opinion

Where has Underground Pizza Man gone?

For years one of Hattiesburg's greatest enigmas has been the Underground Pizza Man.

Hattiesburg residents have looked to the mysterious pizza proprietor to combat late-night hunger.

Solely by word of mouth, the phone number of the nameless pizza man has been passed on to Southern Miss students over the years.

When Hattiesburgers call the mysterious number they are answered with a abrupt, "yeah?" Then after submitting your order for the pizza of your choice, the call is ended with a, "20 minutes" before hanging up the phone.

Then, like clockwork, a mysterious Tommy Chong lookalike would knock on the door, sporting a Che Guevara T-shirt and cargo shorts, accompanied by his dog.

After pulling the change for your $9 large pizza from his sock, the Underground would swiftly disappear to return to the secret location of his pizza kitchen while the customer is left to devour the most delicious late-night pizza the Hub City has to offer.

The Underground Man is a living legend intricately woven into the fabric of Hattiesburg culture. But as of late, the Underground Man has not been on the other end of that mysterious phone number.

Callers are met with a message noting that the Magic Jack phone service customers phone has been disconnected.

What has happened to the Underground Pizza Man. Is he sick? Did he leave Hattiesburg? Is he hurt? We, the people of Hattiesburg, are genuinely concerned with the well-being of Mr. Underground Pizza Man.

Christopher Lee

Hattiesburg