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

[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?

[tellthestory]

Isn't that what you usually do with murderers?

[inforapenny]

I meant us!

A-also there are plenty of ways to deal with murderers that aren't the death penalty!

[bestof]

Executed?!

[onthebusagain]

What?!

[sunshineprincess]

Wait! I have a question about that!

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

[tellthestory]

Yeah?

[sunshineprincess]

What happens if there's a majority but someone votes differently? Will.. They get excecuted with the killer? Or will they be safe?

[dontfeedplants]

What?! B-but why?! You can't execute us for not knowing who a murderer is! I... isn't that illegal?!

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

I don't think this place cares about legality, Seymour-san.

[tellthestory]

...not my specialty, but none of this seems entirely legal under American criminal law.

[dontfeedplants]

But on this level...! Dear god, why would anyone want to kill nineteen people because we couldn't solve a murder within a few hours?! What is the point of this? What is the point of any of this?!

[He's... really not taking this well.]

[allicareabout]

We don't execute innocent people. Usually.

[Shrug!]

But even that's usually a case of "mistakes happen."

[...Thanks, Billy.]

[dieformymusic]

[Not going to anger rush this guy....not going to rush...

Just scribbling "YOU CANT KILL US ALL."]

[tellthestory]

I don't actually carry out...I'd rather you all didn't die!

[dieformymusic]

[You're such a frustrating guy, my dude.

"You sound as though you work for the devil."

Which at this point is a possibility.]

[blackstache]

[A very, very, loud "HA!"]

Oh, I love the cut of your jib, boy!

[tellthestory]

...Jesus.

[your approval horrifies him]