01x04 - Fool's Bet

[bunniefuu]

[woman groans]

[ominous music playing]

[man grunts]

[Titus]

How many dead?

[Porto]

About two hundred.

Fighting still continues in the Subura.

My father's funeral?

Safe to go ahead tomorrow.

- [footsteps approaching]

- [metallic clanking]

[Titus] Senators,

I thought the intention of these games

was to calm the citizens,

not inflame them.

The problem is this new Gold faction.

Things were stable

when we were just the four of us.

What do you expect

from a new faction owned

by a plebeian and a damned Syrian.

It gives the lower orders ideas.

So, what do you counsel?

Simple, end the Gold faction.

[Titus]

Interesting.

[eerie music playing]

Let's put that aside for now.

I have a greater concern

about which I'd welcome your input:

since the time of the kings

only three Romans: Julius Caesar,

Caesar Augustus and Claudius

have been deified,

declared Gods.

My father, the Great Emperor Vespasian,

should too be deified

join them as a God.

[clears throat]

That's a bold request.

The priests and augers tell us

that he has earned his rightful place

among the Immortals.

Just as your four factions

have earned you the exclusive right

to run at Circus Maximus.

[suspenseful music playing]

[snorts]

I bow to the priests

and we'll move in the Senate

to deify the Emperor Vespasian.

[suspenseful music continues]

As will I.

[door opens]

[metallic swishing noise]

How does it look?

[Elia] Gold!

- [crowd chatters]

- [Elia applauds]

Down with those!

[horse whinnies]

By order of Emperor Titus Caesar

Vespasianus,

permission to run in Circus Maximus

is hereby withdrawn from the Gold Faction.

[horse whines]

[Manilius] Let's go!

[dramatic music crescendos]

Fonsoa, wait!

- [marching]

- [metallic clanging]

- Calm down.

- Calm down?

I quit the Blue.

I told Marsus and Antonia

to go f*ck themselves.

Better that than you f*ck her.

No! No, don't make jokes.

I am the one being f*cked

by you.

Atarkatis, why did I listen

to this Roman fool?

Scorpus is the best driver in Rome,

best ever.

Highest paid in history.

And I threw it all away for this

"golden shitshow"?

Scorpus, settle yourself!

Your greatness goes unquestioned.

I can fix this.

[Leto] I believe these are my chariots.

Gavros?

[metallic scraping]

Ah, white!

Take them out immediately.

[Elia] Wait!

- No, no!

- Elia!

[Gavros] Peace! Peace!

You're nothing more than

common thieves!

I paid for those.

So did I.

[Leto footsteps retreating]

Well, I didn't actually pay for them.

But I was thinking about it.

I'm done.

No more Gold faction for Scorpus. I'm out.

Out!

[dramatic music crescendos]

[calm music playing]

[rhythmic bells]

- [gentle choir music]

- [rhythmic banging]

By the Grace and Power of the Gods,

we crown Titus Flavius Vespasianus,

Leader and Emperor of Rome.

[Cala] Who are those women?

The Vestal Virgins,

Guardians of Rome's Eternal Flame.

Untouched, unmarried,

loved only by the city itself.

They have great powers.

A mere look

from one of them can save a condemned man,

a touch can set a sl*ve free.

[emotional music]

[Drusilla] That one, I was her witness.

She's the daughter of my mistress Antonia.

She was only seven,

when the Vestals took her

She cried, begging her parents

not to give her away.

How could a mother do that?

Father, I don't wish to offend you.

But are you mad?

A tax on urine?

It's not a tax on urine,

it is a tax on the sale of urine.

Urine bleaches white

the clothes that we wear.

Do you understand?

Money.

Smell it.

Smell it!

Do you find that smell offensive?

It has no smell.

Precisely.

Money

pays for our legions.

[Vespasian] It helps us supply our

citizens with baths for their health

so they don't rise up

and slit our throats.

Money.

An Emperor,

even a prospective one,

knows that money

does not stink.

It can build your legacy.

[suspenseful music playing]

Brother.

Brother.

[gentle music playing]

Romans!

I, Titus Flavius

Vespasianus, stand before you.

An Emperor,

a General,

and a grieving son.

