The Friends of History Debating Society convenes with Gaius (also known as John Batchelor) hosting from Londinium, specifically a wine bar he favors. Michael Vlahos participates from the "Edge of the Empire." In his persona as Germanicus, Michael Vlahos is on a mission in Dalmatia, a "slightly untamed" region that serves as "connecting tissue" between the Roman Empire's eastern and western halves, visiting fortified places like Ragusa and planning a trip to Spalato. As Dramaticus, Michael Vlahos is "traveling on the road" and is reminded by Gaius to "walk with Centurions" for protection from potentially "obsequious and violent" locals. The society's purpose is to review weekly events through a "Roman eye," with participants seeing themselves as "Roman citizens" attempting to understand and potentially "help" the 21st century, while also observing. Gaius reports on a recent visit by Michael Vlahos (in his Dramaticus persona) to the "Imperial Court," or President Trump's White House, during the sad news of Mr. Kirk'sdeath. Despite this somber event, the overall atmosphere in the Oval Office was described as "busy, positive, energetic, attractive, and working perfectly," reminiscent of Augustus's imperial court. Gaius notes that the mainstream media, committed to "hurting Trump," unanimously portrays him as a "demon," "evil force," or "another Hitler," with his followers characterized as "Nazis" or "white supremacists." This rhetoric, according to Michael Vlahos, contributed to events like Mr. Kirk's assassination. Both Gaius and Michael Vlahos find this equating of speech with violence "immature and ignorant," revealing a lack of historical understanding among those in the "blue" faction.