02x02 - Son of Hades

[bunniefuu]

Come on!

This way!

Come on, quickly!

Move! Move!

Off the way!

Move!

Evil inside.

- Evil inside.
- Vai!

Give us a kiss then.

You shave, I kiss.

You talk to him?

I said I would, and I will.

We cannot stay here forever.
It's not right.

- This place is a house of death.
- I know.

What if we make a baby here,
Gods forbid?

It would be a monster.

I said I'd talk to him.

O'ai, brother.

Good day out.

Good day for a walk
in the country maybe.

No.

Spring's here.

Blossom on the trees,
lambs in the meadows.

Brother, the full moon
has come and gone.

Maybe it's time to cut off
these mourning beards?

Life must continue.

You're right.

- You should go.
- And leave you here like this?

- Good friend I'd be.
- I'm past need of friends.

Now what's that mean?

What are you going to do?

You can't just sit here
for the rest of your life.

I've caused the death of my wife.

I've caused the death of my children.

I have caused the death of Caesar.

What would you have me do now?

What?

Run a butcher shop?

Fine. Fine.

Sorry I spoke.

Eat your damn porridge.

What sort of woman is she?

- Who?
- The Egyptian girl.

Her. I barely met her.

Skinny thing. Talks too much.

She must have something
to lure a cold fish like Caesar.

She's a queen!

Caesar would've f*cked Medusa
if she'd worn a crown.

- You jealous, flower?
- Of course. I don't mind your wh*res

but I don't want you
making love to her sort.

Meaning younger women
of higher rank than...

you?

That's a good general rule.

I shall remember it.

I love you.

Antony?

A word, if I may.

What is it, dear boy?

About my money. Caesar's money.

You assured me I'd have it by now.

I'm so sorry. It slipped my mind.

I will see to it.

Good, only that is what you said
several times now.

These things take time.

We are talking vast sums of money.

It's a great deal of paperwork
and lawyering to be done and...

So when can I expect
transfer to my control?

What's the rush?

Some wicked woman
giving you the squeeze?

Don't worry. I'll see to it.

Tolerable voyage?

It was.

Myself...

I cannot abide ships and boats.

Too much like cages, neh?

With the added risk of drowning.

You've changed since we last met.

Have I seen you before?

Yes.

In Alexandria...

with Caesar.

It's those uniforms you wear.

You all look alike.

When I saw you then,
you seemed... happier.

- Is something wrong?
- A strange question.

Caesar is dead.

He was as a husband to me.

I was as a wife to him.

I amuse you.

Forgive me.

It's an odd thought.

A Roman consul with a...

'gyptian wife.

Wouldn't do, you know?

I fail to see why.

I believe we may begin negotiations.

Here is the text of our proposal.

We would read it
into the Senate record.

"I Mark Antony, consul of Rome

guarantee that our armies
will continue...

to protect and preserve
the throne of Cleopatra

child of Ptolemy, queen of Egypt

mistress of sedge and bee,
et cetera, et cetera."

- What is your price?
- Her Majesty will guarantee...

ten grain shipments a month
at the standard rate

from which revenues
the Consul will accept...

as a personal gift...

forty-eight thousand denarii
a month.

- Thirty-five.
- Forty-five.

Forty-two.

Forty-two, delivered on the kalends.

Are we done then?

One more thing.

My son by Caesar
is near four years old.

He has begun to ask questions
about his father.

How touching.

He's too young to understand now,
but soon I must tell him...

that his father's people
do not accept him.

- Not as a true legal son.
- It will never happen.

The people wouldn't like it.

We have no political design.

Merely the happiness of my boy.

A simple...

public declaration of paternity
would suffice.

And what would I profit by that?

You would have my eternal gratitude.

Promise me...

That's possible.

Declare my boy a lawful son of Caesar
and we shall be friends.

- You don't trust me?
- Not so much.

You have a changeable look about you.

You're mistaken.

Steady as a priest of Saturn, me.

Come now.

It is not permitted to touch.

