GLADIATOR


                             by

                       David Franzoni

                                       FIRST DRAFT REVISED

                                       April 4, 1998

FADE IN:

EXT.  NEAR THE GERMAN FRONT - 180 A.D. - DAWN

The rising sun unveils steep hills and luxuriant mountains
untouched by man.  Snow flurries dart in the frigid air
and on the horizon CROWS gather.


EXT.  DIRT ROAD

A column of Praetorian Cavalry flank two enclosed wagons
as they rattle along a rock and log accordion road.  On
all sides a forest rises like some kind of primordial
soul:  limitless and dark.  With every step 'steam'
whooshes from the nostrils of the horses.

The first wagon halts as a Praetorian Guard jogs back.  He
straightens his tunic and helmet and raps on the wooden
door as the second wagon stops behind.  The door swings
aside and another Praetorian Guard leans out.

                         1ST PRAETORIAN GUARD
          Sir, we must be getting near.


INT.  FIRST WAGON

LUCIUS AELIUS AURELIUS COMMODUS huddles in the back of the
wagon:  Dark hair, handsome, beard; as Commodus rises we
see he's a large, powerfully built young man and though
barely twenty years old he already has the caution and
arrogance of a Caesar.

Opposite A GAUNT MAN climbs from a heap of blankets:
GALEN of PERGAMUM, probably the most frozen, unhappy man
on earth.  The wagon is lined with pillows and blankets.
Baskets of bread and dried fruit are stacked in one corner
and an oil lamp hangs from a pivoting cleat like the
swinging lamp in a ship.

                         2ND PRAETORIAN GUARD
          Caesar, we're nearly there.


EXT.  WAGON

Commodus steps down and pulls his cape up against the
bitter cold.  Galen follows, curiously overcoming his
natural hatred of discomfort.  TRIBUUS, burly Praetorian
Guard commander salutes Commodus and leads him to the edge
of a gully.  Tribuus is an old-timer for whom Commodus is
just another royal pain-in-the-ass.

THE GULLY IS BLACK WITH CROWS -- with their endless 'CAW-
CAW-CAW' they feast on corpses and in the shadows below
ROMAN SOLDIERS bury dead comrades.  Compared with the
burnished perfection of the Praetorian Guards these
typical infantry grunts are grizzled and battered.

                         COMMODUS
          Soldier!  What happened here!

A legionnaire stops working, spits, leans on his shovel so
he can shout up toward Tribuus and Commodus.  Galen squats
beside a corpse, fascinated.

                         LEGIONNAIRE
          We had a battle!

                         COMMODUS
          I can see that.  You leave your dead
          on the field?

                         LEGIONNAIRE
          General Narcissus beat the Germans
          here and now the whole army is
          moving fast!  No time to let them
          get away!

THE SECOND WAGON --

as a twenty-five year old ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN opens the
door.  She is LUCILLA -- Commodus' sister.  Lucilla pulls
her coat tight against the wind.

                         LUCILLA
          Where are we now, Commodus?  Can you
          see the camp?  My Gods!  The air is
          turning into ice!

                         COMMODUS
          We're nearly there, Lucilla.

                         LUCILLA
          That's what you told me two days
          ago!

                         COMMODUS
          Will you please get back in your
          wagon?  And stay there?

                         LUCILLA
          I'm tired of being stuck in that
          wagon.

Embarrassed by Commodus' childish spat with is sister,
Tribuus gestures to the 2nd Praetorian.

                         TRIBUUS
          Soldier, help the Emperor's sister.

As a soldier jogs back up toward Lucilla Commodus looks
down at the legionnaire leaning on his shovel.

                         COMMODUS
          Where is my father?

                         TRIBUUS
          Where is the emperor and the army,
          soldier?

The legionnaire points up the road.  Commodus and Tribuus
return to the wagon.  Galen rolls the dead soldier over
and sticks his finger into a gaping chest wound, then
notices the legionnaire glaring at him.

                         GALEN
          I'm a doctor.

The legionnaire studies him a second, then the corpse as
if giving a second opinion.

                         LEGIONNAIRE
          Well, you're too late.

