Bent, who is rumoured to be a vampire but is actually something much worse, a clown) nor the Lavish family are too happy with him and try to dispose of him. Cosmo Lavish tries to go one step further — he attempts to replace Vetinari by taking on his identity — with little success. However all the while, the reappearance of a character from von Lipwig's past adds more pressure to his unfortunate scenario.
A mysterious figure, rumored to be a vampire but actually something far more sinister, a clown; the Lavish family's displeasure and attempts to eliminate him; Cosmo Lavish's ambition to usurp Vetinari by assuming his identity; the reappearance of a character from von Lipwig's past adding complications.