31 Plays in 31 Days, #30 - "The Show"

[breakinglight11]

Today was a big day. I need to finish. SO CLOSE.

In Adonis, I want to develop the gladiators around Aidan. I like the idea that they pull together to put on a really good show and allow more of them to survive. SOME NONSENSE TO THAT EFFECT.



Day #30 - The Show
From Adonis
By Phoebe Roberts

AIDAN, a Celtic gladiator
JOXER, a Macedonian gladiator, formerly a whore

The Colosseum barracks, the city of Rome
~~~

JOXER: Well. The gods certainly built you like a shrine. You know that, don’t you?

Aidan gives him a look.

AIDAN: I do.

JOXER: Heh. I suppose I wouldn’t be the first one to tell you. If I had your gifts, I’d be rich as Croesus by now. Ever considered it? Doing what I do?

Aidan keeps regarding him like he’s slightly mad.

AIDAN: I’m a slave.

JOXER: Of course. But you ought to think about it, if you survive this. You could command a warlord’s ransom.

AIDAN: I couldn’t. I don’t think I could bear it.

JOXER: You’re bearing it now. Why not have something in return for your trouble?

AIDAN: I couldn’t ask for it.

JOXER: Don’t you like women at all?

AIDAN: No, I— it isn’t that.

JOXER: Then what?

AIDAN: If you don’t know— then it’s never happened to you.

JOXER: Ha! You don’t know what’s happened to me.

Beat.

AIDAN: No. I don’t.

JOXER: Everyone bears it in their own way.

AIDAN: I’m sorry.

Beat.

JOXER: I know a lot of them look down on what I do. But credit me this— I know how to win people. And that will keep me alive.

AIDAN: Like I said. I don’t think I could do it that way.

JOXER: I don’t mean that part of it. I mean before— how you win them when you don’t look the way you do. That part is all putting on a show. And that’s all this is, isn’t it? A show.

AIDAN: I don’t like them looking at me.

JOXER: But they are looking, Celt. Our lives depend on them liking what they see.

AIDAN: And… you know how to put on this show?

Joxer smiles and shrugs.

AIDAN: Teach me, then.

JOXER: Very well. I suppose we’re in this together.