The Philanthropist

An ALTER EGO is described in our modern dictionaries as man's ‘Other self', our ‘Double', or an ‘Intimate Friend'. More often than not, our ALTER EGO is, indeed, our friend and does his or her best to help us when we need someone we can trust to talk to or from whom we can accept good advice.

However, there are times, as you will read in the story that follows, that Demitri, who is Theodore Thermos' alter ego, although maintaining friendly relations with him is purposely giving him advice that could eventually involve him in murder.

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CHAPTER ONE:
'I don't care what you say, Theo. You're only kidding yourself. You know damn well that what you intend to do is wrong. Good God, man, you plan on being judge, jury, and executioner! I know how much you care about this country but that's no way for you to go about getting rid of the crime that you feel is destroying America. Since you abhor the lawlessness that has permeated this land then go into politics, that way you can change some of the statutes that you don't agree with, which you feel are too lenient and allow criminals to go free. That I can understand and approve of, but what you're planning on doing, Theo, is madness. Absolute madness. You'll never get away with it.'

'Listen, Demitri, you can call it madness or anything you like, I don't care. Too many criminals have committed hideous crimes and have gone unpunished because they had the means to be represented in court by high-priced, unscrupulous lawyers. There are too many judges that interpret the laws to suit themselves as they play havoc with our judicial system and allow the guilty to go free. And I've watched, first hand, how our police force is criticized and punished simply for doing its duty. No, my friend, I've given a great deal of thought to what I plan to do. It's the least I can do for my adopted country. It's my way of showing the love that I have for America; it's my way of repaying her for all that she has given me. And there's nothing you can say or do to change my mind, Demitri; absolutely nothing!'

'Theo, I've known you more than fifty years, ever since you were
born. We grew up together on that beloved little island of ours. We were inseparable as kids and that relationship has never changed. We were there for one another through the good times and the bad. No one knows you better than I do. No one! So please listen to me, Theo. If you don't want to go into politics to help change the senseless laws that allow criminals to go free then use your vast fortune to help people and charitable organizations attain their goals. That's the way to show the love you have for this country, not by doing what you have in mind.'

'Good ol' Demitri, you're at it again, aren't you? You never give up, do you? In all the years we've been together you've never once managed to dissuade me from doing what I intended to do, even though God knows you've tried. So why do you continue to badger me about everything I try to do? You know it's not going to do you any good? I know...I know...you do it because you love me. How many times have I heard that before? But do me a favor will you, Demitri? Keep your fucking stupid thoughts to yourself! I don't want to hear them!"

'Damn it, Theo, why is it that you always get upset and begin to swear whenever I try to point out how wrong you are. You should know by now that doesn't faze me a bit. I'll continue to tell you what I think whether you like it or not. When you're wrong I'll do my damnedest to get you to change your mind; I think too much of you not to. Look how I fought with you about those insider trading deals that you were involved in with that benefactor of yours, Simon Rogers…and the arguments we had over some of your other financial investments that weren't exactly above board either. Had you been caught dealing in anyone of them you would have gone to prison for years. You didn't listen