The twenty-sixth of June, in the Year of our Lord 1504.

The many noble and aristocratic families of Bologna all sat soundly under the rulership of the Bentivoglios. Unfortunately, the Bentivoglios did not sit soundly above the families, infact, they resented the fact that they could even contest the Capitano del Popolo in the Bolognese Senate. Giovanni II Bentivoglio di Bologna did not like his plans nor his views to be opposed in anyway, let alone in the Senate of the city that he ruled like a borderline-despot. Giovanni already had the support of the Church and the Papal States itself, he also wore the city-watch like the gloves he donned every morning. The only group who had reguarily defied his rule and endangered Bologna were the less-than-loyal aristocrats who vied for their own control over the city, control they would not gain. While there were some families that put their backing behind the Bentivoglios, there were some like the Marescotti and their patriarch Agamemnon who did nothing but act as a thorn in Giovanni's side.

The scene begins in the Cathedral of Saint Peter. A sermon is being led by Bishop Ferrero on the sins of lust and its consequences in society.

BISHOP FERRERO: .... unclean ones will prevail if we are not careful! They hide among us, disguised in sheep's clothing, nothing but imposters in the city and imposters in their spirit. They lie, they steal, they debase themselves, all for what? Who leads these foul prostitutes who litter our streets? Who may I ask you? Who!?

Just as the Bishop was reaching the crescendo of his sermon, the large doors of the Cathedral burst open and the sound of instruments and singing draws the attention of the parishioners. As they look back to the entrance of the Cathedral a motley crew of beggars, mummers, prostitutes, and the drunken danced in.

BISHOP FERRERO: What is the meaning of this? This is a House of God! Retreat from this place foul sinners!

The band of undesirables danced through the pews harassing and insulting the many pious citizenry of Bologna. One of the destitute among them came to where the Bishop stood.

BISHOP FERRERO: Begone vile beggar!

THE DESTITUTE: Give us the gold, priest! We know you have it! Marescotti said so!

The Bishop stood back shocked and exclaimed in anger.

BISHOP FERRERO: Ah! We have the culprit, the House of Marescotti has hired these foul interlopers to ransack the House of God! Guards! Guards!

As the destitute man walked closer and closer to the Priest, he was welcomed with a hard hit on the side of the head from the wooden shaft of a spear. As the man collapsed, head caved in, the rest of the hired undesirables were made very aware that something had gone wrong. They were told the guards would stay away and they'd have free reign of the Church coffers. How stupid. One by one the undesirables were hit, pushed, and thrown out of the Church with many being placed in the stockades as punishment.

The scene begins in the manse of the House of Marescotti. Agamemnon sat at the head of the table in silence slowly eating soup. His family sat there in silence doing the same. As he looked up from his bowl to speak the sounds of clashing swords and yelling could be faintly heard from down the hall.

AGAMEMNON: Wha...?

As he spoke the door burst open revealing one of his guards holding his chest before falling and showing off the crossbow bolt stuck between his shoulders.

AGAMEMNON: Guards! Guards! Where are you?!

The sound of running came down the hall and thinking it was his guards, the Marescotti Patriarch took a big breath. Unfortunately, he was greeted by the city-watch and the Capitano del Guardia Luigi di Bologna.

AGAMEMNON: What is the meaning of this? I will have you executed!

LUIGI: Under the authority of the Commune di Bologna, by the powers vested in me by the constitution and by the Papal States, you are under arrest for the desecration of the House of God, the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Please come with me.

AGAMEMNON: I'm what? Are you serious? In what way would I be guilty of such a crime, you lie!

LUIGI: Come with me now, noble, do not make this hard for your children to watch.

Agamemnon snarled with anger and drew his rapier before charging at the common-born captain. His bravado did not match his skill and the captain merely threw the noble over his shoulder and onto the ground.

LUIGI: That's enough now.

The captain looked to the hall and called out.

LUIGI: Men, enter. Confiscate anything that you can't read. Everything here is evidence of this man's corruption and debasement.

The guards entered the room and picked up the dazed nobleman, some others begun to grab letters and books from around the place. The captain stood and gave a weak wave to the lady of House Marescotti.

LUIGI: My lady, sorry for the intrusion.

And with that, the captain left the room leaving his guards to begin the collection of evidence.

With a personal witness to the crime as respected as the Bishop Ferrero, there was no qualms by any lawyers (not even one tried to defend Agamemnon) to immediately imprison the noble and begin the process of the confiscation of his estate to be returned to the control of the city. While many saw this as the great Giovanni standing up against the debasement of the Marescottis, it was clear to only his inner circle that this was nothing more than a consolidation of power. Without the Marescottis in his way, nothing could stop the Capitano del Popolo Giovanni.