Cicero started the day just like any other one, but he felt a little bit more excited than usual when he awoke. Oh yes! He thought to himself, today was the day when he would go out to the circus to watch his favorite chariot team race. These were his most favorite occasions, and he followed his team religiously. He thought about the beautiful slave girl that he had met in the market last week and wished he knew how to find her. If only he would have the guts to ask her to go with him to the festival. It was not only the fear of rejection that stopped him, but also how his association with her might affect his political career. His past decisions had been so consumed by that motivation that he had forgotten what it felt like to really like someone.
Although she would not be attending the games with him, he was still looking forward to the day as he made his way down the Palatine Hill. The Circus Maximus was very crowded because the commoners were able to get free food on these occasions, and did not have to pay for their admission. It was only the elite like himself and his friends who could afford to make bets and really become a part of the races. He loved the feeling of watching his team race, wondering if they would be victorious.
A Magistrate friend of his had a special area reserved, and as they both wanted the same team to win, watching the event with him was common and enjoyable. There was a guard on the steps who checked to make sure that only the people who had permission were allowed to ascend to the special seating area. This man knew him though, and waved him along with a smile.
