Scene Nine


It is a few weeks later, and we see a section of Helvidius’ elegant bedroom. Helvidius is lying on his canopied bed, watching CATALUNI dress. CATALUNI looks terrific with a brand new Roman haircut. He is in particularly happy spirits, humming a few bars of "Come Back in Seventeen Years" as he stands in his loin cloth before an open elegantly appointed wardrobe. HE pulls out a sky blue toga.
 
HELVIDIUS
No. The green is richer. Brings out your beautiful eyes.
                                         (CATALUNI ignores him and finishes putting on the blue.)
Why do you constantly disagree with me? You never tell me where you’re going. I’ve no idea whether to hold dinner for you. I work…I literally slave at the Senate. And then there are my duties as a pontifex maximus. You don't even know what a pontifex maximus does, do you? And what do I get in return? Either silence or contentiousness. And today is a festival day. The Senate is closed. I would think you would want to spend the entire day with me (HE rises from the bed and waddles to Cataluni, who is putting the finishing touches on his apparel.) I don’t even know what you do with yourself while I’m gone. The servants say you’re locked in one of the bedrooms upstairs building something. I don’t know what you’re building. You never tell me anything. Is that what’s in the satchel?
                                         (HE grabs for it, but CATALUNI intercepts.)
I don’t understand you at all. We were getting along,
I’ve really no doubt of it---
But you’re one person in bed
And another one out of it.
What are we doing?
What the hell are we alive for?
Everything worth having
You must struggle and strive for.

You’re not trying hard enough to love me.
You’re not trying hard enough to fall.
I know
We were fated for each other,
But you refuse
To see the writing on the wall.
Oh, my darling, can’t you tell?
You’re all I’m thinking of!
We fit together, oh, so well---
Why be afraid of love?
You’re not trying hard enough to show me
Emotions you’re fighting to conceal;
If you would only try as hard to love me,
You’d know
Exactly how I feel.
 

(CATALUNI pays not the slightest attention, picks up his satchel, kisses HELVIDIUS quickly on the forehead and then heads for the upstage door.)
 
 
LIGHTS DIM

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