Some time later, Lucius is commissioned by the sick and old Consul Lepidus to build an outdoor bath near Mt. Vesuvius. While inspecting a heated well, Lucius is once again sent to modern Japan, this time winding up in a hot spring, where he gets to sample slow cooked eggs and sake, while also learning that the natural settings allow monkeys to bath as well. Also he learns how to redirect the dangerous hot water from the spring to make it more bearable for bathing. These innovations lead Lepidus to improve his health and get married, while also Lucius learns, to his shock, that one monkey from Japan is bathing there.