SEEING Priscilla, Jennifer finished her sentence.
“…I have a boyfriend already.” she said, “So you see, I can’t have McFlius.” Then, to herself, she said Because he and Priscilla are his ancestors and I’m a visitor from the future.
“You do?” asked another servant.
“Yes.” said Jennifer, “And his name is Marty.”
“Marty.” said Lorrainia, “What a nice name.”
Jennifer looked at her saying to herself You’re Marty’s ancestor too. And then to Lorrainia “Why thank you, Lorrainia.”
“You’re welcome.” said Lorrainia.
Jennifer looked up. Priscilla was gone.
Turning to Clara and Calpurnia, Jennifer whispered to them “That was close.”
“Thank the gods.” said Calpurnia, “I’ll go talk to Priscilla.” Gathering her stuff, she went in.
Clara and Jennifer also gathered their belongings and went in with some of the servants following. They were en route to their guestroom when they noticed the servants still following them.
Jennifer turned around and said “Excuse me. I hate to ruin admiration of me but me and my friend here are only shepherdesses. Neither of us is the Pied Piper.”
“We’re here to help you change your clothes.” said one of the servants.
“Well we’re flattered.” said Jennifer before Clara tapped her on the shoulder.
“Let them change your clothes.” whispered Clara, “Remember, where and when we are now.”
“Oh yeah.” whispered Jennifer, “I keep forgetting. I’m not in Kansas anymore.”
She never felt so embarrassed in her life.
++++++
It was after lunch when Calpurnia received a visitor. It was Octavius Caesar.
“Octavius.” she said, “Where’s Mark Antony?”
“In the Capitol.” said Octavius, “He is making a proposition in the Senate.”
“And is this proposition?” asked Calpurnia.
“That they dedicate a memorial to Charlton Heston and make him a god.” said Octavius.
“Well good for him.” said Calpurnia.
“I don’t know what’s so good about it Calpurnia.” said Octavius, “Heston was a foolhardy man. He was supposed to stay in Rome while we attempted to rescue you.”
“It’s the thought that counts.” said Calpurnia.
“I know.” said Octavius, “Actually, came over here to see those two shepherdesses. I heard one of them killed a deer with such accuracy . Where is she?”
Just then, Jennifer came in.
“There she is.” said Calpurnia.
“You want me?” asked Jennifer.
“Yes.” said Calpurnia, “Octavius wants to see you and Clara.”
“I’ll go get her.” said Jennifer.
“No.” said Calpurnia as she dispatched a servant to go get her, “You stay here. I’ve got servants that could do that.”
“Oh yes.” said Jennifer.
Meanwhile, Octavius looked at Jennifer who was now out of her shepherdess outfit and was wearing a stole.
“What’s her name again?” whispered Octavius to Calpurnia.
“Jennifer.” whispered Calpurnia back to Octavius.
“Okay.” whispered Octavius. He approached her and said “Jennifer. Those clothes make you shine like Helen of Troy: The face that launched a thousand ships and toppled the towers of Illium.”
“Why thank you.” said Jennifer.
“You’re welcome.” said Octavius, “Have you ever considered being the consort of a Roman nobleman?”
“Oh no.” said Jennifer, “And I’ve already got a boyfriend.”
“You do?” asked Octavius, “Who is he?”
“Marty.” said Jennifer.
“And does he know that you are here?” asked Octavius.
“No.” said Jennifer, “Not really.”
“Then I shall send someone to tell him that you’re alright.” said Octavius.
“Oh no.” said Jennifer, “He’s not home…yet.”
“I see.” said Octavius.
Meanwhile, Lorrainia came in and whispered “Mistress.”
Calpurnia turned around and approached her servant realizing that something that neither Octavius or Jennifer should know is up.
“What is it?” she asked.
“The servants were in their break room holding a mock session of the Senate.” said Lorrainia.
“What?” exclaimed Calpurnia, “What for?”
“To vote on who should McFlius marry.” said Lorrainia, “Priscilla or the shepherdess. And the shepherdess had the most votes.”
“Alright.” said Calpurnia, “Wait here. I’ll have to excuse myself from Octavius and the shepherdess then I’ll follow you to the break room.”
“Very good, mistress.” said Lorrainia.
Rejoining Octavius and Jennifer, Calpurnia said “If you two could excuse me, I’ve got business to attend. But I’ll be right back.”
“Alright, Calpurnia.” said Octavius.
Following Lorrainia to the servant’s break room, Calpurnia entered it and there they were, holding a quorum.
“All in favor of McFlius marrying the shepherdess….”
“Ahem!”
The servants turned to see Calpurnia standing in the doorway. Immediately, they all got up and bowed to her.
“As you were.” she said, “It is to my understanding that you have been holding a mock session in her.”
“Yes mistress.” said one of the servants, “We were voting on who should marry McFlius: Priscilla or that shepherdess who rescued you.”
“Then let me make this crystal clear.” said Calpurnia, “This is a break room. Not the Senate. And you are all servants. Not senators, tribunes or consuls. And only I have the vote here. And I vote for you all to go back to work.”
“But mistress…” protested one of the servants.
“The discussion is closed.” said Calpurnia, “Go back to work all of you.”
There was a moment of silence. Then, the servants left the break room and went back to work. Calpurnia left Lorrainia and went back to Octavius and Jennifer. She was talking to him about her breakup with Marty-at least as much as she could tell him without letting him know about time travel.
“How about some wine.” asked Calpurnia.
“No thanks.” said Octavius, “I have to return to the Senate.”
“I’m fine.” said Jennifer, “Thanks for the offer.”
Turning to Octavius, she asked “Are you going to be back over here for dinner tonight?”
“Probably.” said Octavius.
“How about Mark Antony?” asked Calpurnia.
