Demetrius and the Gladiators Page #5

Go ahead. Turn the other cheek.

Let's see you.

Anyone else?

I am no Christian.

- Who is he?

- Glycon, the Nubian.

My lord Claudius has been

considering giving him his freedom.

Oh, yes. I remember.

Have him fight the Christian tomorrow.

That should make it even more interesting.

Listen to me. The worst sort of life

is better than the best kind of death.

Forgetyour religion for just one day.

Kill him. He is no good.

Your god will thank you for it.

Thank you for whatyou did.

This god of yours.

They say he thought as well of a slave

as of a patrician, even an emperor.

Can this be true?

It was one of the greatest of his truths.

No wonder they crucified him.

The gladiators have arrived

at the palace enclosure, sire.

Well? What have you to report?

The robe is no longer in Rome, sire.

The man who has it, the one they call

the fisherman, is said to have gone north.

- I've issued orders to...

- I want the robe, not excuses!

Find it!

I hope you've provided better

entertainment than last time, Uncle.

(fanfare, crowd cheering)

Senators,...

...my subjects,...

...my loyal guards,...

...we are touched by your devotion.

In honour of our birthday, a gift of 50

gold pieces for every member of the guard.

(cheering)

We will proceed now

with the marriage of life and death.

(beating of drums)

Hail Caesar!

We, who are about to die, salute you.

(Caligula) Begin the games.

(booing)

(cheering)

(cheering)

Get ready.

Demetrius. Glycon.

Take it.

There's one chance for you - a slim one.

- Have you ever used a sword?

- Yes.

Fight as hard as you can.

Try to kill me. Use your shield well.

Sometimes, rarely, if two men put up

a good enough fight, they let them both live.

Understand?

If they think we're pretending,

they'll cut our throats.

If they begin to guess, defend yourself

because then I'll have to kill you.

- Good luck.

- Good luck.

- That's Glycon, isn't it?

- Yes, sire.

Good. I don't knowthe other one.

A Greek. A most unusual man, sire.

We thought he might amuse you.

Cut hard at me, make it look good. Attack!

(booing)

It's poor, Claudius.

Your gladiators are too fond of each other.

It's no good. They know.

Sorry, friend. Fight for your life.

(cheering)

- Glycon, pick up your sword.

- I can't. You've won.

Look, Glycon. It's life.

Notyet. The emperor decides.

They want him spared, sire.

(murmurs of disapproval)

Cut clean, friend.

Sire, I'm a freeman of Rome.

- I claim my right of appeal to the emperor.

- Your rights are what I say they are.

Butyou may speak.

- I ask you to withdraw your command, sire.

- Why should I?

I'm a Christian. I can't take a man's life.

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