It was the ultimate remote control.

It turned the lights on and off. It controlled the TV and the oven. It opened and shut the doors and started the car. It made it rain or snow. It could control anything.

Everything was fine until he pressed the “All Off” button.

Harry Demarest has retired after careers encompassing scientific research, teaching at a university, software development, web application development, and voter database compilation and distribution. He is now spending his time with his grandchildren and writing memoirs and short stories.