“I don’t know.” said Octavius, “I’ll have to ask him then send a messenger back to the house.”
“Well don’t wait too long.” said Calpurnia, “The cooks will be starting it soon.”
“I assure you, I’ll be asking Mark Antony as soon as possible.” said Octavius, “Good day.”
“Very well.” said Calpurnia, “Good day to you too.”
Turning to Jennifer, Octavius said “And good day to you too.”
Jennifer smiled as she too said “Good day.”
After that Octavius left.
After Octavius left, Jennifer said “Well this is the second time I talked to one of Rome’s greatest leaders.”
“One of…?” asked Calpurnia.
“I mean he will be one of Rome’s greatest leaders.” said Jennifer correcting herself, “someday.”
Calpurnia pondered what Jennifer said and then she said “I see.”
++++++
Octavius did come back for dinner and he was accompanied by Mark Antony. Antony, on the other hand was elated to see Clara again.
“It’s good to see you again, eh what’s your name?” he asked.
“Clara.” she said.
“Clara.” repeated Antony, “What a nice name.”
“Thank you.” said Clara.
“How about some wine?” asked Calpurnia as she clapped her hands.
The servants came in pouring wine into the flagons of those partaking in dinner.
“None for me.” said Jennifer.
Everyone turned to look at Jennifer. Only Calpurnia knew, hearing from Marty, about her drinking during her stay in 15th century Italy even though it was still in the future for her.
“Jennifer.” whispered Calpurnia, “When in Rome…”
Jennifer looked at Clara who nodded in agreement.
“Don’t worry, Jennifer.” she said, “I’ll stop you if you start having too much.”
“Thanks Clara.” said Jennifer.
The appetizers were brought in. It consists mostly of grapes and Calpurnia had other guests along with Antony and Octavius and they were picking at these grapes with their fingers and eating them. One of the guests, possibly a senator, had this huge belly under his toga and was eating grape after grape while looking at Jennifer. Jennifer, on the other hand, had to be careful eating too much for fear of having a bulimic relapse.
“Jennifer.” said Calpurnia, “About that deer you shot this morning with your crossbow.”
“What about it?” asked Jennifer.
“We’re going to have it tonight.” said Calpurnia.
“We are?” asked Jennifer.
“Yes.” said Calpurnia, “Well after all you did kill it and it’s only fitting that you should share it with the finest noblemen in Rome.”
Jennifer paused. Then, she said “I see.”
She looked across the table to the same man who was eating grapes. He was still looking at her.
++++++
Jennifer felt a little tipsy after dinner. Fortunately, she didn’t drink too much this time. But she couldn’t believe how drunk the guests were. At least the automobile wasn’t invented yet.
“Clara.” she asked, “Is this how the Romans had their dinners?”
“You’ll have to ask Emmett when you go back to the future.” said Clara, “He was the one who spent those months here in the past.”
“Well at least I didn’t have too much to drink tonight.” said Jennifer.
“That’s good.” said Clara, “Remember Jennifer, drink in moderation.”
“Alright.” said Jennifer, “I’ll remember that when I turn twenty-one.”
“That’s good.” said Clara.
Jennifer noticed a hallway in the house and asked “Where does that lead too?”
“It leads to the male servants’ quarters.” said Calpurnia.
“You mean McFlius sleeps there?” asked Jennifer.
“Now Jennifer…” said Clara.
“I’m just curious.” said Jennifer.
“Yes he does, Jennifer.” said Calpurnia.
“That’s all I want to know.” said Jennifer as she headed that way.
“I’m sorry, Jennifer.” said Calpurnia, “But that part of the house is off limits to women, even me.”
“Sorry about that.” said Jennifer.
“Calpurnia.” said Clara, “We were talking about Jennifer’s moderate drinking. And you told her ‘when in Rome’. Now my husband doesn’t drink knowing that he couldn’t handle his own liquor. How did he handle the tradition of drinking?”
“He didn’t.” said Calpurnia, “He took one sip and passed out.” Clara laughed. “The wine spilled all over this rug that Julius brought home during his conquest of Persia. We had to replace it with another carpet.”
While they were conversing, Jennifer snuck off to the male servants quarters. During the exploration, Jennifer heard some music like a guitar playing. It was coming from a room. Jennifer peered in. It was McFlius. But what he was playing was not a guitar but a harp or a lyre. Jennifer knocked and McFlius looked up to see her.
“Jennifer.” he said, “You don’t belong here.”
“I know.” said Jennifer, “But I came anyway. That’s and interesting instrument you’re playing. What is it?”
“It’s a ten string lyre.” said McFlius as he resumed strumming it.
“Very interesting.” said Jennifer as she heard him play a tune that was remotely familiar to her. First she hummed to it then she began to sing to it.
You'd think that people
Would have had enough
Of silly love songs
I look around me and I see it isn't so
“Those are interesting lyrics.” said McFlius.
“And then you sing some.” said Jennifer.
McFlius did.
Some people wanna fill the world
With silly love songs
“That’s good.” said Jennifer. And then, she sang.
And what's wrong with that?
McFlius countered with
I'd like to know
'cause here I go again .
And then Jennifer sang
I love you.
McFlius sang the same lyric
I love you.
Then, they sang in unison.
I can't explain the feeling's plain to me; say can't you see?
Ah, she gave me more, she gave it all to me
Now can't you see, what's wrong with that
I need to know, 'cause here I go again
I love you, I love you.
McFlius:
Love doesn't come in a minute,
Jennifer
sometimes it doesn't come at all
McFlius:
I only know that when I'm in
And then, both together:
It isn't silly, no, it isn't silly, Love isn't silly at all.
“What’s going on here?”
Both turned around to see who it was. It was Calpurnia. She was with Clara. And they had been accompanied by Priscilla.