Act
Two
Scene
Six
Sub-Scene
Two
The
Truce
The
Gentlemen’s Club was an old establishment of the elites and pompous males, with
little regard to the sensitivity of the other gender or being held to model
themselves as masculine, though they asked for their mother’s care when in
pain. The place also served as a neutral place for male conflicts.
The
empire has its own chamber there; unlike the mansion, that one was lavishly
decorated with exquisite furniture; animal skins were laid down as carpet, and
the walls had the previous Caesar’s portraits. The butler there dispensed the
wine in the glasses and provided the cigars for those who needed a puff. The
daily news was sent there in the form of the latest editions.
The
entourage of the empire was Caesar, Lepidus, Enobarbus, Maecenas, and Agrippa.
They arrived and took their assigned seats at the round table; it was a novelty
for Julius to have that table with thirteen seats, although it was never fully
occupied.
Pompey
Jr and Menas soon arrived and were offered their seats.
“I
do not see Lancelot... Pardon my forgetfulness. Mark Antony. How is he? I heard
he got married. Jolly well for him. In the words of the seamen, one whore is in
each port.” Pompey laughed. He was hoping to get Caesar riled, but the other
was calm.
“I
have hostages of yours, and you have hostages of mine, so we'll talk before we
continue the fight.” Pompey saw the humour of his, which was not shared then.
“It
is very appropriate that we talk first, and for that reason we sent our
proposals beforehand. As with any truce required, the terms are stated and
hopefully accepted by all. If you had considered them, let us know if we can
proceed to stop waging; it is meaningless and a waste of lives. If all is
agreed, please take your boys back to where they are from, or die here.” Caesar
served his long sentence there.
“Bravado,
Caesar. I hear you, but you must also listen to me.” Pompey Jr smiled. “Let me
outspeak our words to the three of you, the assumed rulers of this great world
and the gods' only messengers on earth. Angels, they are called, but I would
not brand you as one yet.”
“I
do not know why my father's death shouldn't be avenged; a poor man died for Rome
when he was gunned down on the street, but he held a son and friends to his
name.” Pompey Jr looked at Agrippa and Enobarbus.
“The
two of you fought on behalf of Julius Caesar, who appeared as a ghost to the
good Brutus at Philippi. Why was it that pale Cassius started conspiring
against Caesar? And what drove Brutus, who was honest and honoured by all,
along with the rest of the armed conspirators who were seeking glorious
freedom, to drench the mansion with Caesar’s blood?”
“They
did not want one man to have more power than anyone else? And that is what made
me equip my boys—the sons of Neptune, as I called them—for within the angry sea
now foams. With these boys, I intend to punish spiteful Rome for its
ingratitude towards my noble father.”
“I
will advise caution here.” Caesar looked at Pompey Jr.
“You
cannot scare us, Pompey Jr, with your boys. Not eve you father ever did.” It
was Mark who had just arrived. “Sorry, I am late.”
“Coitus
interruptus?” Pompey Jr laughed. “Men’s calls are few, but when they are
needed, the fuck can wait.”
“Pompey
Jr, we engage your boys at the heart of your so-named empire. But do you know
how much greater our force is than yours?”
“On
land, indeed, you cheated me out of my father's boys. But, since I
know you are not making it your own, remain in it for the time being under
Caesar. Are you staying here for good? What about Egypt?”
“Please
tell us... the terms of the truce." Your response to the offers we have
sent you.” Lepidus cut in.
“Do
not let yourself be tricked into anything, but consider carefully how much our
offer is worth if you agree to it.” Mark said to Pompey Jr. “We can be generous.”
“What
may happen to you if you try to continue the war ……. bigger fortune by fighting
us or bigger grave yards?” Caesar looked at Pompey Jr.
“I
was told that you had offered me the new horizons of Sicily and Sardinia down
south of here. Good lands there; farmers and beef rearing. Acres of land and no
smoke-clogged cities. In return, I would give up on the sea port ……... again,
……... and send shipments of wheat to Rome, which you will, of course, pay at a
lower price. I could sell the rest to the others for a fairer price, but we
live in harmony. If we both agree to this, we will part peacefully, without
drawing guns against each other and without denting our shields.” Pompey Jr said.
“That
is our offer.” Mark said.
“You
should know, I was prepared to accept the offer, but I hold Mark Antony with
disdain. He irritated me somewhat.” Pompey Jr stared at the other. “I detract
from the honour of my good deed by telling you about it; you should know that
when Caesar and your brother, Lucius, were at war, your mother came to me and
found warm hospitality.”
“I
have heard that, Pompey Jr, and I intend to thank you generously, which I know
I owe you.” Mark bowed to the other. “Fulvia will do so.”
“Say
no more of her. She is dead.” Pompey Jr stood up and approached Mark. “Give me
your hand. I offer you, my friendship. You are a great soldier and worthy of
Caesar.”
They
clasp hands.
“I
did not think that I would meet you here, sir. Or either of us will look at
each other in the eyes, drawing our last breath.”
“Sicily
is a very pleasant place, and I thank you for calling me away. I was to go
there earlier but was sent to Egypt.” Mark smiled.
“I
heard Egypt is more climatic.” Pompey Jr laughed.
“It
is good for us all to meet here.” Lepidus smiled when he cut in. He did not
want to see the situation turn worse again.
“I
hope so, Lepidus. We have agreed on this. I want it sealed by all of us.”
Caesar had the last words for it.
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