Speaking of, as we were, said the Blue Knight, contemplating the rejuvenated Thread, Where exactly would I find these Scales of Justice? They sound very useful, I was not aware.
Well, said Sheba, tucking a stray length of hair back into her clever hat, The Scales belong, if I remember correctly, to my friend the goddess Themis. She keeps them safely, in a large safe, for safe keeping.
And where pray may I encounter this goddess? Asked the Blue Knight.
She live downtown on Olympus Avenue, I think, said Sheba, Between the ice rink and the bowling alley. It’s a long time since we had a get together. Be warned, she is a very serious person and is also extremely busy, as her scales are in constant demand.
Well, said the Blue Knight, it seems that my course, following the Thread of my Quest, is set fair once more. I shall ask her if I may borrow the Scales to rebalance the universe. Would you care to accompany? It would be useful to have an introduction from a friend.
Nothing too ambitious then? Said Sheba, And yes, I would be delighted to watch.
They set out, they began, they started to travel down the path which issued forth from the great portcullised gates of Az, which after a short period, in which the road had defined itself, split into many and various roads, pathways, tracks, highways and you take the low ways, out across the landscape to anywhere that you choose.
They followed the Thread as it twisted once and twice until in a short future, they turned the corner at Tenth street and found that the Thread lay all the way up Olympus Avenue.
That is strange, said Sheba, It seems that in some senses the Thread is also following us. Unfortunately, this brings into question several aspects of the Free Will debate. I may have to take time out to consider the ramifications.
If the Thread of our story is preset and its description of our future is predetermined, then what’s the point, and if, on the other bank of the stream, the Thread is guided by our choices, then why have a thread at all?
You’ve lost me, said the Blue Knight, stepping up to the door of a Greco Roman villa between the Ice rink and the bowling alley, Shall I ring? And without waiting for an answer, he pulled on the great chain, there, at the side of the doors.
Themis was languishing by the poolside when our two questers were shown in by a respectful factotum.
Hello Sheba, she Themis, taking a moment to sip on her cocktail, How’s things?
Fine, fine, said Sheba settling on an adjacent sunbed, But I find myself somewhat at a loss. Last time we crossed trails you were so busy that you were complaining of exhaustion and sore arms from holding up the Scales of Justice all day, what has changed?
Long story short, said Themis, swirling the ice cubes around in her half-finished glass, I’ve given up. The Scales just could not cope with the workload, and what is worse than that is that, a growing proportion of humanity seem to have very little interest in the Truth, which, as we all know, is the building block that supports the underlying structure of balance and therefore Justice, not to mention our understanding of life, the universe and everything.
What they now call Truth Usual is consist of lies and propaganda. It is most discouraging.
They seem happier bending reality to their own ends. So that’s it, I’m done, retired and put out to pasture, or in my case drinking cocktails by the pool. I have, in any case, designed a hanging structure for the scales, as they are so heavy and my arms, like the rest of me, are not getting any younger.
The current disposition of the politicians and media is indeed discouraging, said Sheba, I empathise.
She turned and indicated to the Blue Knight to come forward and raise his visor.
Let me introduce you, this is the Blue Knight, a friend of mine and a veteran of innumerable righteous quests in service of Truth and Justice. We were wondering, especially now that it has come to us that the scales are not in current, if we could utilise them to attempt a rebalancing upon the Tightrope of Justice.
Be my guest, said Themis, I only ask that they be kept clean and in working order for their return. You will find a fitted travelling box, carven with my likeness, holding up said scales incidentally, and a user’s manual, with safety guide and installation advice, in the draw next to the safe. The code to the safe is password, clever eh? I bet nobody would think of that.
Finishing their drinks and making abundant thanks to the goddess, Sheba and the Blue Knight made their way to the basement workspace where the safe was kept safe.
Upper or lower case? asked the Knight.
I forgot to ask, said Sheba, Try both.
The Guardians of the Cave 