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.”