My father

gave you the Flavian Amphitheatre

to hold the greatest games on Earth.

My legacy:

I shall reconstruct

the Aqueduct Virgo now in ruin.

[music crescendos]

[Titus] Water will flow

for the benefit of every Roman.

And once more,

I will give you the greatest public

baths

- [crowd cheers]

- ever seen by man.

[triumphant music continues]

[gentle music playing]

[Berenice sighs]

- Move everything in.

- Yes, my Queen.

Yes, bring that one and this one.

Yes, this one first, go on, go ahead,

May I have a word, my love?

[Titus] Can it wait?

[Berenice inhales]

Tell me,

who will build these baths

and remake Rome for you?

We'll discuss that later.

You promised you would free my people

after you became Emperor

but I see now

you had no intention of doing so.

You sought such a promise,

I never gave it.

Not in so many words.

My words were precise.

I told you I would do it,

if it was in the interest of Rome.

- A vision has told me otherwise.

- A vision?

My father spoke to me, told me to build

these baths for the glory of Rome.

As such it pleases me

to use your people to that end.

You lied to me.

[footsteps approaching]

As you said,

later.

[footsteps retreating]

The rioting has been quelled.

But there is now fear that the granaries

will be empty again. [inhales]

That the grain was delayed intentionally.

And rumours

that a Flavian

was behind the food shortages.

A Flavian?

That's impossible that was Father,

and certainly not [inhales]

me, and that leaves

[exhales]

You're holding something back.

You have two faults.

Well, only two?

[Porto] Two that matter:

you love your mistress

more than you should

and you trust your brother

more than you ought.

The first

fault, umh

that is my affair.

As for my brother, well,

I love him, true, but I am no fool.

[gentle music starts]

You think him behind the grain delays,

behind the riots?

There are rumours.

[dramatic music plays]

Find out if there's substance to them.

[retreating footsteps]

[suspenseful music playing]

[music crescendos]

[dramatic music crescendos]

[laughs]

We have a problem.

[crowd clamouring]

[Man 1 speaking other language]

[Man 2] Two hundred on Red.

[Man 3] We got 20, I think.

[Man 4 speaking other language]

[Man 4 speaking other language]

[Cala speaks other language]

[Cala] Forty on white.

[Cala speaks other language]

Move!

Shout out your bets! I said move.

[Cala speaks other language]

[Man 1 speaks other language]

[Cala speaks other language]

One hundred on blue.

[Cala speaks other language]

[Cala] Fifty on Blue.

[atmospheric music playing]

[water sloshing]

[gentle music]

[gentle music continues]

[ominous music playing]

Your Highness.

The others convinced my brother

to get rid of the Gold faction.

I thought as much.

- Can you get us reinstated?

- Perhaps.

[tense music playing]

There's something I need you to do first.

[Domitian] Your predecessor,

my doer of dark deeds.

A certain Lucius.

I've had the misfortune of meeting him.

He wasn't as deep in the shadows

as we hoped.

I need you to obscure his tracks.

[Tenax] They blame you for the grain

shortages and the food riots.

[tense music playing]

Not yet

but suspicion is a short step from blame.

[inhales] I'll take care of it.

It'll be my pleasure.

Do what you can to get

our Gold faction reinstated again.

That sounded rather like a command.

You are my client

not my partner.

You serve my interests

in the hope I deign to serve yours.

[menacing music playing]

Forgive me.

I'll do what you ask.

[menacing music continues]

Who was that man with Domitian?

His name is Tenax,

he's from the Subura.

And a criminal.

I need to know more about him.

- [whip beating]

- [drum roll]

- [whip beating]

- [man grunting]

[Lucius' thug] Come for me!

[woman moaning]

[crowd clamouring]

[rhythmic drum beat]

- [throttling sound]

- [woman screams]

[man grunts]

[woman screams]

[rhythmic drum beat]

[ominous music playing]

[man grunts]

Is there anyone else, Lucius?

No

no.

[Lucius] I told you everything. I swear.

[Lucius gasps]

[man cries out]

[drum beat continues]

[drum roll]

[music stops]

[men grunting]

Come on.

He won't break.

Give it to him harder.

