Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Seven Sub-Scene Two

 

Act Three

Scene Seven

Sub-Scene Two

Advices Axed

 

Mark and Candidus walked into the chamber then. He saw Enobarbus with the Queen.

“I am done talking with you, Queen. Let me greet the boss." Enobarbus turned to see Mark.

“I did not expect you here. You were on holidays.” Mark embraced his loyal friend. “You know Candidus?”

“And Cleop, I was looking for you. I am sorry to barge, but we were talking about the war initiated by Caesar. For some reasons, he disliked me and waged war now on me. And Egypt. I was told by Candidus.”

“Yes, Boss. Caesar had called war onto you. He was told you that were planning a revolt against him.” Enobarbus looked at Mark. “I had come here to see you. I was to Athens.”

“I was there but the urgency of the matter made me come here. I am glad you are here. What is with Caesar?”

“He is …… paranoia with almost everyone. He had locked Lepidus accusing the other of conspiring with Pompey Jr. He had Pompey Jr killed in Sicily and retake all the territory. He now accuses you of conspiring against him.”

“Mark Antony, your enemy is mine too.” Cleop cut in. “Egypt fights for you too.”

“No offense, Queen. Please put a seat for all to sit in. We can discuss this here." Mark Antony smiled at Enobarbus.

“May I be excused?" It was a long journey.” Enobarbus looked at Mark.

“Soon, my friend. I need you to hear this.” Mark told the other before he turned to Candidus.

“Candidus told me that Caesar intends to invade Egypt now. He is assembling Pompey Jr’s boys and getting he ships to sail here. The next battle will be on the coast. Or the sea.”

“By sea, how else would we do it? Your boys are not sailors.” The Queen cut in.

“Pompey Jr’ boys are sailors. They will rally to Caesar’s call.” Candidus reported then.

“We could wait inland for them.” Candidius added.

“Boss, you could challenge Caesar to single combat.” Enobarbus, in turn, said. “In the Council. Show your loyalty to the Romans there. They will trust your honourable words.”

“I would have, but Caesar was without honour." Mark replied, “We could face Caesar at sea.”

“By sea, your boys do not take the helm to the starboard; they are not good sailors. Your crew consists of mule drivers, farmers, and other people that you got together quickly through drafting. Caesar's fleet has Pompey Jr’s boys, who often fight for Pompey Jr on the ships. Their ships are light and agile; yours... You have skiffs and what not to hold parties. There would be no shame in refusing to fight him at sea, since you are better prepared to fight him on land.” Enobarbus laid out the facts.

“Boss, by doing that, you would throw away the advantage of the excellent boys you have on land; reroute your boys, which consist of trained shooters; make no use of your own considerable knowledge; abandon the strategy that promises success; and give up a highly secure position to leave yourself at the mercy of chance and fortune.” Enobarbus pleaded.

“I will fight at sea. If not to be, on the skies.” Mark was adamant not to back down.

“They did that in the Great War. They flew those cart boards up there and even bombed the enemies.” Mark was justifying his move.

“I have ships …… more ships than Caesar; he has nothing better than that.”

“From where?” Enobarbus asked.

“From Egypt. If we fail at sea, then we can fight on land.” Mark told them.

“I bear messages. Caesar has taken to sea with his ships.” The messenger had arrived to tell the news.

“When has my chamber been entered without permission?” The Queen was upset. “Where are the servants? Leave now before I shoot you.”

The messenger left in a hurry.

“It was my calling. I told them to find me if there were messages.” Mark smiled at the Queen. He then turned to Candidius.

“Candidius, you will command the boys... Get twenty... No, fifty of them. Go by the trucks to... What is the name again? …...  The Nile. I will secure the ships and reach them there by sea.”

“Come with me, my sea goddess!” Mark reached for the Queen. It was Enobarbus who moved the subject matter.

“Boss, do not fight at sea! Do not trust the ships. Can you not see our boys’ view and their wounds? Let Egypt fight on the water. We are used to conquering our enemies on land.”

“Well, well, away. We will battle at both.” Mark took leave with the Queen.

“I swear by Hercules, I think I am right.” Enobarbus sighed. He was still concerned about the battle.

“Enobarbus, if I may address you by name, sir, Mark Antony makes all his plans without considering what he has the power to accomplish. So, the boss leader is led astray, and we, the boys, felt like we were led by a woman.” Candidius sighed.

“Are the boys ready for battle?” Enobarbus was keen to know. In his absence, Candidius oversaw the boys in Egypt.

“As I was told, Mark Antony will take Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius, Publicola, and Caelius to sea, but the other group of boys will be kept together in reserve on land. It is unbelievable how fast Caesar has moved.”

“While he was still in Rome, Caesar may have had his boys deployed out in so many different directions that none of our spies could keep track of them.” Enobarbus said. “Have you heard who his lieutenant on land is?”

“As I was told, his name is Taurus. Like his name, he is a bull.” Candidius said. “A bull in the glass shop.”

A messenger arrived then.

“The boss sent for Candidius, sir.”

