[ WP ] It 's discovered that burning sentimental objects provides more energy than gasoline , you 're creating a business pitch to refit the now defunct gas stations across america .

`` It's for the best'', John muttered to himself while fiddling with his wedding ring. It was the only thing he had left to remember her by. 
 
 `` Mr. Allen, they're ready to see you now,'' the secretary stated. She reminded him of Julia, but this was n't the time to think about that. John gathered his things and went through the doors at the end of the hall. 
 
 They led him into an enormous meeting room. Countless old men in expensive suits stared at him with with contempt, as if they *knew* his presence was just a waste of their time, and more importantly, money. 
 
 But he brushed it off. He was used to tough crowds. 
 
 `` Gentlemen, I've created something that will revolutionize energy consumption.'' 
 
 Virtually no response. They had heard the same line countless times before. This would require more convincing. John unpacked a machine from his box of belongings. It was rather strange looking. He had n't had time to make it look nice. 
 
 `` Teddy bears, baby clothes, old photo albums. What do these things have in common?'' 
 
 Once again, no reaction. 
 
 `` They're all relics of the past. We hold onto them for no reason other than we simply want to. They serve no purpose. But I plan to change that.'' 
 
 John removed his wedding ring. He had n't done so in years. 
 
 `` This is my wedding ring. To many, it is simply a piece of jewelry. But to me, it is a symbol. A symbol of love, happiness, and hope. In many ways it holds value to me alone. But with my device, it may help all of mankind.'' 
 
 John stared at the ring for a moment. He knew there was no going back. 
 
 `` Many years ago, I lost everything I had in a fire. My belongings, my house, and my family were all taken from me. I remember seeing the fire burn from a distance. Nobody believed me, but I could have sworn that it burned brighter than anything I had seen before. I wondered about this strange occurrence for months and eventually started to experiment. I soon found that things that held great sentimental worth were sources of vast energy. To this day I ca n't explain it. But I know it to be true.'' 
 
 John tossed his ring into the machine. This finally initiated an emotional reaction from the men. The machine started to rumble and make strange noises. But after a moment, a bulb plugged into the device began to flicker. And after a few more seconds it started to glow as bright as the sun. 
 
 `` My machine harnesses this power. This was simply a ring, a rather small heirloom. Imagine what we could do with something larger such as a wedding dress, a painting, or even a home. It is time for humanity to stop focusing on the past. With my invention, we will start paving the way for a brighter future.'' 
 
 The men initiated a standing ovation. Within an hour, John had become a millionaire and his machine was going to be marketed all over the world. He had almost single-handedly solved the energy crisis. 
 
 But to this day, John often looks down at the base of his finger. He rubs it gently, knowing that while he may have cemented his place in history, he may have also sacrificed something far more important than what he could have ever imagined.
