"Well, it sure isn't Montana," says a woman who appears
to be in her twenties. She feels very uncomfortable in the
narrow tunnel, wondering what might be in front or back of
her, or, perhaps, on both sides. She continues feeling the
sides for anything resembling something different.
"I wish it were," responds a man in his late twenties,
black hair slicked back, a bit apathetic towards the woman
at the moment. "Jeanie, I just stepped in something and
doubt that I even want to know what it was. I think it's
about time that I know what exactly we're doing here."
"I already told you about..."
"Oh, please, tell me once again about your father's
dying wish. I want the truth!"
"Jason, it is the truth. My father wanted me to
come here and tell a friend of his about his death." Jeanie
is not completely sure of what exactly she needs to do. She
just took the tunnel that her father told her to take. She
had no idea of what was in the tunnel or what they may find.
She had always been a bit naive about life and was certainly
not going to be any wiser to what may lay in an old
abandoned tunnel. "Just keep looking for that doorway with
the emblem on it. It can't be too much farther."
When all appears futile, Jason exclaims,"OW! My
ankle." He sits down, rubbing his ankle. "Come over here
and find out what I just kicked." Jeanie has already
redirected her attention towards Jason after hearing his
exclamation.
She feels the ground near Jason. "It's a raised slab
of rock I think." She continues to explore the surface of
the rock, "I think I just found the emblem." She quickly
fingers the indentation again, paying attention to what her
father has taught her, "this is it, and to think we've been
looking on the walls. Move. I think you're sitting on what
we need to open this thing."
"My ankle," Jason whines.
"Move!"
Very reluctantly, Jason moves.
"Cool. You'll have to move off the block. I don't
know what's going to happen when I pull this rope."
"Considering that the rock is raised above the ground,
it will probably just sink. So, I'm going to stay right
here," states Jason confidently.
"OK, fine." She pulls the rope, and surely enough,
they begin to sink. The lift makes no sound, rough passing
walls on three sides, sense of location vanishing. They
feel the speed of the lift slow and finally stop. Feeling
for the edges of the lift, Jeanie finds only a groove. She
steps off, helping Jason to get off also (His ankle is still
hurting a bit). "Sure would be nice to have the lantern
down here," she mutters. She spots a small light, a hole,
in a wall, goes to it, and looks. Sometimes the light
disappears for a second; no pattern to it, just an
occasional blackout of the light. "There's a light over
here in this wall. Come take a look at this." Jason stands
and limps over to take a look.
"Looks like there's something that keeps moving across
the path of the light. Did your father tell you what to do
after getting to this point?"
"Oh, what was it that he wanted me to do, shoot."
Downward she looks, eyes closed. "An elephant on the wall.
He gave me a small ball and told me to drop it into the
trunk of the elephant. At the time, I only laughed, but
now, I guess I would have to believe it. Look to your left,
and I'll look to the right." They did just so, trying their
best to examine the entire wall.
"Hey," Jason declares as they bump into each other on
the other side of the room. "Let's take a closer look at
that hole with the light coming through it." Back at the hole, Jason carefully feels the area around the hole. "Feel this. It's the elephant. The hole is the trunk."
"Oh, yeah, to think." Pulling the ball out of her
wallet, she says, "Hope this is it." She pushes the ball
into the hole -- perfect fit. A small crack of light at the
floor grows, opening up a room of light. They squint and
blink a few times, adjusting to the brightness. "Hello,"
Jeanie says, only half hoping for a response.
"Come in. I know why you have come. He must be dead.
Have a seat, and I'll get some refreshments," billows an old
low voice.
"Mr. Zeigler," Jeanie foolishly asks.
"Yes, it's me... still going after 95 years. All that
is needed is to get away from the outside world," he
declares. He is confident of himself, even at the age of
95. No trouble of getting around is evident. He brings
over what looks to be iced tea. Cautiously, Jason takes a
sip of the fruity concoction. Mr. Zeigler sits down and
says, "he was a good man, your father. Not his fault that
he had to stay above ground. Wherever he is, he must be
proud to know that you have come this far."
"Might I ask," asks Jason, "is there any other reason
for which we have come?"
"I am not the only one in the tunnels," Mr. Zeigler
kindly responds. "I would appreciate it if you would kindly
tell the others of your father's death. Everyone down here
knew him at one time. I'll give you a map and a lantern to
use, as I see you do not have one. On the back of the map
is a list of precautions to be aware of, since we do have a
few traps set up in certain tunnels." He points to a sign
on the wall. "If you see a sign like this at the entrance
of a tunnel, stay out of the tunnel at all costs. These
tunnels guarantee certain death. Watch out for small flying
animals. They're called bats."
"I've read about those. I thought they were extinct,"
inquires Jason.
"Up above, they are extinct. Down here, they survive
quite well and keep the insect population under control. Do
not let them frighten you. They are harmless," returns Mr.
Zeigler, "Anyway, do your best to pass the news on to the
others. I'll see you in a bit."