“I must go, sir." Candidius smiled at Enobarbus.

 

 

 

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Seven Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Seven

Sub-Scene One

Who dares

 

Enobarbus went to Egypt and met the Queen. He was invited to her chamber. She was on the van alone; her maids were sent away. The Roman approached her and asked.

“May I know about the war that you waged for Mark Antony?”

“I will get even with you; I have no doubts about that if anyone waged war on Mark Antony, will battle me in person.”

“I just want to …….”

“You are invited to my chamber and accuse me of the war which have not taken place yet.” The Queen looked at Enobarbus. “Did the holidays dull your mind?”

“But why, why, why? We were at peace with the Romans.” Enobarbus said. “You must not get involved. Let the Romans settle their own conflicts…… peacefully.”

“Peace was the intention. Now you tell me, I should not take part in this war and that it is not appropriate. They threaten Mark Antony.” The Queen said. “Does the mate not stand with its lover in the fight? Or turned onto the lover like a mantis?”

“My Queen, I do not know of any creature by that name.” Enobarbus said.

“Mantis is an insect. The female praying mantis devours her mate. It does not seem to deter them from trying to reproduce. To the contrary, the continuation of the species is proof positive that death by sex is a successful evolutionary strategy. Though sexual cannibalism is a taxonomically rare phenomenon,” The Queen explained. “The black widow spider does that too. The male places part of its body between the fangs of the female. Obviously, this leaves it open to being eaten. However, some studies have shown that black widows rarely eat their mates in the wild and that this occurs more frequently in captivity.”

“Does it remind you of the male action? All males, irrespective of where and what’ they all need sex, and who else provides them the avenue. Us, the females.” The Queen squared off her explanation. “There is a reason we open our legs.”

“Oh, I studied hard at the workings of sex.” The Queen smiled.

“Sex was once the consummation at marriage, but over the years of being married, or was not, the needs of sex took prominence with need to be pleasured. Sex is pleasing, and men for one found it most rewarding. The women were mostly the recipient of it, or the fallacy that we must achieve orgasm. Not all of us did, we carve the art of faking it. I could squirt but …...”

“Please, Queen. Spare me the details.” Enobarbus cut her off. 

“Okay, you may not do it like us. Anyway, the work of sex soon evolved into a trade named prostitution; it was seen as a "necessary evil" that aided in marital fidelity, especially as a system that would allow men to obtain sex when their wives did not desire it.  That trade has been around since Man discover there was other modes of getting it. The women perfected it by demanding favours or gifts. Darn, do you know how tedious is it for us to be moved and hauled like a baggage on a storm hit ship.”

“Please, Queen. Spare me the details, please.” Enobarbus cut her off once more. He felt his libido was dwindling to mere trickles then in his pants.

“Sex as in prostitution; men tend to brand us to that when we open our legs for others, was not a crime in the part of the century, and thus brothels, in some men’s terms bawdy houses; drunks get bawdy when they had one too many at the taverns but they get called names. It was tolerated in the cities and the laws against individual prostitutes were enforced only occasionally. The wives did not protest. It was better to feign a headache.”

“Well, is it appropriate, is it?” Enobarbus looked at the Queen. “We were to discuss the war? Or was it peace.”

“Yes, it was. And to the war that was declared against me or Mark Antony? Why shouldn't I be there in person?” The Queen moved on to the subject matter.

“Well, if I may or could, I will say leave the fighting to the... boys.  If the ladies were to go to war with both men and women, like the name ladies, the men would be undone by the women. The women would seduce the male soldiers. Or ….” Enobarbus was trying to deter the Queen from being involved.

“What are you saying? Male masculinity or plain pork ham chauvinistic ego?” The Queen asked.

“I am trying to protect Mark Antony. If you were there, your presence would inevitably distract Antony. You had taken his heart and his mind off the war at hand, which we certainly could not afford.”

“After the frenzy of a fight, Mark Antony may need to be relieved of his anger by me. I am his saviour.” The Queen said.

“Acceptable risks…...” Enobarbus found himself losing the debate; however, he was not to give up.

“The boss,” Enobarbus said, drawing on rank. “He has already been criticized for being frivolous, and it is said in Rome that Mardian the eunuch...”

“Do not call him by name and that degrading term together. He is my boy.”

“Yes, Mardian and your maids control this war.” Enobarbus said.

“So, the ladies here are soldiers. If they cannot shoot well, they can sure fuck them to hell." The Queen roared out. “

“To hell with Rome! And let them rot, those who criticize us! I will do my duty in the war, and as the ruler of my kingdom, I will appear there just as a man would. Do not oppose my plan. I would not be left behind.”

 

 

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Six Sub-Scene Two

 

Act Three

Scene Six

Sub-Scene Two

To whom shall the bells toll?

 

“Octavia, when have you arrived?” Caesar greeted the half-sister. She looked well, pale but healthy. “How was Rome? I meant Egypt.”

“I am so sorry. Things have been hectic here.” Caesar shook his head.

