On a glorious day in Rome, the emperor summons his general for a treat.
Come Massimiliano! I promised you new slaves for your success, so fulfill it I shall.
Off they go to the fighter-slave market in Rome. Where wealthy masters buy and sell.
Masters from the North.
Masters from the South.
There are those with much too spend...
...and those without.
There are young and ambitious, rival generals.
And old ones.
All of them gather together in this market of human trade.
Hmmmm! I just love the smell of fresh slaves!
Come on, general, don't be shy. Take your pick and I shall provide the gold! Ah! How about that one?
We've never had anyone like this before!
What is your name, slave?
CROUCH.
Crouch? Such an ironic name! How can you crouch when you're that tall?
HAHAHAHA
So, what do you think?
No, My Lord. He's too skinny. The Roman gladiators will snap and crush him like a twig!
I see. That's fine, then. There is more to look at. How about this one?
Too old.
And this one? I heard he's quite popular with the Spaniards!
No. I've seen him fight, My Lord. Too selfish.
Looks like it will be a long day, My Lord. Would you like to return to the palace? I'll take care of our trading matters here.
Greetings, Emperor!
Ah! Pini! It has been a while! Seems you have something for me?
Yes, Your Highness. I discovered this precious talent from the far South East.
The South East? I am not familiar with the fighters from that region.
Here. Raise your hands, slave. I want to see you handle this blade!
Gods of Rome! What are you trying to sell me, Pini? He can't even lift a sword! Shame on you, Pini!
I wasn't talking about him, Your Highness...
I was talking about her!
Mamma Mia! Bellissima!
(This presentation is simply a humorous parody of the trade that happens in the football player transfer period. It has no intention in anyway to undermine/make light of the more serious matters that relate to modern slavery/human trafficking - neither that it is a personal mockery to the particular featured celebrity couple).
Written and illustrated by Inov Fauzi
BSD, 6 June 2011
