FIFTH TRIAL

[stagemanagers]

[The sound of the courtroom doors opening is louder and deeper than the stairwell doors were, as if they understand their dramatic importance.

It's time for yet another trial.

Natalie's podium has joined the other somberly-decorated ones in pretty short order. Unfortunately, the other ones are left entirely as they were - no pillows, food, or coffee provided by the Opera staff. You'll just have to try and make this quick. The Balladeer sounds like he'd like to get this over with as well when he speaks up.]

I'm sorry, Heather. I really didn't think... [He sighs.] Okay, go ahead.

Comments

[tellthestory]

[..........]

I am not allowed to interfere in the course of an investigation or trial.

[dontfeedplants]

[Oh this is going terrible places, Seymour can feel it.]

... Balladeer, were the handprints on Natalie's body yours?

[That... technically wouldn't be interfering with investigations, would it?]

[tellthestory]

[Sorry, Seymour, there will be no response to this.]

[dontfeedplants]

Balladeer, please, our lives depend on it!

[inforapenny]

But it was before the investigation started, wasn't it?

I don't want you to interfere. We just...need to clear your name.

Please.

[tellthestory]

My role doesn't involve participating in the trial portion of this.

If you're gonna do anything, you have to do it yourselves.

[inforapenny]

[He waits. Takes a breath.]

...Okay, Billy. I think... I think that's enough.

[tellthestory]

...what? N-no, wait -

[inforapenny]

I know- I know you're scared. But you have to play your role.

[tellthestory]

We all do. You can't do this.

[inforapenny]

[He walks over to the stage and hoists himself up - still staying outside the curtain.]

We're all in this together. Remember your note? If... if you were involved in this, you owe them an explanation.

[tellthestory]

[.....]

Fine. Fine. I didn't mean for any of this to happen.

But it's my fault.

[inforapenny]

...You know where I was last night. What happened?

[tellthestory]

I...was going back to the box office. To get backstage and...investigate. I ran into Natalie. We talked a little, and she got mad at me because I wouldn't tell her who the mole was. And I mean, she was tired, we're all tired...she wasn't going to do anything to me, she was just - she was just yelling!

The crew shot her. Because - because of Rule Five.

[dontfeedplants]

[Oh dear god the crew is even more cruel than he thought. Poor Natalie...]

But... why shoot her with my gun? Don't they have their own guns?

[trettende]

Seriously!?

[ I mean on hand, he's concerned and on the other hand-- jesus christ. ]

So the blood in the bathroom, that was yours?

[aflatouttahell]

The... the crew?

[Jezebel just... stares. What the hell. This is unfair, and she knows a thing or two about unfair!!]

Then why the hell are we in a trial?

[inforapenny]

Well- that's. That's that, then.

The crew punished her. For breaking a rule that she wasn't even breaking.

[dechagny]

[Rule Five - Cast members may not interfere with or attempt to harm Opera staff - unless given permission.]

So they...had permission to shoot her? Because they thought - they thought she was trying to hurt the Balladeer, but she...was simply yelling at you? Is that right?

[trettende]

Did you two switch again?!

[ He better not have sung his duet with Billy....!! ]

[dontfeedplants]

[Wait...]

Billy? What are you talking about...?

[He doesn't mean...?]

[dechagny]

[Wait-]

Billy?!

[dechagny]

[Oh God. Oh no.]

Monsieur Balladeer...please. If you were...if you were with her, please...

[tellthestory]

[No response.]

[dechagny]

Monsieur!

[Raoul's hands shake as they grip the podium.]

For all our sakes!!