when they arrive in vaubrac, they find the town run down and unimpressive, but just before they are to drive on, the hotel owner, ladislav groper (welles), happens upon them and offers them a room, bread and tea — attempting to accommodate their english traditions. while waiting for their food and tea, they notice von helsing strangely swinging on a nearby swing-set. after they toss aside their garlic that came with their food and tea, von helsing immediately comes up to explain why the garlic was in their tea — as protection against satanism and witchcraft. he then goes on a verbal diatribe explaining he is an aristocrat (albeit dispossessed of his castle by the current governmental regime) along with relating the history of the von helsing family and the draculas. in the process, he cons them into buying him a bottle to drink and, wearing on, von helsing recounts the story and curse of bardella the witch. however, the couple are skeptical.