02x04 - Testudo et Lepus (The Tortoise and the Hare)

[bunniefuu]

I want music. Bring the flute girl.

Down with the gripes, domina.

The lyre player then.

He died the last Lupercalia, domina.

I have been looking
for a replacement

but they are very expensive
at the moment.

There's no music at all?

Althea sings well.

Does she?

Althea

sing something.

I don't...

Don't mumble.

Do you know "Crown" of Sappho?

Yes, domina.

Go on then.

Help me.

Help me.

Poison. It must have been in the...

- You didn't.
- I did.

I swear.

One of father's litter bearers.

It was beastly fun.

p*nis like a horse.

I don't want to wake mama.

I don't know why
you're so scared of her.

She seems harmless enough to me.

- You don't know her.
- What's that?

No.

Mother!

- Octavia.
- Gods!

What's her name again?

Jocasta.

She's a bad influence.

I say.

What are you doing?

Who is this?

One of the servants
tried to poison me.

What have you been doing
to the servants...

- that they want to m*rder you?
- Nothing.

This is Servilia's work.

With Antony gone, she thinks
she can just do as she pleases.

If you know it's her,
why are you torturing him?

Because it isn't a legal confession
unless there's t*rture.

You'll have to take Servilia
to court.

No.

I'm gonna k*ll her.

And if I get take to court for it

then I can always claim
it was self-defense.

I'm thinking ahead, you see?

This is wrong in so many ways
I don't know where to start.

What would you have me do?

Who would protect us if I didn't?

I... I'm...

- If you don't mind.
- No, don't go.

I need you as an independent witness.

Take her away.

Timon, is this gonna take all night?

He's out again. Bring him round.

Wait.

Give me a name, boy.

Give me a name and
I will spare your life.

You want to live, don't you?

Tell me, then. For your life.

Servilia.

Servilia.

There.

That wasn't so hard, was it?

After you've k*lled him.

Dispose of the body discreetly.

Forgive me.

I did not know that boy was corrupt.

I will take my life if I must but

please know that I've been faithful.

Damn blood.

- It stained my dress.
- I was mislead...

and I failed you miserably.

Punish me as you see fit.

It would serve you right
to be gelded.

- As you wish, domina.
- And I would, you know

if eunuchs were not
so unfashionable.

Let's just forget about
the whole thing.

Thank you, domina. Thank you.

Just get up, you silly man.

Next time you want a boy,
buy one at the market.

Any fool knows not
to pick one up from the streets.

Thank you, domina.

Go.

And bring me some bread and cheese.

I'm absolutely starving.

- What's your name, friend?
- I'm not your friend.

A man's got a right to know
the name of his m*rder*r.

Timon.

You're a Jew, ain't you?

That's not a Jew name.

That's my name for business purposes.

- Listen, Timon...
- Don't bother.

Servilia, she's as rich as
your woman there.

She'll pay you good money
if you spare me.

I doubt it.

What good are you to her now?

She's very fond of me.

She loves me, practically.

She loves me.

I expect she'll get over it.

Here we are.

Please, I have money of my own.

I'll pay you whatever.

Please don't k*ll me.

Please, I beg you.

I'm only sixteen.

We done for tonight, boss?

I've got a woman waiting.

Yes.

We're done.

See you later then?

Don't listen to your uncle.
He's teasing.

Close your mouth, please.

- Put your mouth away, please.
- That was really very nice.

Thank you so much.

Lord, protect us.

What has happened?

Nothing.

Business.

Business?

Can you not at least
wash off your business...

- before returning home?
- Why?

I'm not ashamed of it.

- Children, go and play outside.
- Stay where you are.

Brother...

I'm their father, not you.

You don't tell my children
what to do.

Go.

Go!

It's all right, babies.
Papa's just tired.

What?

Speak, then. Tell me.

Look at yourself.

Look at what you have become.

You are an animal.

My righteous brother...

Did he tell you of his righteous life
back in Judea?

Did you tell her about that, brother?

I've changed my ways.

Thieving, gambling, chasing women.

- Stop it.
- It's the truth.

Are you going to start
speaking the truth now?

Because that I would
find interesting!

No?

I didn't think so.

She deserves better.

Too bad for her then.
This is what she's got.

These treacheries you do
for that Roman witch

does she pay you enough?

I get what I need.

She must lavish you
with jewels and gold.

What a rich man my brother is.

Tell me, where do you hide
such fantastic wealth?

We both sell what we have
to these people.

All Rome's wealth is not enough
to buy what Hashem has given me.

Again with Hashem.

Let Hashem make me a living.

