While taking out the rubbish, Grumio makes a surprising discovery. Marcus searches for a way to avoid seeing Cynthia's "challenging" one-woman play.

The boys buy an eccentric slave called Mushki at an auction. Grumio finds his position in the household gradually usurped as the new guy impresses Marcus. Stylax, however, has a sneaking suspicion that Mushki might be a psychopath.