Lindsey Graham

Tesla fixes his gaze on you.

I appreciate your opinion, sir, but I assure you, this system of producing and distributing electrical power by means of alternating current is in fact entirely novel.

You turn around to address your fellow attendees.

Yes, but gentlemen, as many of you know, I too have been experimenting with alternating current.

I share Mr. Tesla's enthusiasm for the technology, and I endorse its promise.

My alternating current motor is much like the one you see before you on this stage, so you see it's anything but a groundbreaking advance, as was promised.

You turn back to the front of the room and notice Tesla's eyes narrowing.

Thank you for your enthusiasm.

It is indeed, I suppose, a passion we share.

But correct me if I'm mistaken, doesn't your motor use a single alternating current?

Yes, mine does not.

Instead, I use multiple currents, and they are out of sync.

Oh, to what purpose?

It ensures that there is always a constant supply of power.

One picks up when the other is down, making the current strong and steady.

What do you call this out-of-sync system?

A polyphase alternating current.

Well, I... And tell me, sir, does your motor use a commutator?

Of course, all models do.

Not this one.