“This is Marcus Cicero, Imperator,” said Afranius.

“Good to meet you.”

He was about to move on, but Afranius took his elbow and whispered, “Cicero is considered one of the city’s foremost advocates, and was very useful to us in the Senate.”

“Was he? Well, then-keep up the good work.”

“I shall,” said Cicero quickly, “for I hope next year to be aedile.”

“Aedile?” Pompey scoffed at the very idea. “No, no, I do not think aedile . I have other plans in that direction. But I’m sure we can always find a use for a clever lawyer.”

And with that he really did move on-“Good to meet you…Good to meet you…”-leaving Cicero staring straight ahead and swallowing hard.