Marcus: I will not! You deserve to see the Lord just as much as I do. You have just as much right to leave this world well as I. More, because you’ve been in it longer.

Antonius: By four days! I can handle a few more moments of this earth. Let me kill you, you owe me that.

Marcus: No, I will kill you, let that be my gift to you. Go ahead of me to heaven.

Antonius: I will not allow it.

Marcus: Neither will I allow you to kill me.

Jason: (Standing, walking over) Pardon the intrusion, I could not help but overhear. I have a suggestion. Since both of you wish to take the honor of a painful death, why don’t you fight for it? Your God will grant victory to the one who should stay. Let him decide.

Marcus: You were a wise advisor. Pity you aren’t Christian. I agree to this plan.

Antonius: And I. It is done then. We will fight. (Enter guard. Other prisoners come out to watch them go)

Guard: You two, get over here, it is time!

Marcus: Goodbye, Jason, goodbye friends. I shall see you again in heaven!

Antonius: Jason, may Jesus Christ bless you and your life.

Jason: Goodbye, may Jupiter and his fellows bless yours, however short or long.

Guard: Get moving! The Colosseum awaits you. (Shoves them roughly out)

End Scene three. Blackout.

(Scene four, the Colosseum. The stage is empty except for a few pennants on the wall, and perhaps a flag pole off to the left. In the right wing are Nero, a guard, and a servant with wine, in lavish surroundings. In the left wing are several spectators, no decoration. Antonius, Marcus, and Miriam are standing center stage, facing the audience. Antonius and Marcus have swords, and stand in military style, Miriam is in chains, with a guard at her back.)

Nero: (rising from seat) Gladiators, doomed, salute your emperor!

All Three: We who will soon die salute you!

Nero: Let the executions begin!

(Crowd cheers as Miriam is forced forward into the orchestra pit, she can hide under the walkway on the left. The crowd leans over to watch. Dunno what to do for lion noises, but Miriam must be silent. The cheers die as Marcus and Antonius hug center stage.)

Nero: What are they doing?

Marcus: Friend, I am sorry that it had to end this way.

Antonius: I too. I wish it could be different.

Marcus: I will not hold back. I will spare you the harder death.

Antonius: So ends our long friendship. (They draw their swords. The crowd cheers)

(A sword battle ensues, a good one. The crowd dies down enough to hear Nero)

Nero: Ha, I told you they would fight, with the right leverage. Didn’t I say they would fight?

Servant: Yes, my lord.

Nero: You can’t fight like that, eh guard? These were centurions for a reason! Hahahahahahaha! I love this, friends killing each other!

Guard: They are skilled lord Caesar.

(Antonius slaps aside Marcus’ sword, the crowd cheers as Antonius deals the final blow)

Nero: YES! Guard, get down there! Take him!

(Antonius throws down his sword, and falls on Marcus’ body, crowd goes silent, Nero has left)

Antonius: Marcus! Oh, Marcus, I am so sorry. I can no longer take care of you. You are in God’s hands now. (Guard grabs him, gently, and pulls him away. Now in tears, screaming) MARCUS! MAAARCUUUS!

Curtain.