The Loyal Lieutenants Act Three Scene One Sub Scene Three

 

Act Three

Scene One

Sub-Scene Three

Egypt never leaves empty

 

Ptolemy paced the train on his return to Egypt. He was nervous about Rome. He had bad dealings with the southern gangs looking to take over his lucrative business. He could battle them alone, but with Rome as his ally, he will hold the upper hand on the dealing.

“Mardian, how did the other meetings go?’ Ptolemy looked to the loyal guard of his besides the Medjay assigned to him, as the Pharoah’s personal guards.

“I met Pompey, and he was …… evasive in his commitments. He may be our liaison on the shipments but to be an ally of ours, he was no committing.” Mardian reported to the Pharoah. “I had offered him an increase of our rates but he was still not committed.”

“Does he know that we are in Egypt? We have used the wharf to clear our wares. We paid the authorities to turn a blind eye. We paid his boys to use the warehouses.” The Pharoah was upset.

“He knows but he ……. I think he fear Rome……... Sorry, I meant Caesar.” Mardian said.

“Who have we left?” The Pharoah asked.

“No others. The bigger families will not come down south. The frontier gangs are either at us as foes, or waiting like the crocodiles.” Mardian laid out their options. “We need the assistance of Rome.”

“Or our friend we are to meet.” The Pharoah heard the train pulled up at the station. He was good at the clandestine meets and that was to be one.

“Pharoah, I am glad we meet.” The Pharoah was standing by the wagon window looking to the rail tracks there. He had out on the kilt-like skirts or loincloths with the necklaces of gold jewelleries.

“You are dressed …. well.” The guest stepped into the wagon. He was dressed in the simple toga favoured by the Romans.

“Consul Brutus, welcome to my travelling palace.” The Pharoah smiled. “It is named Willie Wagon. My sister loved the film they were producing for the movie theatre, Willie Steamboat. That was where we got the cool air equipment.”

The first modern air conditioner was invented in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier, a skilled engineer who began experimenting with the laws of humidity control to solve an application problem at a printing plant in Brooklyn, NY.

“Beautiful.” Brutus smiled though he disliked the noise from the equipment.

“Call me Brutus. We are friends here.” Brutus took the seat near the Pharoah. “Do you mind if my guards are just outside?”

Ptolemy nodded. He knew that Mardian was there and outside of the wagon was his personal Medjay guards.

“Ptolemy is my name. Call me that, Brutus.” The host offered a drink to the Consul. “Sangria?”

Sangria is an iconic Spanish drink loved around the world. There are heaps of versions, but the classic recipe is made with red wine, brandy or vermouth, sliced apples and oranges, and sparkling soda. A crowd-pleasing pitcher of sangria is the perfect drink to share with friends.

“I heard you met Caesar.” Brutus was on track to complete his purpose. “Julius Caesar.”

“He is Rome.” Ptolemy smiled. “When in Rome, you meet Caesar, right?”

“He is, and so are us in the Consul.” Brutus lowered his glass. “Nevertheless, you should meet him first.”

“Second, Brutus. Your messenger told me to meet him before I meet you. I met your messenger first, Caesar and now you.”

“Aha…... Menas is a loyal lieutenant.” Brutus took a sip of the drink. “Like a good wine, you need to let it aged over the years …… after a good harvest.”

“Tell me did he take your offer?” Brutus pressed on.

“Who? Caesar? He did. And he will come over soon.” Ptolemy smiled.

“I will get the issue you have with the migrants resolved. The unions with the Tongs will not bother you anymore.” Brutus smiled. “You will prosper, Pharoah.”

“Et tu, Brute?” (You too, Brutus?)

“Not this time. I am …… I have other plans.” Brutus smiled.

“Who will go with him?” Ptolemy asked.

“I would not know. Caesar has his favourites. Maybe Agrippa, Lepidus or Menas……. I doubt Menas. Caesar does not like him. He is just one of the old boys.” Brutus smiled. “Ah…… Maybe Mark Antony.”

“Who is Mark Antony?’ Ptolemy asked.

“Let me tell him, you cannot trust him with your sister.” Brutus laughed. “He is the serpent in the garden.”

“Unless he is a huge serpent, my sister may not like him.” Ptolemy laughed. “Ah…. I have a gift for you, my Roman friend.”

“I do not deserve……” Brutus was stunned at the gift.

“It is a Webley 1908 with an added contraption …... a silencer to suppress the noise.” Ptolemy laughed. “From ‘bang bang’ to pheet.”

The pistol was in a silver case, with the spare ammo clip.

“The pistol itself, a Model 1908 Webley; hammer-fired, blowback semi-automatic chambered in .32 ACP. It improved on being slimmer and having some internal simplifications/improvements. The silenced model here had its front sight removed, as it was intended for short range use.”

(https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/178426771949/m1908-webley-pistol-m1929-parker-hale-silencer)

“The silencer, the ‘Parker Maxim silencer M1929’ had a standard length of 6.75 inches and weighed a weighty 10 ounces. The silencer barrel of the host weapon had to be threaded to fit the M.M.2.”

“You are knowledgeable in guns, Ptolemy.” Brutus praised the other.

“One of my idle moments to study the new items.” Ptolemy smiled. “I was told that President Roosevelt has a few.”

“Do tell me, how will this work? I mean its heavy and …….” Brutus looked at Ptolemy.

“Still concealable but silent. It will be favoured gun attachment for the killers. No loud noise and then hear the distant sirens of the coppers.”

“Indeed…...” Brutus took hold of the gun. “Ideal for an assassination. Et tu, Pharoah?” (You too, Pharoah?)

“I had my share of that. Most times, my boys or girls will do it for me. I am more of a squitter.” Ptolemy laughed while he humped his hips.

“Me too? I made the needed arrangement on the agent’s case. It will be cleaned all the loose ends.” Brutus smiled.

“And on your request, I have done mine. Caesar will be without his loyal lieutenants.” Ptolemy smiled. “And now to Caesar on his journey to Egypt. The season to feed the crocodiles is ripe.”