Act Two
Scene
One
Sub-Scene
One
Pompey
As
the offspring of a hitman, Pompey Jr was into guns at an early age. He had lost
his mother when he was three and has been raised by his father, Genous Pompey since.
He used to clean the guns that his father carried. He fired his first shot at
nine.
“Roaches,
Dad.” Pompey Jr told his dad.
“Shot
them well. Do not waste bullets.” Pompey Jr was told.
Soon,
Pompey Jr joined the army and was given the task of running. He rose to
prominence serving the general and resigned with the rank of sergeant. He
returned to take part in the family business, earning him the nickname ‘Pompous
Jr’ and later the hitman in the civil war between families. He was not a consul
then, but he followed his father to the Senate. He served as a commander in the
Sector War, the Third Wave, and various other military campaigns. Pompey
Genous’ early success earned him the nickname “Pompous the Great." His
son, Junior was with him then and his adversaries gave him the nickname
‘adulescentulus’ carnifex ("teenage butcher") for his ruthlessness.
Later,
Pompey joined Crassus and Caesar in an alliance known as the First Triumvirate,
cemented by Pompey's marriage to Caesar's daughter, Julia. After the deaths of
Julia and Crassus, Pompey switched to the other political faction known as the
Optimates, or conservative elders. Caesar and him led the New Civil War, but
Pompey was defeated, and he sought refuge in the sea ports, where he reigns
till his betrayal and was killed by Mark Antony.
“If
you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me; (Jeremiah 29:13).” Pompey Jr was
seated on the chair behind his desk. The desk was cluttered with papers and
reports that he had yet to read. “If God says that, he will assist the actions
of the most honest men. But we are not at all honest.”
Pompey
Jr told his companion where they sat after lunch. It was a simple meal: grilled
fresh fish and some chips with the white wine.
“You
may be wrong on the honest part, worthy Pompey.” As Junior was then to inherit
his father’s name. “That just because God is slow to do something does not mean
he would not do it. In all honesty, I will say,” Menas, the lieutenant in the
Roman’s gang, smiled. He is a loyal soldier, but his beliefs took precedent.
That was not so with Pompey.
“While
we spend time praying to Him like honest men for help, the thing we could pray
for then loses its value.” Pompey Jr was sceptical.
“We
do not know ourselves well enough; most of us do not. Well, most of us do pray
for something more, so when we need God, it may be withheld for our own good.
So, we are often better off when our prayers are not answered.” Menas smiled.
Many times, he had put to rest the ones who pleaded for God to intervene. He
told them they were too late to repent.
“Not
for me. I will do well. The boys love me as they did with my father, and I have
regained control of the ports. My might is increasing, and all my knowledge
tells me that it will reach its full bloom soon. Is there a full bloom at all?
I guess to me, it will always be blooming.” Pompey was always proud of his
achievements.
“The
Consul himself was still enjoying himself in Egypt, and he would not fight any
battles except inside the Queen’s chamber. There is also the saying that Caesar
loses the people's loyalty by taxing them to raise money. Lepidus flatters them
both and is flattened by both, but he does not love either of them, and neither
of them cares for him. He is there for his own protection.” Pompey summed up
his opponents.
“I
need to caution you there. Julius Caesar once has Mark Antony, and Lepidus on
the battlefield. They massed the boys well. It is a powerful army.” Menas had taken the liberty of the cigar
there on the side table and seated himself by the fireplace. “They still do.”
“False!
Where did you hear that? From some whores?”
“From
Silvius, Boss.” Menas replied. “He is better than any whore. He is the pimp.”
“That
pimp, as you called him, dreams it all. I know of Lepidus; he is looking for Mark
Antony. But I hope lustful Cleop the vixen keeps that other there in Egypt.”
Pompey laughed. “I met the lady once. She is not young anymore, but she could
put any virgin to shame with her body, her charm, and... I wish Julius had told
me how she was in bed. I was told that she may have used witchcraft besides her
beauty, and may both arouse Antony's lust.”
“She
could keep him occupied with feast after feast, keeping him from thinking
clearly. I would if I were him.” Pompey laughed louder. “May decadent cooks
increase his appetite with pleasing sauces so that sleeping and eating will
make him forgetful, until he forgets his duties completely. Let Rome burn
without him.”
Pompey’s
laughter was interrupted by the arrival of another of his loyal aides.
“What
is going on, Varrius?”
“Mark
Antony is expected to arrive in Rome any minute now. Enough time has passed
since he left Egypt that he could have travelled an even greater distance.”
Varrius reported.
“I
had wanted to hear better news, but it was not so. Menas, I did not think that
lover boy would put on his helmet to join in such a minor war. He is a better
soldier than the other two; he kills better and harder. Now we will have to
increase our caution with what we have done with the return of Mark Antony. I
had lewd thoughts that he would never be tired of the Queen, but I am
wrong.”
“I
do not think that Lepidus and Antony will greet each other with appreciation.
Fulvia, Mark Antony’s wife... Or rather, the late wife opposed the New
Triumvirate, and Lucius, the brother, declared war on them as he did with
Caesar before. They wage the war alone without Mark Antony, but they are still
family. Lucius was pardoned by Caesar and sent overseas. He had since
returned.”
“I
would not know, Menas, whether our threat will outweigh their menial
disagreements. Families have always conflicted over the years, and then it will
all be calm with the bosses stepping in. Our rivalry might not be overlooked,
for it is a big one... a mutiny, if I may say.”
“A
hurtful selection of words...” Menas smiled.
“An
egg is still an egg, although the ostrich may lay them bigger.” Pompey Jr
laughed. “If it were not for us that we are opposing all of them, it is most
unlikely that they would fight amongst themselves since they have enough
reasons to draw their guns, but it is possible their fear of our forces will
heal the breach between them and end their small disagreements. Let it be for
God to decide.”
“If
only God would listen to the honest ones.” Menas stood up. “I am to go to pray
now, but if I may suggest, shall we meet with Mark Antony.”
“Getting
into the arena with them? A threesome against whom? Lions and Bears?” Pompey
was questioning.
“A
bed, Boss. It may be satisfying to all.” Menas said.
“No,
I will prefer Mark Antony to myself. One cannot be choosy at times.” Pompey
sighed. “Get boys ready for battle.”
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