The money that witch pays me
bought this filthy house

this filthy table,
and that filthy dress my wife wears!

- That makes you proud?
- Proud as any free Roman.

You breathe this fetid air of Rome,
but you are not Roman.

You walk her filthy streets

you speak her mongrel language,
but you're not Roman.

You're a Jew.

You may forget that, they never will.

You speak so much and know so little.

Look at me.

Do you hate your name so much
to invite this shame?

Think of your family!

- Look at me!
- Try it, come on!

Try it! Hit me!

Hit me!

That's it.

Not so easy to beat me
anymore, is it?

I'm not your little brother anymore.

Yesh.

Yesh!

"In the north, the great army

under the leadership
of the generals Hirtius and Pansa

assisted by Caesar Octavian

is about to engage with the forces
of the traitor Mark Antony.

"All citizens are requested
to make offerings...

for the success of
our heroic soldiers.

Long live the republic!"

Vorenus.

Titus Pullo?

Don't tell me
you've taken up scavenging.

Who's that?

Do you not know me, Pullo?

Is that you, young master?

It's fine.

We're old friends.

Octavian.

They call me Caesar now, Pullo.

All grown up.

Always knew you had it in you.

You won then?

So it seems.

How? I mean no offense.

I can't take much credit.

The legions under Hirtius and Pansa
did heroic work.

The rest I owe to Agrippa.

Any road...

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

What brings you here, Pullo?

You didn't take part in the fighting
either from the look of you.

Vorenus left Rome with Antony.

I hoped to find him
before the battle started.

I came to tell him
that his children are not dead.

But now I must see
if he is dead himself.

We must find him then.

I'll have my tribunes
personally search among the wounded.

Thank you. I can hardly expect...

Nonsense.
If you don't find him here...

you'd do well to comb
the Cisalpine hills.

Antony and his men
have skulked off there.

Courier.

Take the road north.

Should anyone challenge your passage
you show them the seal of Caesar.

Warn them of the consequences.

You'll need fresh rations
and a fast horse.

Agrippa's men will see to it.

Thank you, sir.

The conquering heroes return.

Another brilliant poem, Maecenas?

Is there not something useful
you might do?

Victory is not victory
until it has a song.

What news from the medics
on Hirtius and Pansa?

Dead of their winds, I'm afraid,
both of them.

Poor souls.

To die in the hour of their glory.

Very sad, but... convenient.

The victory is now ours alone.

Couldn't have worked out
better, frankly.

You really taught that old bully
a proper lesson?

It was not a personal matter.

It was necessary for the good
of the republic.

Of course.

Of course.

Agrippa, I've got letters...

I'm going to want you
to take on ahead to Rome.

The first goes to my sister.

Octavia?

I only have the one sister.

Agrippa.

Make sure you put it
directly into her hand.

My mother has a habit
of stealing mail.

The next goes to Cicero.

Why send a general
to do a courier's work?

That's all right.

I am happy to go.

I'm asking Cicero for a triumph.

He'll know I'm serious
if Agrippa is there looking...

grim and soldierly.

I wish you would tell them
to do that farther away.

It gives me a fright every time.

Your troops are gathering.

Time to give them a speech.

Right. Which speech do you think?

The one about money.

Gentlemen...

we have done our work well.

We have gained a victory
that will live on in history forever.

We have saved the republic
from those who threatened her.

Rome is now in our debt.

And we are owed
a great deal of money.

So while Antony drags
the remnants of his men...

to the frozen north

I thought we might head south.

To Rome.

What do you say?

Is it time to tell the senate
to pay up?

Yeah!

Well then...

to Rome!

- Mars!
- Exsulte!

- Mars!
- Exsulte!

Vorenus?

I'm looking for prefect Vorenus.

A bag of salt for any man
that helps me.

Lucius Vorenus.

I'm looking for Lucius Vorenus.

Vorenus?

Vorenus?

What are you doing here?

Your children are alive.

Take him over there, lads.

Take these on the right.

Eighth cohort lost
two full maniples.

Ninth, almost wiped out.

Tenth cohort intact.

The fourth legion's much worse, sir.

They suffered the full brunt
of the attack.

Yes, yes.

How many dead? In total.

Eight thousand men, sir,
give or take.

Eight thousand?

Do cheer up.
You're still alive, aren't you?

I do hope so.
If this is the afterlife...

it is extremely disappointing.

Disband the fourth cohort...

and use the survivors
to reinforce the third.

We're heading north.

I want to establish a base camp
in the mountain...

- before the first snowfall.
- Yes, sir.

And tribune, don't look so damn grim.