Jason snaps, "We never said we would do it, Mr.
Zeigler. We did come only expecting to deliver the message
to you."
"Uh Jason," Jeanie mutters, "I kinda forgot to mention
this part of it, so x-nay."
"We'll deliver the message," Jason calmly responds to
Mr. Zeigler. Jason and Jeanie collect their stuff and enter
into the tunnels, Jason leading the way with lantern in
hand. Jason stops, "Jeanie?"
"Yeah?"
"There are three ways we can go, and all three have
that danger sign."
"I guess we head back. Most likely, we missed a turn
or something like that."
"But the tunnel continues quite a bit further in this
direction on the map."
"Let's go ask." Jeanie takes a few
steps, and says, "Whoa" as the slab of rock beneath her
slides to the side. "Shine the light ahead a bit. Cool, a
staircase. Must be the continuation of the tunnel; it's
going in the right direction."
"I'll go first," speaks Jason, having no alternative at
this point. Cautiously, he descends the staircase, taking
note of the number of steps for future reference. (It would
seem common sense to make sure you are in the right spot
when you come back.)
Jeanie notices a sign for which they have been seeking,
"look, down near the floor. It's the first sign." Jeanie
takes a marble and places it in its hole in the wall.
"Hold on a second," comes an old, feeble, female voice,
"I need to get there." The door finally opens. "Ah, you're
new. What are your names?"
"I am Jason, and this is Jeanie. We've come to tell
you about Mr. Grinolds. He recently passed away."
"Oh, Jeanie Grinolds. Your name has been mentioned
often down here. He loved to talk about you. A true shame
that he must go away. So is life up above."
"Mrs. Patricks, why does everyone keep suggesting that
it is possible to live longer under ground. How exactly can
it be true," Jeanie asks.
"We have no hatred down here," answers Mrs. Patricks.
"No guns. No yelling. No violence. Never an unkind word.
We help each other whenever someone is in need. This is my
hypothesis - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; these are what keep
us alive."
"Thank you, Mrs. Patricks," Jeanie responds. "We must
be going now, we have many more people to inform about Mr.
Grinolds." Jason and Jeanie leave, giving their best wishes
to Mrs. Patricks.
In the tunnels, to Jeanie, Jason asks, "Do you really
think they have all of those things: love, joy, self-
control, et cetera?"
"I don't know, but they seem to be happy down here with
whatever means they use to live."
"Mr. and Mrs. Wardell's door up ahead," states Jason."
They place a marble in the hole. The door opens, and a chime can be heard in the background every few seconds.
"I'm Bob. Donna is sleeping right now. What can I do
for you," asks Mr. Wardell.
"We've come to inform you of the death of Mr. Grinolds,
my father," Jeanie states.
"He still owes me a game of chess," mourns Mr. Wardell.
"Oh well, those on the surface come and go, each trying to
kill one another."
"What is that chime for, Mr. Wardell," asks Jason with
curiosity.
"Each time you hear the chime, another person on the
surface has died. I like having it to remind me of why I
came down into the tunnels to live. In the world up above,
there is too much greed, too much amorality, too much
killing."
Hastily, Jason asks Mr. Wardell, "Can anyone move into
the tunnels?"
"Only those who do not join in the ways of the people
on the surface. Only those who want something different, a
way of life that provides for life, with every need met
through love, joy, and peace. Anyone who comes down here to
live must reject what those on the surface do and be
committed to this community."
"Thank you, Mr. Wardell. We need to go tell the others
of my dad's death. Give our best wishes to Donna," says
Jeanie.
Jason and Jeanie leave, going back into the tunnels.
Hours go by: walking in the tunnels, talking to all of the interesting people, finding out whatever they can about the tunnels and the inhabitants therein. After informing all of the inhabitants of Mr.
Grinold's death, they return to Mr. Zeigler, for, by their
knowledge, that is the only way out.
"Did you get to everyone? Were they all home,"
inquires Mr. Zeigler.
"Yes," Jeanie answers, "we did. "We had no trouble
except for the O'Connor's dog. We found out a lot about
what it is like to live down here. It sounds so wonderful.
Jason and I have talked a lot about the tunnels as we were
walking."
Jason adds, "we were also wondering how we might be
able to move down here."
"Well," says Mr. Zeigler, "it so happens that we have a
couple of extra rooms. But, it is not easy, as you have
most likely heard. We have rules, and courtesies, and ways
of life that cannot be changed. We would all help you to
learn these ways and do right - for a long life could be
yours if you decide to join us."
Jeanie looks at Jason; Jason back at Jeanie. Jeanie
moves her eyes in a questioning manner. Jason nods.
"We'll move. We want to be part of this family. Do we
need to go back and get anything from above, or do you have
what we may need," says Jeanie.
"You will need nothing from the surface. Just follow
me. I'll lead you to your rooms."
(-copyright Brian David Smith All Rights Reserved)
