Monday, July 05, 2004

Are there really "Mole People" living under the streets of New York City?

"Many tunnel people are solitary loonies not unlike the guys you see living aboveground in cardboard boxes in any large American city. In a few cases, though--this is where it gets truly weird--sizable communities have coalesced, some allegedly numbering 200 people or more, complete with 'mayors,' elaborate social structures, even electricity. Toth describes one enclave deep under Grand Central with showers using hot water from a leaky steam pipe, cooking and laundry facilities, and an exercise room. The community has a teacher, a nurse, and scampering children."

Good god; this is straight from Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" -- or perhaps the other way around. Although the page's author has posted a disclaimer of sorts, I think it's quite probable the basic gist of Toth's "mole people" mythos is accurate. How could it not be?

I'm also reminded of the paranoid subterranean tales of Richard Shaver.

0 comments: