fourth trial

[stagemanagers]

[When the investigation finishes, the lights begin to flicker on and off as that low, gentle rumble echoes through the opera house. Again for those investigating the grounds the outdoor lights illuminating the still night flicker to get their attention.

Your intermission is ending. Please return to your trial room.

The court room looks just as it did before: the grand chandelier glittering above your heads, the dusty red velvet seats. In the orchestra pit your circle of wooden podiums are waiting. Angus, Riley and Shilo's podiums are draped in black crepe with their greyscale funerary portraits, just like your friends before them. The ghost light glows softly behind the podiums.

The curtain is closed, waiting to open when a decision has been reached and the execution can commence.

When everyone is in their places, the Phantom's voice echoes loud and clear through the theatre from his place in box 5. He still sounds distracted, just as he was for his other public appearance this week, like there are other things weighing on his mind.]

You must now determine who was responsible for the death of Shilo Wallace. Submit your vote on the podiums when you are certain of your choice.

[Gather your evidence and let's begin.]

Comments

[madgiganticfeelings]

Exactly. If I... if I had done anything... I wouldn't try to hide it.

[She looks at Stephen, a bit betrayed.]

Besides. You know what we... talked about. You know what my plan was, and it wasn't murder.

[37773972]

No, I- I'm getting confused. I know, but- [He closes his eyes for a moment, then opens them]

Christine. When did you start seeing Ruth? Tuesday, right, with the rest of us? [PLEASE SAY YES]

[madgiganticfeelings]

Yes. I told you that. I told you everything I was thinking, even the horrible stuff!

You saw me this week too. I was willing to do anything for Jeremy. Why would I let him die?

[She's talking faster and faster, her eyes overflowing.]

I thought you trusted me! I wouldn't ever betray your trust like that!

[37773972]

I know, I know! I'm sorry, I just-

[He deflates, face in a hand]

I'm sorry. I wanted to be sure you didn't- that you didn't have one. That it was just part of...everything else.

[heathencall]

That's enough, Stephen.

[37773972]

I'm done.

[GUILTY DAD IS GUILTY AND FEELING LIKE SHIT]

[madgiganticfeelings]

[Christine just chokes on a sob and buries her face in Mephisto's chest. At least one of them knew. She would never break a pinky promise.]

[musacal]

[ Are you still standing by her Stephen?

Because she's going to just try and put her hand on your shoulder. TENSION IS HIGH, AND WE'RE ALL STRESSED, IT'S OKAY.... ]

[37773972]

[he appreciates it but he's still become what he hates; an asshole]

[holyspit]

You just wanted to dance with him. Even when you were really sick the only things you were mad at were the squids.

[justmeheere]

SQUIP. Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor.

[It's said absently, like a reflex.]

[likemypicture]

I like squid better.

[holyspit]

Yeah, but that makes them sound kind of cool and none of them have seemed even capable of being nice?

[justmeheere]

I mean. It. It is nice, when you don't have to. You don't have to think.

[madgiganticfeelings]

... did you like it better when things were easy, Jeremy?

[justmeheere]

Shiny happy nothing singing sweetly
Gone was human error and fear
Every issue tucked away so neatly -

[madgiganticfeelings]

No! Jeremy, you know that's not how it worked! It didn't make our issues disappear.

If, if anything, it made you hate me more.

[justmeheere]

Not. Not really, no. It just thought you were, uh. Unattainable?

[madgiganticfeelings]

...Jeremy, that's the most ridiculous thing you've said since we got here. I literally told you I loved you!

[justmeheere]

Oh, you. You're talking about. About that. [He starts fiddling with the pamphlet on his podium.] That wasn't about hating you.

[madgiganticfeelings]

Was it... protecting me? Because you really seem to think you don't deserve to be around me.

[justmeheere]

If - if I was focused on you then. Then the SQUIP felt like I would forget about, uh. All the stuff. All the things it was doing.

[madgiganticfeelings]

And... what kinds of things was it doing?

[Mm don't like that.]

[holyspit]

Yeah but it seems like all the stuff they think FOR you is- you know. Bad. A lot.