Robert Langdon, #1
Angels & Demons
by Dan Brown
Contents
38
Overview
Vittoria’s attempt to bypass Olivetti succeeds when she reaches the Vatican communications operator and forces the situation onto the camerlegno’s attention. Olivetti’s authority shifts abruptly when the camerlegno personally orders him to bring Vittoria and her companion to him.
The chapter turns the conflict from obstruction by Vatican security toward direct access to the only Vatican official who may take the antimatter threat seriously.
Summary
At the Vatican switchboard, the sole communications operator reflects on the quiet night inside the sealed city during conclave. He expects the election to be routine and brief, despite the heightened security and Swiss Guards stationed nearby.
An internal line suddenly rings, surprising the operator because so few people should be inside Vatican City. A woman speaks rapidly in urgent but rational Italian, asking to be connected to the camerlegno in the Pope’s office and warning that everyone is in danger.
The operator is bewildered by the woman’s presence and request. When she explains where she is calling from, the operator puts her on hold and calls Commander Olivetti’s direct line instead, unwilling to believe her claim.
The same woman’s voice answers Olivetti’s line and angrily demands that the operator place the call. Moments later, Olivetti rushes back to the Swiss Guards’ security center and finds Vittoria Vetra at his desk using his private phone.
Olivetti unlocks the office and seizes the receiver from Vittoria. After demanding to know who is on the line, Olivetti realizes he is speaking to the camerlegno, who overrides Olivetti’s objections and orders him to bring Vittoria and her companion up immediately.
Who Appears
- Vittoria VetraDefies confinement, uses Olivetti’s phone, and pushes the warning toward the camerlegno.
- Commander OlivettiReturns furious to his office but submits when the camerlegno orders him to bring the pair.
- Vatican switchboard operatorReceives Vittoria’s alarming internal call and alerts Olivetti instead of connecting her directly.
- CamerlegnoAnswers Olivetti’s line and orders Vittoria and her companion brought to him immediately.