Rameses, and make straight things crooked 'Tis I, I. P. Phreely, who have spoke. Does he know who I am?
Rek-Mara—He does.
Nit—Is he prepared with the Ladder and Hod?
Rek-Mara—Not yet.
Nit—Egyptian, I now present you the working tools of an Apisic Egyptian postulant, which are the Ladder and Hod. They will be exemplified to you by Ta-Nefer, the Prophet of Horus.
Rek-Mara—But our information?
Nit—Ah, yes. Getting our feet on the ground, I may say that I, myself, have explored the Oasis of Bunk, but not in recent years. It is said in the Charity Bazaars and in the alley back of the palace, by the dockers, that the remaining parts of Rameses are probably concealed in the Oasis of Bunk. Is he willing to explore that wonderful and horrific Oasis of Bunk?
Rek-Mara—Yea, verily.
Nit—Yea, verily, bo, is good! Take him to Ta-Nefer.
Candidates are led once about room, hoodwinked, and are halted before Ta-Nefer, in the North.
SCENE 3.
Candidates are halted before Ta-Nefer; hoodwinks down.
Rek-Mara—O great Ta-Nefer, Prophet of Horus, listen to our prayer—hear our requests — give us your ears—and hearken unto us.
Ta-Nefer—I listen. I hear. I hearken. But nix on that ear stuff. I need 'em both. Barring riches, health, power, lands, tenements and hereditaments, what are your modest requests humbly beseeching us?
Rek-Mara—This former scum, now an obligated Egyptian, has been before the Council of
