The landing of the stairwell opened into a large cavern of a room. The high ceiling was supported by a dozen thick stone columns, each carved with intricate scrollwork at the tops and bottoms. The walls were made of the same rough-faced stone as the staircase, and the floor was a subtle mosaic of dark smooth polished granites that shined like the moonlit surface of a still pond. A simple wooden table and two chairs sat in the middle of the room. Both chairs were arranged to one side and faced a long wooden console resembling a judge's bench that hugged the back wall. A gallery consisting of two rows of tiered seats rose to the right of the lonely table. This gallery was positioned in front of a heavy black curtain that went from floor to ceiling as well as running the vast distance of the room's width. The curtain seemed to mask even more of the grotto. Several large torches burned in freestanding silver footed holders about the room.

I followed her in. We were alone. I tried to place the cane quietly, but it was no use. Every sound, every shuffled foot or ruffle of clothing sent shocking waves of sound bouncing wildly about the room. She led me to the middle of the room next to the table, where an ashtray, water carafe and glasses awaited us patiently.

"This is it," she whispered with a cupped hand. "They will come out there any minute." She pointed to where the long curtain met the wall near the judge's bench.

I looked around, trying to take in the immensity of the room. The thought of such a place existing under a modern city seemed fantastic. But there I was. I looked around until my eyes fell on her. "Thank you." I mouthed the words without making a sound. She smiled and reached down to grab my hand. The echo of a heavy mechanical device broke the silence as the curtain pulled three feet away from the wall.

They walked out single file about five steps apart. The first five wore long white robes with black trim. They walked along the wall and stepped up one by one onto the bench. The others that followed wore normal clothing along with a narrow black and red silk stoles draped around their necks and onto their chests. They turned one by one after exiting the curtain and took their places in the gallery. All of them moved solemnly without speaking. Their cumulative footfalls and movements built to a dull white noise and were a testament to me that these beings before me were real.