Galen pulls back in revulsion at his impudence.  He
scrambles to follow Commodus.  The legionnaire spits and
gets back to work.


EXT.  DIRT ROAD - DAWN

The wagon crests a hill with a precipitous view of the
valley and torches that seem to fill the lingering dark
far below.  The wagon makes straight for them.

AND COMMODUS...

Riding on a seat on the front of the wagon, wrapped to his
chin in a bearskin blanket -- absolutely set on catching
up with the army.


EXT.  GERMAN FRONT - VINDOBONA - 182 A.D. - NIGHT

On the edge of a forest sixty year old EMPEROR MARCUS
AURELIUS stands in the back of an unharnessed supply wagon
surrounded by a dark so black it's barely moved by blazing
torches.

A WOLF -- living symbol of Rome -- stand before the wagon
held on a leash by a battle-hardened SENIOR CENTURION:
SERVIS.

Marcus wears the purple robe of imperial power over his
leather and copper segmented upper body armor (LORICA
SEGMENTATA).  His breath clouds in the bitter cold; the
man is tired to the bone.

OPPOSITE STANDS THE ROMAN ARMY

This is the mighty army of the Danube, yet it seems like
these men -- buried in the shadows and as frozen and worn
as their leader -- have come to the very edge of the world
to be swallowed by this wilderness.

NUMIDIAN ARCHERS, tall Africans, out of place in this
freezing land, stand behind their leader -- JUBA -- who
has the whip-like body of a dancer.  Each carries his
recurve bow as if it were a delicate musical instrument.
Quivers of brightly colored arrows hang from their backs.

Field commanders -- CONTUBERNIUM -- stand by each row of
soldiers.  Less numerous, and above the Contubernium, are
the CENTURIONS, and at the front line of the mass of
cohorts are four TRIBUNES.

BEFORE THE ENTIRE ARMY

mounted on magnificent grey horses, are two LEGATE, the
overall commanding generals, wearing ornate lorica
segmentata.  The first Legatus is QUINTUS CLARUS, Rome
Army General:  fair-haired, fit, forty.  He has the face
of a boy.

The second is NARCISSUS MERIDAS, General, Spanish Gemina
Felix VII Army:  dark hair, proud and though about
Quintus' age his face is like a map of a soldiers's hard
life.  Narcissus' eyes are locked on Marcus like the eyes
of a long-suffering pilgrim on the icon of his single
hope.

THE WAGON

Just before Marcus is about to speak, Commodus steps into
the wagon looking out of breath.  Surprised, Marcus
embraces him and then Commodus stands behind his father
wrapped tightly in his bearskin robe.  He's trying to look
tough but unlike his father he's not used to this rigorous
life.

NARCISSUS & QUINTUS

swap looks as if Commodus were the last person they were
expecting...

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          Citizens!

Marcus' voice booms out tough and firm as if defying the
cold and dark.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          Today may be the last day in the
          life of Rome... For nine hundred
          years Rome has lived!  For nine
          hundred years architects,
          mathematicians, poets, and
          philosophers have fled within her
          arms sheltered from superstition,
          prejudice, hate, and every form of
          human cruelty.  We Romans have
          become a light in the barbarian
          night!

ON NARCISSUS

No trace of feeling, just his breath slowly clouding in
the frigid air.

AND MARCUS...

Seeming to look at each legionnaire as he speaks.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          For nine hundred years this one
          heart of humankind has been defended
          by the likes of Pompeii, Mark
          Anthony, Julius Caesar, The Divine
          Augustus, Claudius, Trajan,
          Hadrian, and my own father Antoninus
          Pius.  Now, it has come down to us!
          It has come down to this one day...

He leans forward on the rail of the wagon, a gesture that
seems to bring him closer to the men.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          Five years we've lived together, you
          and I, in a state of total war.  We
          have shared cold, rain, heat,
          bitterly watched the deaths of
          beloved friends.  We are not alone.
          Look around you!  Consuls and
          Senators have forsworn the luxuries
          of home and moved with us to the
          front to ensure that the
          administration of our government
          radiates from the source of her
          bravest citizens.

