FIFTH TRIAL

[stagemanagers]

[The sound of the courtroom doors opening is louder and deeper than the stairwell doors were, as if they understand their dramatic importance.

It's time for yet another trial.

Natalie's podium has joined the other somberly-decorated ones in pretty short order. Unfortunately, the other ones are left entirely as they were - no pillows, food, or coffee provided by the Opera staff. You'll just have to try and make this quick. The Balladeer sounds like he'd like to get this over with as well when he speaks up.]

I'm sorry, Heather. I really didn't think... [He sighs.] Okay, go ahead.

Comments

[dechagny]

For God's sake, man, I'm not voting for someone innocent!

[tellthestory]

In what world am I innocent?!

[That...was loud. He takes a breath, and takes his time before speaking again.]

You can't vote for the crew, and it only even happened because of me. I'm the only logical option.

[trettende]

It's not a matter of guilty or innocent.

[ Lord knows, they're all guilty of their own things. ]

It's about voting for the killer. Which you aren't, Billy.

[allicareabout]

Hans is right.

If you didn't kill her, voting for you is incorrect and going to get us all killed. So if you'd please stop resisting our attempts to save your life, that'd be appreciated.

[trettende]

That's right. It's not a matter of who feels guilty, it's a matter of who murdered Natalie.

[ Mental high five from across the courtroom, Billy. ]

[dechagny]

IN THIS ONE!

[You wanna be loud? Raoul can be fuckin' loud.]

The one here, in this purgatory of an opera house, Billy Harris has killed none of his fellow cast! You pulled no triggers - I shall not pull mine!

[tellthestory]

Brought her down
To the floor
Caused her death
And what for?

Doesn't take a trigger finger at all to
Change the world

I may as well have done. You should take the safer option for everyone - there's still a chance they'll count this.

[dechagny]

[He has to try really hard not to just slam the podium.]

Past...the point of no return
That's what you're saying
And either way we choose we cannot win

Though I cannot ignore
What dark horrors lie in store
I won't condemn a friend
Even if it brings my end...

No - Billy, I won't do it, I refuse! And if my death comes of that, then so be it!

[aflatouttahell]

If it's people who played a part in her getting killed, I might as well be the guilty party! I could have stayed with her, and kept her from... kept her from that, somehow. If you're guilty through inaction, then so am I.