First Trial

[stagemanagers]

[Just as everyone is starting to finish their investigations, there's a slow ominous sound from the lobby.

The gilded doors on the northern wall have opened.

This time, the space behind them is lit; you're free to enter. There's 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 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 Jean Valjean's podium is different - that one is draped in black crepe, with a larger greyscale version of his headshot from the playbill framed and sitting at its foot like a funerary portrait. Standing where he might have stood, a bare lightbulb 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 Balladeer's voice suddenly sounds loud and clear throughout the space.]

Okay, guys, here's how we do trial. I've...never actually been involved in something like this before, but you can do it. Just take all the time you need to talk it out - I'll be right here the whole time. You don't need a unanimous vote, we go by majority rule.

Oh, and don't mess with those buttons until you're really ready to vote. You won't be able to take it back.

...good luck.

Comments

[trettende]

They wouldn't show if it they did, would they? Is there any way to check everyone's eyesight?

[catliketread]

...Winslow's writing would work well for that, wouldn't it?

[irreprochable]

We could narrow it down by checking the dates people arrived from.

[trettende]

Perhaps! If he writes something different for each of us... or well, anyone who is from the future, then we could be sure if someone can't see.

[rockthistown]

He always keeps paper! Should we make one of those eye charts?

[trettende]

We'd have to be sure to change it for each person. Anyone with a good enough memory could lie if they happen to not go first.

[dieformymusic]

[Raises clipboard. Hey, he's willing to help.]

[inforapenny]

We, um, we'd have to do two tests to really figure it out. One up close and one at a distance, because we don't know if the person who lost their contact is nearsighted or farsighted.

[sunshineprincess]

That makes sense! But who would even go first?

HEY FACETWIN

[inforapenny]

At least we can eliminate everyone who's from before 1950... But...

Hey, Balladeer, I have a question. Or a few questions, really.

[tellthestory]

Shoot!

...uh, I mean, go ahead.

[inforapenny]

[REALLY.]

You, you said we need a majority vote. I assume that means we need a majority vote when we work out who the culprit is.

My first question is, are we dealing with a time limit here? Like, a-are your bosses going to get bored and... make us vote, or do we really have as long as it takes to work this out?

[He has to know before they get too deep into earning their optometrist credits.]

[tellthestory]

I'll let you have as long as you need. If you really start pushing it, management might decide to impose something, but I'd give you fair warning before you got cut off. Or, I'd try to.

...you're fine on time right now, by the way.

[inforapenny]

Well, that's... kinda reassuring, I guess.

My second question is, what happens if we... don't get a majority vote?

[tellthestory]

Then, technically, you won't have convicted anyone, and the killer wins.

[inforapenny]

And... what happens to the rest of us?

For that matter, what... what happens to the killer, if we do win?

[tellthestory]

A convicted murderer'll get executed. But if you can't catch them...

[He's not been terribly happy through any of this, but he sounds more subdued.]

...the rest of you will be.

[rockthistown]

What!?

[inforapenny]

Executed?

[bestof]

Executed?!

[onthebusagain]

What?!

[sunshineprincess]

Wait! I have a question about that!

[Because she's trying to see all sides of this.]

[dontfeedplants]

I just want to say that I've never owned a pair of contacts.

[Might as well get it out of the way since it's kind of obvious he had poor eyesight.]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[D-ne smiles at him, gently.]

I don't, ah...think that'll be enough to clear the others' suspicion, Seymour-san. It seems...all of us from the modern era will be tested.

[dontfeedplants]

[Sighs]

You're right. I'm sure it can't hurt my reputation at least.

[It's better than having to strip, anyway.]