Chapter 4

The Bishop

As Jacob Wells entered St. Patrick’s Cathedral, memories of the past assailed him. Here was where he and Margaret had gotten married. He stared at the main altar where they had exchanged vows. They had been so happy then, so full of the promise of a life together.

He looked around further, peering around the gloomy, candle lit interior so like his own world. He saw the baptismal font where an infant Vincent had been baptized. He’d been so sure at that time that he was going to lose that tiny, unique life and that this was the only thing left that he could do.

He shook himself out of his reverie, mindful of the mission he was on. He spotted a young priest by one of the side altars, and hesitantly approached him.

"Excuse me," he spoke softly, "can you tell me if a Father McKenzie is still here?"

"Yes," the young man replied, "but if you had been one day later he wouldn’t have been. It’s lucky you came when you did." At Jacob’s puzzled look he went on to explain, "he’s leaving in the morning to start his retirement. Wait right here and I’ll go get him for you."

Waiting with his hat in his hand, he again looked around the church he used to know so well, letting himself sink deeper into his memories. Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder bringing him back to the present. Turning he saw a man with short white hair, built like himself and about the same height with a merry twinkle in his brown eyes.

"You asked to see me?" The priest asked with a slight Irish brogue.

"Yes," Jacob replied, "is there somewhere we could talk privately?"

"Certainly," he led the way to the sacristy.

"Please have a seat." He indicated a chair, taking the one next to it.

"Now what can I do for you?"

Jacob cleared his throat and began.

"We met thirty five years ago, I’m sure you don’t remember me, but I brought a child to you that you baptized," he hesitated, "a most….unusual child."

Jacob saw the priest thinking hard, and then recognition come to the eyes that stared into his.

He continued, "I see that you do. Well that child has grown into an adult who is in love and wishes to be married. His bride to be was raised as a Catholic, and for her sake he would like to be married by the Catholic ceremony."

He paused for a moment. "Is there anyway this could be possible?"

The priest rubbed his chin reflectively. "As I recall this child had very unique features?"

"Yes," Jacob replied, "he still does."

"Then where has he been raised?"

He had thought someone that unique would have been publicized in some manner, he had never heard or seen anything of the child since that night. Actually he had thought the child had perished, considering the state of its health.

Jacob thought a moment before replying. "I can only tell you if I have your promise not to reveal what I’m about to say to anyone."

"We can consider this under the seal of the confessional if you like."

Jacob nodded, "yes that will suffice." He continued, "I’ve raised him as my son in a community that lies below the city, below the subways."

Father McKenzie sat back in his chair shocked. "You’re telling me that you’ve lived under the city for thirty five years?" He shook his head incredulous. "How is that possible?"

Jacob chuckled. "Actually more like thirty seven and yes, I assure you, it’s entirely possible."

He went on to explain in detail, describing the world below. When he was done Father McKenzie sank into his chair shaking his head in disbelief.

"It’s incredible,! a And now this child, your son, wishes to marry?" He slapped his hands down on his knees, standing up. "It sounds like this community of yours could use a little religious guidance. I’ve been turned out to pasture." His voice turned bitter.

"Tomorrow I was to start my retirement….forced retirement."

He took Jacob by the shoulders, raising him up out of his chair and shaking him gently. "You are an answer to a prayer. I don’t want to retire, and here you present me with a flock that I could shepard, and a community that I could be of some help to. I could live out my days being useful instead of sitting in a rocking chair in some retirement home."

He was fairly dancing with glee.

"As for your son; he’s already been baptized so he will would have to receive the sacraments of penance, communion, and confirmation before he would be able to be married in the Catholic rite." Nodding and grinning from ear to ear he added, "I would be happy to come with you and offer your son and community my services." He stuck out his hand, "Bishop Jack McKenzie at your service."

"Dr. Jacob Wells at yours," Jacob took the offered hand, shaking it warmly. This was more than he bargained for, but he had a good feeling about the man, liking him already.

"I’m all packed, I’ll just get my bags and leave a note that I’ll be leaving tonight instead of in the morning."