“I did not go to Egypt. I was in London to visit some friends. It was agreed then with Mark Antony that I would leave him to sort out his affair there.” 

"Oh, what a pity that I should ever call you a castaway.” Caesar smiled. “Was it when we were younger?’

Caesar had called her that, for she was his half-sister; his mother was undisclosed.

“You have not called me for a long time, and you have no reason to. I felt more like a leftover.” Octavia smiled.

“Why have you snuck up on us like this? Is Mark Antony with you?” Caesar looked over Octavia’s presence.

“Where are your servants? You did not come in the style that is becoming for Caesar's sister. Or Mark Antony's wife should be escorted by the boys with neighing horses to announce her arrival before she appears. Crowds should have climbed trees on the side of the road, expecting to see you, and fainted when they did not see the sight they longed to see. In fact, you should have been preceded by so many troops that the dust raised by their feet would reach up to the sky.”

“But you have arrived here to Rome like a common maid going to see Mark Antony and prevented me from publicly displaying my love, and when love is not shown, it is often unappreciated. I would have met you at sea and on land, with a more spectacular greeting at every stage of the journey.” Caesar was showering her with accolades deserving of a respected lady.

“My dear Caesar, I was not forced to travel this way, but I did it of my own free will. Mark ... Mark Antony heard that you were preparing for a new war when the older ones declared or undeclared remains. Mark told me about it, which upset me so much that I begged his permission to return. Why the wars?”

“And he gave you his permission, since you are an obstacle that prevents him from satisfying his lust.” Caesar did hesitate to mention the Queen.

“Do not say that, Caesar.” Octavia pleaded.

“I have him watched, and messengers tell me what he is up to. Where is he now?” Caesar told her.

“In Athens to see his ailing mother, Caesar. You ought to know. You have him watched.” Octavia was on the brink of breaking down. “Why do you torment me?

“No, my mistreated sister. I am not. Mark Antony was with the Queen. She has summoned him to her. He paraded with her as if he were her hero. He stood by her, smiling, and waving to the people. He not only shares her bed but has given up his empire to a whore, and they are now calling on old allies of mine for war... against me. He has assembled the Boche, the Libyan brothers; Archelaus of Cappadocia; the Philadelphia boys; the Thracian Adallas; Sheikh Hasim of Arabia; the King of Pointers; and Herod of Judea, among others. All minions to Rome.”

“Do not torture me anymore. I do not own Mark Antony.” Octavia was upset. “But I know he did not return to Egypt. He was to return to Rome to stop the wars, but left for Athens now. You are disillusioned there, Caesar.”

“They all plot against me. All are small gangs, but now they want to unite under Mark Antony.” Caesar roared out and ignored his half-sister. “Who is Mark Antony here?”

“Stop it!” Octavia had heard enough. “Oh dear, I am a most wretched woman to have my affections torn between two friends who plague each other! One is my half-brother and the other is my husband.”

“Sister, you are always welcome here. Your letters kept me from waging open war until I knew both that you were being deceived and that I was in danger due to my negligence. Mark Antony is a selfish bastard. We once believed him but not anymore.”

“Be cheerful, sister. Do not be troubled by the current situation when these obligations threaten to ruin your peace of mind. Do not worry about things that have already been decided. Your marriage is over.” Caesar did not care about what was said. “I will tell Mark Antony of this.”

“Welcome to Rome; you are dearer to me than anything. You are more abused than anyone could comprehend, and God makes us tougher, and those who love you are their agents to bring about justice for you. You bring me the most comfort, and you are always welcome with me.”

“Welcome, my lady.” Agrippa offered his hands. “Welcome back.”

“My Lady, every person in Rome loves you and pities you with all their heart. Only the adulterous Antony, great in his faults, abandons you and gives his great political power to a whore who opposes us.”

“It is certain. Sister, welcome. Please try to always be patient. My dearest sister!” Caesar embraces her. “Rest now. It must have been a long journey.”

“Leave me alone, Caesar. I am to return to London once more. Fight your wars and be damned I am to be a widow once more. I am not mourning for either of you. I am freed of this now.” Octavia smiled for the first time since she arrived in Rome.

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Six Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Six

Sub-Scene One

Betrayal and disrespect

 

Caesar was in the library looking at what is his and what is not yet.  The sentries were doubled at the mansion; the garden and the surrounding of the mansion. and well-armed. They were not taking the chance of Caesar being killed in the war. Agrippa and Maecenas were with him assisting him with the names and territory.

“Mark Antony betrayed me and Rome. He named himself Caesar while in Egypt.” Caesar was upset.

“It was only rumours,” Agrippa said, looking at Caesar. “It was not proven.”

“You are getting old, Agrippa.” Caesar looked at the loyal soldier. “I read of them from the messengers.”

“I am old, but loyalty is to you, Caesar, and Rome. I can still shoot.” Agrippa told the other. “We shall not be taken in by rumours, and the war ……”

“Here is what happened: at the river by the palace, Mark Antony was on the golden barge; he and that Queen were publicly enthroned in chairs of gold. At their feet sat Caesarion, Julius’ son with the Queen, and my half-brother, born by the harlot. He claims to rank with me as my father's son. If I accept that, along with all the illegitimate children if their mother may have with my father, I will have to open a school for all of them.”