OUTSIDE A FIELD TENT

Stand SENATOR GAIUS and SENATOR FALCO wrapped to their
chins against the staggering cold.

Both men are in advanced middle age.  Gaius looks like a
stoic:  impassive, plainly dressed.  Falco wears an
expensive fur trimmed robe with gold and asbestos.
Flanking them are CONSULS and various OFFICIALS.  Lucilla
stands by Gaius and a very stately, attractive NUMIDIAN
WOMAN, MELA, Juba's wife.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS (O.S.)
          The link between us and Rome is a
          solid chain of unbroken purpose!
          For nine hundred years the Roman
          Senate has stood one with the army
          in dignity and resolve!

AND COMMODUS...

watching the troops, seeming to weigh any response with
the utmost calculation.

AND MARCUS

eyes dead-ahead on the troops.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          But on this day I ask you to put
          those nine centuries down -- they're
          too heavy for us to carry into
          battle again!  So, we'll leave them
          here for the Senators to guard for
          us!

QUINTUS

allows himself a smile as the troops grin and laugh.  He
looks across at Narcissus who manages the faintest of
smiles -- a very serious man...

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          This day I want you to fight for the
          cold and the heat and the filth --
          and for all those friends who will
          never feel the sun on their faces
          again!  I want you to fight for you!
          For at the moment of battle you and
          you alone are Rome!

THE SOLDIERS...

Rank after disciplined rank:  not one sideways look, not
one sound...

AND MARCUS...

As his eyes pass from cohort to cohort.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          How quickly all things sordid and
          perishable in the universe
          disappear.  Yet throughout time the
          remembrance of great deeds grows
          only fresher bringing life again to
          those who dare perform them...
                  (pause)
          Legate Narcissus Meridas and Legate
          Quintus Clarus, I must ask you and
          your legions for one more day out of
          nine centuries!  Will you give it to
          me?

The troops HOWL their support.  Marcus pulls his sword and
half turns aiming it behind him.

                         MARCUS AURELIUS
          There is the enemy of Rome!

Commodus steps forward to join his father and the uproar
grows.

NARCISSUS

removes his helmet as a sign of respect.  Now the stoic
veneer of his face cracks into a mixture of reverence and
perhaps even love for the emperor.

AND COMMODUS...

taking every single bit of this in.  He seems particularly
interested in Narcissus.

NARCISSUS & QUINTUS
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Move their horses close and dismount.

                         QUINTUS
          I see the emperor's little boy has
          finally caught up with the army.

                         NARCISSUS
          Let's hope he doesn't start giving
          orders.

Servis approaches and salutes.  It starts to RAIN.

                         SERVIS
          At your command, sir.


EXT.  FOREST - EARLY MORNING

In a howling RAINSTORM Felix Division breaks through the
dense woods like a moving human wall behind their
rectangular shields.

They're in the midst of MASS COMBAT -- spears, arrows and
stones crash off shields, taking out soldiers.

The ZING of arrows and WHOOSH of spears saturate the air.
Because there are no explosives EVERY SCREAM and ARROW
SHOT is HEARD.

NARCISSUS

leads his troops on foot in the thick of battle.  A
CONTUBERNIUM walks beside Narcissus tugged on by the
leashed WOLF MASCOT as painted GERMAN WARRIORS dart out of
the woods hurling spears.  NARCISSUS YELLS OVER THE SOUNDS
OF BATTLE, WIND AND RAIN.

                         NARCISSUS
          Tribune!  The right flank is falling
          back!  If we lose the flank we're
          all dead!

The Tribune salutes and dashes off and Servis rushes in
from another direction.

                         SERVIS
          Sir!  There's a fortification ahead!
          The Germans are waiting for us!
          Should we slow the men down?

AHEAD

Juba leads his Numidians in a fluid, disorderly formation
into the thickest part of the forest.  Just before he
dodges into the woods Juba locks eyes with Narcissus --
and he's GONE.

NARCISSUS --

jerks his shield up in time to stop an ARROW.  But a
LEGIONNAIRE is SLAMMED IN THE CHEST by another as sniper-
shots whiz in.