Nice manners...

for a wh*re.

If I must prost*tute myself...

for the good of my country
and my family...

I will.

But the customer pays first,
does he not?

Your son will eat sh*t and die
before I make him legal.

You see?

Very changeable.

Sorry we couldn't agree.

Perhaps you'll change your mind.

We'll see you at dinner tomorrow,
I believe.

He wasn't Apollo, by no means, but...

when Erastes Fulmen was alive
there was peace on the Aventine.

Now every g*ng in the City
is fighting for control of the hill.

Every day there's violence.
Every day there's... hoo-ha.

- It's k*lling commerce.
- I will see to it.

And is not commerce
the root of civic virtue?

Can Rome long survive
if commerce is...

You may go.

Something...

Something...

- must be done on the Aventine.
- Yes.

Yes, I know.
I hear of nothing else!

The gangs will not stop fighting
of their own accord.

It is too rich a prize.

Whoever controls the Aventine
controls the docks...

- and the grain supply...
- I am aware!

The violence will spread
if it is not stopped.

The whole city will swift descend
into chaos and famine...

and you will be blamed, I'm afraid.

Though it'd be none of your fault,
of course.

- Still...
- I will handle it.

Now...

what can I do for you?

You sent for me.

Yes, that. Show him.

It appears to be a list
of every dishonest rascal...

- in the City.
- Very droll.

It is a list of candidates
for next year's elections...

drawn up by our beloved Caesar
just before he was taken from us.

Posca found it amongst his papers.

Another lucky find?

You are prodigious, Posca.

I want your endorsement of the names.

For the sake of unity and amity,
et cetera, et cetera.

Isn't that being
just a little too brazen?

Who would believe that
Caesar chose such wretches?

Surely you don't think
those men paid me...

to put their names on the list?

Not at all.

I expect they have paid Posca.

So, what's the problem?

My endorsement will be worthless.

People will merely assume
I've been intimidated by you.

- Are you not intimidated?
- Not especially.

At present, you cannot
afford to k*ll me.

You need me to run the Senate.

Today, I need you.

- Tomorrow...
- Then tomorrow I will worry.

Today, I suggest you let me strike
the worst scoundrels off this list.

- Then I will endorse it.
- Fine, fine.

Do as you like.

A pleasure as always.

Next there is a delegation...

No, enough. Enough of this.

- Call my guard.
- Immediately.

Before you go, if I might
raise the matter of...

- my recompense and commission?
- No!

No, you might not,
you wretched Greek thief!

Money, money, money.

I'm surrounded by moneygrubbers!

Mark Antony, sir!

It's me sir!
Titus Pullo of the Thirteenth!

Legionary Pullo?

Hold it. Let him through.

Sir!

What are you doing here?

Requiring advice and counsel
regarding Lucius Vorenus, sir.

Go on.

He has gone awry, sir.

I don't know
what's to be done with him.

Vorenus!

Officer's afoot!

Centurion Vorenus.

As was.

Sir?

Look at the f*cking state of you.

- It's mourning dress, sir. It is...
- Mourning?

You may well mourn.

Caesar is dead, and it was you
as good as held the knife.

Stand at f*cking attention
when I'm talking to you!

You know that your name
is disgraced forever?

I do, sir.

"I do, sir."

Why then are you still alive?

Why have you not done your damn duty
and opened your stomach?

I would like that
above all things, sir.

But Dis is my master,
and he will take me when he chooses.

At present, he wishes me
to suffer here on this earth.

You are wrong, Centurion.

Dis is not your master.

I am your master.

By sacred oath...

under the Standards
of the Thirteenth.

Sir.

And this, I take it,
was Erastes Fulmen.

I told him to get rid, but...

it calms him to look at the thing.

Not content to let
our great Father die

you start a damn w*r
on the Aventine...

that threatens to engulf
the whole f*cking City.

Now...

would you like a chance
to redeem yourself, Centurion?

There's no redemption.

No man is beyond redemption, Lucius.

Not even you.

And so?

