The Credibility Of The Silent Orphan

Sewer tunnel exploration endeavors beneath the surface was not something most Ryanites were interested in, let alone an act worth partaking in for whatever reason. It was not the Ryanite way of doing things, to put it quite simply. Venturing forth into the great unknown was one thing, but trying to do so in the sewer passageways and tunnels underneath the surface was another matter. But for the Wise Man and the Godmother, they had a clear and understandable reason as to why they were willing to participate in such an endeavor, even when most would not dare. For those two, they had some legitimate reasons in following the Dewy-Eyed Princess’ lead. In regards to Chandler the Fair, however, he was taken along for the ride, as the Nightingales
were the only group within the entire RGA who were the most motivated in pursuing the legend of der Stille Waise –the Silent Orphan–as he was commonly referred to by English speakers.
The Wise Man, despite how far-fetched the claims of the Dewy-Eyed Princess were, he was extremely fascinated by the correlation between the subterranean society the Silent Orphan is a part of, and the late Lance Hawthorne. According to Drusilla, even though Lance Hawthorne lived in the state of Missouri, whenever he went to Philadelphia on matters regarding the Republic Program, he would spend a good amount of his personal spare time with this subterranean society. Indeed, Hawthorne only able to, after he was contacted by one of their elite members. But exactly how he was given the opportunity of receiving contact remains yet to be revealed to the Wise Man, as the Dewy-Eyed Princess was simply unable to provide an actual logical answer.
The Godmother, contrary to what the Wise Man had in mind at the time, was more so interested in Virgil Sapienti, the individual who bore the persona behind the Silent Orphan.
For it was already well known that the Ryanites of the Philadelphia Archdiocese were fully aware of the Silent Orphan phenomenon. It was a subject of deep fascination, where numerous attempts have been made in either proving or disproving his existence. So far, there was never enough evidence to support the viewpoints of one side, and subsequently debunking the views of the other. For some, there was evidence to give credibility in the truth behind the Silent Orphan’s existence, while there are others who use their senses of logic and reason. But no one has been able prove that the Silent Orphan was being helped by other people, namely, a subterranean society of other orphans and child runaways. In the case of the Godmother, she was more so interested in finally trying to put the whole aura of mystery regarding the Silent Orphan to rest, as opposed to being fascinated by the exploits of a supposed urban
legend.
Regarding this place that Drusilla was fully aware of, there is a lot to be said about the location of where this subterranean society is located. From Drusilla told the three while they were still searching for it, she mentioned that the place was built from the bones of a long forgotten speakeasy that closed up shop at the end of Prohibition. On the contrary, at the time of its heyday, this speakeasy had a disparate set of owners who were diametrically different than the orphans and child runaways who now use it as their personal sanctuary from the surface above. Its heyday was during the old days of Prohibition, the whole place was like a city underneath the endless rows of concrete and neon, shielding what vices that its original owners wanted to hide from the outside world. But in the coming age of a Greater Catholic Education becoming the forethought, almost a century after the end of the days of Prohibition – yet another bygone era that has already passed – an entirely new group of dwellers utilize the place as they see fit.
Safely hidden behind the entrance into this speakeasy that has now been largely forgotten by time, lies a small dead end, wherein one can find a small piece of concrete that may not be what it seems to be. In other words, it can be opened by someone who knows the correct to open it. And if one was to be successful in getting it opened, it was only a matter of time before one was able to reach its gates, which originally stood for its secret entrance. From there, one had their chance at meeting these new inhabitants for the first time. But to do just that, one had to know someone who was a part of this subterranean society.
***
(Several minutes later)
Standing at the entrance, behind an improvised barricade, were Virgil “the Silent Orphan” Sapienti and a few others guarding this entrance alongside him, ensuring that the place that they now call home was kept safe from the influences of the outside world. And most probably, that also includes keeping out Ryanite Curlies and Harries who have not proven to be worthy enough to delve further into their society for the sake of their satiating academic curiosity. For a moment, it seemed as if it was going to turn out to be another boring shift of guarding the entrance from unwary interlopers. But that soon turned out to not be the case, when the sounds of footsteps could be heard in the darkness that engulfed the area ahead of them.