[door opens]

[man grunts]

- [Bosa whispers]

- [men grunting]

- [footsteps retreating]

- [door closes]

I'd expect you to be busy

with the Queen of Jews

this time of the night.

Careful now.

The ice you walk on is not so thick.

[Titus] There's a man,

said to have led the recent food riots,

Lucius. Do you know him?

No.

Some says he is of your employ.

[snickers] Some say

Titus beds monkeys and dogs.

- That make it true?

- [Titus snickers]

I do not know him, my Emperor.

Then you will not care

that this Lucius is dead.

[Porto] Beaten first

perhaps for information.

Perhaps for pleasure.

Men seen with Lucius are dead also.

The Harbor Master at Ostia,

all were involved in grain delivery.

As if they were covering their tracks.

[Titus] Brother.

Look me in the eye.

Did you delay the grain delivery

to embarrass me?

You think I would embarrass father?

That I had the mob call for Flavian

blood, just to embarrass you?

- Did you?

- No.

Confine him.

He mustn't leave without my permission.

- But brother

- He shall remain

until I've found the truth. Leave me.

[ominous music playing]

[music crescendos]

Do you believe him?

I cannot yet decide.

The riot would've been

a risk for him also.

[music quickens]

[Porto] There are still

the fleet captains,

but they are at sea.

Once they make landfall.

Bring them before me.

[footsteps retreating]

[melodic music intensifies]

[Hermes] Are you alright?

[Domitian] Barely.

I just came close to death.

Do you think Berenice is advising him?

[breathing fitfully]

Of course.

She knows my ire

towards her and her people.

K*llers of how many

five thousand sons of Rome?

Why not have Tenax attend to her?

And incite a lover's vengeance

in my brother?

Not all the Judeans

are happy with the idea

of their Queen spreading

her legs for your brother.

How would you know that?

I have ears at the construction site.

There are rumours

of meetings in secret,

where the possibility of a

Spartacan revolt is being discussed.

One of their elders,

the architect Azariah,

has been heard to call her Titus' wh*re.

[menacing music]

Well done.

See.

I am more

than an arse and a mouth.

We'll drive the wedge between them,

my brother

and his wh*re.

Out!

- [men grunt]

- [ominous music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[bell rings]

I need to speak with my daughter.

Please.

Mother.

[happy chuckle]

- I can not stay long.

- I know, I know.

What do you know

about the daughter, the priestess?

I've never heard of a daughter.

They have a son

They often speak of him.

Julius.

Why?

And Drusilla?

Have you noticed any routines

in her outings?

One time she went out at sundown

with some pantry goods.

Good. Watch her and let me know.

Hm?

Jula!

Go now, go.

[people chattering in background]

[Filo] The charioteer, Scorpus, Consul.

[footsteps approaching]

[Marsus] Ah

Scorpus.

To what do I owe the honour of this visit?

I've decided that our partnership

is too valuable to end.

Scorpus is willing,

for the right price,

yes,

to return triumphantly

to the Blue Faction.

That's generous of you, Scorpus.

But what of Xenon?

We've hired him in your stead

Xenon is

you know, is a good driver.

I admit, but he is

no Scorpus.

He's more loyal than Scorpus.

Perhaps, I owe you an apology.

For?

[sighs]

- For, er

- f*cking his wife?

In a word, yes.

May I speak for the two of us, my love?

Of course, we speak as one.

Always.

We're paying Xenon three times

what we paid you!

We wouldn't hire you back

even if you showed up

with your mouth full of pearls

and an Indian ruby the size of a hen's egg

- falling out of your arse.

- [Marsus scoffs]

[Marsus and Antonia giggle]

Go f*ck yourselves.

f*cking Romans!

I'd happily f*ck my husband.

- [Marsus grunts]

- [Antonia moans]

Anyone

as long as it's not you.

[Antonia exhales]

[Filo clears his throat]

Right this way.

[Antonia giggles]

You continue to amaze me.

Thank you. [chuckles]

[crowd chatter in background]

[man coughs]

[footsteps]

I warned your father to forbid you

from marrying that man.

[Salena exhales]

Caltonia. [gasps]

[sighs]

I'm so ashamed.

Does your family know?

Since my mother's death,

my uncles have abandoned us.

