Bunter: So, M'lord. You know what they say about out of the fire and into the frying pan? Well, sir, I think that is where I am right now--a real hot spot. M'lord, I just don't understand why these things keep happening to me lately. It must be this place, sir--Rinn Fada. Something very strange about Ireland, M'lord. Things like this never happened in London! I...
Piers: Bunter! What ARE you going on about?
Bunter: Well, sir. Remember you said to leave for a while? That was sound advice, sir. Very sound. Maybe I should have stayed away a little longer, but that's all water under the bridge now. Because I came home and then started socializing--friendly-like--with the research subjects. And there was this play. And Leona, Miss Strickland, sir, well we...
Piers: Bunter! For god's sake, man! What has happened?
Bunter: That's what I'm trying to tell you, M'lord. Miss Strickland and I went to the Baile cemetery...just for a lark, you see. Only a little fun, sir. And what do you know! We discovered a secret tomb below the mausoleum! Marvelous place! We found some treasure...would you like to see what we brought back?...Just give me a second and...
Piers: Bunter...out with it!
Bunter: Yes, of course, M'lord. Here's the bad news, sir. The tomb had a sarcophagus, of all things! And..and...when I opened it...
Piers: You unsealed a mummy's resting place?
Bunter: Well, sir, as to that, I was merely taking a peek inside, but I realize now that I probably shouldn't have done that because...the mummy, M'lord...he came after us!
Piers: Are you telling me you were attacked by a mummy?!
Bunter: Oh, no, sir.
Piers: Well, what then?
Bunter: It was Miss Strickland who was attacked, M'lord.
Piers: My god.
Bunter: Yes, sir. And I think Miss Strickland is in a bad way, M'lord. And I don't know what to do. There's no excuse for my actions, sir, but Leona needs your help.
Piers: Bunter! She's been cursed! This is beyond the worst that has occurred to us since coming here! A mummy's curse is fatal, Bunter--fatal!
Bunter: What! Sir, please! We must do something.
Piers: Bunter, there are two special sarcophagi which I have acquired recently, now stored in the basement. Research suggests that they are imbued with special powers to transform the physical body as well as the mind. This is arcane knowledge, you understand, but the ancients often were able to harness energies in accordance with natural scientific principles...
Bunter: M'lord! I appreciate your genius, sir, but can you just tell me...will these, uh, sarcophagi cure Leona?
Piers: It's a risky business, Bunter, but it may be the only chance we have, given the time frame of the curse's progression.
Bunter: How are you feeling, Leona?
Leona: Not so good, Vinnie. I have this awful haunted feeling.
Bunter: Oh, Leona! I'm so terribly sorry. But everything is going to be fine, luv. His Lordship has a plan.
Piers: The sarcophagi have been set up. We need to get the both of you into isolation immediately. A quarantine is called for in situations like these, just to be on the safe side. Come with me!
Piers: Miss Strickland, the idea here is to beat the mummy at his own game, so to speak. Mummies cannot, themselves, be cursed. Therefore, we must implant certain mummy characteristics into your body and mind--thereby nullifying the curse.
Leona: You're going to make me a mummy?!
Piers: Just temporarily, I assure you. The second sarcophagus will then rid you of all mummy elements caused by the first sarcophagus, and so return you to your original self--free of any curse.
Bunter: There's nothing painful about this process, Leona. His Lordship has explained it all to me. You just need to sleep in the two sarcophagi...for a couple of days or so.
Leona: No pain?
Piers: There may be dreams, Miss Strickland, from what I've read in the manuscripts. Nightmares, possibly, to be perfectly honest.
Leona: Oh well, I think I can handle a few nightmares...right?
Bunter: I know you can! Remember how you battled that mummy, Leona? Brave girl! And I'll be right here for you the whole time, keeping watch.
Leona: Ok then. I'm ready. Anything to stop this curse--this darkness pulling at me!
Piers: Well, I believe Miss Strickland has now fallen into a deep slumber. Restful, so far.
Bunter: What about this other sarcophagus, M'lord? Do you really think it will bring Leona back, after all this?
Piers: We shall see, Bunter. We shall see.
Piers: The important thing for you is to be on guard, Bunter. Watch for signs of disturbance, trouble of any kind. I have stored food for you in the chest and have provided other basic necessities. You must also be objective about your own condition. If you, uh, interacted closely with Miss Strickland, you yourself may have become infected.
Bunter: I understand, sir. I am prepared.
Piers: Very well. I'll leave you to it then. Good luck, old man!
Bunter: Yes, M'lord. Thank you.
And so, Bunter began his lonely vigil.
