S1.E3 Bewitched - Scene 7

Ritual S1 - Episode 3 - Scene 7

Professor Jones' Office

Characters in this Scene

Leslie Jones as Professor Selwyn Jones

Julian McMahon as Damien Sinclair

Marian Callaghan a college student

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Professor Jones is sitting at his desk, listening to one of his students plead their case. A tearful Marian Callaghan is about to fail Ancient History this semester.

“Marian, I’ve told you right from the beginning you need to keep up with the work, you have not handed in any assignments, and your attendance is poor.”

“Professor Jones, if I fail this class my parents are going to cut my allowance off!”

“That is not my problem, so you can stop with the waterworks.”

“Please Professor, what if we came to some type of arrangement? What if…” Marian lifts her t-shirt to reveal her bare breasts.

“Put those titties away at once Miss Callaghan! Don’t you dare think for one minute that I can be swayed by the sight of your nubile mammaries! I am beyond reproach! Now get out of my office!”

The girl runs out the office and clambers past Damien who was about to knock on the door. He pokes his head in, grinning with amusement. “Having some female trouble Selwyn?”

Professor Jones dabs his face with a handkerchief. “They are always trying it on; I’m not handing out passes to those that don’t deserve it. What can I do for you Damien?”

“I have in my possession, something of great interest.  I need you to translate the instructions.” Damien hands over the scroll that Dulcie gave him. Professor Jones switches on his desk lamp and takes a large magnifying glass out from his drawer. A pad and paper are next to him, and he jots down some notes and crude hieroglyphics.

“Is this what I think it is, Nymphaea Caerulea - the Blue Lotus?”

“Yes, and I believe it is the real deal. I trust my source implicitly.”

“Can I ask, where did you get this?”

“No, you can’t. What does it say, Selwyn?”

“The instructions are very specific for quantities and timing of the ritual. It must be held on a full moon at the time of equinox. The Blue Lotus is a potent sacrament for spiritual communion and transcendence as mentioned in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Once ingested, it opens a bridge between realms so that communication with the spirit world is possible. I didn’t think it was still available anywhere, it remains an enigma in our modern world, and its secrets buried with the pharaohs. A lot of what is sold on the black market is fake, no more than aphrodisiacs and snake oil. Not many know its’ true purpose.”  Professor Jones writes down instructions on a piece of paper and hands it to Damien along with the scroll. “The infused oil is to be added to wine to activate the psychoactive properties.”

“Are there any precautions to note?”

“Yes, the Lotus is not meant for the uninitiated. Make sure that it is taken by high-ranking Temple members only”. Professor Jones grabs a book off his shelf entitled Rituals of Thoth and flicks through the pages. “Yes, there is an account here that describes what happens when the Lotus is not administered correctly. In order to experience the realm of the dead, you must first die yourself, that is what the Blue Lotus does. You are experiencing a living death, then rebirth. For anyone that does not regularly participate in ritualistic practice, it can lead to madness, or a perpetual catatonic state.”

“Good to know. How is your other research going, do you think you can still procure the artifact for me?”

“Ah, the Eye of Thoth - I believe I can. I have contacted the dealer, and it is perhaps a month or so away from being delivered into my hands”

“Excellent news Selwyn.”

“Always a pleasure Damien, and ah, that other matter that we spoke about. You said you could assist with the modification of my legs.”

“Yes, of course, anything is possible now that the Temple has grown more powerful. I will make the arrangements once you deliver the artifact to me.”

“I won’t fail you, Damien.”

“Good” Damien places his hand on Professor Jones’ shoulder, staring intently at him. “He is coming.”

Professor Jones nods in response. “He is coming.”

After Damien leaves, Professor Jones takes a scrapbook from the bottom of his drawer, and flicks through a college track and field magazine on his desk. Selecting a runner with long muscular legs, he carefully cuts them out and pastes them in his scrapbook under the top half of his own photograph. Once completed, he strokes the picture lovingly.  He flicks through pages of the rest of the scrapbook that show various legs in different action poses. Professor Jones closes the book giggling to himself.

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