Prologue

In a candle-lit room in Italy, twenty-four men meet, each representing one of the original titular churches of Rome, churches which began as secret meeting places. And secrets are what these men have gathered to discuss. There is none of the usual pre-meeting banter one might expect from men who know each other but who haven't met in some time. The air is thick with expectation, fear even: two thousand years of preparation are about to bring forth fruit.

Cardinal Rompipalle speaks:
"My brothers, we few here, of all the Cardinals, have always known the truth of our mission. That sacred mission passed down to us by our predecessors for sixty-six generations. So many say they believe that our Lord will one day return, yet they do not expect it in their lifetime."

He pauses for effect then invites another to speak.
"Cardinal Cochon, your report, please."
There is a shuffling of chairs. Cardinal Cochon stands and coughs.
"Brethren, as you know, the manuscripts all point to this generation, this time, as the time. Our researchers have been analyzing all data for the past thirty years and have finally come to a conclusion."
Many sharp intakes of breath.

"All signs are that a child was born thirty years ago. The young woman concerned claimed she did not know the father and, furthermore, that she was a virgin. An examination by various midwives and doctors at the time of labor confirmed her claim. Of course, modern technology is capable of interfering with the human body in many ungodly ways. However, all details point to the fact that this woman gave birth to the child we have been expecting... thirty years ago... in Spain."

One Cardinal jumps to his feet and punches the air.
"¡Síííííííííííííííííííííííííí!"
Cardinal Rompipalle clears his throat.
The Spaniard blushes and sits down.
"Perdonenme, hermanos."

Cardinal Rompipalle speaks again.
"This man is to be brought before us and tested, so that we may determine whether his nature truly is divine."
The cardinals look around at each other solemnly, each one gauging his colleagues. Finally, there is a collective nod of assent.

Cardinal Rompipalle smiles benignly at his fellows.
"And now to item four on the agenda… I'm very pleased to see that sodomy is down fourteen percent this year."

 

Copyright © 2011 Declan Chellar