OVERTURE

[stagemanagers]

You wake up, and realize you don’t remember how you got here.

This bed is soft and warm, but it’s certainly not yours. And the room is unfamiliar - unless perhaps you’re an actor, seeing as it looks almost exactly like every dressing room in the world. It's not quite large enough to fit the bed and trunk comfortably alongside the vanity, but it what it lacks in open space, it makes up for in coziness. This could be something you’ve seen in a movie, or dreamed about experiencing one day. But whatever the case, you aren’t supposed to be here.

There’s a silver key resting on your vanity, along with a thin program booklet. The cover - where the name of the show would usually be - is blank, but if you flip through it, you’ll find some startlingly familiar information. Maybe a few familiar faces as well…

The hallway outside is narrow and poorly-lit, lined with star-studded doors. But if you make your way past them and out into the lobby, you’ll find something entirely different: an elegant, refined opera house. Crystal chandeliers glitter overhead, and the red carpet is perfect for putting on a show. A large clock on the northern wall marks the time, though with the windows shuttered and locked it's difficult to tell whether it's morning or night. There’s also some framed information pinned up that you might find helpful. If you explore further into the adjoining wings, in fact, you'll see there's an identical copy in every room.

There’s also two sets of double-doors in the lobby: one leading back the way you came, deeper into the Opera House, and one leading out. For the moment, neither of them will open.

It looks like you’re stuck. But hey - at least you aren’t alone.

Comments

oh boy!!!

[catliketread]

[Well, this certainly isn't budging. All the windows are probably shut just as tightly. Hmm, maybe there's a door around here. That probably should have been his first thought... Oh.]

"Expensive" is understating it! This is beyond anything I've ever seen!

[It's bordering on gaudy, which is great. Sign him up. Can he hang chandeliers like this in his ship?? Probably not. But imagine if he could.]

[blackstache]

It would be no surprise to me if this were the work of royalty. The Queen herself, perhaps.

[He motions to the windows, staring at them curiously.]

Is there no way these can be open?

[catliketread]

[!!!]

Surely our Queen would do nothing of the sort...!

[He lets it go after a moment though and shrugs a bit at the question.]

I couldn't get them to open, but perhaps they require more than brute strength? Or perhaps more brute strength than what I can apply alone.

[blackstache]

Who else do you suppose could afford such fine things, hm? Things that I will, of course, be taking once this little venture has concluded, mind you.

[He steps forward to the window, tapping on it with his hook.]

Perhaps they just wish to taunt us with a means of escape.

[catliketread]

[Hmmmmm. Well, he doesn't want to believe the Queen would do it, but perhaps someone in a position of authority? You can't trust those damn nobles at all.

He doesn't think anything of this guy wanting to steal the expensive stuff, because if he had anything he could do with the expensive stuff he'd steal it too. As it stands there isn't much he could do with it besides pawn it off and no one in Penzance wants to do business with pirates.]

That seems most likely. But why lock us in here in the first place? Surely there's a reason for choosing all of us?

[beyond PIRATE FIGHT that is]

[blackstache]

[the only reason to kidnap someone for a murdergame, of course]

The whole nonsense about "shows" and "actors" within the booklet have my interest piqued. Though, the likelihood of that being the reason we're here seems a bit slim.

[catliketread]

It sounds more like they've decided to replace us with actors. Not like an actor could portray me!

[blackstache]

Oh, the very thought of replacing me is absurd. They'd have nothing to gain, aside from my good looks.

[catliketread]

Well yes, there's no denying that. [thanks, pk] But what would be the point in going to all this trouble and keeping us somewhere so nice?

[blackstache]

Surely, they have grand intentions. I would wager whatever they have planned is somewhere between a lavish affair or something far more sinister.

[catliketread]

The former would be nice. The latter's more likely, probably.

[As amazing and wonderful as he is... he's probably not going to be kidnapped to any fancy parties where you're not allowed to leave by climbing out a window. So.]

[blackstache]

Then we must assume the worst, my dear boy, and prepare ourselves for any unexpected surprises from whoever has brought us all together.

[catliketread]

...Boy.

[But. But he's a man!!! HE IS THE PIRATE KING—]

Well, yes, that certainly is something we need to keep in mind. I've no doubts that our... [a pause] captors have some specific reason for choosing us to bring here, but I've no idea what it could be yet.

[Critical thinking isn't really his strong suit. Who needs that!!]

[blackstache]

Well, no doubt that they have selected some lucky individuals, if they have chosen Captain Hook to be amongst their ranks.

[a sneer, as he completely ignores the pirate king's obvious misgivings with "boy"]

Oh, don't worry, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

[catliketread]

A captain...

[looks him up and down]

You don't look like you're with the navy.

[like, not at all]

[blackstache]

I am a pirate, my dear boy.

[welp]

[catliketread]

Ah, indeed! You do have the look of a pirate about you, I ought to have guessed!

[He gives a sweeping bow then (it's a proper one, surprisingly) before straightening up and resting a hand on his chest.]

As I am, my good man! I am the Pirate King! And you are...?

[blackstache]

[...]

The Pirate King.

[he says it slowly and deliberately, taking in each word.]

[catliketread]

The Pirate King!

[POSE]

[blackstache]

I did not know such a title existed. Incredibly regal. It must be highly-sought after.

[hook no]

[catliketread]

I have yet to have any other pirates attempt to claim the title, but the majority of pirates I have dealings with are my own crew. They are not the sort to stab me in the back for a title - or a leadership position - so I've yet to have any sort of trouble!

[...where are the other pirates in this musical??? WHO KNOWS]

[blackstache]

I see.

[hook]

I shall be commandeering your title from you now.

[catliketread]

...You're joking, aren't you?

[w o w]

[blackstache]

I most certainly am not.

[hook please]

Who was Bluebeard? Nobody. Who was Nero? Nobody. Who was Jack the Ripper? All nobody villains when put up against the great Captain James Hook, the slimiest sleaze on the seven seas! The man who has earned that title.

[catliketread]

[ ]

Why would you want to be known as a slimy sleaze? That's hardly a way to make a name for yourself! If you want to be a pirate king so badly, simply make the title your own!

[PLEASE PICK A BETTER TITLE FOR YOURSELF, SIR...]