1 INT. THE COLOSSEUM, ROME.
TWO GLADIATORS ARE FIGHTING. ONE OF THEM IS LOSING. REALLY BADLY. HIS OPPONENT HAS HIM DOWN, HIS SWORD TO HIS THROAT.
A BELL RINGS. THE TWO GLADIATORS TROOP OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
2 INT. THE LOSING GLADIATOR'S "CORNER".
THE GLADIATOR IS SLUMPED ON A STOOL. HIS TRAINER, SPURIUS, IS TAKING OFF HIS HELMET. A SECOND SECOND IS STANDING BY WITH A WATER BOTTLE. THE GLADIATOR'S ARMOUR HAS BEEN PUNCTURED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND HE IS BLEEDING PROFUSELY FROM ALL OF THEM.
SPURIUS
You had him worried there.
THE GLADIATOR LOOKS AT HIM INCREDULOUSLY.
SPURIUS
You just hang in there - he'll never last the distance. Not if he keeps wearing himself out hitting you like that.
THE GLADIATOR TAKES A LONG PULL ON THE WATER BOTTLE.
SPURIUS
Just remember, there is a lot riding on this one.
GLADIATOR
Like what?
SPURIUS
Like, if you lose I should think he is probably going to kill you.
THERE IS A TENSE SILENCE. THE SECOND SECOND DECIDES TO FILL IT.
SECOND SECOND
It looks like the referee might have to stop the fight.
THE GLADIATOR, FROM WHOM BLOOD IS STILL SPURTING, LOOKS AS THOUGH HE THINKS THIS MIGHT BE A VERY GOOD IDEA. THE SECOND SECOND NODS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE OTHER CORNER.
SECOND SECOND
He's got a graze over his eye.
THE BELL RINGS BEFORE THE GLADIATOR CAN REPLY.
SPURIUS
Go on, get out there, you can do it, my son.
THE GLADIATOR STAGGERS TO HIS FEET AND OUT OF SHOT. THE CROWD ROAR. WEAPONS CLASH.
THE SECONDS ARE CAUGHT UP IN FOLLOWING THE ACTION, ESPECIALLY SPURIUS - FISTS BUNCHED HE JABS THE AIR, WHILE HIS HEAD AND SHOULDERS BOB AND WEAVE.
SPURIUS
Did you see that? Come on ref! He used a net, he only used a bleeding net. Dirty bastard. Oi! Get stuck in! Give him some shortsword! That's more like it! (HE GRIMACES) Nooo. Get up. On your feet. Give him...
THE SECONDS ARE SPATTERED WITH BLOOD, MUCH AS IF A BUCKET HAD BEEN SLOSHED OVER THEM.
3 INT. OUTSIDE THE GLADIATORS' CHANGING ROOM.
A CROWD OF REPORTERS ARE WAITING, WAX TABLETS AND STYLI IN HAND. SPURIUS STEPS OUT. SEVERAL REPORTERS START TALKING AT ONCE.
REPORTERS
Spurius. Spurius...
SPURIUS SINGLES ONE OUT TO ASK A QUESTION.
FIRST REPORTER
Spurius, you must be disappointed with the result?
SPURIUS
It was a disgrace. The referee should never have stopped the fight. The lad is just gutted.
SECOND REPORTER
How is the boy?
SPURIUS LOOKS AT HIM AS THOUGH HE MUST BE STUPID.
SPURIUS
I said, he's gutted. He hasn't got any entrails left.
THIRD REPORTER
After a result like this, would you say the time has come for him to consider quitting the game?
SPURIUS
No, I see no reason why he shouldn't carry on. If he lives.
SECOND REPORTER
Do you think these sort of injuries are bad for the image of the sport?
SPURIUS
Well there will always be bleeding heart do-gooders who want to ban it, but what these people don't appreciate is how it keeps kids like these out of trouble. A lot of 'em come from Barbarian families. If it wasn't for the circus they'd be out raping and pillaging.
SECOND REPORTER
You don't think it is barbaric for people to pay to watch two healthy young men try and kill one another?
SPURIUS IS GETTING VISIBLY IRRITATED WITH THIS REPORTER. SO ARE THE OTHER REPORTERS.
SPURIUS (SIGHING AND EXPLAINING PATIENTLY)
These lads are skilled athletes, trained to a peak of physical perfection and mental discipline. That's what people come to see. No, if anyone gets killed that just a bit of a bonus really.
THIRD REPORTER
So Spurius, do you think your boy is still a contender?
SPURIUS
Yes, of course, he...
A STRETCHER IS BROUGHT OUT OF THE CHANGING ROOM, THE BODY ON IT IS COVERED WITH A SHEET. THE SECOND SECOND FOLLOWS. WITH A SLIGHT SHAKE OF THE HEAD TO SPURIUS HE CONFIRMS THE WORST. THE REPORTERS ALL LOOK AT SPURIUS.
SPURIUS
Well, it's a setback certainly...
THE REPORTERS WATCH AS THE STRETCHER IS CARRIED AWAY.
SPURIUS
...but the fans won't let him quit!
