Abscess

[Bogertophis]

1) How serious of a condition is this? i.e. should I go to a vet far away today or a vet close to me on Thursday?

2) Are there other options than the vet? I am the kind of person who spares absolutely no expense on family, friends and even my pets (especially my bird). But for some reason, I am feeling hesitant to go and drop $350 on this animal. Probably because it went from her being a great example lesser that is a proven breeder and has good weight on her.. all for $60. Part me of screams "you save the animal even if it is a normal morph." and another part is like... "maybe I'll pray that she gets better." did I accept the responsibility of sparing no expense when I chose to buy her anyway? What if I didn't buy her because of the condition whilst knowing wholeheartedly that she will go back to live in repugnant conditions and that her owner wouldn't even notice it till too late. Ethical dilemmas I tell you.

How serious is an infection in the head of an animal (ie. near the eye & brain)? SERIOUS. A.S.A.P. see the most experienced vet that has dealt with this before (surgery).
Can she make a good recovery? Probably, with prompt & proper care...I've seen (not my snake) similar conditions treated successfully (surgery & antibiotics).

There are no other options...the start of a mouth infection might be helped with Betadine swabs, but that won't touch a deep abscess like this. You chose to buy this
snake that IMO should have been a gift to someone willing to provide proper medical care. I'm a little surprised you bought her, but now you owe her the proper care.
She will die slowly & miserably without it.