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*Cassius is kneeling quietly, head bowed and armour dismantled, in the far end of a dimly lit hall. Towering marble columns support the intricate roof. A cold, fresh breeze flickers fire lanterns as it sneaks through the scarce windows expanding into an inky twilight sky. There is a gentle creak as Pertinax opens and enters the grand doors.
Pertinax
…Cassius.
…
Cassius
…Pertinax.
…
Pertinax
If we are to duel for our fate, why do you sit
so vulnerable?..
Do you believe me to treat with mercy?
…
Cassius
If you know what i entreat to be a mercy.
Pertinax
Of me? What do you ask?
Cassius
That which I know you dream of: My
sacrifice to death — by your hand.
Pertinax
My enemy, what thoughts are this?
Cassius
Is this not what you have sincerely wished?
Pertinax
I reluctantly wished for your souls departure
only for freedom from our war.
Cassius
Freedom from our war can only come from a
decisive ending.
Loss for one and success for another; and
your ultimate success is imminent.
Pertinax
I wish for the true success to be in reach; a
wish of us.
Do you not realise that neither of us may
win a final battle?
Cassius
Oh Pertinax! You may wish, but it is futile.
I know you are aware of its folly — those
childish visions.
Pertinax
*footsteps echo as they begin to approach
Why are you so firm in this resolve?
Cassius
Why are you not joyous in thus? You shall
be free of me.
You may finally kill your most intimate
enemy, and bathe in the rewards.
Pertinax
As you discard your armour? I shall not
deliver you — us both — to death without a
fair battle.
Cassius
Forever the honourable; but the battle has
long passed. One of us must die.
Again I will enlighten you — you have
already won.
Pertinax
*stops
We are yet to bloody the maw of death.
You nor I have drawn.
I do not follow your insistence of me as the
victor, Cassius.
…
Cassius
There are two ways to win a war Pertinax…
Two methods in breaking a man:
The first is brute. You give him glory.
Crack his bones and cut his skin, but he will
fight like a hound.
He will stand with no legs, no blood, and no
chance;
he will fight for his love of even a wretched
life — and that which is in it.
With brute you make him a martyr to false
gods…
But that is gentle in comparison, for the
second is seduction..
You whisper lies to inspire fear, sweet oaths
of safety to the desperate.
You violently and precisely, heave and stitch
the domain of his emotion,
until he does not — cannot — fight any
longer.
*Turns to face Pertinax
Until he has molted into a snakeskin of
misery and despair.
Until he begs on his knees for the mercy of
death.
Are you following Pertinax?
Here I am on my knees, and I am begging!
Begging you to show me the intimate love of
violence.
I care not what you do with my corpse.
Any humiliation in death cannot degrade me
further than my actions in life.
The only term is your weapon through my
chest.
Pertinax
Don’t make me commit such a crime against
myself; against you!
Cassius
I do not want your tempting falsehoods of
comfort! I have made up my mind — If you
do not consent… I shall commit the act
myself.
Pertinax
Tear your mind from such thoughts of self
violence.
Cassius
*gesturing to Pertinax’s sword and his chest
I cannot go on. There lies the blade, and
here lies my heart; both are your
possessions.
Pertinax
I shall not extract your soul; not even if my
own was to endure a thousand injuries!
Cassius
Then you are a fool! Your one true burden is
of my pulsing life, do not lie me otherwise!
Pertinax
I am not a rogue that twists words for his
way! I am not the snake bidding you to bite,
nor shall I be the wolf that may indulge in
your flesh!
…
*Cassius rises to their feet
…
Pertinax
Cassius?
*Cassius swiftly draws Pertinax’s sword and retreats defensively, holding the sword out so the tip is on their sternum/heart
Pertinax
Don’t!
Cassius
I am sworn.
Pertinax
To a perverse promise that you will not allow
endurance.
Cassius
I shall not prey another sunrise.
Pertinax
I pray that you shall.
Cassius
Leave me.
Pertinax
I pray that you shan’t be hollowed to this.
Cassius
I already have been.
Pertinax
I will not leave you alone in such a moment.
Cassius
So that you may look on with glee?
At least allow me to dream of your cries
at my execution, instead of the benevolent
counterance I know it shall reap.
Pertinax
Those are illusions of your insecurity.
Look at me, my Cassius.
Cassius
Leave me!
Pertinax
My sweet enemy.
Cassius
This is for you Pertinax; because of you.
Pertinax
I do not want it. Give me the sword.
Cassius
I shall not be persuaded!
I will not break my promise..
I shall not cause you pain any longer.
…
I bestow you with the most wonderful gift,
my dearest Pertinax.
*Tries to stab them-self, Pertinax disarms them, there is a small struggle, Pertinax holds them down
*CLANG, THUD
Cassius
*sobbing/growling
NO! STOP GIVE IT BACK! LET ME GO! Let
me go!.. Pertinax!… please…!
*Continues to sob in Pertinax’s arms, or while being held down by them tenderly
.