The Robe Page #7

who call themselves Christians?

- He's one of them, one of the ringleaders.

- It can't be true.

No? Then come. I'll show you.

You'll learn for yourself what kind of man

it is you preferred to your emperor.

Where is he?

Marcellus's personal slave, remember?

The day he dared to bid against me.

But now no longer a slave.

His partner in treason.

- Has he talked?

- No, sire.

- Ask him again.

- Where is Tribune Gallio?

Where's he hiding?

Give him the wheel.

Three of them came here from Corinth.

The Greek slave, a Jewish

fisherman, our loyal tribune.

We've caught one. Soon we'll have the others.

Where is he?

Give it to him.

Enough for now. He's no good to us dead.

Let him think about it for a while.

My lady. What's wrong?

It's Marcellus.

They say he's alive.

He's here in Rome.

- Who told you that?

- The emperor.

They have his slave in there.

They're torturing him.

- Demetrius is here in the palace?

- I saw him.

You're sure?

What is it, Marcipor?

What do you know about it?

You've seen Marcellus.

You're one of them. A Christian.

Yes, my lady.

Take me to him.

- I can't.

- Do you think I'd betray him?

Take me to him.

Come.

Wait here.

- Where have they got Demetrius?

- In the armoury, below the guardroom.

I know the place.

- Where's Peter?

- At the meeting in Bovillae.

- He won't be back until midnight.

- Right. We can't wait for him.

Get me ten volunteers to come

with me as soon as it's dark.

I'll go, Marcipor.

Why didn't you come?

Why have you kept away from me?

I would have come, soon.

But Caligula's decreed against us.

- He said...

- I can imagine what he said.

Whatever you are, you're not a traitor.

- If you're still ill...

- No.

I'm well. Really well,

for the first time in my life.

You found the robe?

Yes.

Here it is.

Here.

Why, it's just ordinary homespun.

- Was it really bewitched?

- In a way.

It changed my life.

In time, it will change the world.

I don't understand.

It's a long story. And a strange one.

- About the robe?

- Yes.

About the robe, and the one who wore it.

- It's nearly dark.

- Good.

Send Marcipor to me when he comes back.

Why are you dressed like that?

No, Marcellus. They'll kill you.

- You must have faith.

- Faith in what? This new god of yours?

He couldn't save his own Son.

They crucified him and they'll kill you, too.

- I can't leave Demetrius to be tortured.

- But you'll leave me.

I love you. Does this dream of yours

mean more to you than our love?

Marcellus, what you've told me

is a beautiful story, but it isn't true.

Justice and charity. Men will

never accept such a philosophy.

The world isn't like that.

It never has been, and it never will be.

Why must you throw

your life away for a slave?

I owe him a great deal more than my life.

If your god means that much to you,

I won't stand in your way.

I want to be your wife whatever you believe.

I'd marry you if I had to

share you with a thousand gods.

Ready.

Oh, my love.

Take her home.

Diana, I'll come to you as soon as I can.

Keep the robe for me.

- Sentry, come with me.

- What's the watchword, Tribune?

- Hurry, you fool.

- Guard!

Who's there?

Stop. You. Stop.

Get the boy up.

On the emperor's business. Open up.

What business, Tribune?

If you're in command, my message is for you.

You're not one of the Praetorian tribunes.

I know them all.

Now!

The keys. The keys, quick.

Quickly now.

I can't believe you let them take

an imperial prisoner from the palace itself.

Tribune Quintus, where

were you when this happened?

- I could send you to the galleys.

- The Greek was nearly dead.

- By now he's a corpse.

- The Greek? Who cares about the Greek?

Or the Jew fisherman

or any of the rest of them?

I want the Roman traitor who's responsible,

who made fools of the Praetorian Guard.

I want Tribune Gallio. I want him

in my hands before sunrise.

I want him alive. I want him

to stand before me alive.

Do you hear me? Find him

or you'll all go to the galleys.

Tear the city apart if you have to.

But find him!

Now, get out, all of you.

Go.

- Anything?

- No, sir.

- And you?

- No, sir.

- Upstairs?

- No, sir.

Detail, form.

Senator.

Detail, march.

- I can barely feel the heartbeat.

- He can't die.

- Is he such a valuable slave?

- He's one of the most valuable men alive.

- Well, he won't be alive for long.

- You're a physician.

There are limits to what science can achieve.

I can't put shattered flesh together again,

nor restore the blood he's lost.

Father in heaven, he was

the bravest and best of thy servants.

Why hast thou abandoned him?

Let me be alone with him.

You stay, Marcellus. And you, Diana.

Who is this man? Is he a physician?

No. Please go.

For my sake, sir. Please.

Demetrius.

Demetrius.

- What's he doing in there? Who is he?

- I've never seen him before.

Senator Gallio should inform himself

about what goes on in his own household,

with his own son.

This is my house, sir.

You were called here as a physician,

- not to question my family's behaviour.

- I'm a physician, but first of all a Roman.

And I must tell you bluntly that...

- He's gone?

- We didn't even thank him.

What did he do?

You were here. You saw it.

- Yes, he...

- Can't you speak?

Are you bewitched?

So that's it. Sorcery.

Doesn't your friend know the penalty

for pretending to heal by such methods?

Pretending?

Marius, you did everything

in your power, and we're grateful.

- Come, stay and eat with us.

- No, thank you.

There are mysteries to life and death, yes.

Patients have made astonishing recoveries.

But I have never ascribed them to the magic

of a sorcerer. Good night to you, Senator.

Tribune.

Do you think he'll go to Caligula?

I think he's a proud man

and his pride's been hurt.

Well, if your slave's fit to be moved,

you'd better take him back to the catacombs.

Marcipor? Order a carriage

and two men to help me with Demetrius.

Sir.

I'd like to see you again,

to tell you more about our...

We are seeing each other for the last time.

You have chosen to make

yourself an enemy of Rome.

From this night on, I have no son.

I've brought something for you.

Tomorrow I'll send for you.

- All ready, sir.

- Yes.

Tomorrow.

We're being followed.

Faster. Faster.

- Stop at the bridge.

- Yes, sir.

- No, don't.

- For all you've been to me, thanks.

Into the carriage.

Get him to Peter.

Goodbye, friend.

Goodbye, friend.

I can only give you a few moments.

Diana.

I prayed that I'd see you again.

We haven't much time, Marcellus, so listen.

Tomorrow you're to be put on trial

before the entire court.

- I never thought I'd get a trial.

- Your father's powerful.

Caligula can't just kill you.

He's forced to prove that you're guilty.

He'll have no trouble proving it.

It's up to you, Marcellus.

What do you want me to do?

Don't defy Caligula.

Your god doesn't want you to die. He can't.

Otherwise he wouldn't have

sent Peter to save Demetrius.

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