That’s him, Mike, that’s the guy I went to see.

Then a description of Jack came over the screen, and the reporter said, This is the suspect still at large. We don’t have a motive yet, and we’ll keep you up to date.

Mike said, Jack!

Jack being in shock stated, I didn’t do it, I just left to get the prototypes to show him.

Mike said, Well, what are you going to do?

Jack said, I don’t know yet. Should I turn myself in or what?

Mike said, How can you prove your innocence?

Jack said, I’ll turn myself in, it might be safer. You lay low, and don’t do anything.

Jack turned himself in.

The detective on the case, Detective Green, believed what Jack told him. Besides, the