“That is not all. Antony gave her full possession of Egypt and made her absolute ruler of the surrounding cities. The bosses there kissed her feet as a gesture of loyalty.

“Did he do this in public?” Maecenas asked.

“Blatant to all who want to see.” Caesar was fanning the anger. “In the public arena, where others gathered, there, he proclaimed his sons to be the bosses of the bosses. He gave great Media, Parthia, and Aremenia to Alexander, the young nitwit who still suckles his mothers’ tits. He gave Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia to Ptolemy the what... sixteen or eighteen, who cares? They multiply better than the crocodiles.”

“Ptolemy is a relative of the Queen,” Maecenas said. “Her brother was names such.”

“Yes, some bastards from the family. The Queen appeared that day dressed like the goddess Isis, and it is said that she has often appeared in public in that costume.” Caesar was upset. “She calls herself the Queen of Bosses.”

“Let the people in Rome know this.” Maecenas roared out in anger.

“The Romans will be indignant at his disrespectful behaviour and will stop thinking well of him. I will be the same.” Agrippa was convinced by the accusations.

“Rome knows it already and has now heard the accusations that Mark Antony makes in order to justify his behaviour." Caesar looked at the older man. “I am Caesar, and he...”

“Who does he accuse?” Agrippa looked at Caesar.

“He accuses me, because after we defeated Pompey Jr in Sicily, we did not give him his share of the island.” Caesar was interrupted by Agrippa.

“Did we tell him we were to re-take Sicily?”

“I told Lepidus, but he must have said something more. Mark Antony sent me messages saying that he lent me some goods that I have not returned. Finally, he is upset that Lepidus has been cut out of the triumvirate and claims that I have kept all of Lepidus's property.”

“Boss, some answer should be given to these accusations. Let me ask Lepidus.” Agrippa volunteered to be the mediator.

“It has already been done, and the messenger has left with my reply. I told him that Lepidus had grown too cruel, had abused his high position of power, and so deserved to be deposed. I will give him part of the lands I have conquered, but then I will demand that Mark Antony give me part of Armenia and the other kingdoms he has conquered.” Caesar told the other. “It was all done when you were away. Have you recovered?

Agrippa was away to recuperate from some ailment. He had just returned to learn of the new war.

“I am better now.” Agrippa nodded. “How is Lepidus?”

“He will never agree to that. I know Mark Antony well.” Maecenas moved the subject back to the war.

“Caesar, how is Lepidus?” Agrippa asked again.

“Alive and well. I did not torture him if that was your question. He is well, and was told he has an illness and needed rest. Alone.”

Agrippa was not convinced but he let the matter rest.

“Then I should not agree to his terms. Sirs, we have a war to fight.” Caesar said it out loud. It was then that Octavia arrived.

 

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Five Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Five

Sub-Scene One

Winners take it all.

 

“Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains, let me remember thee what thou hast promised, which is not yet performed for me.” Enobarbus read the passage from Tempest by Shakespeare. He was in his own home, relaxing in the garden chair. The war was over, but Enobarbus was ever vigilant. He kept a gun in the pottery near him.

“In a lifetime, promises are made and then ignored.” Enobarbus sighed. “Many useless promises are like so many dreams; they mean nothing. You should respect God. Ecclesiastes 5:5–15, Line 7.”

“God, I have heard it many times, but in true honesty, it was the Devil in me who broke those promises.” Enobarbus smiled. “My wife once did say that I would be banished to Hell as a promise to me, but it may not be. She may now be the unfaithful one.”

"It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul! Let me not name it to you. You chaste stars, It is the cause.; Othello Scene Five Scene Two.” Enobarbus quoted from Othello. “The man was in his wife’s chamber, and he was thinking about killing her. He is saying that is it for justice, and not revenge, that he must kill her.

“He did and I did that too. It was our call.” Enobarbus justifies his act. His friend, Eros, walked in. Now Eros, as he was named, His real name was Errol Fenning III, and Eros, being his preference for the gender, would never have to be concerned with the IV then. He had detested his family name; ‘Fenning? Who wants to be named that?’

“How are you doing, my friend Eros?” Enobarbus greeted the other. Eros is a fine specimen for the male; he is tall and handsome with the bald look (he may be totally shaved) and has on the finest suit’ fitted to his frame. He shoots standing up; squatting may crease his pants.

“There has been some strange news, Boss.” Eros did not make it up the ranks, although he had his share of killing. He regarded Enobarbus as his Boss.

“What happened there, man?” The mention of man towards Eros had a taste of saltiness to the tip of the tongue.

“Caesar and Lepidus have declared war again against Pompey Jr.” Eros told the immediate boss of his. “They are at war once more. Pompey Jr is in exile once more. His given territory taken back by Caesar.”

“Heard that. That is old news. How is the fight going?” Enobarbus laughed. He was there, and a truce was called.

