  We propose a scheme to realize a heavy Rydberg system (HRS), a bound pair of
oppositely charged ions, from a gas of ultracold atoms. The intermediate step
to achieve large internuclear separations is the creation of a unique class of
ultra-long-range Rydberg molecules bound in a stairwell potential energy curve.
Here, a ground-state atom is bound to a Rydberg atom in an oscillatory
potential emerging due to attractive singlet $p$-wave electron scattering. The
utility of our approach originates in the large electronic dipole transition
element between the Rydberg- and the ionic molecule, while the nuclear
configuration of the ultracold gas is preserved. The Rabi coupling between the
Rydberg molecule and the heavy Rydberg system is typically in the MHz range and
the permanent electric dipole moments of the HRS can be as large as one
kilo-Debye. We identify specific transitions which place the creation of the
heavy Rydberg system within immediate reach of experimental realization.