Now, from the distance comes the rolling roar of DRUMS and
HOWLS.  Then a horrendous THUNDERCLAP and a bolt of
lightning tears the lead grey sky.

                         NARCISSUS
          Come on, Servis!  Forward!

Servis turns and runs down the front line as the storm
becomes more intense.  The YELLING and DRUMMING get
LOUDER...

THE GERMAN FORTIFICATION

A chaos of interlocked logs rimmed at the top with
sharpened stakes.  GERMAN WARRIORS SHOUT WAVING SPEARS
AND CLUBS.

THE FELIX DIVISION

scatters the German snipers and rearguard before it,
closing on the fortification.

                         TRIBUNE
          Where the hell are the damned
          archers?

                         NARCISSUS
          Don't worry about Juba; just keep
          our own damned troops moving!

German warriors loose an avalanche of rocks and spears.

                         NARCISSUS
          Tortoise!

                         TRIBUNE
          Tortoise!  Form a tortoise!

As the call echoes legionnaires furiously overlap their
shields on all sides and overhead forming a perfect BOX
just as the stones and spears crash against them...

INSIDE THE TORTOISE

rocks slam the wall of interlocked shields with ear-
splitting resonance.  But the tortoise holds.

OUTSIDE

soon as the barrage stops the Germans unleash FIGHTING
MASTIFFS.  The dogs tear into the legionnaires.  One leaps
at Narcissus and he kills it with a single chop of his
Spatha sword.

                         SERVIS
          Here they come!

German warriors charge the shields as the legionnaires
level their spears.  Singing and screaming the warriors
IMPALE THEMSELVES ON THE SPEARS and grasp the shafts.  A
SECOND WAVE charges the line on the heels of the first.

THE LEGIONNAIRES --

In a well rehearsed movement twist their spears releasing
the tips.  As the dying warriors drop with the quick-
release spear tips embedded in their bodies, the Romans
reverse their spears over the top and -- no problem:
Roman spears have points on BOTH ENDS.  So the German
second wave is met by an intact position.

Still they power into the line chopping at the Roman
shields with axes.

FAR BEHIND...

a legionnaire blows a piercing note on a brass horn and a
second, thin line of legionnaires APPEARS OUT OF THE
FOREST.  Narcissus turns, yelling to a contubernium behind
him.

                         NARCISSUS
          Answer that signal!

A red 'flag' on a long pole goes up answering the trumpet,
and the line of the fresh cohort parts in segments
revealing ONAGERS -- portable catapults -- and SCORPIONS
-- powerful precision-fire crossbows that launch javelins.

THE ARTILLERY FIRES...

cannonball-size shot driven at a hundred miles an hour rip
over the heads of Narcissus' troopers and slam against the
fort walls.

ONAGER CREWS

reload with incredible speed from wagons filled with hand-
picked rocks -- some bear SCRAWLED EPITHETS essentially
the Latin equivalent of 'EAT THIS HANS!'  Onagers launch
barrage after barrage, their backs leaping off the ground
like recoiling 45 millimeter field guns.

SCORPION OPERATORS

picks their targets.  The Germans are leveled by a sheet
of scorpion javelins as their crude log fortification
splinters under the onager barrage.  The Germans are being
pulverized by superior technology.

THE WHOLE GERMAN ARMY --

led by tall GREY BEARDED MAN, pours from the log blockade
and hurls itself against the Roman line.

Again the Romans are staggered as the Germans collapse
more of their shields, battering through the front line
with clubs and axes.

NARCISSUS --

fights desperately refusing to give ground.  A German
rears up from behind and slams Narcissus in the back with
a club and HE GOES DOWN.

Narcissus is nearly trampled as another GERMAN WARRIOR
throws himself on Narcissus holding his sword arm about to
kill him with a club -- there's a blur of fur and blood as
the ROMAN WOLF LEAPS INTO THE WARRIOR'S FACE.

Narcissus lurches back to his feet and seeing he's in the
midst of the whole German army he goes wild.  Yelling and
slashing out with his sword and the knife-edge top of his
shield, in seconds he's drenched with blood.