“The old truce is off.” Eros told Enobarbus. “It is war again. Caesar used the Roman to grab power. Lepidus was the loyal one. He did as was told, but he did warn the Tongs and Parthians. They withdrew to their own older territory to let Caesar win.”

“Another war? The old one had not died long.” Enobarbus said. “Has he not enough? The corpses have not decayed.”

“This time, Caesar used Lepidus to help him fight Pompey as he did with Mark Antony, but then Caesar immediately denied Lepidus equal power when he was winning. I was told it was to be equal power as it was with Mark Antony; I was also told it was promised but never given.”

“Caesar would not share the glory of the victory with Lepidus, and what is more, he is making accusations against him based on letters Lepidus allegedly written to Pompey Jr after the feast. There was denial, but who could challenge Caesar?”

“A fucking legal drama?” Enobarbus roared. “Where are the others?”

“Maecenas was not taking sides. Agrippa was the same. The one who could have left for Egypt was seen earlier. Mark Antony returned on hearing of Lepidus.”

“Mark Antony is back again? Do tell me more.” Enobarbus put the book down. “Where is Lepidus now?”

“Mark Antony did not reach Egypt then before he turned back. He was re-directed to Athens to see his ailing mother. He should be there now. As for Lepidus …...”

“Speak, Eros.”

“Upon Caesar's accusations, Lepidus was confined to the mansion. The loyal soldier imprisoned or be freed by death. His loyal boys were either dead or left to join Caesar.”

“Then, world, you have one less leader, no more, and even if you offer them all the wealth you have, one will still destroy the other.” Enobarbus said. “What does Mark Antony want to do?”

“I was told they never met yet and Caesar would not see him either. He returned home. His mother is ill. He was seen walking in the garden, his own at home.” Eros said. “He kicks the plants that lie in his path, cries, "Fool Lepidus!" and threatens to slit the throat of that officer of his that murdered Pompey Jr.”

“Pompey Jr murdered too? Was he not in Sicily? Or in exile?”

“Pompey Jr was killed two days ago. He was riding, and someone shot him. It was an execution. His guards were killed too. His head taken back and staked at Sicily as a warning.”

“The Romans are declaring war. The other Eastern families are seated at the side. No one wants bloodshed if they can avoid it. The authorities will watch us kill each other.”

“Are our boys ready to fight?” Enobarbus asked.

“To go to Rome and face Caesar, I believe so, but they need a boss. There is more, our bigger boss wants to see you immediately. I should have told you my news afterwards.”

“Never mind that. Better late than never. Bring me to Mark Antony.” Enobarbus got up and left the book he was reading. “No, I will go to Egypt. I will need to see the Queen.”

 

 

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Four Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Four

Sub-Scene One

The lover’s spat

 

Octavia sat on the armchair in the chamber that was her own until she married Mark Antony. He had no chamber of his own and was told that he could share hers. It was fine, for she has huge bedding that she once shared with her previous husband. He was not a great husband but a passionate lover; he was always trying to please her. It was his nature to be passionate as well as serve Caesar. He will never decline any tasks; he was the first to rush in, shoot, or take a bullet, and in the end, he took his life. Unlike Mark Antony, he was more of a romantic lover, trying to please her with his charms and gifts. He refused to talk about Egypt when they were alone. He gets broody and shucks out to the corner. She had to comfort him before he could return to her side.

For that. Octavia felt, at times, very tired, but she could not bear to act rashly toward Mark Antony. She owes it to her half-brother to maintain the peace.

“No, no, Octavia, it is not just that.” Mark said this while Octavia was seated there.

“That would be excusable, as would thousands of other crimes just like it. But Caesar waged new wars against Pompey Jr even though a truce was called.” Octavia looked at Mark.

“It was not us but the Parthian’s.” Mark corrected her.

“Do not lie to me, Mark Antony. I know much of the Romans than you. The Parthians acted on our call, and was killed on our call. It was a warning to Pompey Jr to leave Rome.” Octavia looked away.

“This is Rome, Octavia. Nothing is …...” Mark looked to his lover. “Caesar is uneasy with …. anyone. As we speak, Caesar written his will and read it aloud in the others. He had left nothing for me. His dogs get the trust fund for the kennel maintenance.”

“Mark, I am sure...”

“He has spoken badly of me, and when he was forced to say things in my favour, his words were cold and unenthusiastic, and he gave me very little credit. The war against Pompey and Junior were my effort. He had the strongest reason to praise me there, but he did not do it, or if he did in private, it was unwillingly.”

“Oh, my good lord, do you hear yourself?” Octavia had it enough. “I cannot believe all the things you hear, or, if you must believe them, do not take so much offense at all of them. There will be no lady unhappier than me if you two fights. I will be stuck in the middle, praying for you both.”

“I love you, Octavia. I have taken the vow with you. I will protect you.” Mark approached Octavia. “No harm will come to you. That is why we will leave to avoid bloodshed.”

