My time: 6:50, three minutes faster than average.
Theme: wordplay based on the position of the answers in relation to other answers. "Despicable... or where this answer goes?" is BENEATH CONTEMPT, because this means "despicable" and is also under, or beneath, the answer SCORN, which is contempt.
"Sick... or where this answer goes?" is UNDER THE WEATHER, because that means "sick" and also is placed beneath the answer MONSOON, which I suppose is a type of weather.
Okay then.
SCORN comes with a rather recondite clue: a line in a George Bernard Shaw play. This turns out to be "As Far as Thought Can Reach," the fifth part of his five-park work "Back to Methuselah." This play is set in 31,920 AD. The character Ecrasia tells Arjillax, "Silence is the most perfect expression of SCORN." because the latter seems to venerate the past in an era when no one else does.
In actual history, Servius Tullius is the legendary sixth king, or REX, of Rome. He is credited with the Servian Constitution, which divided citizens into five classes according to wealth. He is also credited, probably incorrectly, with introducing silver and bronze coinage.
Clever clue: "Knuckleheaded act?" is NOOGIE. "A hot one is timely" is TIP. "Drive... or drive mad?" is TEE OFF.
I think this was a pretty easy Wednesday. Most of the clues were straightforward and the theme was one of those that helps you fill in the answers quickly once you get the idea. I'm very impressed with the grid-building skills that placing the key words above the long themed answers requires.
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