- And so?
- The Egyptian girl.

Tell all.

She was naked before the priests
had left the room.

I had to call my people
to pull her off me.

Seriously.

She was in mourning.

She was very gray and formal.

She was quite the little mouse.

On Jupiter's stone?

On Juno's c**t.

No.
Nothing at all interesting happened.

She did ask me to
formally recognize her b*stard...

- as Caesar's son.
- Blessed impudence!

You refused, of course.

- Octavian is the only...
- Yes, yes, of course I refused.

Which set off a...

great flood of... royal whining.

No.

No, it's been a pig of a day,
all around.

Running this damn city isn't nearly
as amusing as I thought it would be.

- My poor lamb.
- God.

More tedium to follow
this damn dinner tomorrow, no doubt.

Is Servilia coming, by any chance?

Yes.

Good. Good.

Have you ever been bitten...

by a moray eel?

I should think not.

Where's your mother?

Something wrong?

Possibly.

Juno's mercy. What's she doing here?

I suppose Antony wants
a show of unity...

for the Egyptians.

Servilia my love.
It's good of you to come.

I am here under protest.

Mark Antony's insistence.

He's a terrible bully, isn't he?

You must be very scared.

Not in the slightest.

You need have no fear of me.

I wish you no harm, truly.

It's enough for me to know that
I have won and you've been humbled.

We've both suffered enough.

You are mocking me, I believe.

Not at all.

I'm offering you friendship,
and reconciliation.

What do you say?

Two friends together?

I cannot honorably refuse.

I'm so happy.

Kiss me, my dear.

Enjoy the party.

Did you see the look on her face?

Priceless.

I saw Timon and some of his men
in the yard.

- Knife-and-hatchet men.
- So?

I was wondering
what they're doing here.

Security, what else?

The obvious purpose would be...

the abduction and k*lling of Servilia
as she leaves this evening.

That's absurd.

There's a truce, ratified by priests.

- You can't harm her.
- A truce?

Priests? You think that b*tch cares?

Mother, there is more at stake here
than your desire for vengeance.

The political situation
is extremely delicate.

Her death would throw
the Republic into uproar.

I don't care.

You're being childish.

Does Antony know of this?

Of course he does.

All right, he doesn't, obviously.

And don't you dare tell him.

I'm sorry, mother.

You little b*stard.

What are you doing? No.

I won't be needing you.
You can go now.

Where is your dammed Egyptian?

It's time to serve dinner.

I have a good mind to cancel
the whole damn thing.

Don't sulk.
You know you're in the wrong.

Just as you described her.

Quite the little mouse.

Cleopatra Philopator,
mistress of sedge and bee

queen of both upper

- and lower kingdoms.
- Please.

We shall be informal.

We shall act as if
we were all equals.

It's much more fun that way,
don't you think?

Now...

who are all these lovely people?

Our hostess...

Atia of the Julii.

Atia.

Your highness.

Nice.

Just as you said.

Come here, boy.

This is my darling Caesarion.

Does he not look exactly
like his noble father?

Uncanny.

Looks nothing like him.

Shall we eat?

You're back.

- I thought you'd be late.
- Here I am.

You'll never guess.

Tevye!

Levi?

Release me now, children.
Let me hug your father.

Why are you here?

So happy to see your brother.

You gave me a start, that's all.
I'm very happy to see you.

You could've written.

Forgive me.

I caught a ship on the tide's turn.
Here I am.

Look at you.

- How long's it been? Eight years?
- Nine.

What brings you here?

My partners and I are
setting up a new business.

I'm to run the office here.

- You'll be staying a while then?
- If you'll have me.

Of course.
Our house is your house.

Why haven't you made him dinner?

No, that's all right. I'm not hungry.

We're not kosher.

Already we're not good enough?

Have some wine at least.

Now you're talking.

So, you're still in spices?

Spices, cloth, oil.

- Thank you.
- It goes well, I hope?

Up, down, up, down. It goes.

And you?

Deborah tells me
you're doing very well.