Set an example.

Yes, sir.

Sorry, sir.

Off you go.

What are you doing back there?

You stitching me up
or making a dress?

Will you hurry up, man?

A base camp in the mountains,
is that wise?

General Posca speaks.

Do you have a better idea?

While we still have
the semblance of an army

I would've thought
we should offer terms.

Terms?

Of surrender?

That's filthy sl*ve talk.

No, we will have no more of that.

North to the mountains then.

And after that?

I'll think of something.

Damn it, man!

General Antony, sir.

- Vorenus.
- Requesting permission...

to leave the legion, sir.

Now that is a real soldier for you.

Most men just slip away
into the night.

But this one

he asks permission
before he deserts me.

What is it?

It's my children, sir.

They're alive and in sl*very.

Good news, bad news?

I must find them, sir.

All right.

A number of good men
I've lost today.

One more isn't gonna
make any difference.

Thank you, sir.

One more thing, boys!

Be sure to tell everyone you meet...

that Mark Antony is not defeated.

He will return

and all those that defied him
shall pay!

That little brat Octavian
shall be first!

You hear me, boys?

Will do, chief.

Word from Patara.

They've capitulated to our demands.

They send sixteen thousand talents.

- How many troops?
- Seven thousand.

And Lycia?

No word as yet,
but I imagine they will follow suit.

See that they do.

We must be up to eight legions now.

Nine.

Twenty-five thousand infantry,
ten thousand cavalry

almost a match for Antony.

That's good.

That's very good.

You look magnificent.

You should have your portrait done.

No, no time for such vanity.

It would please your mother.

It would, wouldn't it?

O holy and blessed lady,
perpetual comfort of humankind

who by Thy bounty and grace
nourishes the whole world

and bears a great compassion
to the troubles of the miserable...

as a loving mother would.

You are she that is
the natural mother of all things

the mistress and governess
of all the elements

first of the gods celestial,
light of the goddesses.

O holy and blessed lady,
perpetual comfort of humankind

who by Thy bounty and grace
nourishes the whole world...

and bears a great compassion
to the troubles of the miserable...

as a loving mother would.

O holy and blessed lady,
perpetual comfort of humankind

who by Thy bounty and grace
nourishes the whole world

and bears a great compassion
to the troubles of the miserable...

as a loving mother would.

You are she who is
the natural mother to all things

the mistress and governess
of all the elements.

You know why you're here, don't you?

Atia.

Your boy confessed everything.

Are you too afraid to speak?

You weren't so quiet
when I was in your power, were you?

You were very talkative then.

"A slow and painful death."

That's what you promised me.

That's what you deserve.

You think you're so very superior,
don't you?

- You have no idea what I think.
- No?

Tell me.

Tell me what you think.

I think...

you're a sad, lonely little creature.

I think at this moment,
you're more afraid than I am.

I've never been happier in my life.

Then why do you keep talking?

k*ll me.

When you kiss my feet

and beg for me to end your suffering

then I'll k*ll you.

Do as you like.

Timon.

You think it's me you degrade now,
but it's not.

It's you.

As long as you live

you will feel degraded
and defiled by this.

You.

Get on with it.

Have you had enough?

Have you had enough?

Continue.

What do you want me to do?

I don't know.

Do something. Cut off her face.

Do it.

Mother !sis protect me.

Get up!

- Get up!
- What are you doing?

Go!

Go!

I am not an animal!

I am not a filthy animal!

So, Brother...

It's getting cooler.

Be dark soon.

Good time to set up camp, maybe.

You may camp if you want.
I'm not stopping.

So you can still talk.

Thought maybe you've forgotten how.

I talk when I need to.
There's nothing to say.

Still angry with me, then?

No.

Yes, well...

Listen.

I'll get to the nub of it.

About Niobe...

What of her?

What I said back in the collegium
about me and her

I never...
We never...

I only said it to make you angry.
That's all.

That's the truth.

And you know that.

I know.

Had to be said.

Even if I wanted to, which I didn't

She's not that type of woman.

I know women and she's not that type.

Yon runt Evander, he took advantage.

If it's any consolation

I gave him a right session
before I k*lled him.

- Screamed like a stuck pig.
- Good.

Thank you.

You ever seen one
of these sl*ve camps?

No.

It's not pretty.

They'll be different now,
the children.

I know.

I don't think you do, though.

You can't, unless you've been there.

The things I saw...

Any road...

they'll be different.

- You should be ready.
- I don't care what they're like.

I just...

want them back.

All I'm saying is...

best be gentle.

I will.

And the boy?

