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]

[The shot reverberates through Raoul like a deeply-buried memory. Don't shoot! - the words are on his tongue and yet he does not speak them, the image of the dying Balladeer so striking, it haunts his eyes even when he looks up towards where the shot rang out. Where...it was the management, wasn't it, watching from above, who is it and where-

No, the lights are out, everything's out. People are screaming, running - he is furious. He doesn't care if he's killed for it, he wants to fight for the Balladeer, fight for Valjean and D-ne, Hime and Gabe, Darla and Eliza, Javert and Astarte, Natalie, even - shockingly enough - Hook of all people. But the stage isn'ts safe. Whatever pulled them up here will surely take hold again if they remain, and the chandeliers above are ominous. He has to run. He has to go. All of them do.]

Come on - all of you, out! We cannot stay!