Gladiator Page #6

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MARCUS:

I would have silenced him decades

ago -- but I just like him too much.

Meanwhile, Maximus stands with his lieutenants, Titus and

Quintus. A wound on Maximus' arm has been bound.

MAXIMUS:

(to Titus)

If you want to stay on, I support

you. So do the men. I'll ask the

Emperor to appoint you in my place.

TITUS:

It won't be the Felix Regiment

without you.

MAXIMUS:

I'll return after a season at home.

Maybe two.

QUINTUS:

That means after three or four more

babies.

TITUS:

And you'll be too fat from Vibia's

cooking to get on your horse by

then.

MAXIMUS:

Should the Gods so bless me. I

would be thankful.

Commodus perambulates up to them.

COMMODUS:

Hail, warriors. My congratulations.

TITUS AND QUINTUS

(bowing)

Highness.

COMMODUS:

(to Maximus)

My old friend, my father tells me

you're returning to Spain?

MAXIMUS:

Yes.

COMMODUS:

A pity. I'll need men like you in

my army...

An awkward glance between the soldiers. This sort of talk

is offensively premature.

COMMODUS:

There are larger division that might

appeal to you. Even the Praetorian

Guard. You've never been to Rome.

Imagine arriving as head of the

Praetorians! They have really

splendid uniforms.

MAXIMUS:

(cold)

I'm going home.

Senators Gaius and Falco join them.

GAIUS:

(to Maximus)

... And why not apply for entry to

the Senate?

FALCO:

A war hero with a handsome face and

a strong heart could go far.

COMMODUS:

General Maximus, may I present

Senators Gaius and Falco. Beware of

this Gaius, he'll pour a honeyed

potion in your ear and you'll wake

up one day and all you'll say is

"Republic, Republic, Republic..."

Laughter.

FALCO:

Have you never considered Rome?

MAXIMUS:

No.

COMMODUS:

You've had my ear since we were

children. You could be a valuable

ally in the Senate.

GAIUS:

Are you a believer in Republicanism?

COMMODUS:

(laughs)

There -- I warned you.

MAXIMUS:

I'm a soldier, not a politician.

Meanwhile, a dark eye is studying the men through a hidden

slit in the tent wall. The eye is particularly drawn to

Maximus.

GAIUS:

If your heart lies with the people,

I would back you for the Senate.

I'm sure Gracchus would as well.

COMMODUS:

Not a word about that sodomite

bastard.

GAIUS:

(smiles to Maximus)

The august Senator Gracchus has been

rather a gadfly on the flesh of the

imperial family.

FALCO:

He's a damned provocateur.

GAIUS:

He lives under the antiquated

assumption that the Senate should

represent the people with vigor.

COMMODUS:

I won't tolerate it. His incessant

criticism exhausts me. The man can

speak for five hours without taking

a breath.

GAIUS:

He serves Rome best when he serves

it with honesty.

COMMODUS:

(sharply)

Enough... Maximus, I would like to

inspect the Felix Regiment at dawn.

Please arrange it.

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