Aware that he was late, Quintus Flaminius Vitulus walked briskly along up to the entrance of Tiberius Gallus's grand new domus. With a glance behind him, he saw that his servants were just about managing to keep up behind him, carrying some heavy and awkward.

"Where is he?" Vitulus cried out, after being admitted, sweating servants in tow. After a moment, Gallus came from the peristyle garden to greet his colleague warmly.

"Good to see you again, friend. I come bearing a gift for you. I know how much you admire Cincinnatus, so I had a bust of him made - no idea how lifelike it is, but they did their best. I hope there will be a place for it here in your domus, as a sign of my respect. I know you New Men don't have many heirlooms around the place, and some of you don't want any, but I hope you will appreciate it." The servants positioned the bust in place, and revealed.

Stepping back to admire it, Vitulus turned anxiously to see his colleague's reaction.