Lucius?

You're not thinking of k*lling him,
are you?

Honor demands that he die.

True. Fair enough. Honor demands it.

Most likely won't sit well
with the girls though

if you do k*ll him.

You...

talk too much.

We all have our faults.

Octavian won?

He has.

Antony and the remains of his army
have retreated to the mountains.

Are they both unharmed?

Octavian is very well.

Antony's alive,
but we know no more than that.

Your brother will return
with his army.

He'll be here within the month.

With his army?

Why with his army?

Politics.

He wants you to know that
whatever happens in the future

he will always protect you.

But you must accept his protection
and his advice.

That's very kind of him.

He will look after me
after I swear him my allegiance?

I am not one of his soldiers.

I'm sure he does not doubt you.

I think he means you to convey
the same message to your mother.

Better it comes from you.

Yes.

Probably so.

Your brother means you only the best.

If it were otherwise,
I would not deliver the message.

I'd sooner die than cause you pain!

I hope you live a long life then.

If I may, I am compelled to speak.

Ever since I met you

- my soul has burned...
- So is...

my brother eating properly?

He would starve himself
unless someone forces him to eat.

Yes.

Yes.

Army food agrees with him.

He... He's not stout exactly,
but, yes, eating properly.

Sorry.

Sorry about just now.
I very expressly...

did not mean to do that.

I've blurted it out anyhow.

I should've written a letter.

Anyhow, sorry.

There's no need to apologize.

Any friend of my brother
is my brother also.

I'm sure when I know you better,
we should be good friends.

That's most gracious of you.

A horrid imposition on my part.

Of course, you barely know me.

- Ridiculous.
- Octavia

I've been looking for you everywhere.

Marcus Agrippa,
what are you doing here?

Mother.

Octavian...

No, it's all right.
It's all right. He...

He's unharmed. He...

He won.

Antony was defeated.

He's fled north.

This is wonderful news.

Amazing.

I had hopes, of course,
but I hardly expected this.

Wonderful.

What of Hirtius and Pansa?

Dead. In battle.

Dead?

That's unfortunate.

Still, a great victory.

Read on.

His army?

He's bringing his army to Rome? Why?

He has no enemies in Rome.
Why bring his army?

I am just a messenger.

I'm sure when he arrives,
Caesar will be happy to tell you.

Caesar he calls himself.

Another... Caesar.

Just what we need.

He calls himself Caesar
because that is his name...

- by right.
- Yes.

Yes, no doubt.

Gods, I'm so tired of young men
and their ambitions.

So tired.

I assure you...

he has only the interests
of the Republic at heart.

I'm sure he believes that.

I thought the same

when I was a young man.

But it is all vanity, you know.

All vanity.

This is the place.

Let me do the talking.

Salve, friend.

Can you point us in the direction
of the procurator's office?

What do you wanna know for?

Business.

Looking for some runaways.

- sl*ve catchers, are you?
- Something like that.

Camp's closed to
unauthorized visitors.

That right?

Good bounty on runaways.

Be worth something to you,
I expect, letting you in.

Listen to me, you little weasel...

Our friend's a thrifty one,
but we're all men of commerce.

Which way is the boss man?

Round the bend, straight on,
house with a red door.

Leave off!

He's dead!

Uncouple him!

Told you I should do the talking.

Corrupt brutes.

Your spit dries fast here, brother.

You the man in charge?

Buying or selling?

Titus Pullo, Lucius Vorenus.

Here to retrieve some runaways.

Heard they got sold to your camp.

Two girls.

And a boy.

Got papers for 'em?

Not with us.

- Bill of sale?
- No.

Two soldiers out
for some young girls, yes?

Shut your filthy mouth.

Hold.

What's his problem?

I didn't want to have
to go into this, but...

these children are
the private property of...

Gaius Caesar Octavian himself.

He likes to have them
serve morning biscuits in bed.

Especially the boy.

Got it now?

That's ripe.

Good story.

See this seal?

His orders for us
to come find his sl*ves.

What is it, an otter?

It's the great sphinx!
Mark of Caesar!

- Odd wax, this.
- Mud from Mutina.

That's why my friend here
is in fighting kit.

Straight from the b*ttlefield.

It's that urgent.

Caesar, right?

Caesar.

The one who just beat Mark Antony.

What do you think he'd make
of a little fellow...

like you who crosses him?

Yes, that's all very well.

But what if you are lying to me?

Are you calling me a liar?

Check the rolls.

Daughter.

It's me.

It's your father.

You're not sl*ve catchers.

Where is she?

The other one.

Where's my daughter?