“The gods will laugh at me when I pray for both my husband and my brother. "Oh, bless my lord and husband!" when I undo that prayer by crying out just as earnestly, "Oh, bless my brother!" To pray that both my brother and husband win would be to destroy the prayer. There is no way for both sides to find success. And Egypt is another... He does not challenge you for that.”

“It was Julius’ territory. After he died, I was told to look after it.” Mark explained. “It was never Rome’s.”

“You have yours here. Caesar did not grab it back. He loves you too.” Octavia was in tears. “He spared Lucius from harm. He did …...”

“Fulvia was dying. She did it for me to hold back from Caesar taking it. I owed her that.” Mark was upset. He saw the hurt in Octavia.

“Be gentle, Octavia; give your most faithful love to the side that most worthily tries to deserve your love. I am that one.” Mark out his hands to hold her face.

“If I lose my honour, I lose myself. It would be better to have no husband than for me to have a husband who was so defeated. I should negotiate between you and him.” Octavia looked towards Mark.

“In the meantime, lady, I will also make such strong preparations for a possible war should there be war. Go as quickly as you can; then you will get what you desire quickly.”

“Mark Antony, do you truly love me?” Octavia asked. “Or was it a reconciliation with Caesar?”

“Yes, I do.” Mark declared then. “I meant I love you.”

Mark Antony lied then.

“Thank you, my lord. May the powerful king of the Gods make me, who am most weak, act as your mediator! If you were to go to war with each other, it would be as if the world had split in two, and the chasm would have to be filled with the bodies of dead men.” Octavia chose to believe him. “I will stand with my husband.”

“When it becomes apparent that it will not be me who started this conflict, turn your anger against that person. For our faults could never be so equal that you, in your love, could condemn them equally. Get ready to leave.” Mark had heard enough when he moved to the door. He stopped there and turned to look at Octavia.

“Choose your companions and make your preparations as expensive as you desire.” Mark Antony told her. “Egypt is a land of lavish people. The ones that do not match up are fed to the crocodiles or leave.”

“I am beginning to feel I will fit there.” Octavia smiled. “Do they wear any garters? I got a warehouse of it. I kept on adjusting them that I bought one too many.”

“They do not wear that there.” Mark said.

“You knew. I am not surprised.” Octavia smiled but Mark had left.

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Three Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Three

Sub-Scene One

The Queen’s anxiety

 

The Queen was in her chamber on the divan. She refused and only took milk to supplement her needs. She has the maids attend to her, but most of the time, they are there watching her. She had declined the river tour and the performances of the eunuch.

“Would you like some grapes, my Queen?” Alexas asked.

“Where is the man?” The Queen asked.

“He is afraid to come,” Alexas replied.

“The messenger asked. I was told he had arrived.” The Queen said. “I am not deaf or blind.”

Mardian led the messenger in.

“Never mind that, never mind. Come here, sir.” The Queen looked at him. “You looked well.”

“Good Queen, not even the... Caesar dares to come into your presence except when you are in a good mood.” Alexas spoke her mind.

“Julius would. He does not fear me.” The Queen looked at Alexas. “Mark Antony, he may not, but I cannot remove him. Who else will carry out my orders to Rome?”

“Come closer.” The Queen told the messenger. “I will not have you whipped. Nor will I rape you. I could sodomize you. That is not rape. Do you consent?”

“Most gracious, Queen!” The messenger went down on his knees.

“Did you see Octavia, Mark Antony’s wife?” The Queen asked.

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Where?”

“My Queen, I saw her in Rome. I looked at her face, and I saw her walking between her brother and Mark Antony.”

“What? Is Caesar her lover too? Is she as tall as me? As beautiful?”

“No, she is not.”

“Did you hear her speak? Does she have a high voice or a low one? Or squeak like a mouse.”

“My Queen, I heard her speak. She has a low voice. A gentle one.”

“That is not very good for Octavia. He cannot like her for long. He likes them throaty.”

“Like her? By God, that is impossible. How could she compare to you, my Queen?" Charmian snapped out.

“So, Charmian held her Queen highly. Or your arse needs to be reamed. Octavia has a dull voice, and she is short. If she needed the support of two men, do she walk in an elegant way? Recall if you ever looked at a Queen.”

“I …….” The messenger hesitated.

“Speak freely, or your life will be forfeited.” Alexas took her turn to speak.

“She has a slow, hunched walk. She looks the same, walking and standing still. She has a body, not a form, with life in it. She is more like a statue than a living, breathing woman.” The messenger looked away. He saw a status

“Is this certain? How many Queens have you seen?” The Queen looked at the messenger.

“I may have been mistaken. I have not met many Queens. You are the first. I have no power to observe the others.”

“There are not three people in Egypt who can observe better than he can.” Charmian cut in. She remembered her ordeal with him the last time. He was not the gentle one.

“He is very shrewd, I can tell.” The Queen laughed. “I have not heard about any good qualities in Octavia yet. The man has good judgment. Please, guess how old she is.“

“Queen, she was a widow...” The messenger bit his tongue. The Queen was also a widow before. She was said to have married Julius Caesar.

