A/N I don't own them. I don't think Mr. Carson would appreciate my antics.
Not long after Mrs. Hughes and Ms. Baxter had settled Carson into an armchair in his pantry, Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Barrow could be heard snickering coming down the stairs. Mrs. Hughes gave them her sternest glare as they walked into the butler's pantry which caused them both to break out into guffaws.
"Honestly," she said exasperatedly which didn't help at all.
"It's so weird to hear your accent coming out of Mr. Carson's face!" Mrs. Patmore exclaimed before doubling over in mirth. Mrs. Hughes had to agree with the oddness of the situation as she watched her own face crinkle as Mr. Barrow laughed.
"Well, there's no doubt this is strange," she agreed, "but we need to come up with a plan to fix this. So calm down, the both of you, and sit!"
At her outburst they sobered and did as she said. Once they were all seated Mrs. Hughes began.
"Just so we're all clear on who's who: I am in Mr. Carson's body, Mr. Carson is in Mrs. Patmore's, Mrs. Patmore is Ms. Baxter, who is in Mr. Barrow's body, and Mr. Barrow is in mine. Is that right?" They all nodded their agreement.
"But how did this happen, though?" Mrs. Patmore interrupted. "How can we all suddenly be different people?"
"Well, if I knew that, Mrs. Patmore, we'd have all been saved a world of awkwardness," Mrs. Hughes rolled her eyes. "As it is, I don't. But if you have a better idea—"
"Perhaps we should try to come up with a plan of what we're going to do if we can't fix whatever this is before morning," Ms. Baxter interrupted before Mrs. Hughes could get any louder.
A grunt from Mr. Carson drew their attention. He was waking up again. Opening his eyes he glanced around the room and groaned, "I was hoping it was a dream."
"Mr. Carson!" Mrs. Hughes boomed making him stare wide-eyed at her. "If you so much as think of fainting again, so help me, I'll hit you so hard you'll never wake up again."
Sitting up straight Mr. Carson tried to look down Mrs. Patmore's significantly smaller nose in disdain, "I do not faint."
"Is that what you call it?" Mrs. Patmore snorted.
"Enough!" Mrs. Hughes said as Mr. Carson glared. "We don't have much time to figure things out. If we're stuck like this we'll have to act like nothing is wrong. Goodness, if we told anyone else they'd send us all to an asylum!"
"But what exactly is going on?" Mr. Carson asked.
"You're Mrs. Patmore, Mrs. Patmore is Ms. Baxter, Ms. Baxter is me, I'm Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. Hughes is you," Mr. Barrow answered helpfully.
Blinking in feigned understanding Mr. Carson answered, "Yes, of course, that makes perfect sense."
"Never mind that," Mrs. Hughes continued. "What's important now is that we all know how to act so as not to get ourselves committed. I believe I can do a reasonable impersonation of Mr. Carson."
"All you've got to do is act like an old grump!" Mrs. Patmore snickered.
"As if you know how to be a lady's maid!" Mr. Carson rejoined.
"And you're an expert cook!" she threw at him. He paled considerably.
"Don't you think maybe we should get dressed before we try to do anything else," Ms. Baxter said quietly.
"Yes, of course, Ms. Baxter, you're right," Mrs. Hughes agreed. Turning to Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Barrow she asked, "You did manage to bring down our clothes I take it?"
They both nodded and began handing out them out. Once everyone had a set, an uncomfortable silence fell on the room. No one wanted to be the first to move.
"Well, this is awkward."
"Thank you, Mr. Barrow," Mr. Carson reprimanded him. "How are we to do this?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Carson," Mrs. Patmore chirped. "I'll help you with your corset!"
And with that Mr. Carson fainted once again.