A Cloud Like a Pine Tree

Misenum, early afternoon: a pine-shaped cloud is rising over the bay, and Admiral Pliny the Elder sails out to meet it.

Transcript

A cloud rises over the bay, like none seen before, shaped like a pine.

Misenum, port of the war fleet. Early afternoon. His sister shows the cloud to the admiral.

The admiral has just bathed, eaten a light meal and gone back to his books. Now he climbs to higher ground, where the view is better.

The cloud rises like the trunk of a very tall tree and spreads into branches. No one knows which mountain it grew from.

At times it is bright, at times dirty and blotchy, as if it carried earth and ash.

The admiral orders a light ship made ready. He wants to see it up close.

On the threshold he receives a letter. Rectina, whose villa lies below the mountain, begs for rescue. She can flee only by sea.

The admiral changes his plan. He launches the galleys and sails straight toward the cloud.