In the sede vacante, the gap between the death of one pope and the election of another, mysterious forces and uncomfortable ailments plague the British Council in Rome. Ancient biblical artifacts emerge from their hiding places to wreak havoc amongst the sedate cultural bureaucrats of Palazzo Topodoro. Death, hormones, apotheosis and piles rage through the palazzo towards an apocalyptic finale in one of Rome's greatest churches. In other words, a pretty normal day at the palazzo.