Caine's Arcade: 9-Year-Old Caine Monroy Creates A Cardboard Arcade (VIDEO)

Caine Monroy stands in front of his small business, Caine's Arcade.

Like many other kids his age, Caine Monroy enjoys playing games and going to the arcade. But this 9-year-old from Los Angeles is very different from his peers in one aspect: He built the arcade himself.

A viral video released yesterday is bringing attention to Caine's makeshift arcade, stationed in his father’s used auto parts store in East Los Angeles. Caine took cardboard boxes normally used for shipping and turned them into elaborate arcade-style games, complete with prize displays and handwritten brown paper prize bags, and even built a security system involving calculators. Although business is slow for both Caine and his father, George -- who due to a lack of walk-in traffic has taken most of his car parts sales to eBay -- Caine’s only customer, a filmmaker named Nirvan Mullick, decided to give his small-business venture a boost. Mullick took to Reddit to speak of his discovery and decided to organize a surprise flashmob on Facebook to surprise Caine.

The story and the results of the flashmob have been compiled into a heartwarming 10-minute short film entitled “Caine’s Arcade." Mullick also wants to help send the young innovator to college. On the Caine’s Arcade website, people can donate to help reach the current goal of $25,000. As Mullick has written above the donation box: “Chip in $1 or more to help Caine to go to college. Imagine what this kid could build with an Engineering degree!”

Something tells us this isn’t the last we’ll hear of this big dreamer.

UPDATE: Since this articles publication yesterday, nearly $70,000 dollars has been raised for Caine's college scholarship fund. HuffPost Latino Voices have an update where they speak with Caine, his father George and filmmaker Nirvan Mullick.

Comments

[Bangzilla]

07:44 PM on 02/13/2013

This is really awesome. I am glad to see some good news for a change. When I was young it would have been great to have a father to encourage me. Instead my father told me going to school to be a fighter pilot would be too long and I would not like it. He said being a marine biologist would be boring and I would get tired of the ocean. Those are both too bad as I have a 124 IQ and 20/13 vision. I followed his words and have never forgotten what might have been. A young mind is a terrible thing to waste. This is a very awesome movie, go Caine go!!

[Gordonfan24]

05:54 PM on 02/10/2013

Simply AWESOME!

[abbitha7]

11:59 PM on 01/13/2013

People need to stop cutting onions when I read these stories.

[MrMusicFlood]

01:34 AM on 12/30/2012

Too cool

[hassia]

10:35 PM on 12/29/2012

Fantastic story. Those raining on his parade are the type of people that will tell you the end of a stop or the plot before you have even watched it. Boring. I see great things for Caine FAB.

[Debbie Hock Wright]

07:50 PM on 04/12/2012

All parents know the best gift is an empty box - what a great kid.

[sski74]

11:56 PM on 04/11/2012

One of the most amazing things I have seen in a while. It really restores my faith in humanity! Well done, Caine. Can't wait to see what your future holds for you! Brilliant.

[J Rupel]

02:47 PM on 04/11/2012

Good News is usually just inane garbage...but that was actually really cute.

[DanielAndrewDavid]

02:32 PM on 04/11/2012

so sweet. This is also what good parenting is all about. Do you see the pride, love and gentle encouragement of the Dad?

[Debbie Hock Wright]

07:49 PM on 04/12/2012

He really was beaming, gave him the "materials" love and encouragement - and time for imagination to bloom.

[ctaylor1968]

12:31 PM on 04/11/2012

What a great touching story. I am very happy for Caine. What a great thing this guy did for him.

[wackypack]

11:03 AM on 04/11/2012

this is 2012 ppl, very nice & endearing story but it is the scripted creation of a young academy award nominated director seeking studio attention with a viral personal campaign - which has been pulled off flawlessly for all those involved no doubt about it. i live 2 blocks from this shop and pass it daily and never saw that setup, not to say the kid & his idea are not true but rather just the origin of this project.

[Maggie Beck]

02:49 PM on 04/11/2012

Perhaps. But isn't that what ambitious directors do?--- they look for opportunity and use their talent to create where they see potential in order to be successful? What's wrong with that? Plus, he actually did some good here! So what if he "used" this kid's talent to exploit his own? It's ok with me. More directors should do this type of "good!"

[jasonedward]

06:58 PM on 04/11/2012

Considering that this director's "eploitation" of the kid resulted in Caine getting about $70K for a scholarship fun so far, I think that it couldn't have be THAT bad. :P

This is such a touching story... to see the innovation and drive. I'm excited that he's going to have opportunity and the potential for a great education.

[Erynn]

02:52 PM on 04/11/2012

Does that even matter? It doesn't change what the kid did.

[wackypack]

07:28 PM on 04/11/2012

dont get me wrong this effort IS nothing but pure positivity all the way around, impressive, awesome goodness no doubt... i'm just making the point that a huge majority of people are falling for every piece of viral marketing being turned out at this point in time. added to the intentional manipulation of the public by the 100% corporate controlled political system this place (u.s.) doesnt stand a chance. :)

[yaddaX3]

10:43 AM on 04/11/2012

Very, very awesome! Nice job, Caine! Keep reaching for the stars!

[jonny dipstick]

09:34 AM on 04/11/2012

Good for him. I thought an arcade was where you go to play video games though?

[Tperl]

08:01 PM on 12/29/2012

Not originally. It was games like those that originated in the arcade.

[Mitch Johnesee]

05:14 AM on 12/30/2012

dipstick

[jillohc]

08:54 AM on 04/11/2012

So sweet, and so inspiring! Bravo to Mr. Mullick for bringing Caine's story to light so movingly.

[Aleina]

06:17 AM on 04/11/2012

i would feel sad after the kid gets flashmobbed that the weekend after, he would get all excited for another repeat of everyone coming over, and no one came and he just sat there all alone, waiting for someone like Ko Ko Aung.

http://goo.gl/wexdK