Up, down.

Horses?

Horses.

Consul, farewell.

Your vassal queen shall weep
until she sees you again.

I shall see you soon then, I hope.

Atia, I have made a friend for life.

I feel it.

Indeed.

Kiss me.

Die screaming, you pig-spawn trollop.

Safe journey, your highness.

I'm glad that's...

Party's over!

Everybody can go home now!

So tell me the truth now.

Why are you here?

I told you,
I'm just setting up a new business.

You hate Rome.

You hate Romans.

How many times did you tell me
what scum they are?

Vile oppressors, Babylonian wh*res.

And now you've come
to live amongst them.

I don't think so.

Business is business.
This is where the money is.

Things were getting a little hot
for me in Jerusalem.

Better I leave for a while.

Things? What things?

Politics.

Nothing serious.

- Maybe I spoke a little too freely.
- Brother.

How is a man to stay silent?

Our so-called leaders lick the boots
of Roman soldiers!

- The Pharisees are shameless...
- Listen to me.

You're in Rome now.

You're in my house. I've got a
wife and children to think of.

You keep that cack to yourself.
Do you hear me?

I hear you.

All right then.

Hold him down.

Take him out.

He's dead.

Would you do me a small favor?

Go back and tell my friend...

that I have given up
trying to reason with him.

Everything on the Aventine
above Persephone's oak...

is my territory now.

If he touches any man of mine again

there's a grave danger
that I will become irate.

- And if I do...
- Captains and men of the Collegia.

Under the auspices of Mother Concord,
a sanctified truce is declared.

Violence shall cease
until the waxing of the moon.

At the sixth hour,
all captains are summoned...

to attend a parley
at the Aventine Collegium.

The f*ck's all this then?

I don't know.

Who called a parley?

- Nobody knows.
- The priest must know.

You can't talk to
a priest of Concord.

- Why not?
- Because you can't...

you f*cking savage.

Foreigners.

My name is Lucius Vorenus.

I speak to you...

under the authorization
of Mark Antony, consul of Rome.

Captains...

follow me.

You'll hear something
to your benefit.

Consul Mark Antony declares...

your contest for control
of the Aventine is finished.

All violence will cease.

He can declare what he likes.
It doesn't make it so.

As k*ller of Erastes Fulmen

I claim his captaincy
of the Aventine collegium...

as my rightful spoils.

The Aventine is now mine.

- You can't do that.
- Yet, here I am.

You can have this old rat's nest
if you like, but you've got no men.

They're all dead... or run away.

I'll find men.

Rome has no shortage
of criminal scum.

Maybe I'll take some of yours.

Brothers, remember the Lady.

We all know of you, Lucius Vorenus.

We know you're a man of gravity
and we're duly respectful.

You would do well
to return that respect.

I can't do that,
but I can give you coin instead.

Once order is restored

all collegia will receive
a monthly stipend...

of five thousand denarii...

directly from consul Mark Antony
under my supervision.

In return, he expects
you will limit to yourself...

to your traditional liberties
and malpractices.

Nothing that will disrupt
trade or politics.

Anything else?

Naturally, should there
be civil violence

you and your people
will be called upon...

to defend the rights of the consul.

I require your acknowledgement
and acceptance of these terms.

Five thousand denarii.

That's not bad.

In cash or grain?

- As you like.
- Are you women?

One bark from this red dog
and you bend your neck.

What's your name?

Gaius Ignus Acerbo,
Captain of the Oppian Colleges.

Tell us.

Why would sane and respectable men
like ourselves...

do business with a poor,
cursed, hounded beast like you?

Gaius Ignus Acerbo.

You ask a fair question.

Those of you who will not
do business with me...

are my enemy.

And so?

They will die much sooner
than they expect.

Steady on! Remember Blessed Concord!

No menaces.

Concord.

Damn Concord!

I am a son of Hades!

I f*ck Concord in her a*s!

- The truce is raised!
- Brother!

Acerbo, will you do business with me?

