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

[robitussin]

Yeah. We should get started on that.

[bestof]

So we need everyone from after a certain time period to test. [Time to corral everyone from after 1950 I guess.]

[robitussin]

For fairness' sake, let's have someone who's from before that point do the testing. I'm cool with getting checked first.

[bestof]

I can do the testing if need be.

[robitussin]

[finger guns]

Let's get it done.

[bestof]

[She is ready whenever ya'll are.]

[dontfeedplants]

[After his kind of freak out there...]

Um... do I need to take it?

[Not that he's overly against taking it, but it feels like a moot point here to have him take an eye test.]

[bestof]

[She nods but not without sympathy.]

Just so we can completely rule you out.

[dontfeedplants]

Okay, I can do it.

[He takes his glasses off and awaits further instructions.]

[rockthistown]

[Hime takes a breath and wrings her hands.] I'm ready if you have it.

[bestof]

[Because Winslow is a helper, Eliza is going to quickly write out a line for her and step back a bit.]

It might help to cover one of your eyes, since only one contact is missing.

[Nightingales sing in the time for spring.]

[rockthistown]

Okay... Nightingales sing in the time for spring. [She's good.]

[robitussin]

Okay, so... Hold up a piece of paper with some words on it and stand a couple of feet away, I guess? Does that work?

[inforapenny]

Everyone should read two different sheets - one at a distance and one closer up. Just because we have no way to determine whether the contact lens was for nearsightedness or farsightedness.

[robitussin]

Sure, yeah, that's fair. We should also check that they aren't wearing contacts right now, in case they found an extra pair or something.

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[After Hime and Natalie, she'll go, sure. D-ne blinks a few times to prepare.] Alright, show me them...

[bestof]

[Youth's forward slips Death soon snips.]

1/2

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[D-ne nods and rubs at her eyes, hard, like they itch. She lets out a shuddering sigh and drops her hand and-



And a contact pops out of her right eye.]

[solomonjihad]

[She'll wait for her turn, once everyone's ready.]

[bestof]

[Uriah's lovely wife made David seek his life.]

[inforapenny]

[Here he is, ready for his turn.]

[bestof]

[Rachel doth mourn for her first born.]

[aflatouttahell]

[THOSE PHRASES YOU'RE PICKING MAKE HER A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE, MRS HAMILTON, BUT JEZ APPROACHES ANYWAY]

Um... I'm ready!

[onthebusagain]

I'm ready! [Whenever it's her turn.]

[dieformymusic]

[GONNA TAKE THIS TEST CAUSE NO KNE TRUSTS HIM.]