Caesar Augustus: Now see here Coponius, here is the ultimate evidence we take this matter of the gravest seriousness. You know your counterpart in Syria, Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, and he's sailed all the way to Rome. You'll sail back together and Quirinius will tell you everything you conceivably need to know.
Coponius: Thank you Caesar.
Caesar: You know my wife, Livia, from whom I hide no matter of state.
Coponius: Of course, Domina.
Livia: I wish you all the very best of luck in that impossible province. May you succeed where everyone else fails.
Caesar: Now now Matronia, we don't want to prejudice our worthy appointee toward failure. Coponius my confidence in you is infinitum.
Coponius: Thank you Caesar.
Caesar: And this man, of course, needs no introduction. My new adopted son, Tiberius.
Coponius: I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your grandchildren Caesar.
Caesar: And you may not know him by sight but all Rome knows the reputation of Gaius Cilnius Maecenus.
Coponius: Of course. It is an honor
Caesar: Yes, well, all of us sacrifice for Rome don't we? They were good boys and would have been fine Emperors.
(pause)
Coponius: Yes, Caesar.
Caesar: Fortunately, this one is here to pick up the affairs of state while we wait for young Postumus over there to mature into the head of state we know he can be.
(Gestures at Marcus Agrippa Postumus playing with two dogs in the corner of the office. Empress Livia scowls.)
Coponius: Yes, Caesar.
Caesar: And you may not know him by face, but all Rome knows Gaius Cilnius Maecenus by reputation.
Coponius: Of course. Magister, it is an honor.
Maecenus: Yes I'm sure it is.
Caesar: And Tiberius, no mere focaccia today, correct?
Tiberius: No, Caesar. (Livia looks at him sharply, Tiberius clicks heels and bows) a six-course meal including roast peacock, flamingo tongue, sow's womb and stuffed doormice.
Caesar: Ah yes, I do love stuffed doormice but can you go to the kitchen and make sure they're serving Patina de Pisciculis? If I'm not mistaken that's known as your favorite dish, is it not Coponius?
Coponius: I'm sure whatever Caesar serves us cannot help but be delicious.
Caesar: Nonsense, you're our hero setting off to the privations of the East, you must leave us with the taste of Rome in you!
Coponius: Thank you Caesar.
Caesar: Jacobus!
Flavius Jacobus: Yes, Caesar.
Caesar: Can you please tell the valet on the other side of the hall that we're ready to be served?
Jacobus: With pleasure Caesar.
Caesar: Yes. Hurry please, you still have to give your briefing.
Jacobus: Of course, Caesar (bows).
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