P) You decide to follow the nobles. One of the nobles looks back at you. His eyes are drawn to your toga. He then whispers, “I hear that these baths are the best in the empire.” Incredible! This noble must believe that you too are a person of wealth, just because of the classy white toga you now wear! You nod and smile. You have never been in a public bath house before. The nobles enter a large pillared building. “What kind of water do you like?” asks another noble. You are a little confused by his question. “I like clean water.” you declare. The nobles laugh. “I like this little one.” says the first noble. “Quite a sense of humor!” “I think I’ll take a hot bath first then go to the frigidarium for a cold dip.”, says a short bald noble. You see huge pools filled with the wealthy people of Rome. You decide that if you are going for a swim, you’re going to do it right! You run, tuck your knees up to your chest and splash into the water! “Yaaahhhhhhooooohhhooooiiiii!” you gasp as you come up again. The water is freezing! Two fully dressed nobles along the side of the bath are now soaking wet and angry because of your little stunt. The first noble you met swims up to you. “A group of us are going to the Colosseum after our dip.”, he says, spitting water from his mouth. “You are welcome to come.” Another noble swims alongside the two of you. “We’re going to a feast after our bath.” he says. “Why don’t you come with us?”
Do
you?
copyright Jay D'Ambrosio 2000