A In Ancient Rome

You wake up scared and naked, shouting fills the air as a crowd of customers surround the lifted stage. Voices hoarse from yelling all day, yet they continue as if in a feeding frenzy. They begin shouting numbers and coins again and again as each new product steps onto stage.

You watch as a large ox of a man steps onto stage. His ebony black skin glistens with sweat in the hot Roman sun. Yet, the sweat only draws attention to the many scars the man bears from the whip. He seems indifferent, his eyes closed and drawing only a slight breath.

A fat man steps onto the stage, dressed in fine and colorful cloth. He smiles to the rest of the audience, which begin to clamor at the sight of the black man.

"This male , age thirty, originates from a surrounding province near that despicable ruin of Carthage, he is a strong worker fit for the fields or the mines. He's recently had a bout with the fever, but he has recovered to full health. Let us start the bidding at ten denarii," the fat man says pointing out the muscles on the black man.

"Ten Denarii!" shouts a rich noble, raising his hand.

"Eleven Denarii!" responds another man, he looks to be a wealthy farmer.

More people begin to yell numbers as the bidding war begins, you can only stare amazed as the crowd goes into a frenzy.

"Thirty Denarii!"

"Forty Eight Denarii!" shouts a large merchant, throwing his hand up. The rest of the crowd quiets down, not able to match the merchants price.

"SOLD! FORTY EIGHT DENARII!" the fat man shouts, a growing smile appears on his lips. The crowd now silent waits eagerly for the next person to step onto the stage.

It only takes a second for you to register that you are next. Immediately you freeze in fear. Your limbs heavy like rocks, makes it impossible to even run. Not that you could get very far. A large man walks forward and grabs you from the straw bed you had been resting on and throws you towards the stage.

Your eyes adjust to the sunlight, but the once silent crowd has exploded into a deafening roar. The fat man just chuckles as he walks up to you.

"And here we have a..."