LIKE SOME FANTASTIC ROMANTIC PAINTING --

Narcissus climbs onto a HEAP OF BODIES flashing his sword
with the snarling Wolf of Rome at his side.

CENTURIONS AND LEGIONNAIRES --

see this supernatural vision of their leader battling for
life --

                         SERVIS
          Romulus!  The gods of Rome are
          fighting with general Narcissus!

Others join the cry as more legionnaires turn and there's
an irresistible surge of the army back toward Narcissus.

NARCISSUS

joined by Servis, then another, then two Contubernium,
then ten legionnaires... the legionnaires fight
desperately to hold their ground around Narcissus.

Then with a sound of a hundred out-of-tune violins the
Germans are SWEPT FROM BEHIND BY ARROWS.

JUBA'S NUMIDIANS

line the edge of the forest four deep pouring arrows into
the Germans.  Juba stands on a log in front shouting
PIERCING SING-SONG ORDERS easily heard over the screams of
battle.

NARCISSUS & HIS TROOPS

DIVE behind their shields for cover from the cloudburst of
arrows.

Arrows fired by almighty recurve bows hit the Germans
with the power of .44 magnum rounds:  arms splinter like
twigs; shields are nailed to chests; skulls explode.

The Germans turn and charge the Numidians but they may as
well hurl themselves against a machine gun nest as they're
mowed-down in whole lines.  They hurtle back in disorder
into the forest.

THE ROMANS

lower their shields.  Narcissus catches a fast smile from
Juba, then jumps to his feet...

                         NARCISSUS
          Come on men!  Forward!

RIVER BANK

The retreating German army spills out of the forest
following their leader into a shallow narrows, Narcissus
and his division on their heels.

ABOVE

on the opposite bank is a single Roman on horse back.
It's Quintus.  He draws his sword and spurs ahead -- then
right behind him rush his fresh ROME COHORTS.

THE TWO ROMAN ARMIES --

crash into the Germans in the middle of the river --
throwing aside his shield and holding his sword with two
hands Narcissus chops his way into the enemy with a fury.

Wild chaos of horrendous fighting in knee-deep water --
spray, blood, flashing swords and flying spears as men
desperately kill to stay alive.

Then the two Roman armies close like a fist and the
surviving Germans squeeze through the fingers in disarray.

NARCISSUS & QUINTUS

meet in the middle of the river and at that moment the
legionnaires realize they've won.  They howl and stab at
the heavens with their swords to intimidate the gods.

Narcissus pulls off his lorica segmentata which literally
drools blood and heaves it into the water.  Then in the
vortex of the cheering cohorts, he and Quintus embrace.

FROM ABOVE

The Danube runs RED...


EXT.  ROMAN CAMP - VINDOBONA - NEAR DUSK

Surrounded by cheering legions Narcissus rides his grey
horse slowly into camp.  Servis walks ahead leading the
beloved wolf mascot on a leash.  Quintus rides beside
Narcissus, but it's clear all this adulation is for
Narcissus.

Narcissus dismounts and finally the crowd parts revealing
Commodus outside the Roman headquarters flanked by slaves
and Praetorian Guard.  Commodus strides forward and
embraces him as a cheer goes up from the soldiers.

                         COMMODUS
          Welcome back from your great triumph
          Narcissus Meridas.  My father sends
          his heart felt praise.  Sadly,
          Marcus is in dark humors -- nothing
          to worry about, but he needs rest.
          Likely just the weather.

                         NARCISSUS
          Respectfully Caesar, Quintus and I
          must report.

                         COMMODUS
          Of course, but not now.  However, if
          he continues to be unwell, you may
          report to me.

A challenging look from Commodus -- clearly Narcissus is
not in the mood to report to this boy.  Quintus steps in.

                         QUINTUS
          Gladly, Caesar.  And, if you'd like
          we can take you for a tour of the
          front at first light.

                         COMMODUS
          I'm certain father will be in better
          humors by then.  Now, honor us with
          your presence at dinner.  I'll join
          you as soon as I see my father's
          physician.

For a second Commodus eyes the shouting army... it makes
him NERVOUS.  Then he turns to enter the building.

