The Lawyer's Showroom

part 2

"What’s the use of just understanding, sir?"

"Mr. Sharma, great milestones are achieved through thinking and understanding. What I believe about myself, I will prove very soon."

"But what will you do with such a huge building?"

"I will open a massive showroom in it."

"A showroom of what?"

"Law."

"And what will you sell in the showroom?"

"Legal clauses," the young man replied flatly. "Each clause will have a different price, with a guarantee on the product."

"I don’t understand."

"Mr. Sharma, in my eyes, the most expensive thing in the world is the law. Selling it is a highly profitable business. My showroom will have everything necessary to entangle anyone in the legal system or to get anyone out of it."

"I still don’t get it, sir."

"What’s so hard to understand? The world is full of people—always has been, always will be—who either want to trap someone in legal trouble or get themselves out of it. My services will be for such people."

"I understand now, sir," came the voice from the other end. "I will arrange for the building soon."

"Not soon—as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir, very well."

The young man switched off his mobile and slipped it into his pocket. Then he stood up, completely unaware that someone had been listening to every word he had spoken.

His mind was sharp, and his movements were swift—like a monkey. He was dressed in faded jeans and a loose T-shirt. The front part of his head was completely bald, making his forehead look broad. This five-foot-tall man, hopping around like a monkey, reached a colony near the courthouse. He looked around cautiously, then stepped forward and rang the doorbell of a house.

After a short wait, the door opened.

A fair and attractive young woman appeared at the threshold, wrapped in a nightgown. Her face made it clear that she had just woken up. Her sleepy, relaxed state made her look even more beautiful. A gentle fragrance emanated from her full-bodied frame.

"Namaste, madam," the monkey-like man greeted her with folded hands as soon as he saw her.

The young woman nodded slightly in acknowledgment and smiled softly.

"How are you, Hanuman?" she asked.

"Fit as ever."

"What brings you here?"

"It wouldn’t be wise to say it out here," Hanuman whispered. "Times are tough."

"Come inside," she said, stepping aside from the threshold.

Hanuman hopped inside like a monkey. Moments later, he was seated on a sofa in the drawing room of the house, facing the young woman.

"Times are tougher than ever," Hanuman nodded his head up and down. "Very soon, something is going to happen in this city—something no one has ever thought of or heard before."

"What could possibly be that shocking?"

"A showroom is being opened—to sell the law. Each legal clause will have a price. Different rates for trapping someone, different rates for getting someone out. Guaranteed service, reasonable prices."

Hearing this, the young woman sprang up in shock. Her eyes widened, and she stared at Hanuman with her mouth open in disbelief.

"What are you saying?" she finally spoke. "That’s impossible!"

"It must be possible. Otherwise, why would he do it?"

"Who is doing it?"

"Barrister Vinod."

"Who is that?"

Hanuman explained. He repeated every single word he had overheard Barrister Vinod saying on the phone.

The young woman was stunned. She couldn’t believe her ears.

"This can't be true," she shook her head vigorously in denial. "This is simply not possible!"

"Why not?" Hanuman asked.

"Because this district has a Sessions Judge who hates those who go against the law."

"Madam, what’s new in that?" Hanuman chuckled. "Why wouldn’t a guardian of the law hate lawbreakers?"

"But Justice Rajendra Diwan is exceptionally strict in such matters."

"Madam, being strict doesn’t mean he will take the law into his own hands. His job is to judge based on evidence and witnesses."

"Still…"

"Still what? The man who is spending millions to open a law showroom is no fool. He must already know everything about Justice Diwan and has made sure he stays out of trouble."

The young woman's face showed deep contemplation.

"Well, whatever happens," Hanuman sighed, "I’ve done my job—I delivered the news."

He left the sentence incomplete and stretched out his hand like a beggar.

The young woman nodded slightly in agreement. Then she walked over to a coat rack, picked up her purse, and took out a hundred-rupee note, placing it in Hanuman’s hand.

"Keep this news exclusive," she said. "Don’t tell anyone else about this."

"One more," Hanuman said quickly.

"W…what?"

"Just one more note—to keep the news exclusive."

Without a word, the young woman placed another note in his hand. Hanuman stuffed both notes into the pocket of his T-shirt and stood up.

"Keep a close watch on this matter," the young woman instructed. "Don’t worry about the payment."

"Hanuman never goes where payment is uncertain, and he never works where there's bargaining involved."

"I know."