Coriolanus Act 5.4.7 & 5.4.8 ( Finale )

Scene 5.4.7

A lover’s longing

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Virgilia stormed back to her room. She had slept alone since Coriolanus left Rome. Her son sleeps in the adjacent room as the wishes of the grandmother that he won’t wean on her milk too long. She walked to her bedding and looked at it. It had been cold on the right side, but she had endured it. She pulled away at the cords that held her dress and soon stepped out of it. She stood there with her nudity shadowed by the dim light.

“You looked as good like before.” Coriolanus spoke from the dark corner. He had climbed in by the wall opening and waited for her. He stepped up to her and held her by the back. She arched back to the feel of his hands while her body responded to the touches. She turned to face him, and laid her kiss on his lips. She moved her legs towards his, but she found he was not moving much to conclude the act.

“Is there something wrong, my love?” Virgilia asked. “Are you too tired? Or…”

“No, Virgilia. I am well, but I meant to tell you more.” Coriolanus told her. “I still love you but…”

Virgilia had placed her fingers to his lips.

“I do not want to know. Just tell me that you still love… me.” For that Coriolanus nodded and then turned to leave.

“Caius…” Virgilia whispered to him. “Before you go, leave me a child. Another one which I could raise on my own.”

Coriolanus looked at her and then nodded. It was not a long night but it was a sleepless one. It was before dawn when he left the room by the same he came in. Virgilia heard him leave and picked up her night gown. She pulled it on before laying there on her back staring at the ceiling. He will never know if it was his or whose it was but he would think it’s his.

“Thank you, Caius.” Virgilia whispered out. At the later part of the day, she will visit her lover and then they will elope. He will think it’s his too but she does not care as long as she was out of this house.

Scene 5.4.8

A political ending

Menenius brushed his left sleeve of his jacket after he stepped out of the house. He was to walk to the café, when  he saw the Audile approached him. The later passed him the box.

“Was it done?” Menenius asked. The other nodded. “Good, then there will an ending to our tale.”

Unknown to all, Menenius had switched the vid pad with the terms of the treaty to one which he had doctored. That one was endorsed by the General and Coriolanus. He held the original which Audifius had engaged in the terms. He also had the doctored one sent to Audifius which he knew would be handed to the Lords of Corioli for contempt proceedings.

“Caius Marcius, you were a good candidate, but your arrogance and overwhelming personality was too big for me. I had to control you or destroy what I had created,.” Menenius whispered to himself when he remembered the senior Marcius who always frown in his hologram. “I am sorry, old by. Your son dug his own grave. And your wife was a poor lay.”

Menenius took his walk and later disposed off the vid pad in the incinerator. He was on his way to meet his new protégé named Brutus; a Commoner but one of faithful qualities with the brashness of the pit bull.

The End