Father has turned to wine, and

our estates are gone.

[Salena whimpers and inhales]

All I had were those shares

in the Blue faction.

I've spoken to my advocates.

Those shares were stolen by your husband.

[Caltonia] You will leave this place.

Live under my roof.

And together we will enter the courts

and get back what is yours.

You would do that for me?

I love you, child.

- [man coughs]

- We will get them back.

And I will buy them from you

at an exorbitant price.

And then you and I,

we will celebrate our

our partnership.

[Salena sniffs]

[flame soars]

[Tenax] Morning, Lentullus.

I need two chariots by the week's end.

That's impossible.

Nothing's impossible.

What about these?

[Lentillus] Oh.

Well [exhales]

A year ago, I experimented

with the lightest of woods

and shaved the struts,

made them as thin as my finger.

They were fast.

So fast.

But too light to get past

the weight restrictions.

Can they be ready by the end of the week?

Yes. But you'll never

get them past inspection.

Let that be my problem.

Oh, and the golden paint,

give it less shine, more tasteful.

[Lentillus sighs]

[Scorpus] Thank you all for coming.

We do this all together,

just like you Romans yes?

Much more efficient.

[Leto] Yes, well it's no secret we'd all

be fortunate to have you driving for us.

And it's no secret that you're expensive.

That goes without saying.

[Leto] Yes, well

having lost Xenon,

clearly, I'm interested.

- [Leto] What do you need?

- Simple.

If Scorpus is to hold his head

high in the Circus,

he must be paid more than Xenon.

[Torel] A million eight?

No, too rich for my blood.

[exhales]

I'm out.

Good luck to you all.

Come boys.

[door opens]

And I'm out too.

No, wait.

[door closes]

You can't leave me with one bidder.

I can win for you.

I don't want to win.

Of course, you do.

I can't afford to win!

I profit by being smart.

I cut my costs down

and let my competitors thank me

with gold for helping them win.

Good luck.

[Leto scoffs]

[Scorpus] So, here we are.

A million eight.

No, a million nine, because

Xenon is being paid a million eight.

I don't see anyone else bidding here.

- It will add to your dignitas

- [Leto scoffs]

to pay me more than

Marsus is paying Xenon.

Yes well, I have sufficient dignitas,

thank you Scorpus.

[Leto sighs]

Six hundred thousand.

[Scorpus coughs]

[Scorpus clicks tongue, inhales, sighs]

Such an opening offer

hurts my feelings.

Not a opening offer.

It's my final one.

I am Scorpus.

Yes, and I'm paying.

Look, it if will soothe your

feelings, we can always

tell the world it was a million nine.

Good boy.

[prost*tute] Scorpus?

Not now.

But you wanted to celebrate.

[loud knock on door]

[Scorpus sighs]

[Scorpus] Make sure

that he gets some attention.

He just signed with the Whites.

[Scorpus exhales]

[Scorpus moans]

[Scorpus and prostit*tes moaning]

[door opens]

- [door closes]

- [Tenax] Oh dear.

[Tenax] I remember it being bigger.

And firmer.

We all get older, I suppose.

No way around it.

Who let you in?

I met with the Aedile Ludi. Good news:

He'll soon be reinstating

our Gold faction.

[Tenax] New rigs ordered,

the lightest the Circus has ever seen.

You'll be flying like the wind, my friend.

Soon

is not now.

I have just signed for the Whites.

You ungrateful b*stard. I pulled you

from the clutches of your mother's pimp

For that, I thank you.

You, whose first three wins

were all from my fixes.

Yes, yes,

yes, yes You did a lot but so did I.

- [tense pulsing beat]

- [Tenax exhales]

You're right.

My temper overtook me.

Perhaps, we should go our separate ways.

[Scorpus sighs]

Get some sleep.

You'll need it when you drive

against my Spaniards.

[Scorpus laughs]

- They remind me of you

- [Scorpus snickers]

you know when you were in your prime.

Especially that Andria.

[tense music intensifies]

[Tenax] Yeah, I see a day

when your body is rotting in the spina

of the Circus and he's making

all of Rome forget you ever existed.

[Tenax exhales]

Good luck with the Whites.

