Rudolph Voralberg

**Rudolph Voralberg** was the father of Anna and Hans Voralberg. He was an owner of the Voralberg Mechanical Toy and Puppet Factory before passing it over to Anna, after his death.

## History

Rudolph was born in 1880. He became the owner of the Voralberg Factory and had two children - Anna and Hans. They lived together in the Voralberg's House in Valadilene along with Gertrude.

On May 13, 1930, his 10 year old son Hans, fell into a coma after an accident. Rudolph was devastated, he couldn't sleep at night, constantly thinking about his son. When the boy finally woke up on May 20, 1930, Rudolph smiled to his doughter for the first time after the accident.

But over time it became apparent that Hans was different. He didn't say much and had difficulty moving. He was taciturn and solitary, not lively and cheerful like before. He spoke little and was addicted to Anna's proximity, becoming nervous if she wasn't with him. Rudolph was very concerned with the new behaviour of his son. He was anoyed when Hans started obsessivly drawing mammoths.

On April 4, 1931 doctor inspected the boy, Hans was reported to have been stunted phisically and mentally. These news crushed Rudolph, as he was shocked to have a "Retard" as a son. After that he started having permanent dark moods, not being able to accept his sons state and starting to feel hatred towards his son as he believed he was responsible far this situation.

After a year Hans' situation showed no signs of improvement, neither in therms of Hans' mental health, nor his father's attitute toward him. Then, on May 30th, 1931 Rudolph decided to take his son to Paris for new tests, as he believed that only in the French capital he will find truly competent doctors. Unfortunately the French doctors have only confirmed the diagnosis. Hans will remain phisically and mentally impaired.

On January 12th 1932, Rudolph took his son to the factory. He continued to do so for the next month and Hans seemed to enjoy the work, he even started to make his own little automatons. On February 11th 1933, Rudolph proposed a job position at the factory to Hans if he stops making his own little devices. The boy wasn't responding which sent Rudolph in a rage, he shouted at his son for a while and then left him be. Later Hans agreed to the proposition. Rudolph arranged a little workshop on the first floor of the factory for his son.

On July 10, 1932 Rudolph talked to Anna about his wish to send her to learn at a University since she had very good grades and enjoyed studying. He told her that he thinks her intelligence is astounding. After a couple days of thinking his doughter agreed.

Four years passed and Rudolph's relationship with his son became less tense. They still didn't exchange much conversation, but they now had a thing in common, the factory, which also started to become fameous, more and more people around the world knew the name "Voralberg".

On November 2, 1937 Rudolph's doughter started helping him set his papers in order. Their family felt real again. They spent the Christmas together and Rudolph pretended to glare dissaprovingly when Anna and Hans giggled. Their hearts were full of hope.

On January 24th, 1938 Hans declared to Rudolph that he wants to leve Valadilene and travel the world. Rudolph was furious, his anger was terrifying. He shut Hans away in his workshop at the factory and has forbidden all visits except for Gertrude, who fed him. He decided that he should remain locked up until he changes his mind about leaving the town.

On March 6th, 1938 Hans disapeared. Rudolph couldn't believe that his son would leave, he felt betrayed and didn't want anybody else to know that Hans escaped, he decided that he will make everyone believe the boy died. He started locking himself away, night and day, at the factory making a coffin. On March 12, 1938 he installed the coffin on a trestle in the drawing room of the house.

Then on March 14, 1938, he went to the young priest, Leon Bonnard. On this rainy day he knocked at his door, his face an expression of eternal pain itself. Through gritted teeth, his eyes swimming with grief, he announced that his son Hans has just died. He urged the priest to come to his home immediately to bless the body. They both went to the house and entered the drawing room, the coffin was in the middle, sealed shut. Rudolph explained that he wanted no one to see the body of his son. He told the priest that Hans' badly mangled body was discovered at the bottom of a precipice and it was presumed that he had slipped and fallen badly. Leon believed him.

In the madness occasioned by his grief, Rudolph grew even more cold and calculating. He contacted his old friend, Doctor Schmol, who duly drew up a bona fide death certificate, without even seeing the body.

The funeral was held next Sunday. Leon Bonnard had officiated the mass and burial. They buried Hans with all the dignity and solemnity befiting such a tragedy. Anna was devastated by her father's actions but didn't want to reveal Rudolph's mental instability to the world as he has still been her father.

Rudolph Voralberg died a year later in 1939, passing the ownership of the factory to his doughter. He was burried on the Valadilene Cemetery in the Voralberg Tomb.

## Trivia

* His name in french translates to Rodolphe and that is the name that is written on his grave in the Voralberg Tomb at the Valadilene Cemetery.
* His voice actor is also the voice of the Patriarch.

## Gallery

Rudolph Voralberg reading a newspaper in the fake memory.Rudolph Voralberg going to work in the fake memory.