Third Trial

[stagemanagers]

[Once again, the sound of opening doors echoes through the opera house as the investigation draws to a close.

Time for your third trial.

The courtroom looks the same as ever, save that Darla and Eliza's podiums are now arranged in the same funerary fashion as the other deceased cast members. The lights from the bulbs standing in their places seem to cast the rest of the house even more in shadow, even as the crystal chandeliers still glitter dimly above. The Balladeer is hidden backstage once more, somewhere behind the red curtain drawn shut across the stage. Once everyone's taken their places, he speaks up.]

Alright. Let's do this.

Comments

[solomonjihad]

...

Yes. Yes I do.

[blackstache]

You clearly have no faith in Hook
The world's most famous crook!

[solomonjihad]

No.

You mentioned not moving Ms. Hamilton
And you not owning the poison.
But you don't have to own the weapon or move the body!
You forgot to promise that you didn't murder either one -
so your excuse is shoddy!

[blackstache]

[He sweats, and adjusts his wig again. He rubs the sweat off of his forehead.]

Hook never breaks a promise!
That much is very true.
So here's another one for you!

I didn't harm a hair on either of their heads!

[catliketread]

Technically, that doesn't cover poison.

[blackstache]

I wouldn't even know where to get poison! I haven't been to that bloody merchandise booth once!

[catliketread]

That's the part I'm stumped by, honestly. But unfortunately where you got the poison is not quite as important as proving your innocence, is it? So! Can you prove that you didn't kill them? Can anyone account for your whereabouts last night?

[blackstache]

Hook has no allies here! Save for Billy, perhaps.

[catliketread]

...Is that where you got the poison? From the Billydeer?

[blackstache]

No, I clearly meant the other one!

[catliketread]

I thought you disliked him?

[????????]

Well anyway, did that Billy see you last night?

[blackstache]

Well-dressed Billy! Not the one involved with both Anna and running this thing.

Of course not! Captain Hook was busy sleeping!

[catliketread]

Why are there so many Billys?

[THIS MAKES THINGS SO COMPLICATED JFC]

Right, well! This line of questioning clearly isn't going anywhere! If no one can prove your innocence then what do we have left? You are the only clear suspect at the moment, Captain! Did you allow Natalie to check your hand for makeup smears?

[blackstache]

I did not! If the girl wishes to check my hand, let her!

[solomonjihad]

...You didn't HAVE to harm a hair on their heads.
Not if with arsenic they were already dead!
So promise me now
If your innocence is true
And breaking a promise is voodoo
You had nothing to do
With killing Darla and Eliza, too!

[Japanese play STOMP AND SNAP POINT]

PROMISE!

[blackstache]

Hook can't be forced into promises! That would be bad form!

[solomonjihad]

And killing those two...wasn't bad form?

[Seriously between the syphilis and the promise thing unless something super crazy happens she's just. focusing on you Hook]

I'm not forcing anything but the truth.
But.

The choice is up to you.

[blackstache]

I did not lay a finger on either of them!

[robitussin]

...What about a hook?

[1/2]

[solomonjihad]

A hook is not a finger, is it?
Ah, Natalie, I'd almost forgot...!
...

[blackstache]

Hook didn't lay a finger nor a hook on a single hair of their heads!

[solomonjihad]

I already mentioned the arsenic
Means you wouldn't even have to touch them.
But if you really want to do this
What about on any other part of their body?

[blackstache]

Hook didn't "touch" either of them!

[solomonjihad]

By hand or hook?
And you didn't poison them?

[Jesus Hook if you are innocent you are the WORST TAKE THE HINT IF YOU'RE INNOCENT--

wait a moment]

Or hit them with ceramic items?

[2/2]

[solomonjihad]

No, actually, I did forget.