Menelaus: Agamemnon... I was brought up among Spartans. I am a Spartan, and to tell the truth I can't understand how you can let such strong emotions out so easily. Put your stoic face on. Haven't you heard the legend of the boy and his fox?

Agamemnon: No.

Menelaus: In Sparta, it is our custom to provide our young recruits with nothing to eat, so they're forced to fend for themselves. It teaches them survival skills, courage, and bravery.

Agamemnon: Bravery?

Menelaus: Well, if they're caught, they're beaten.

Agamemnon: Zeus the Thunderer!

Menelaus: The soldiers are very superstitious creatures, and they have many legends among them. Their favourite story is that of the boy. Once, not so very long ago, this boy was very lucky, and happened to catch a fox in its den. He ran back to the camp, but just then his superiors came down through the tents for inspection. Not risking disgrace, he hid the fox under his shirt. The captains came down and interrogated him mercilessly, knowing he had been away from camp, but the boy lied well. After long questioning, the boy suddenly collapsed, and a fox with a bloody snout crawled out from under his tunic. All the time they had been speaking, the fox had been eating the boy, who had let no sign of this so much as flicker across his face.

Agamemnon: How very touching. The boy wasn't so graceful after he was dead, was he?

Menelaus: Well, I suppose not.

Agamemnon: Then let me alone. I've held my poise long enough. You can't expect me to be as cold and confidant years after the fox gulped my heart out.

Exit. Enter Ajax.

Ajax: [Oh no! Are the sons of Atreus having an argument?] Let's take a look, Little Ajax!

Menelaus: No, we were not. Your commander and I were just discussing Troy. She's not likely to hold out much longer with her trade routes cut off.

Ajax: [Oh. We understand.] Yes, we certainly do.

Menelaus: Ajax, would you do something for me?

Ajax: [Great Ajax would do anything for Royal Menelaus, although he is very poor!] Now, Little Ajax! I don't mind being poor; I'm happy to serve every whim of my commanders.

Menelaus: Good. Go look after Agamemnon, would you? I'm going to take a walk.

Ajax: Very good, sir. [Right away, sir!]

Exeunt separately.