“Widow? Charmian, pay attention to this. Widows are aplenty around. So, get your man before he dies.”

“I think she is around thirty. Or forty? I cannot tell, for I hardly met her.”

“Did you ever see her face? Is it long or round? Or square?” The Queen pressed on.

“Round, I guess.”

Most people with round faces are foolish. What colour is her hair?

“Brown, Queen... I think reddish. And her forehead is so low that she wouldn't want it any lower.”

“Not blonde, huh? And low? What did you do? Stare at her breasts.” The Queen laughed. “Like them, you are dumb. Here is some money for you.”

The Queen tossed the wads of money.

“You must not hold my previous hostile actions against me. I am a nicer Queen. I will not whip you today, so there are no maids for you to fuck. Use the money to hire one then.”

“But before then, I will employ you for another task; I find that you are a very useful man. Get ready to go; our letters are ready.”

Alexas handed the letters to the messenger.

“Leave now.” The messenger left in a hurry.

“An admirable man," Charmian said of the messenger.

“Indeed, he is. You did get a fuck from him. We have not.” The Queen smiled. “Not that we wanted, but if we did, it may be admirable that he could do all four of us.”

“I am sorry, my Queen.” Charmian bowed her head.

“Do not be. He will come back. I am very sorry that I harassed him so much. Why, judging by his report, I think that this Octavia woman really has no good qualities to speak of. 

“None, my Queen.” Charmian tried to win back credits with the Queen.

“Antony has seen what royalty looks like, and he should know it when he sees it.” The Queen smiled.

“Has he seen royalty? My arse forbid that he has not seen royalty after serving you so long!” Charmian pushed her charms too far at times.

“Charmian, I have one more thing to ask of you. Have you felt the need to be told your rank?”

“No, my Queen. I duly apologize." Charmian bowed her head once more.

“Good. As for Mark Antony... It does not matter now. It does not matter. You will bring paper and ink to me, and I will write my letter. All may be well enough.”

“Yes, my Queen.” Charmian rushed to her task.

 

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Two Sub-Scene Two

 

Act Three

Scene Two

Sub-Scene Two

Do not turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately. (Psalms 102.2)

 

The scene at the mansion was gaily filled with feasts and dances to celebrate the victory. They had his five-piece band play the music, and the lawn of the garden was the dance floor. Caesar was there, holding the glass of champagne, watching the fun the boys were having. They had mourned their dead friends, and it was time to enjoy.

The armistice of the Great War brought peace to the wine-producing countries, and Champagne was no exception. Ruins of housing and storage facilities, with damaged cellars, added to the woes. Some vineyards were spared, but the supply was limited. In some years, the area in production was reduced by forty percent, leaving a handful of vine yards there. New vineyards must wait four or five years until they start to see any return on the substantial expenses incurred.

Pink sparkling wines were less and less in demand; these were reduced to limited special blends, which were only delivered when expressly requested. Their pink colour either came naturally from the grape skins at pressing, from the addition of red wine to the blend, or from mixing "colouring wines" with the liqueur d’expédition.

Small quantities of red champagne were made by adding to a white wine, now of bottling, a quarter or third of red wine, and then using a liqueur d’expédition prepared with highly acidified red wine.

(Extract from https://maisons-champagne.com/en/encyclopedias/champagne-guest-book/before-sparkling-champagne/xxe-centuries/article/between-the-wars.)

That was not an issue for the Romans. They found crates of the wine in the warehouses. The Parthians were generous enough to deliver the crates; they have no desire for it.

“Good wine, Boss.” Lepidus recovered from his hungover and toasted to the other. Caesar then saw the arrival of Mark Antony, with Octavia holding his arm.

“The ……” Caesar was cut off by Mark.

“Speak no more, Caesar.”

“You are to take a part of me away from myself.” Caesar bowed to Octavia. “Sister, be as good a wife as I believe you capable of being, so that the great commitment I have made will be justified by your behaviour.”

“Most noble, I plead to you, Antony, do not let this good woman... who joins us as brothers to secure our love and keep it firm... become the instrument that will destroy our love.” Caesar looked at Mark Antony. “We might have been better friends without this intermediary if she were not cherished by both of us.”

“Do not offend me by distrusting me, Caesar. I do love Octavia.” Mark told Caesar.

“Indeed. I have said what I have to say.” Caesar smiled.

“You would not have any reason to be afraid, even though you seem quite anxious about it. May God protect you and bring the Roman people to serve you loyally. We will be here today.” Mark bowed to Caesar.

“Goodbye, dearest sister; do take care. May you have good fortune so that your feelings will be ones of comfort! Take care once more, I will say.” Caesar told the half-sister.

“Caesar, my noble brother!” Octavia could not hold back her emotions.

“She weeps. April is the beginning of love, and she cries to bring it on. It will be summer soon.” Mark comforted her. “Be cheerful.”

“Caesar, do take care of my husband's house, and... I will whisper it to you.” The sibling went to the side.

