Staranise (is adopted)

As a child she was fascinated with light. Prisms and magnifiers and kaleidoscopes were her favorite toys.
Lightning and rainbows made her anticipate storms and watch their fury with wonder and respect for the power held there. Her most prized possession was a huge MAGLITE flashlight which, at almost 2 pounds, she carried everywhere. Once, after many years, as she was leaving a laser weaponry conference at the Pentagon, she was accosted by a pair of burly thugs. A few paces behind, her military escort advanced to her rescue.By the time they reached her, she had stunned one with the bright light of her "MAGGIE" and whacked the other hard in the knees with the grip. The MPs cleaned up the rest. When questioned about the incident  later she was quoted," they were up to dark deeds but  I believe they saw the light ."
(an EPS story)