Free Lady Justice on the Dark Side (Volume 19) by Robert Thornhill Page B

name for your new company?” Mary asked.
        Actually, I hadn’t given it a thought.
        “Is Kevin going to be working with you?” Jerry asked.
        I nodded and I could see the wheels turning in his head.
        “Hmmm, two really old guys as private detectives --- I’ve got it! Private Investigative Services by Seniors! It’s perfect.”
        Everyone let the name sink in for a moment.
        Finally, Bernice scrunched her nose in bewilderment. “But that spells P.I.S.S.!”
        “Of course it does,” he replied. “Think about it. His group at the police department was the City Retiree Action Patrol, C.R.A.P., so if he can have C.R.A.P., why not P.I.S.S.?
        “Just think about the advertising possibilities. ‘Got a problem? Get P.I.S.S. on it!’ or ‘Walt Williams and his P.I.S.S. can solve any problem!’”
        “Enough!” I said, holding up my hands. “I think we’ll pass on your P.I.S.S., but I do need a name before I meet with the attorney tomorrow.”
        “And a logo,” Maggie added. “You need a logo. Something catchy that people will remember, like McDonald’s Golden Arches or Target’s bull’s eye.”
        “I have an idea,” Veronica said, “but I need a pencil and paper.”
        With pencil and paper in hand, she began sketching, and moments later she presented her work.
        We all gathered ‘round to see what she had created.
        On the pad, she had drawn a logo and a model for a business card. It was beautiful.
     

     
        “Amazing!” Dad muttered. “I had no idea you had that kind of talent.”
        “I’m not just a pretty face, you know,” she replied, blushing.
        “You got that right,” Dad said, staring at her ample cleavage.
        Bernice punched him in the arm.
        “I love it!” I gushed. “What do the rest of you think? Maggie? Kevin?”
        “It’s perfect,” Maggie said, putting her arm around me.
        Kevin nodded, beaming with pride.
        “Then that settles it. Walt Williams Investigations. W.W. I.”
        The Professor had been quiet up to that point. I could see the concern on his face.
        “Something wrong, Professor?”
        “Five years ago, you came to me saying you wanted to be a cop. I encouraged you to take the first step on that incredible journey. You succeeded beyond everyone’s expectations. Now, you are about to embark on a journey of a different kind. I just hope you know what you’re getting into and are up to the challenge.”
        “I suppose you’re talking about the difference between what I was doing as an officer compared to what I’ll be doing as a private investigator --- the light versus the dark side of justice.”
        The Professor smiled. “Ahhh, yes, the dark side. I see you’ve given this some thought. The contrast between the two is quite evident in the Star Wars saga.
        “The light side is characterized by honesty, compassion, mercy and self-sacrifice, while the dark side draws its power from anger, rage, hatred, fear and aggression.
        “The Jedi Master, Tolaris Shim, outlined the four stages of the dark side, Temptation, Imperilment, Submission and Redemption. More than one Jedi knight seeking justice fell victim to the Temptation and crossed the line.”
        “I’m surprised that a professor of philosophy is so well versed in a fictional film series.”
        “A wise man recognizes truth wherever he finds it. It might be in the writings of an ancient philosopher or a modern day poet, or even in the fictional lore of a galaxy far, far away.”
        “I appreciate your concern, but I’m not a Jedi Knight and I certainly have no intentions of becoming Darth Vader.”
        “Just a word of caution. Tolaris Shim counseled many knights with good intentions. Her words to them were, ‘To those of you who believe that you are immune to any of these stages, I say you are already victim to the