"Bishop this is all rather sudden, don’t you think you should take some time and think this over?"

"No, no you’ve been sent by God to guide my steps and those steps are downward. Wait for me here I’ll be back in a jiffy, then we’ll be on our way." He rubbed his hands together in delighted anticipation, and with a light spring in his steps he went to fetch his things.

Jacob sat back in his chair with a whoosh, he never dreamed he’d be bringing a priest back with him. The most he had hoped for was someone Vincent could meet with for instructions. Bringing a new comer into the tunnels was usually put to the council for a vote, but he had made decisions of this sort before without the council and if a man of the cloth couldn’t keep a secret, who could.?

The Bishop returned in short order with two suitcases and a walking stick. Jacob took one of the bags and the two men left the cathedral.

Entering the tunnel world through the closest threshold Jacob tapped out a message to Vincent to meet him in his chamber. He then led the way through the labyrinth to the central hub of the community.

Upon reaching his chamber he put down the suitcase at the entrance, indicating to his companion to do the same. The Bishop was struck anew with the strangeness of it all. An entire group of people living below the city; if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes he wouldn’t have believed it…..a true doubting Thomas.

Jacob descended the few steps to the main floor of his chamber beckoning the Bishop to follow. "This is my chamber, my study if you will, it’s a little untidy, but I assure you I know where everything is."

The Bishop looked around amazed; there were candles everywhere and books as well filling every nook and cranny imaginable. He chuckled to himself, ‘if he knows where everything is I’ll eat my hat.’!

Jacob’s voice brought him back. "Feel free to look around, I’m going to change into something more comfortable if you don’t mind."

"No not at all, I’ll be fine; you go on ahead."

Jacob went to his small sleeping alcove and quickly changed out of his Above outfit into his warm tunnel clothing.

The Bishop turned from reading book titles when he heard Jacob reenter. "So that’s what the well dressed man living underground wears, is it?" The Bishop observed.

Jacob grinned, "it’s warm and comfortable, we’ll get you fixed up with some shortly. Why don’t you have a seat? How does a cup of tea strike you?"

Jacob moved to the kettle to place it on the brazier as he spoke.

"That would go down a treat right now." The Bishop seated himself at a table where a chess game appeared to be in progress. "I must say all of this is truly amazing."

"Wait, you haven’t seen anything yet, there are many wonders down here but I dare say you’ll get to see them in due course." Turning from the brazier he spotted Vincent in the entrance. "Ah Vincent, there you are, come in I want you to meet someone."

Vincent had just come from the bathing chamber he shared with Jacob after working most of the day in the lower chambers. He warily eyed the new comer.

"Bishop Jack McKenzie, I would like you to meet my son, Vincent."

The Bishop stood and turned toward Vincent, after a moment he put out his hand. "mMy boy, it’s nice to see you again."

Vincent took the offered hand, noting the man didn’t even bat an eye. "Again, ? Wwe’ve met?"

"Vincent, Bishop McKenzie baptized you when you were just a few days old at St. Patrick’s. I went there tonight to speak to him about your marriage and he’s agreed to help you."

Vincent was stunned for a moment. "Bishop, thank you, I’m overwhelmed, but you needn’t move down here." He had noted the luggage at the entrance of the chamber.

"My boy you’re an answer to a prayer," and he proceeded to tell Vincent about his reason’s for moving in.

Jacob had poured tea for everyone then seated himself at the table sipping the hot liquid. After the Bishop had finished his tale he observed a yawn from the man.

"Bishop you must be tired,. Vincent, why don’t you show the Bishop to the guest chamber.?" To the Bishop he added, "Tomorrow we can show you some of the vacant chambers for a more permanent residence."

Vincent rose, enclosed Jacob in a hug, kissing him on top of his head. "Thank you Father, this means a great deal to me."

"I know son, I’m happy for you."

Vincent went up the stairs. P, picking up the suitcases he waited while the Bishop took his leave, then led the way to the guest chamber, pointing out the bathing chamber and sanitary facilities.