                         NARCISSUS
          What the hell was all that about?

                         QUINTUS
          What the hell do you think it was
          about?  There's nothing an unproved
          heir to the throne likes less than
          glaring competence in others.

                         NARCISSUS
          Why don't we try to keep politics
          out of the conversation.

                         QUINTUS
          Well, we can try...


INT.  ROMAN HQ - EARLY MORNING

Inside the single large building at the Vindobona central
base, a wraith-like FORTUNE TELLER stands with her eyes
closed, hand on Falco's head.

TRIBUNES and high ranking HANGERS-ON bask near a blazing
hearth like over-fed dogs.  Senator Gaius sits apart near
Juba and his wife Mela.  All are fixated on Falco.

                         FORTUNE TELLER
          ... a great man:  great of birth --
          great of girth!
                  (laughs all around)
          Your fate in flame and bronze is
          wrought... the rest in haze is
          sought.

                         FALCO
          Smoke from the fire no doubt!

She opens her eyes and Falco hands her a coin.

                         NARCISSUS
          Fire and bronze -- symbols of strong
          character, Senator!

All turn toward Narcissus and Quintus.

                         FALCO
          General Narcissus, it's your turn!
          Everyone in this room would love to
          know your future.  Go on, ask him if
          he'll stand for the Senate!

Applause as Narcissus catches a smirk from Quintus.

                         NARCISSUS
          No future-telling, please, I've been
          terrified enough for one day.

                         LUCILLA
          Narcissus!  Terrified?  You?  The
          only thing he's scared of is me.

Lucilla greets Narcissus with an embarrassingly intimate
embrace.  Looks like she's been hitting the sauce pretty
good.

                         GAIUS
          Slave!  Wine and meat for our
          generals!  The saviors of Rome!

                         FALCO
          Judging from your adoring troops and
          what we heard, Narcissus, you are
          personally responsible for our
          victory.

Lucilla hangs onto Narcissus' hand taking him around the
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                         LUCILLA
          You know our two most senior
          Senators:  Gaius Cantus and Falco
          Verus?

                         NARCISSUS
          Only from a distance.

                         GAIUS
          Well let's not be so distant,
          general.  Now that this war is
          ending Rome needs good men off the
          battlefield as well.

                         JUBA
          The Wolf of Rome fought beside him.
          I saw it with my own eyes.

Narcissus looks at Juba as if to say 'thanks a lot.'

                         LUCILLA
          You see?  The Gods favor you for
          greatness!  Tell us about it -- all
          about it.

                         VOICES
          Yes/Tell us/Tell all!

                         NARCISSUS
          The truth is I got into a little
          trouble and when the army came to
          rescue me the German counterattack
          broke around us.  An example of
          being in precisely the wrong place
          at exactly the right time.
                  (off their laughs)
          It was Juba and his archers who
          finally got them running.  Then
          Quintus arrived with the Rome
          legions just in time to cut off
          their retreat.

Commodus and Galen suddenly step into the light; it's
unclear how long Commodus may have been listening in the
doorway.  Everyone rises...

                         COMMODUS
          Narcissus Meridas, you win the
          battle and deny you had any hand it
          it.  But if we had lost, you would
          have taken complete responsibility.
          Senators, Rome needs more such
          models of humility and courage.
                  (pause)
          My father sends regrets that he will
          not join us after all as he
          continues to be unwell.

Commodus reaches over to fill Lucilla's cup which is
nearly brimming.

                         COMMODUS
          More wine, sister?  Surely you can
          drink more than that.

                         LUCILLA
          I was suddenly thinking about going
          to bed.

                         COMMODUS
          Oh, stay...
                  (that was an order)
          Don't you want to join the chorus of
          praises for Narcissus' glory?  Just
          remember, he is a married man.

                         NARCISSUS
          Do you expect Marcus to be well
          enough by morning for an audience?

                         COMMODUS
          That's difficult to say, general.

                         NARCISSUS
          Perhaps, Master Galen, you may say.

                         GALEN
          It's difficult to name a time...

