You too Brutus?

A Chain. All I could do was stare dumbly at a wall. A chain didn’t just mean more than one store- it meant a whole different type of impersonalized fast food joint. How could my best friend Caesar- the man I went to culinary school with and who I thought had the same love of pizza that I did want to be such a sellout? When had he gotten so ambitious that he was ready to sacrifice good quality pizza for success?

Maybe it was because I was in such a dark mood that I let Cassius persuade me.
“A chain huh?” I just nodded numbly. He went on, “wouldn’t that betray the idea of quality and personalized pizza?” When I showed no sign of objection he continued, “Now I know Caesar is your best friend but- how has he gotten so powerful? He shouldn’t be able to make decisions for Pizza B.C; especially ones that harm the quality of the pizza.”
He had a point there, but I still wasn’t ready to give up my negative attitude. “There’s nothing we can do, O.K.”
“I was thinking.” Cassius had the look in eyes that he got only by his most far-fetched ideas. “Why should you let him have the power? You’re the better leader- you do what’s best for the pizza, not the money. Now I happen to know for a fact that our customers prefer you, Marcus, they want YOU to be the owner of Pizza B.C- I mean the only owner.”
My face showed my astonishment, “Kick Caesar out?”
“Not just Caesar. We’ll have to get rid of Mark Antony too…”

It was later that night as I was checking my email that I received an anonymous letter:

Brutus-
Don’t let Caesar take control of your business! You are the rightful owner, only YOU know what’s best for Pizza B.C. I’m begging you; don’t let it become a chain. I’m not the only who will have to find a new pizzeria if this one becomes a chain (and we all know yours is the best)…

I called up Cassius. “Alright I’m in.” I could hear him smiling. “But only for the good of the pizza”
“For the good of the pizza” he seconded. “We’ll take down Caesar and his little servant…”
“No. Mark Antony stays.”
“But Brutus-
“He stays. He’s a good chief and I only want to get Caesar out- he’s the problem”
“Alright then, we’ll take down Caesar”
“For the good of the pizza, Cassius, for the good of the pizza,” I had to remind him.

A week later, after plans had been made and details arranged, it was the day of truth. “He’s bad for the pizza. It’s the most important thing, that’s why we’re doing this. Pizza is what I love most, more important than any friendship,” I repeated more for my own sake than for Cassius’.

We stepped under the awning that Caesar and I had so proudly picked out, walked past the brick oven where I had spent many nights, mixing and throwing and baking pizza after pizza. I knew I was doing the right thing after that. There’s no way I could let my dream-my pizzeria become something as despicable as a chain. It just couldn’t happen. We walked over to Caesar, but now I was completely sure of myself and confident of my choice. “Look Brutus- I found a great place for our second pizzeria. I was thinking we could open another one up after that in Italy too- you know; an international sensation.” Yes, I was sure I had made the right decision.

The plan was that Cassius would say it, I would just tell him why. “Caesar, you’re bad for this business. I’m afraid I’m going to have to fire you. You no longer own Pizza B.C” Cassius smiled, satisfied with himself. Caesar however, just laughed.
“You’re not in charge old man! It’s me and Brutus, well really mainly me, and you can’t fire me from my own store!” That wiped the smile off Cassius’ face.
“Brutus agreed, and since the property is in his name,” Cassius spat. Now Caesar’s smile was gone too.
“Brutus?” I’d never seen him so unconfident. I could only muster a nod and mutter “For the good of the pizza.”

“Then I’ll go!” He yelled; his sureness of himself back. He slammed the door, and that was the last I ever saw of Julius Caesar, my best friend.