S) You are rather hungry, come to think of it. A feast sounds wonderful! You and the other nobles dry off and put on white togas to prepare for the feast. After a leisurely stroll down a paved Roman street, you arrive at the beautiful house of a wealthy noble. A delicious smell drifts from the large pillared abode. As you enter the house, slaves guide you to a long cushioned chair, almost a couch. You’ve never sat in anything so comfortable. Ahhhhhh. This is the life! Slaves bring bunches of grapes for you to munch on before the main course. They even feed you grapes by hand! Next comes a tray of stuffed duck, broiled to perfection. The duck is surrounded by boiled eggs, cheese, and vegetables. Mmmmmm. Such good food! There are so many selections to choose from. The other nobles roll and stretch on the soft couches, and chat about the politics and social concerns of Rome. You are completely full! However, that doesn’t stop the slaves from bringing more food. One of the nobles motions to you. You get up from the soft couch and meander toward him. “Are you stuffed yet?” asks the noble. “Yes! Just like the duck.” you reply with a satisfied grin. You have never eaten this well before in your life! “Let’s go to the vomitorium.” says another noble. “Yes.”, says the first noble. “I’m ready.” You follow the men to a small room adjoining the leisure room. This room is sparsely decorated, none of the fancy statues that the initial room contained. In the middle of the room is a hole, leading to the sewer system below. All of a sudden, short, stout, noble sticks his fingers down his throat and makes himself gag! After a second try, he succeeds in vomiting down into the hole! Aaarrrggghhh! You try not to lose your dinner yourself. Just then, another noble throws up his dinner! This time, some of the warm vomit splashes up onto your leg! You feel sick and begin throwing up on the floor. “I’m sorry. . . I . . . I . . .Huuurrhhhh!” You throw up again. “Don’t be sorry.” says a taller noble. “You’re supposed to vomit!” “Why?” you ask, wiping your mouth. “So we can eat again!” he replies with a grin. “There’s so much food. It would be a shame to waste it.” You think to yourself that your civilization has become rather spoiled. Some people in the world are starving to death, and the elite of Rome vomit so they can eat more! Now that’s a real shame!
THE END