fourth trial

[stagemanagers]

[For a fourth time, the doors of the trial room unlock with a loud, echoing click and creak of the doors opening.

The time has come for your fourth trial.

The courtroom looks as it always does, with Hook and Javert's podiums are have been decorated just as the other dead performers are. The added lights cast even more shadows across the room and the chandelier above glitters and hangs ominously overhead. The Balladeer is nowhere to be seen again, presumably waiting behind the curtain to be needed. Once everyone is in position, his voice rings out across the courtroom.]

You guys know what to do. Let's get this over with.

Comments

[dechagny]

I...returned to the bathroom on the first floor, after...we found the Inspector - I had gone there initially to relieve myself, and found that it smelled very strongly of drinking alcohol. It was strongest by the sinks, where I found the remnants of dried purpleish paint with a few spots of dried blood. [He puts forth a hankerchief with remnants of both.] I brushed a small bit of it with this in order to determine that, and you can compare it to the color of the paint picked up as well.

I also found this in the trash. [He produces the paint-stained matcha brush.] I believe it is one of the swirling brushes used in the tea room, for I do recall seeing them there before. It is of my opinion that someone attempted to clean the brush after using it to paint on the walls of the chapel. Whether they cleaned with alcohol or were terribly drunk at the time, I cannot be sure, but one thing I am certain of - this person was dripping a small amount of blood as they were working. It is my opinion that this could be from an injury, perhaps...inflicted by the Inspector himself.

[Because as sad as he was, as bad as it looked, Raoul does not believe Javert could hang himself.]

[onthebusagain]

There was a purple paint bucket in his room. And there was an empty bottle of scotch on the floor, too.

[dechagny]

And you had said his room was an utter mess, yes? Still, paint and alcohol...I wonder why the containers were in his room to begin with?

[trettende]

That's a strange brush, what was it used for normally? I mean, shouldn't it be in the art room?

[ What are you, swishy brush. ]

I don't remember a brush in the tea room, but then again I don't really make tea.

[solomonjihad]

[Wha-?]

That's a matcha brush. Its not a paint brush at all!

[trettende]

Oh, you know what it is?

What is it for?

[solomonjihad]

No, its not even really a brush. Its a whisk, for mixing and dissolving matcha powder into water! Its specifically for making matcha tea.

[trettende]

Could such a thing be used to... whisk up some poison?

[solomonjihad]

If its in a matcha tea? I...guess its possible, but it would have to be a powder. Something that could be whisked into matcha tea easily without it being obvious. But if its any other kind of tea it would probably be more difficult because other types of tea aren't powdered. I mean, unless you used it to mash something, but it wouldn't be extremely effective.

[dechagny]

I've made a fair amount of tea while being here, though I haven't used this device. However, I know I've seen it in the tea room before.

[trettende]

Could the killer have known what it was?

[dechagny]

Perhaps? I do not know if I can say for sure. Obviously it was used in some unorthodox manner if the paint is anything to go by.

[solomonjihad]

So you think we should check people for injuries.

[Given what Billy has also said, its sounds right.]

[dontfeedplants]

Do we really have to strip during every trial?

[At this rate they might as well start every trial naked.]

[solomonjihad]

We have to make sure, Seymour. If the culprit is injured, they could easily be hiding their injuries.

[trettende]

She has a point. Inspector Javert was very fit, it makes sense that he'd have fought back.

[dechagny]

It's a good way to know if there's any sort of definite, damning evidence on the culprit.

[dontfeedplants]

Aww fine. So who's going first, then?

[dechagny]

[Well. I mean.

Raoul's already reaching for the collar of his shirt. Stop being so eager to strip, damn it.]