The Damn Artefacts

«Thanks».

«When do you think you will be ready to start working?»

«Today is Wednesday. I can start tomorrow».

«Excellent. Then I will call Mr. Merlegg and inform him of your decision».

The Third Master called Mr. Merlegg and told him that Ted would start his work at the Museum the following day. Ted heartily parted with the Master and decided to head for the flat right away.

«Please keep me informed of all the incidents going on in the Museum, particularly, the mysterious ones. My secretary will automatically transfer every phone-call of yours to my telephone,» – The Master uttered at parting.

«All right, sir».

A few minutes later Ted was already approaching the house in which he would have to reside. He got to the second floor, opened the door and stepped inside. The flat was small: an entrance hall, a kitchen and a dining room, a bed-room and a living room, as well as a washroom, toilet, a laundry room and a tiny pantry. In general, Ted liked his new place of residence. Both the flat and its furniture caught his fancy. What else he had to do except bring his personal belongings and to buy foodstuffs. Ted made up his mind to act gradually, step by step. He therefore went outside and transported himself to his parents’ house first. Oh boy! We have neither met Ted’s family yet, nor explored his dwelling. So, let’s fill in this gap and give us leeway now.

Ted, his parents and sister lived in Scotland, in a magicians’ village, which had already been declassified, as of today. Its name was Slitrent. Ted’s father, Mr. Francis Spencer, was a general practitioner. He was a tall, swarthy, black-haired forty-three-year old man with hazel eyes. His patients were both magicians and simple people. Ted’s mother, Mrs. Jane Spencer, was a forty-year old petite blonde woman with blue eyes. She was a chemist by profession. There was quite a big parcel of land at her disposal, where she could grow various magic plants and herbs, and then would brew potions out of them. It had been her hobby ever since her youth. Her husband highly appreciated her abilities and was constantly implementing the fruit of her labors in his medical practice. We have already met Ted’s sister Lily. As it has been previously observed, both Ted and Lily looked more like their dad, than their mom. It was a friendly, caring and loving family.

Ted came into his house. The whole family were sitting in there and watching television. Lily was the first one to spot him.

«Ted, are you back? So soon?»

«Is everything fine?» – Mrs. Spencer began to worry.

«Yes, everything’s OK,» – Ted sank in a vacant arm-chair. «Tomorrow I am going to start working in the British Museum. In addition, I will be living in a small flat in London».

«Great! In other words, the Master has kept his promise, hasn’t he?» – asked Mr. Spencer.

«Certainly. Not in vain is he the Master. I’d like to gather some things and transfer them to my flat».

«I’m going to help you».

«Thanks a bunch, Mom. I would also like some food and money, until I get my salary. May I?»

«Ted, aren’t you our son?! You should always feel free to ask us for help».

«I’m very grateful».

In the evening Ted was already in his new flat. As he had had supper at home, all his time was actually devoted to putting foodstuffs into the fridge, arranging his clothes on the wardrobe shelves until finally, he called Jeffrey.

It was ten o’clock, when Ted, tired, yet pleased, dialed his friend’s number. Jeffrey answered almost immediately.

«Hey, Jeff, aren’t you asleep yet?»

«Ted, what a surprise! I was thinking that here we go, school is finished, and that you’ve forgotten your crony. By the way, I called you, but you weren’t available».

«Really? No one told me. I am calling you from my brand new flat and tomorrow I am starting to work».

«Are you serious? Fabulous! May I come to see you?»

«Sure, but tomorrow. I’m dying of fatigue. How’re your party arrangements going? Or have you forgotten?»

«No way! That’s the reason I called you. I’m waiting for you this coming Friday at eight o’clock».

«Oh, I will come. How about?..»

«Alice also promised to come by. You intended to ask that, didn’t you?»

«Yep, you’re right, bud. I met her father in the Magistrate today. He recognized me, but I failed to recollect who he was at first».

«Oh, that must have been awkward. Fine. Tomorrow you will tell me everything in detail. Good night, Ted. Have a good sleep».

«You too, Jeff».

After the telephone conversation Ted took a shower and went to bed.

The following day at ten to eight in the morning, Ted, wearing a light blue shirt and a pair of black trousers, was walking onto the terrain of the British Museum. He had already been there plenty of times before, and was fond of strolling through its spacious halls, looking at the Egyptian mummies, ancient Roman and Greek sculptures, collections of antique coins and many other valuable exhibits. However, today Ted climbed up the luxurious staircase under the glass ceiling and walked into the study-room, where one of the Museum Director’s assistants – Mr. Alan Merlegg —was already waiting for him.

«Ah, welcome, Mr. Spencer! I’m glad that you will be our new employee. The Master praised you very much and I fully rely on his opinion. Our collaboration will be successful, I hope. Have a seat».

«I am also pleased to meet you, Mr. Merlegg».

They shook hands. Ted looked at his new chief with curiosity. A pleasant fifty-year-old man, his combed-back hair streaked with grey, blue eyes, a straight nose, thin lips and a determined chin.

«I also hope that we’ll get along well,» – thought Ted.

«Coffee? Tea?»

«Coffee please. Thank you».

Mr. Merlegg asked his personal assistant to fetch coffee.

«I should have asked you to prepare coffee with the help of your magic wand».

«Unfortunately, one can’t conjure food».

«Really? It’s a pity. What else can you not conjure up?»

«Money. Such invocations hadn’t been invented yet. Besides, it is banned by the Magistrate. Well, otherwise none of us would have to work and it is even scarier to imagine how everyone might end up. I beg your pardon, aren’t you yourself a magician?»

«No, to my regret. I know quite a bit about the magic world though. Noblesse oblige».

Mr. Merlegg’s secretary brought the coffee in. Ted had a small sip.

«Ordinary people also drink good coffee, not worse than ours,» – thought Ted. But his coffee was hot, that is why he decided to drink it more slowly.

«Will you please tell me a few words about your studies? What have you actually been taught in your School of Magic?»

«Oh, a lot of things. Mainly invocations, incantations and mastering the magic wand. After all, with the help of the wand one is able to open and close anything, likewise to turn certain things into something else. Also, we were instructed on how to prepare all types of elixirs. We studied healing, languages, history, as well as many other subjects, which are being taught in ordinary schools. Unfortunately, even the school does not provide us with all the needed skills and talents. I learned theurgy and enchantment through the magic wand, both orally and mentally. What I do is aspire to have a good command of the so-called corporal magic, that is with the help of your body and without the wand».