Hibernicus met Dolabella outside the stables. Evidently the aedile had been there for some time searching the place, and McQueenicus was standing outside waiting for Dolabella to finish his search. The tribune had a polite smile on his face, waiting for Dolabella to come out. When Dolabella did, Hibernicus spoke.

'Salve, Aedile. I would like to say that you have my full cooperation in this matter.'

McQueenicus grunted, then screwed up whatever politness he had in him to speak respectfully with the aedile (he had been awakened quite abruptly by the aedile's men).

'With all due respect, aedile. I'm only a freedman charioteer, and racing's all I know, so I'm sure you would be much more knowledgeable in these matters. But, well, if I was taking...'

Hibernicus interrupted 'If I WERE taking, McQueenicus.'

'Um, yeah, whatever, sir. If I (sigh) WERE taking any performance enhancing drugs, well, with all due respect aedile, wouldn't I be doing a heck of a lot better in the races than I have? I mean, I've been hearing from others at the arena that I couldn't race myself to a brothel during happy hour. I guess they've got a point, as not even placing in my first two races is hardly a great job. If I took drugs, then they wouldn't be doing much good. But if you think that someone's been putting crap in my food or something to make me lose, then I guess you'd be doing me a favour by searching the place.'

Dolabella spoke.

'Well, I appreciate your patience, gentlemen. For now this is merely procedural, but you will certainly be the first to know if anything is found. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to continue my search.'

As he went back in, Hibernicus looked at McQueenicus.

'Well, my friend. This is the first I've ever heard of this.'

McQueenicus looked perplexed. 'You're telling me! One moment, I'm sleeping, having this beautiful dream about this lovely little blonde wisp of a woman. Next thing I know I'm being hauled out and told that they're searching for drugs? Why would they be searching my place? I've hardly been doing well, I'm just getting into a stride, and I haven't even placed. I mean, if I was winning twelve first places in a row, then I could understand the aedile doing this! But I'm not taking drugs, not that I know of, anyway!'

'Well, perhaps it's because you are pretty quiet and cool when you race.' said Hibernicus.

'That's because I'm concentrating! Geez, I thought you Romans preferred athletes who were seen and not heard. Am I coming under suspicion just because I don't make a complete idiot of myself like Keithicus Moon did? I leave the wine, women and song for AFTER the races. I mean, I almost DIED in one of those races. If I was taking drugs, which I wasn't, wouldn't it stand to reason that I'd stop after that? I don't know about you boss, but whether it's the aedile or some jerk competitor who wants me to lose, SOMEONE'S twisting our melons!'

Hibernicus nodded. What was Dolabella up to? Perhaps it was just a procedure, or a misunderstanding because of McQueenicus' cool approach to racing. He had nothing to do with it, but was someone else playing an uninvited part? Hibernicus didn't know, and waited to see what Dolabella would find, if anything...

OOC: Hope this is just procedural, I have to submit my PhD in its final form in less than three weeks!