[His clock, a busy gadget of circuits and wires without either a conventional clock face or a digital display]
I wondered where the display was.
As would any normal adult.
A "clock" without a means to tell time is not a clock.
That kid either has retarded parents, or they are unable to guide a child into the benefits of learning "judgment."
Now, this easily can be interpreted as a kid surrogate for more clever sinister adult.
Of course, I would in no way jail or handcuff the kid. I would pat him on the head and say, "nice try."
I can't imagine, in my worst days, allowing my sons to take a similar device to school, no matter how cute.
Besides, I would know what my sons were up to. No guessing required (not everything mind you, but enough, evidently.)