Publius Manlius Torquatus sat back in the hot bath in the new Thermae Manliae on the Clivus Publicius. A good place, he thought, to take refuge from the cold of a December’s day, and from the squalling and noise created by the twins, Titus and Manlia, at home. One could also catch up on one’s personal correspondence here. He looked up at his brother Aulus, stretched out next to him and grunted.

”Just received a deuced odd letter from that fellow Nero in Hispania Citerior.”

”Really? I was hearing a song about him only the other day – most entertaining. What does he say?”

”He actually apologises for helping to vote down my proposal to build military factories in Italy, says he thought an hundred of them was a bit “extreme”. The chap obviously hasn’t given much thought to how Rome is best protected!”

”Or how your finances are best augmented!”

”That’s a mere by-product. Anyway, I’d have used most of the income on Public Works for the benefit of the Roman People, so what could there possibly be to complain about? As it is the Senate has never, ever voted in favour of one of my proposals to build new military factories – that’s why I’ve concentrated on finding intelligent Governors, who see things more clearly.”

”Did Nero say anything else of interest besides the apology?”

”He hints that if he is elected Consul he will try to find a “happy medium” so that both Plebeians and Patricians can prosper.”

”What can he mean? Doesn’t he know that Patricians who own factories suffer a heavy blow to their reputation?” (OOC: Rule 7.4.9)

”Apparently not, or maybe he has something else in mind. Who can say? Anyway his letter is clearly just a loosely disguised plea for my vote.”

”And will you be voting for him for Consul?”

”I haven’t decided yet. I should really be voting for old Villius, so that we have a Plebebian Consul for a change. Then again I need to mend a few fences with Ulpius Sisenna; I’d like to get invited to some of those free massages of his sometimes. You remember, Aulus, that I was barred from those after your disgraceful performance at his party a couple of years ago.”

”Ah yes, I was hoping you’d forgotten about that!”