- Yes, it's funny, isn't it?
- I warn you, woman.

Another word about that damn girl...

- and I will...
- You will what?

What will you do?

Fighting again?

How tiresome.

I never touched that woman!

So you keep saying.

Good morning.

Good morning.

All right.

Antony, about my money.

Gods beneath us.

Not now, Octavian.

Has the matter moved forward at all?

Tell me, boy.
If I did give you the money

what on Gaia's great a*s
would you do with it?

That's a complex question.

But I'd certainly start
by giving the plebs...

the money that Caesar promised them.

Then you're a fool.
Basic politics, lad.

Once they have the money
and spend it

then they will want more money.

And what are you gonna do then?

I was afraid you'd
take this attitude

so I've engaged a lawyer.

A lawyer.

He can help Posca expedite the delay
in transferring the money to me.

What were you thinking?
Antony's family.

He's not, actually.

All right, boy.

You can tell your lawyer...

to shove a taper up his a*s
and set himself alight.

You'll not get one brass obol
of that money.

- Nothing.
- Come on, my love.

Brother, will you pass
the fruit salad?

See what you've done?

I'm sorry if I've disturbed
your love affair.

- I'm merely asserting my...
- Shut up, you fool.

Love affair be damned!

You will apologize...

and promise to stop
all this talk about money.

Tell him that you're
perfectly happy...

for him to administer
Caesar's estate.

- But I'm not happy.
- Do you think I am?

What choice do we have?

Don't you see
we're dependent on Antony now?

Who will protect us if you
drive him away from me? Who?

I'm perfectly capable.

Please don't.

Mark Antony buggers boys like you
for a morning snack.

You will apologize,
and there's an end on it.

There's not enough figs
in this salad.

Hey!

Hey!

That's enough!

Vai! Vai!

Off with you!

Vai!

Thank you, sir.

Please, sir.

I need work.

I'll do anything.

I'll suck your c*ck.

Why are you making all this fuss
over the money?

It was obvious
he would never give it to you.

All you're doing
is making mother anxious.

Sister, you must promise me...

never to speak of
what I tell you now.

Gods.

I promise.

The Republic is on the brink
of an abyss.

Antony... Antony's
a destructive brute.

The Senate is weak and cowardly

and the plebs are roiling
in want and anger.

Rome is in need of new leadership.

I can provide that leadership.

Now, I already have
several initiatives on...

It'll come to no good.

This Hades business.

Worked though, didn't it?

The b*stards fell into line.

You scared the f*ck out of them
right enough

but that's not the point.

You're no son of Hades.
You're a mortal man.

The gods don't like that sort of sh*t
from mortal men.

I'm following the orders
of a consul of Rome

my master by oath for the sake
of peace and public order

for the good of the Republic.

Are you with me or not?

I'm with you.

By grace of Jupiter,
Gaius Octavian Caesar

lawful son of Gaius Julius Caesar,
makes this his pledge.

That he personally
will fulfill the terms...

of his beloved father's bequest
to the people.

In the Fields of Mars, next nine
days all eligible citizens...

and soldiers will receive
three hundred sestertia...

from the hands
of Octavian Caesar himself!

Let it be known that Caesar's son
has sold away...

all his own property
to honor his father's wishes.

May such piety
bring blessings upon him.

What have you done?

Wake up!

Wake up at once!

- What is the meaning of this?
- What?

The money!
You're giving the plebs their money!

Is it so late already?

I've overslept.

I don't care. What about the money?

I've promised it.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you
before now.

I knew you'd object.

I've decided to enter public life.

This seemed the best way
to introduce myself to the people.

That will be seen
as a direct challenge to me.

Yes, but that isn't
my intention at all.

I suggest we make
a public display of unity...

to quash such notions.

A public display of unity!

- What...
- It makes sense.

Our interests are conjoined.

While you are consul,
my name will lend weight to yours.

And when your consulship is over

and you retire from politics
as you have promised

I will step in as leader
of the Caesarian party.

I see.

You will need protection
from your enemies in the Senate

and I can provide that.

