A statue of Marcus rest near a wall. Commodus reaches up and touches it's face, his fingers trembling. A blank look fills his face.
"Are you ready to do your duty for Rome?"
Commodus is startled as his father breaks the silence upon entering the tent. A smile fills his face. He has been waiting to talk to his father about his future of Rome. "Yes, father," he says with anticipation.
"You will not be emperor," he replys.
Commodus's smile quickly faides away leaving in its place a look of painful bewilderment. With dissapointment in his voice, he speaks out,"Which wiser, older man is to take my place?"
Calmly Marcus responds. "My powers will pass to Maximus to hld in trust until the Senate is ready to rule once more. Rome is to be a Republic agian."
Suprised and with some humor. "Maximus?"
"Son." Marcus reaches his old, wrinkled hand to touch his son's face, but he quickly turns away. "My decision disappoints you?"
Commodus pauses and takes deep breathes. His body trembles. He whispers as he speaks the words while his eyes begin to water. "You wrote to me once, listing the four chief virtues -- wisdom, justice, fortitude, and temperance. As I read the list I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, Father -- ambition, that can be a virtue when it drives us to excel; resourcefulness; courage, perhaps not on the battle field but there are many forms of courage; devotion, to my family, to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn't want me for your son." Tears flowed down his cheaks.
"Oh, Commodus. You go too far."
"I searched the faces of the gods for ways to please you, to make you proud... One kind word, one full hug while you pressed me to your chest and held me tight, would have been like the sun on my heart for a thousand years... What is it in me you hate so much? All I ever wanted was to live up to you, Caesar, Father."
"Commodus," Marcus begins as he falls to his knees. "Your faults as a son, is my faliure as a father." He opens his arms pleeding for forgivness. Commodus hesitates, but slowly embraces his father as they both weep as one.
"Father! I would butcher the whole world if you would only loved me!!!"
Just then, Commodus holds Marcus tight to his chest. Drownding deep in a sea of loathing, Commodus tightens his grip around his father's head. His whole body shakes as he pulls his body tighter and tighter, smothering him. He moans and groans in pain as if a small child.