first trial

[stagemanagers]

[Within a few minutes of the performers is finishing their investigations, the lights in every room flicker on and off several times. For those in or close to the lobby, they hear a faint rumbling. The gilded doors across from the heavy wooden front doors (which have always been there, the showrunners may have gotten to indicate them on the map) have opened.

Your intermission is ending. The show is about to begin.

The space behind them is lit; you're free to enter. It's a very short hallway, decorated in the same way as the lobby with the light walls and red carpet. There is one more set of doors to pass through and then you're all, finally, in the House. There's one grand chandelier above, glittering crystal, and the seats around you are made of fine, if dust-caked, red velvet. Those don't seem to be for you though - all the way down in front of the stage, where the orchestra might sit, there's a circle of wooden podiums. They're arranged so that everyone can face each other and are fixed into place. Each one bears a metal plaque with a cast member's name engraved on it. There's also a metal panel on top, with twenty ivory buttons paired to everyone's name.

Among these, only Jonny's podium is different - that one is draped in black crepe, with a larger grey-scale version of his headshot from the playbill framed and sitting at on top like a funerary portrait. Standing where he might have stood, a bare light bulb glows faintly atop a metal pole.

Right here, you're very close to the stage. But the curtain is closed, and it's a little too high to easily clamber up. You may not want to try. You've got more important business right now, after all.

As everyone is finding their places, the Phantom's voice suddenly sounds loud and clear throughout the space. If anyone is to look up, however, they'll see the dark suited figure of him and the whiteness of his mask peering over the edge of box 5.]

You must now determine who was responsible for the death of Jonny D'Ville. Submit your vote on the podiums when you are certain of your choice.

Comments

[37773972]

[Quietly, as if to himself] I think this is a language. [A little louder;] Did Jonny ever mention having someone he was close to...?

[reassuranceandrevolution]

He spoke of his crew a couple of times, but no one in particular.

[37773972]

Then there's only a few of us who do have others. [He's not looking at Sigyn as he speaks, instead, addressing the whole class group] Is it possible that whoever killed him ransacked his room trying to find this?

[revelfree]

Are you suggesting it might not be his ring, but someone else's?

[37773972]

[A nod.]

We keep getting strange things coming from the booth - is it far off to assume that maybe it belongs to someone else here?

[madgiganticfeelings]

Then it's a ring from someone who's married. Which wouldn't be any of the teenagers, right?

[37773972]

I'm...still technically married. [His voice is quiet] I can tell you it's not mine - or hers - but it's up to you to believe me.

[reassuranceandrevolution]

It is possible.

[garbageface]

I dunno, he always struck me as -- [ Santana makes an 😬 ] -- single.

[superbeliever]

Hey, there is nothing wrong with being... single!

[garbageface]

Oh my god, you make up rules and you're single? You're like, the most embarrassing person here.

[holyspit]

Hey, everyone falls in love in their own time.

[garbageface]

Yeah, but doing it slower is generally worse.

[superbeliever]

I'm... I'm working on myself, right now.

And besides, my wife tried to have me executed.

[holyspit]

...That doesn't sound like a healthy relationship at ALL.

[garbageface]

Your ex-wife sounds hot.

[ Later, Santana will very much regret saying that!! For no reason in particular!! ]

[mcfife]

I'm...sorry, your majesty.

[Is this what he has to prepare for when he becomes king?]

[isawallflower]

[ Like, hissing: ] Santana, focusing on your passions isn't a crime.

[garbageface]

[ Santana feigns surprise. ]

Wow, Riley, are you also single?

[ Santana, who is also single, is being the world's biggest hypocrite. Sorry! ]

[isawallflower]

Why do you have to say it like that?! Yes, I'm single, but I'm not looking for a boyfriend right now, I have my team to focus on!

[ The persecution...!! ]

[justmeheere]

No, but. Can I see that? If. I might be able to read it.

[He checked back in to be marginally helpful.]

[37773972]

[Hands it over!]

hey mods!

[justmeheere]

[What does the inscription say? Or rather, is it a legible language?

You know. For someone who can use the internet to google translate fictional languages.]

[stagemanagers]

[This language is not available in Google Translate! We checked!]

[justmeheere]

[Well damn.]

Okay, nevermind. It's, uh. Not a language I know. Or even recognize.