Conflict

Now trying to score points with Antonius, Toadie tells him that a financially strapped Marcus is planning to rob Rome’s treasury. Antonius takes Macky aside and tells him Jesus’ story about the vineyard owner whose son is murdered. It’s his way of telling Macky they need to take down Marcus themselves. Toadie soon returns to Antonius’s home, hoping to be paid for the tip. But Macky tells him the story of the rich people proudly putting coins into a trumpet-like plate at the Temple, and the poor woman who quietly donated all she had. The story sails right over Toadie’s head. Later, Macky and the Masked Rebel confront Marcus and his men inside the treasury. There’s a big, dangerous battle, but just when it looks like Marcus is about to be caught red-handed, Toadie stumbles in, ruining everything. Marcus escapes, and Macky is left thinking about all that money in the treasury, and how it could have helped those who are fighting the Romans. To help Macky keep his perspective, Antonius tells him the render unto Caesar story... but Antonius has regrets of his own, namely that Marcus is still walking around free. But not for long; furious that Marcus has rejected her precious son, Luciana tells Marcus that if he doesn’t leave the Senate – now – she will tell his fellow Senators about the lies, indiscretions and outright corruption she has seen during the forty years she’s known Marcus. With little choice, Marcus leaves the Senate.