Short Fiction · Chapter
The Infernal Parliament explained
Bavton Bidderdale, having died of a new disease, finds himself in Hell as a guest.
What happens
Bavton Bidderdale, having died of a new disease, finds himself in Hell as a guest. He is shown the Infernal Parliament, where a debate protests the earthly misuse of the word 'fiendish'. The Fiend-guide explains that all motions are lost, there is no party system, and a special Hell is being prepared for a playwright with a press-cutting book missing the letter 'S'.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Egbert…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Absurdity of Social Rituals
The Infernal Parliament parodies earthly parliamentary procedures, with silent approval as the highest honor and all motions necessarily lost.
- Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
The debate protests the misuse of 'fiendish' for human atrocities, highlighting human hypocrisy in blaming demons for their own cruelties.
Characters to notice
- Bavton Bidderdale
The protagonist who dies of a new disease and tours the Infernal Parliament as a guest.
Key passages
“Five minutes hush... it is a sign that the speaker was listened to in silent approval, which is the highest mark of appreciation that can be bestowed in Pandemonium.”
A five-minute silence indicates the audience's silent approval, the greatest honor in Hell.
Highlights the absurd inversion of earthly parliamentary applause.
“Carried? Of course not... in the Infernal Parliament all motions are necessarily lost.”
No motion ever passes in the Infernal Parliament; they are all defeated by design.
Emphasizes the futility and parody of parliamentary process.
“The letter S is missing.”
The press-cutting book lacks the letter S, making it impossible to find any author's name.
Reveals the cruel twist of the special Hell for a playwright.