“She cannot speak her true feelings, nor can her feelings tell her what she should say. She is so torn between her feelings for her brother and her feelings for her husband that she cannot speak.” Enobarbus overheard the conversation whispered to Agrippa. They were standing behind the group. “Will Caesar weep?”

“His face is clouded over with emotion. Caesar would not weep openly.” Agrippa smiled.

“That would be bad for him if he were a horse. It is also bad for him as a man or Caesar.” Enobarbus chided one of the bosses.

“Why, Enobarbus, when Antony found Julius Caesar's dead body, he cried so much he was almost roaring, and he wept when he found Brutus dead. Men do not normally cry.” Agrippa said. “I did though when my wife died.”

“That time, Mark Antony was unwell. He was indeed struck with the flu. He cried at the death of a man he willingly brought down, so much that I wept too. ...believe me. I cried too, for the mother had lost her son.”

“They returned.” Agrippa saw Caesar leading his sister. They ended their talk and looked at Caesar.

“No, sweet Octavia, you will always hear from me. Time will not stop when I stop thinking about you. It will hold me there to remember you.”

“Come, Caesar, come. I will challenge you to see who can love the most. Look, I will show you.”

“I would not compete with you. You will love her more than I do." Caesar embraces Mark. “I let you depart and commend you to God.”

“May all the stars light an easy path before you.” Lepidus said to Mark Antony:

“Farewell, farewell.” Mark led his lover to the mansion.

 

 

Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Two Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Two

Sub-Scene One

The whispers

 

Enobarbus was surprised to see Agrippa at the entrance of the club. He thought the older man had left.

“What, have the brothers left? They left me here, but the vehicle did not arrive. I have been waiting.” Agrippa smiled. “Would you like a coffee? That barista is open now.”

They walked across the street with their eyes peeled. They feared any approaching vehicles, and more than that, they were unarmed. It was a fault of their need to survive.

“No, protection boys?” Enobarbus asked.

“This is sacred ground. No one do a hit here unless you want to be the black sheep of the trade.” Agrippa smiled. “But it was better to be safe.”

“I had forgotten. I was in Egypt too long. There the sacred ground is the river. The crocodiles eat up the leftover.” Enobarbus smiled. “I like it that way too. You can always blame the crocodiles.”

The duo took their table facing the doorway and their backs to the wall. There was a door to the rear, and it was opened. The crews were busily cleaning and getting the place ready. It was still early.

Coffee was served then by the owner. Nobody ignores the Romans.

“They have settled their affairs with Pompey Jr; he is gone. He left for the new territory after the Parthian’s raid. His boys are scattered. Ventidus took vengeance and the Parthian called for peace again.” Enobarbus told Agrippa after he sipped the hot coffee. “The other three gangs are signing the agreement. Rome is under the Roman’s control again.”

“I heard Mark Antony wants to return to Egypt, and Octavia weeps that she must leave Rome. Caesar is sad, and Menas says that Lepidus, since Pompey Jr's feast, is suffering from a hangover.”

“Lepidus is a noble man.” Agrippa held his hands on his cup. The hot coffee warmed his hands.

“A very fine one. Oh, how he loves Caesar!” Enobarbus added to the compliment. Caesar is the king of boys. “He was there at the sea port at the previous battle. They adored him.”

“Then what is Antony? He is the king of the king of the Gods.” Agrippa laughed.

“Did you insult Caesar? Why, he is without equal!” Enobarbus chuckled.

“Antony, he is the Phoenix! He rose from dead.” Agrippa, in turn, chuckled.

“If you want to praise Caesar, your boss, simply say "Caesar." The name alone conveys all his great qualities.” Enobarbus protected Caesar’s name.

“Indeed, Lepidus praised both highly. I, for myself, have praised one too many Caesars in my lifetime.” Agrippa smiled.

“Mark loves Caesar most; Caesar does love Antony. Ha! Hearts, tongues, letters, writers, singers, and poets cannot think, speak, calculate, write, sing, or make verses that can adequately convey his love for Antony. But as for Caesar, the only appropriate reaction is to kneel and kneel and be in awe.” Enobarbus praised his boss. “Or one day, write a Mark Antony epitaph... He was God.”

“To be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature; Shakespeare said that.” Enobarbus said. (https://www.azquotes.com/quote/478477)

“Do you know I read Shakespeare in my free time? I am to read Tempest.” Enobarbus admitted.

“Tempest, a violent windstorm, most times with rain, hail, or snow. a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult.” Agrippa said “Like Caesar most times. Was it with Mark Antony?”

“I was told all the other Caesars are similar.” Enobarbus spoke out his thoughts. “As for Mark Antony, I loved him.”

“Madness reign in the Caesars but we love them all. Including Mark Antony even though he is not Caesar.”

“I love both of them.” Agrippa concludes it with Enobarbus. “Do you know Lepidus? He was with Caesar long and protective of the other.”

“Lepidus is a beetle, and they are the wings he uses to fly.” Enobarbus rebuttal to that. “He ought to be careful if the owls are nearby.”