Upon reaching the chamber the Bishop thanked him and had him take a seat

"Now tell me why it is you want a Catholic wedding ceremony?"

Vincent was puzzled, "I thought Father told you why."

"Yes he did, I want to hear it from you." The Bishops voiced brooked no argument.

"The woman I’m going to marry, Catherine, spoke of her dream of being married in a church, walking down the aisle in her mothers wedding dress, on her fathers arm." He hesitated here, drawing in a breath. "Her father passed away last year, and because of what I am she’s isolated herself from her friends. She’s given up so much to have me in her life; she humbles me with her sacrifices. I wanted to do something in return, to give her some part of her dream."

The Bishop nodded, then asked "Do you believe in God?"

Vincent looked him straight in the eye. "I believe in destiny, if that is ruled by God, then yes I believe there is a God."

"You’ll do my boy, you’ll do." The Bishop patted him on the knee. "When is the wedding to take place?"

"April 12^th."

"That’s just a bare three months away." The Bishop rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "we haven’t much time to get you indoctrinated in the faith. We’ll have to start right away, tomorrow."

Vincent shook his head. "No I need to make a trip that will take about three days; we can start when I return."

"Is this trip one you need to take alone?"

"No, I’m going to a place called the crystal cavern to get stones to be made into a wedding ring for Catherine."

"Splendid." The Bishop grinned, "Then I’ll accompany you, we can start your instruction on the way."

Vincent scowled.

"Now don’t give me that look, yes I’m old, but I’m spry and I’ve kept in shape. I hike all the time; I promise I won’t slow you down. When do we leave?"

Vincent was about to protest, but then thought, why not they’ll’d get to know each other. He already liked the man; his smile and up-beat manner were infectious. "All right. I’ll come for you in the morning for breakfast and we’ll talk about it then." Rising he put a hand on the Bishop’s shoulder. "Get some rest."

"Goodnight my boy." He rubbed his hands together; retirement was turning out to be very exciting indeed.

***

The next morning, as promised, Vincent collected the Bishop, guiding him to the dining hall. When they got there the room was already crowded with people. Father was already there and when he saw the two enter called for everyone’s attention to introduce the newest member of the community. He explained the purpose of his being Below, emphasizing the need to keep him incognito from Catherine so as not to spoil Vincent’s surprise.

They made their plans for tomorrow’s journey over breakfast. Then Vincent took the Bishop to the lower chambers to see if any of them would suit him as a permanent home.

"We have four so far that you would be able to use right away. We are working on more and on an aqueduct to provide water and sanitary needs."

The Bishop checked each one, as he turned from inspecting the last one he spied an opening further down the tunnel.

"What’s in there?" He inquired moving towards it.

"It’s no more than a series of alcoves leading into a sizable cavern." Vincent replied following.

Intrigued the Bishop moved through the opening, it was a tunnel with no more than niches along its length, but then opened into a cavern that seemed to be glowing with a strange light.

"This is beautiful," he remarked. "Where is the light coming from?"

"It’s the fungus that grows on the walls, this carven had been ear marked for storage but it’s a bit too damp for that."

Excitedly the Bishop turned to Vincent, putting both hands on his broad shoulders.

"Then I would like to claim it for a chapel, and I’ll use that larger alcove for my bed chamber."

Vincent smiled. "We’ll have to check with Father first, and the committee of course, but I see no reason why it shouldn’t be used for that purpose."

Releasing Vincent’s shoulders the Bishop rubbed his hands together in a way that was becoming increasingly familiar.

"Splendid, splendid," he grinned.

The rest of the day was devoted to showing the new comer the main areas of the home chambers. I, and also to introducing him to people, explaining what they did, and giving him a little rudimentary pipe training. The man drank in everything like a sponge with a child like excitement that was rare in one of his years. Vincent enjoyed his company and was looking forward to their trip to the crystal cavern. After dinner Vincent left Father and the Bishop playing chess to visit with Catherine.