Vitulus hurried in to the Forum, a little out of breath. He was a busy man these days, and found that he was never bored - always something to do, either in the courts, in the Senate, or some other public business to conduct as Tribune, with many clients and potential clients visiting his domus and appealing to him for this, that and the other. It was to give himself a little respite from these clients that he immediately sought out the premium seats at the front of the makeshift arena, where he could observe the gladiatorial combat.

"Vitulus, you rogue, over here!" Vitulus looked up and saw Spurius Furius beckoning to him, and clearing a space for him on the row reserved for Senators. He seemed a little the worse for wear already, and Vitulus grinned as he made his way down to greet him.

"Good to see you here, Furius, have I missed much? Oh, let me see, whose body is that? Dear me, that's Corvus man, isn't it - Pinkus? My, my, what a beast that Pusillus is - looks like Agrippa has the final winner there. And my two still in it? And the others?" In animated fashion, Spurius Furius recounted the events of the first round, with Vitulus's smile growing ever broader by the second. "I say, what drama! Tubero's man beat Brutus's gladiator, then? I hope poor old Brutus has better luck with the legions when they arrive to take care of those rebels he's off to fight - that is, if he isn't beaten them back with his sandals by the time they get there.

"And my two still there - Superbus the Superb indeed! I shall have to gloat over his victory - not Corvus's day, is it? Speaking of which, where's he got himself to?"