Concerned, the Silent Orphan shouted a warning to whoever was making that racket. “Who goes there?” Silently and swiftly, a dark figure emerged from the darkness, revealing the Wise Man who was still dressed in his clean and prim Catholic high school uniform. “You again,” Virgil said in astonishment, surprised that the Wise Man had discovered the society he was sworn to provide and protect. And then Virgil and his fellow dwellers noticed the appearance of Chandler the Fair and the Godmother. Shocked, Virgil spoke to all three of them, who were standing quietly. “Just how on Earth did you people manage to find this place? Well, never mind all that rambling, you three realize that your kind don’t belong down here, don’t you all hear me? My friends here would be glad to show you the nearest manhole out of here!”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Virgil.” Harold, Margaret and Chandler turned their rightward to watch the Dewy-Eyed Princess appearing from the shadowy shroud. “These friends of mine cannot pose any harm, nor do they have any interest in telling the other surface dwellers…Ryanite or not…”
“Okay, Drusilla, I’ll take your word on that,” Virgil said to her, while gesturing to his fellow dweller to stand down. “But if I find out that your friends have been causing trouble…Well, you can tell them that they’re not welcomed here again. Now, after I let you and your friends in, I want you guys to meet the leader of this society we have down here. Drusilla, I hope you still remember where he’s at, right?”
The Dewy-Eyed Princess nodded. “Yes, I still remember where he is. In fact, I will take my friends to his presence as soon as possible.”
“I hope so,” the Silent Orphan added.
With relatively little notice, the Dewy-Eyed Princess made haste in taking Chandler the Fair, the Godmother and the Wise Man to the personal audience of the leader of this subterranean society. On the way, the three Ryanites following her were given brief glimpses of this place that their guide was spending large chunks of her summer at, and with good reason. The people who dwelled down there were stunned by the sudden appearance of the Ryanites who were being guided by the Dewy-Eyed Princess. They simply could not believe what they were seeing. For Harold, Margaret and Chandler, there had to have been hundreds of people living down here, and the place they were living in had all sorts of amenities needed to facilitate life.
Apart from the fundamental amenities like living quarters, a room producing electrical power, sanitation and food storage facilities, there was also a sick bay, a marketplace, a small theater, a restaurant, a workshop, a laundromat, an exercise room and various reserved spaces where food was being grown. In addition to the fact that it is a miracle that they have good lighting and electricity, they also had second rate television sets that allow the people down there to know what the surface dwellers are currently doing. Looking at all of these things made them wonder if they had entered the subterranean version of William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, but unlike Golding’s novel, the end result in this case turned out to be an authoritarian and well-structured society.
Eventually, the brief glances of this subterranean society soon came to a swift end, and before the three Ryanites realized it, they suddenly found themselves standing before the big generalissimo who was running this place.
Sitting on his high and mighty throne, he commanded the members of his court to let them be, while he allowed the Ryanites to have his attention. Drusilla Price only watched in absolute silence as subsequent events unfolded.
Once they were gone, this generalissimo introduced himself to the Ryanites. “I am High King Hades, the mighty leader of the Underworld. And so now I ask all three of you, who were brought to my attention at the behest of the Dewy-Eyed Princess: who are you?”
The Godmother gave the High King of the Underworld a curtsey out of Ryanite courtesy. “I am Kaiserin Margaret Diana Richardson of the Black Crayon, headmistress of the Ryanite Order of the Black Crayon Aristocracy,” Margaret said to him in a polite tone.
The High King then turned his attention toward the Wise Man. “I am State Chancellor Harold Sebastian Brotzman, head of the surface-dwelling Ryanites of the Republic Program,” he answered
diligently.
And finally, turning his attention toward Chandler the Fair: “I am Chandler Daniel Martinsen, Unterleutnant (lesser Lieutenant) of the Nightingales of the Plaid Orchestra, one of wings that make the Ryanischen für ein Großkatholische Ausbildung.”
“Or so I heard,” muttered Hades, “From none other than the Dewy-Eyed Princess herself. Now tell me, what are you three doing in my city?”
“We come in peace; to ‘pave the way to brotherly association with other peoples, so that genuine unity and peace on earth may be promoted,’” the Wise Man explained to him, referencing to what was once said by the Catholic patron saint of Catholic Education. “We also seek to be enlightened about the ways of your people, so that we can better understand them. This place…we have never heard of before...And in exchange, we promise to uphold a high oath of secrecy until death, to keep the knowledge of this subterranean society and everything in it away from the surface dwellers above, especially those who will only seek to misuse the value of such knowledge.”
“Well, that is reassuring,” said Hades, “But I can tell you quite plainly that you are not the first to have appeared before my court.” He pointed toward Drusilla. “That girl, who brought you before my attention, was also brought to me several weeks ago by Virgil, the chief of my city’s guard. But you should also know: I can tell that you, Harold, and this Kaiserin Margaret who is standing between you and Chandler are people who can be trusted with such knowledge.” He was referring to the medals and the steel badges pinned to their uniforms. “It reminds me of someone else who came before you.”