[footsteps retreating]

[music fades out]

[Passus] Then we are bringing in

fifty Brigantine midgets,

and pit them against

an equal number of bull-hounds.

I mean, is there any finer way to honour

[Passus] Titus Flavius' ascent?

[Domitian] Dwarfs versus dogs

is that the best you can do?

No, I mean, have you seen the dogs?

Come, come. What else do you have?

[Passus coughs]

Ludus Beastius

has received an interesting number

of red-arsed monkeys,

they're all males

and we could build an encasement,

a forest in the wild, fence not too high.

Because the females should not escape

[Domitian chuckles]

the females shouldn't escape.

[Domitian]

I thought they were all males.

I'm not talking about

monkey females,

I am talking about human females.

Yes, because they would like

to f*ck everything that moves.

I don't think that's

to my brother's taste.

Well,

- just hear me out.

- [Domitian chuckles]

There is a grand finale.

An absolute, wonder of nature.

The Gigantic Ghost Lion.

White from head to tail,

paler than the clouds over Vesuvius.

This fierce beast will arise from Hades

and devour them all.

You're a sick man, Passus.

[scoffs] Well

But a white lion, interesting.

I wish to see it myself.

I must escape my own cage first.

Meet me at the Ludus Beastius

at midnight Go.

Go now!

Door.

[door shuts]

I need to urinate.

[footsteps and armour clinking]

[urine trickling]

[footsteps and armour clinking]

- [monkeys screeching]

- [Passus coughs]

Domitian.

I hope you didn't over promise.

Where is it?

[Passus] Over here.

[low growling]

[terrifying roar]

[Domitian laughs and inhales]

- [Lion roars]

- [Domitian] How beautiful you are!

So very beautiful.

- [Lion growls]

- [Domitian] So very deadly.

I know exactly how I'll use you.

You'll be my brother

Titus Flavius.

Emperor of Rome.

Conqueror

of Jerusalem.

I want this beast to be a symbol

of our glorious Titus Flavianus.

A beast with an unquenchable

thirst for blood.

Have your builders reconstruct a replica

of Jerusalem, fit for the Circus.

We shall celebrate

the sacking of that city!

Allow me to ask,

Who will the white lion attack?

Do you have to be so dim?

- [Passus stammers]

- Who do you think lives in Jerusalem?

- Gauls?

- [Passus] Uhuh.

Judeans.

Judeans.

[Carpo] Big cats

even one as fierce as this,

are terrified by the sight

and sounds of the crowd.

Without training, it will freeze.

Would you like to spoil Domitian's vision,

would you like to excite his anger?

No.

[dramatic music playing]

[footsteps and metallic clinking]

[Domitian] Manilius

My Greek boy has seen you

betting at the Circus.

[Domitian]

You think removing your military garb

is sufficient to hide what you do?

Your betting your debts

your skimming from the Praetorian payroll

to pay those debts, has put you at risk.

Mortal risk. But never fear

I have need of your service

for which there will be

a substantial reward.

There's a plot among Judeans

to k*ll their queen, my brother's consort.

One of the architects, Azariah,

appears to be the leader of this plot.

[dramatic music intensifies]

I need you to arrest

some rebellious Judeans.

[Azariah] What is the meaning of this?

- [women screaming]

- [crowd shouting]

Why are you doing this?

- [dramatic music playing]

- [people shouting]

[women screaming]

- [ominous music]

- [water dripping]

[gate creaks]

[eerie sounds]

[Azariah] What do you want?

Why are we arrested?

[Carpo] I was told for sedition

and plotting to k*ll your Queen.

[Azariah] What?

- [Azariah] Lies, both of them.

- [Carpo] Doesn't matter to me.

Tomorrow you will die.

All of you

k*lled by a lion.

[ominous music playing]

This particular lion

will likely not attack.

Unless somebody charges the beast.

That's where you come in.

And why should I throw my life away,

for your convenience?

If you do, I'll ask Passus,

the Master of Games,

to spare,

your women and children.

- [crowd whimpering]

- [ominous music]

- [children crying]

- [dramatic music crescendos]

[drum roll]

[music stops]

[crowd cheering]

[celebratory music]

[Domitian inhales and groans]

By the Gods.