Just who the f*ck
do you think you are?

I'm Caesar's rightful heir.

No, just stay calm.

He doesn't have the money,
so he can't give it away, can he?

This is all just childish talk.

The money is legally mine.

I was able to borrow against it.

- Borrow?
- Borrow?

How much did you borrow?

It's not so much
in the great scheme of things.

How much?

Three million sestertii.

Juno's c**t!

You stupid... You stupid boy!

You...

You stupid little sh*t!

f*cking wh*re!

Apologize! Apologize.

That's it. Now just leave it now.

- Apologize!
- No!

No...

enough.

Little f*ck.

Antony!

Stop it!

Antony, leave him!

Leave him. Leave him.

Leave him. Look at me!

Look at me! Look at me!

Stop it!

Stop it.

Juno's mercy!

What's the matter with you?

You're lucky you're breathing!

- Do you hear me, boy?
- Come on.

- You're lucky you're breathing!
- Animal!

You're not fit to lead Rome!

Who are you then?

sl*ve of the College brothel
over by Three Bells.

Sorry, love, we've plenty of wh*res.

No, I'm no wh*re.

You gonna make me guess?

Supervisor.

I handle the girls,
keep the customers in line.

- Name?
- Romans call me Gaia.

What do your own people call you?

Not your business.

Fair enough.

I get my own room, I eat what I want.

Every five hundred coins that comes
through the brothel. I get one.

Saving up to buy your freedom,
are you?

No, a fur coat.

Sign her up.

Thanks, boss.

Brother Mascius.

Pullo, you black dog.

You're still alive?

You've come to join up, then?

I heard you were hiring.

I thought you were well set.
farm and all.

Crooked dice done for that.

Shame.

What can you do?

Didn't like farming much anyway.

Be sure about this, brother.

It's a dark road we're on.
No one knows where it will lead.

All roads lead to the same place,
don't they?

That they do.

Glad to have you with us.

Come through the back
and say hello to Vorenus.

Cheer up the old b*stard.

Is it true what they say then?
About the wife and children?

True enough. Not a f*cking word.

- Brother Vorenus.
- Mascius, how are you?

I'm fair. Fair.

Come to join our merry band.

You tried to warn him off, did you?

I did.

This isn't the army, brother.

We're here with...

the p*mps, knifemen, thieves.

Are you sure you've sunk so low?

I walked here from Capua.

I slept in ditches.

When I get here,
I hear people talking.

They say a black-hearted villain
has taken over the Aventine College.

He's in league with
the gods below, they say.

And his name is Lucius Vorenus.

I thought to myself

"Mascius, old boy...

your luck has changed."

See, Pullo, I told you
I know what I'm about.

That's not right.

- The gods don't like it.
- Yeah.

What more can the gods do to me?

How can they punish me now?

Don't know.

Don't wanna find out.

Have you heard the good news?

I have.

This is the beginning
of the end for them.

From your lips
to the ears of the gods.

A fool like Antony
was sure to blunder.

They'll fight among themselves
and they'll destroy each other.

I doubt the boy will be
more than a nuisance to Antony.

He cannot hope to rival him.

Caesar did not choose the boy
on a whim.

- He'll surprise you, I think.
- We can hope.

The Senate should ask my son
to return.

The time is right.

Brutus return?

No.

Not yet.

Not quite yet, I think.

When?

We must wait and see
how things develop.

Wait and see?

A noble strategy.

Not noble, perhaps, but sensible.

In any case, tell your son that I...

No.

Not I.

His friends in Rome
look forward to seeing him again...

at some point in the near...

future.

I will tell him.

"My dear mother...

I write to bid you farewell.

I'm very sorry
you chose to act as you did.

I hope in time you will understand
the gravity of your mistake.

Be assured I'm as determined as ever
to pursue a political career.

Do not be concerned for my safety.

I'm on the road south to Campagna...

where I'll stay
with my friend Agrippa...

who is well established there.

I remain your respectful son,
Octavian."