In Athens Going Home by Anias       Anias walked home that evening with a plan in his mind. He was so fixed on it that he even forgot to stop at a couple of tavernas for his usual relaxation drinks after a hard day at work. He managed to find out that the weaver had just returned from a trip to Egypt with a rather interesting group of people. He would question all of them about her actions on the trip. Many of the people he would be questioning were well known names in Athens. Xanthippos and Aristophanes were names that struck fear into the hearts of some lesser public officials. Anias knew he could mix and mingle with them easily. He had no qualms. Well, maybe one qualm. This garment was too dirty and no laundry had been done for a while. That fool of a laundress was so picky about being paid on time. He needed to get some cleaner chitons before tomorrow. As he approached his lodgings, he had a brilliant idea. That carter guy--Cleas, Clebo, Cle-something--that carter guy's warehouse wasn't the far away. In the back there was a paddock where donkeys grazed and and there was a trough where they could drink. Hey, water was water and Anias was sure that his other chitons and tunics would clean up quick with a couple of dunks in the trough. It was already dark, and no one would or could see what he was doing. He made his way to his lodgings, grabbed the pile of dirty laundry and then made his way to the trough. He shoved the nosy donkeys out of the way and swished the linens around. Then he realized he had a problem. He hadn't thought this all the way through. Now that everything was dripping wet, how would he get this stuff home and where would he put it? Suddenly he saw a light on the upper floor of the carter's warehouse and a voice calling out. "Is anyone out there?" Anias froze in the shadows. It would not do his career any good to be caught skulking with his wet laundry. After a couple of mintues, Anias decided it was safe to leave. He tossed the wet clothing over his shoulders and dripped his way back to his lodgings. He managed to avoid his landlady, and draped his clothing all around his room and watched as puddles formed. He hoped that the floor was solid or the tenant downstairs would have rain in his room. Anias laid down on his bed and soon fell asleep to the drip drip drip drip drip of the water from his clothes. Anias woke up with a start. There was a horrible pounding on this door. It sounded as if the Spartans were attacking and trying to break down his door. "I know you are in there, you weasely runt!" a coarse voice shouted at him. It was his landlady. She was not happy. As he made his way to the door, he heard another voice whining. "I could've been killed. This place is a death trap. I could sue!" It sounded like that idiot who lived in the room below. Oh, no... this didn't have something to do with the wet clothes, did it? Anias shouted "Coming! Just let me put something on. I don't want to answer the door naked." and he quickly grabbed all the once wet and now damp items, rolled them up and threw them under his bed. He put the best smile he could on his face as he opened the door to face his rather large and imposing landlady and the officious clerk who lived downstairs. "Yes?" Anias said. "Is there something wrong? Is it morning? Has there been a crime? Do you need my help?" 'Let me at him" said the clerk, but the landlady put out an arm to stop the slight figure from charging forward. "Itys here," she said with a nod of her head towards the clerk. "Itys had a small accident tonight and thinks you might be responsible." "An accident" Anias said trying to keep a concerned look on his face. "What happened? Did he get run over by a chariot? It has been a long time since I sold used chariots and I am not responsible for the behavior of the drivers." "YOU SNIVELLING BROWN NOSING KNOW IT ALL BAG OF WIND" Itys began yelling. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DID, BUT YOU MADE MY CEILING COLLAPSE ON ME! I COULD HAVE DIED WHEN THAT CHUNK OF PLASTER HIT!" The landlady put her hand on Itys's arm trying to calm him as she said to the clerk. "I told you it was a good thing you kept the chamber pot in that far corner. That bit of ceiling didn't come down while you were using it" "BUT, said Itys trying to regain control of him self. Two minutes later