I hate being held prisoner here.

[drum bangs]

Hail Emperor Titus.

[formal music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[music fades]

I so wish I could see

the venom the Roman people have

for the Judeans, up close.

[crowd cheering]

Go.

[dramatic music playing]

[female] She's not our Queen!

- [crowd jeering]

- [dramatic music playing]

[music stops]

[crowd booing]

Already a ch*nk in Titus' armor.

[Domitian giggles]

Come back.

[scoffs]

My brother never ceases to amaze me.

How can he allow Berenice

to sit next to him?

How did he not see this coming?

- [Passus] For the glory of Rome

- Come.

And to honour the conquest of Jerusalem!

What is this?

You said this pageant was to celebrate

your accession to the throne.

[dramatic music playing]

[explosions]

[Passus] As the city burns,

behold the barbaric Judeans,

[gentle atmospheric music playing]

led by Berenice, the Judean queen.

[crowd laughs]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Passus] And now

the barbaric Judeans will face

the unparalleled might of Rome.

It is the very powerful

Titus Flavianus.

Now!

[dramatic music playing]

[lion roaring]

[dramatic music continues]

[lion growling]

- [lion roars]

- [loud bang]

Open the gate!

- [music stops]

- [lion growls]

[lion roars]

[crowd clamouring]

[dramatic music starts]

[chanting music playing]

[lion growling]

[crowd jeering]

[lion roars loudly]

For the sake of my God,

or your Gods, do something!

These are my people.

[Carpo] Do it!

Do it!

Do it!

Do it!

[Azariah yells]

[lion roars]

[Berenice gasps]

- [choral music playing]

- [lion roaring]

[crowd clamouring]

[choral music continues]

End this!

[lion growling and roaring]

End this now!

Do you think he's seen me?

Yes.

He has.

[drum beating dramatically]

This time you've gone too far.

[thump]

[Domitian grunts]

[Domitian grunts]

- Hear me out before k*lling me.

- A justification for such effrontery?

Yes. Are you too afraid to hear it?

[breathing heavily]

You must speak quickly speak well!

[Domitian gasps]

Or this sword will pierce your heart.

I merely k*lled two birds

with a single stone for you.

Those who died in the arena were

plotting to k*ll your Queen

and supplant her.

[inhales] I saved her life

and let the mob vent their hatred

for the Judeans.

I've heard nothing of such a plot.

That is your failing

- not mine.

- [drum roll of suspense]

I can provide witnesses and proof.

See witnesses they can be bought,

and proof it can be crafted.

[dramatic drum playing]

[metallic clinking]

- Well, if you think that of me

- [music stops]

then use your sword.

[Domitian sniffs]

[metallic clang]

If I needed to

I would.

- Why do you provoke him so much?

- [Domitian] I know.

I should have stayed away

from that damn balcony.

But it was just too good of a show

to miss!

[Domitian chuckles]

[footsteps approaching]

[atmospheric music playing]

[music turns ominous]

[Berenice] I blame myself

for allowing you to talk me into

joining you on the Imperial platform.

For what?

To watch a hideous travesty

of myself being torn apart.

I didn't know the plan.

You are Emperor!

You should've known.

The gold of the Emperor's coffers

spent on games you did not approve,

under your very nose.

I've been told those that were k*lled

were

plotting against you.

Told by whom?

Let me guess,

your viper brother?

He says that he has proof.

He says many things.

But how many are true?

I can't let you leave.

[inhales] If you have me dragged back,

I'll take my own life.

No, you won't.

[Titus sighs]

I beg you.

Please stay.

[suspenseful music starts]

Let me protect you.

Let me prove that to you.

On one condition.

That you let me protect you.

They will never accept me as your consort.

The Romans hate foreign queens.

They'll have to learn to accept you.

Cleopatra

Candace of Kush?

Boudica?

Were they accepted?

To be with a foreign queen

only weakens you in their eyes.

To be strong

you must do the opposite.

You must take a Roman wife.

Of a good and August family

of wealth and power, of long standing.

Put me in the shadows.

[gentle suspenseful music continues]

It is best for you.

And what do you think is best for you?

I am a conquered Queen.

My place is in the shadows.

