The Convent San Tanco's library is in poor shape. Reverend Mother Placido calls the bishop who sends the only professional available, Brother Paul Bernardi (impressionist legend Rich Little). He has a reputation as a "one man (disaster) area", bungling his projects. The reverend mother makes Sister Bertrille his assistant feeling that "for the first time we may see that two wrongs make a right." When he accidentally busts a hole in the wall they find an old parchment. As they begin to investigate the centuries-old manuscripts, a passion of Brother Paul's, they are told that the bookshelves airing outside have caught fire, and Brother Paul stuffs the parchments in a book. Brother Paul had placed a magnifying glass on the bookshelves in the hot sun. The sisters decide to trade for new bookcases and Sister Bertrille goes to a friendly trader named Swapping Salvador (Peter Mamakos) who receives books in exchange. He takes the book that the parchment is in to grind into pulp. Sister Bertrille flies in hopes of saving them.
The episode does nothing to showcase Rich Little's comedic talents, as he almost plays a dramatic role. What predictable comedy is attempted in the script doesn't quite come off.
The episode does nothing to showcase Rich Little's comedic talents, as he almost plays a dramatic role. What predictable comedy is attempted in the script doesn't quite come off.