With money stolen from the store robbery, Hadrian improves his appearance and circumstances enough to approach the Colosso without drawing immediate contempt. He buys plain functional clothes, rents a tiny room near the starport, and shaves off his tangled hair, making himself look gaunt, severe, and less like a street vagrant.

Hadrian enters the arena vomitorium beneath House Mataro banners and asks a staff attendant whether the Colosso is accepting people for the fodder pool. Hadrian knows entering as a proper gladiator would expose him to scrutiny because he lacks references and is hiding his identity, but Hadrian believes his combat training and years of street survival make him capable of surviving as a myrmidon.

During the medical examination, Hadrian reflects on the difference between celebrated gladiators and fodder-pool myrmidons, who are usually criminals, slaves, addicts, or desperate men sent to die for spectacle. The medic, Chand, is an enslaved former deserter with military tattoos and a sharp manner. Chand questions Hadrian, measures him, and notices that Hadrian is far fitter than most fodder recruits.

Hadrian grows anxious when Chand says the examination includes blood work, fearing the scrutiny could expose him. Chand then identifies Hadrian as a palatine, provoking Hadrian into a revealing reaction. Realizing the plan may have failed, Hadrian begins to dress and leave, but Chand blocks the door and demands to know why someone of his class is hiding instead of claiming privilege.

Hadrian recognizes Chand's Durantine accent and speaks to Chand in her language, confirming Chand's origins in the Republic. Hadrian tries to bribe Chand, but Chand rejects the gold because Chand's slavery makes money useless. Hadrian then appeals to Chand's resentment of nobility, claiming that Hadrian does not want to be a lord and begging Chand to put Hadrian in the pool because Hadrian has nothing else after three years on Borosevo's streets.