Lucard invites Mycroft Tickler, a lounge performer with delusions of grandeur, to give a recital at his castle. Gustav tries to warn Tickler, but he's utterly oblivious to anything other than the chance to further his career. However, Lucard actually has no interest whatever in Tickler's ""talents""--he knows that Tickler is none other than Magnus St. John- Smythe's bother. Lucard has realized that he could use St. John-Smythe's anti-vampire gun in his own defense, so he kidnaps Tickler and sends a ransom note to St. John-Smythe in order to lure him to the castle. As an extra incentive for St. John-Smythe to build another copy of the gun, Lucard captures Gustav and locks him in a shrinking room.