[emotional music playing]

[box slams shut]

[metal clinking]

You're not as heartless as you pretend.

Don't be so sure.

The children look up to you.

That's because they're children.

They look up to anyone who'll give them a

few scraps of food and an occasional coin,

I did.

[Woman speaking other language]

[speaking other language]

How many languages do you speak?

Not enough.

You use them to great effect.

Really?

You disarm people

get them to do what you want.

That's how you see it?

[gentle music playing]

[Tenax] Good day.

- [Cala] Which you owe to me.

- [Tenax] To some degree.

And to that degree you will pay

me and my daughter more.

- Will I?

- [Cala] Mm-mm.

Aura's salary up by half,

and mine tripled.

[Tenax chuckles]

You overreach.

Fine. We'll leave your rat-infested

insula and find work

at another betting tavern.

[upbeat gentle music]

I'll increase Aura's by a quarter,

and double yours.

Keep bringing in the revenue

like you did today for a month

and we'll talk again.

That's too long, one week.

- Two.

- Agreed.

You'll do well in Rome.

I am not here for that.

It will take a lot more money

to buy Jula's freedom.

And Kwame, a gladiator,

probably impossible.

I will find a way.

[upbeat music continues]

[music fades out]

[ominous music starts playing]

[eerie male voice chanting]

[eerie chanting continues]

[music becomes menacing]

Please.

Please wait.

[Cala inhales anxiously]

I have an entreaty.

As does every other person in Rome.

I beg of you.

My children have been taken from me.

[ominous music continues]

My my son is a gladiator

at the Ludus Magnus,

and my daughter she's a sl*ve

in the house of your parents.

[ominous music continues]

I am told that you have it

in your power to free

those condemned and those held as sl*ves.

No, not me.

But my matron.

Could you help me?

Would that my mother had had tears

for her daughter, as you do for yours.

I will speak to my matron.

Return on the Ides,

I will give you an answer by then. Now go.

- [male voice chanting]

- [music becomes more menacing]

[low, suspenseful music playing]

[urine trickling]

[ominous music playing]

[high pitched metallic sound]

Quintus!

It's been a while.

Keep your hands where I can see them.

Or I'll sever your spine at the root.

Ursus?

[suspenseful music playing]

- The boy you left to burn.

- [dramatic music crescendos]

[flames soaring]

[loud crash]

It was me who suffered the consequences.

I thought you were dead.

[heavy thud]

[Ursus grunts] Worse

[Ursus breathes heavily]

I was sold as a galley sl*ve.

Endless years in hell!

Luckily, I was drafted into

the Roman army

and fought for them for years.

It was easy to find you.

After all your endless talk

about going to Rome

and working in the famous Circus Maximus.

- [Ursus exhales]

- [lashing]

[Tenax grunts]

[lashing]

[Ursus] You know the punishment

for a sl*ve k*lling his master

is crucifixion.

But that's too quick for you.

[dramatic crescendo]

[thuds and both grunting]

[thuds and both grunting]

- [suspenseful music playing]

- [metallic swish]

[suspenseful music intensifies]

[Ursus exhales]

[thuds and both grunting]

[metallic swish]

- [thump]

- [Tenax yells]

- [metallic clink]

- [Tenax grunts]

[Ursus yells]

[loud crash]

[water gurgling]

[Tenax gasps]

[suspenseful music]

[dull thud]

- [dull thud]

- [splashing water]

[grunting]

[water gurgling]

[both grunting]

- [thud]

- [grunting]

[dramatic music intensifies]

- [water splashing]

- [both grunting]

[water gurgling]

[loud bang]

[dull thuds]

- [grunting]

- [water trickling]

[Tenax choking]

- [dull thud]

- [grunting]

- [dull thud]

- [grunting]

[gigantic splash]

[Tenax gasps]

[Tenax cries, breathes strenuously]

I'm not going to k*ll you.

- I'll squeeze all the money out of you.

- [Tenax exhales]

I'll take everything from you.

[Tenax gasps]

[water splashing]

I won't let you get away with this!

- [dramatic music continues]

- [Tenax sighs]

[Tenax yells]

[Tenax groans]

[dramatic music intensifies]

- [thud]

- [dramatic music stops suddenly]