The Perpetual Coffee Machine

While at CampFI this month, my brother came up with the idea of the perpetual coffee machine.  Kind of like the perpetual money machine, but not really.  You see, my brother loves coffee.  In fact, just its presence makes him happy.  So he had a wonderful weekend in Marine St Croix.  Not only were there interesting people and wonderful conversations, there was also a never-ending coffee machine.   It ran continuously in the corner, and just waited for him to come over and press a lever to deliver a small cup of heaven.

Remember as a kid when you dreamed of all of the water fountains at school being connected to a Coke machine?  Or maybe in college when you felt the same about a keg of beer?

Well this is the same.

Supersize Me

When it comes to things we love, there is no size better than limitless.  Whether it’s movies on cable or WIFI at the coffee shop, there is nothing we love better than the free refill.  Stores know this.  In fact, the bottomless cup turns out to not be bottomless at all.  Patrons seldom refill a drink more than once or twice.  The math must work out or stores would be wary to provide such a service.

And my brother was perfect to form.  He maybe had one or two cups a day.  But his pleasure derived from the limitless nature was a big part of the draw.  We love to think that we are getting a good deal.

Around The Clock

What’s more fun than having an endless supply of something you love?  The idea of having it available to you at all times.  The perpetual coffee machine was a work horse.  It took no breaks.  It hummed along at two in the morning as well as three in the afternoon.

If my brother woke up in the middle of the night and had a craving, all he had  to do was sneak out into the common room.  A fresh set of cups stood next to the heavenly machine.  Every pour steaming hot with a little froth at the top for good measure.

There was no one getting up in the middle of the night for a caffeine rush, but they could have!

A Friend In Need

The true joy of the perpetual coffee machine is that it was always there.  Any friend in need had instant access whenever they wanted it.  And this may have been, in fact, it’s greatest gift.  We derive much pleasure from knowing something we care deeply about is always there.

Like the deepest of wells, the water (coffee) will always be forthcoming.   And this potentiality, more than the reality, is the wind beneath our sails.  it is the safety and freedom that allows us to live our lives without worry or fear.

If a fervent need for coffee arises, out trusty machine will provide for us on the spot.  No muss, no fuss.

How many things in life carry such a guarantee.

And, Of course…

And, of course, I am no longer speaking of the perpetual coffee machine.  I am speaking about the perpetual money machine again.  Retirement is a wonderful thing, but just like coffee, sometimes the potentiality is much more fun than the reality.  The rare conference goer drinks more than a few cups of coffee a day.  And the rare FIRE enthusiast takes full advantage of the retirement apparatus that they put in place.

But it’s always there.  Sitting in the corner with a fresh set of cups and steam wafting up from the spout.  Waiting indignantly for a patron to pull the lever.

Waiting to be of service.