                         COMMODUS
          May I remind everyone that Master
          Galen is the finest medical
          philosopher in the Empire and his
          detailed assessment of the Emperor
          is delicate and confidential and is
          the business of the immediate family
          alone.

                         NARCISSUS
          I would venture, with all respect:
          the Emperor's health is the business
          of every soul in the empire.

                         GAIUS
          Yes!  The days of Imperial
          Prerogative and disdain for the
          Senate are over -- thanks to your
          father!  Now report to the Senate,
          Master Galen:  what is Marcus'
          state?

                         COMMODUS
          Report, Master Galen, by all means.
          The Senate demands it...

                         GALEN
          We are talking simply about a
          disturbance of the hues.  Nothing
          more.  In precisely one hour I will
          analyze the Emperor's bile and then
          my assistants and I will stand by in
          an unfailing vigil until his fever
          breaks.  Now with your permission
          Caesar, Senators?  I must return to
          my patient.

Commodus gestures him out as if he were just amused.

                         COMMODUS
          One doctor now knows his place in
          the empire.  Congratulations,
          general, your victory seems to
          inspire courage everywhere.

Quintus stops flirting with Lucilla's slaves and starts
paying close attention to the developing dynamics.

                         NARCISSUS
          The battle was won, today, and I
          prefer to believe it was a gift of
          Janus, the eldest God of Rome.  God
          of my ancestors.

                         FALCO
          God of passages and changes?

                         NARCISSUS
          I believe we are arriving in an
          enlightened age; an age of peace
          that will bring Rome her greatest
          glory.  Thanks to Marcus Aurelius.

                         FALCO
          You know, general, there is a Gate
          of Janus in Rome which is only
          closed in time of peace.  Sadly, it
          has remained open for three hundred
          years.

                         NARCISSUS
          I've read of it.

                         FALCO
          But have never been?

                         NARCISSUS
          My only visits to Rome, Senator,
          have been through books.  But the
          war's over, time to close the door
          of war once and for all.

                         COMMODUS
          Then you'd be out of a job.

                         NARCISSUS
          Gladly Caesar.

                         COMMODUS
          Or perhaps into a new one.  But
          here's to your God and the courage
          of our legions...

                         GAIUS
          And the man who gives them this
          extraordinary courage.

Gaius stands and raises his cup.  But Quintus is amused to
see him get as close to Narcissus as he can -- nearly
hiding behind him.

                         COMMODUS
          Quite so.  Narcissus and his
          courageous men; may they live long
          to serve Rome...

                         LUCILLA
          And Caesar!  Let's not forget to
          serve Caesar!

Falco in turn moves to stand near Commodus.

                         FALCO
          They are one and the same my lady.
          Which is why we senior Senators have
          chosen to be here on the front to
          share the hardships of our
          courageous Emperor -- Marcus
          Aurelius and his son -- may the gods
          protect them!

                         LUCILLA
          Oh, yes, my father is a raving
          genius -- poet, essayist,
          philosopher, warrior... It's a
          wonder he doesn't drift off like a
          cloud he's so damned ethereal.
          'Marcus Aurelius Etherealus'... But
          he should cast his divine eyes
          earthward once in a while and see
          how fallible some of his decisions
          have been!  Of course I don't mean
          you, Commodus -- gods know you're
          perfect.  As far as sharing in his
          glory and suffering -- well, I
          certainly didn't want to be here.
          Isn't that true, darling brother?
          Commodus, I believe, was afraid that
          if I stayed in Rome I might foment a
          rebellion!  Seize power for myself!

Commodus glares at Lucilla as she trails off in laughter.
Mela decides it's time to rescue Lucilla from herself.
She rises and crosses to sit beside her.

                         MELA
          If you men are going to talk
          politics leave us out of it.

                         JUBA
          She's not so bashful about politics
          when we're alone.

                         MELA
          Only when it concerns Numidia.  And,
          we're far from home so I'll play the
          good Roman woman and listen --
          perhaps Lucilla we could play that
          part together.

                         COMMODUS
          What do you say, Narcissus?  Where
          are you in this great new balance
          between the Emperor or the Senate?

                  
                                

                                
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