the theatre

[productions]

the theatre



You awaken in a darkened theatre.

In front of you is an enormous cinema screen. On it plays everything that's currently happening in the mansion, accompanied by appropriate sound effects and background instrumentals when fitting. The seat you're sitting on is large and plush, and while there's many of them, there's enough room in the theatre for you to fully recline the seat into a comfortable bed if you wish. Under each seat is a sleeping mask and noise-cancelling headphones, in case you'd like to take a break from watching the show.

Follow the stairs up and you'll reach what should be the projection room. There are no projectors in here, however; it is simply a large and well-lit room above the main seating area, and a good place to hang out with your fellow eliminated contestants if shouting at each other across the aisles proves too much to handle.

If you leave the theatre through the door in the back, you'll find yourself in a hall. On one end is a concession stand. It's stocked with standard movie snacks - popcorn, candy and the like - but if you're feeling the urge for something else, you'll be able to find it stocked somewhere in the back. On the other end is a table with thirty wrapped bags and a placard reading 'A star for our stars! Please accept these lovely giftbags as a token of appreciation for your hard work, sponsored by [illegible smudge]'. Each bag has a tag bearing the name of someone in the mansion; you will only be able to open the bag with your name on it. As soon as you open it, any memories that have been taken from you, including those of the other people in the mansion that you may have forgotten, will be returned in their entirety. Within the bag are also objects from your home that you may want for your stay here, though you will find no weapons.

There are no other doors in the hall save for the one leading back into the theatre room. There are also no windows; it is impossible to tell where you are and what is going on in the outside world. Any attempts to break out will fail. So in the meantime, why not sit back and enjoy the show?

Oh, and one more thing. At midnight following each execution, once all those who've died that week have woken up, a video will begin to play on screen.

Comments

[speakveryclearly]

Ms. Aozaki!

[Syllable by syllable the memories fall back into place. Kanaya turns around when she hears her footsteps and has her arms crossed over the back of her chair.]

I can't believe you didn't get away with it!

[aozaki]

...You are?

[she is legit surprised

kanaya wat]

[speakveryclearly]

Yes!

[She's actually getting pretty emotional about this.]

Which is stupid of me, I'll admit! But we're nothing besides that producer's gamepieces, just knights instead of pawns! We were never meant to get what we want, were we? It was all some sick joke...

Just set up to fail. I thought I was just the worst out of us, but no. Everyone in the group is going to take their turn to no avail... I can't even remember the others now, we're not even allowed that much!

And--and--[These feelings are flooding back, suppressed until now by the amnesia] I'd just hoped that at least some of us would get away with it but there's nothing besides despair, in this manor, at all.

[aozaki]

I don't know about that, but I didn't think highly of the promises for a minute. He-

...

[She scowls lightly, and shrugs.]

She? They. I know they did something, but you're over-reacting. The others are learning from example, I've just gone ahead to set an extreme, proving that it was doable. Susan's tracking powers are gone, one person performing two kills is possible. That should motivate future killers, if nothing else.

[speakveryclearly]

What about--what about-- [It's escaping her... ] That entire--place!!! [Close enough. She shakes her head, trying to make herself be rational again.]

Annie's the only one smart enough and she'll probably get caught in the crossfire with the sort of shit the producers resort to...

Argh!!!

I'm sorry, I just--I had even forgotten you were, you know, and it's all-- You can't remember any of the others, either, can you?

[aozaki]

No, but I think they'll be fine. Have a little more faith, I remember clearly that some of our fellows were competent.

[well

just one that qualifies as far as touko's concerned

but close enough...]

[speakveryclearly]

If you say so...........

[Not sounding very convinced.]

[aozaki]

How have things been here, Kanaya? It's been a week for you now, right?

[speakveryclearly]

Yeah, I showed up here right after my execution just like you have. It's been...

It hasn't been bad, I guess.

[aozaki]

Then relax and take it easy, you're not on stage anymore, although you were close to some of the living contestants, weren't you?

[speakveryclearly]

Yeah... yeah, I'd been more relaxed before the trial, believe me.

[...]

...I have to admit there are people I'm glad have survived.

1/2

[aozaki]

Then root for them over this side! Even if they don't know, I'm sure they appreciate the support.

2/2

[aozaki]

Although Felicia Marlow should suffer slowly for her death, I'll be very much looking forward to that happening, sooner or later.

[speakveryclearly]

She's just the type of person in this sort of story who might not have done anything wrong per se but you don't exactly care when she's been brutally clubbed and bleeding out on the floor.

[aozaki]

I was perfectly civil. That little bitch needs to put the money where her mouth is. If Lithuania didn't raise the idea, she would've never thought of it on her own. --Ah, I've found my regret. I had no idea she was this irritating and self-righteous until today; if I could redo the murder, she would've taken Belarus' place.

[miraculous]

[This conversation is relevant to her interests, which is to say it's interesting.]

You two are having quite the conversation.

[aozaki]

[Bern, pls.]

What caught your ear?

[miraculous]

[The tip of her tail twitches.]

I believe you've been speaking of a group.

[aozaki]

Designated killers. A handful of us were chosen by the Mastermind to step up if the rest of the contestants don't perform first. We pick up the slack for the show to go on, in other words. It's part of why I told them this will persist, despite their best efforts.

[miraculous]

[Bernkastel laughs.] Of course they've stacked the deck. You can't remember the details? Oh well, that only makes watching more interesting!

[speakveryclearly]

Yeah, we had to keep the existence of the group a secret - and it seems they've made sure that we can't ruin the surprise for any of you about who the others are.

It only makes sense, though. When Felicia and Susan harp about how the game won't stop until the murders will, they don't know that it won't happen until every single Designated Killer is taken out of the picture.

[miraculous]

Assuming neither Felicia nor Susan are part of the group. [The thought amuses her, but it's impossible to tell how seriously she's taking the idea.]

[speakveryclearly]

[This makes her frown. She can't say for sure they weren't but...] I don't think you entirely understand how it worked. One of us has to kill a week, if no other player does, or else we all lose. Didn't you notice how I let a few lines slip about how I'd known from the beginning I wanted that "spiky ball"?

[aozaki]

It's the least that they could do, but apparently tweaks had to be made to the rules after my performance. I'm eager to see if that'll net us additional announcements in the upcoming week, I confess. If they're pulling us in for a murder game, the burden of foresight falls onto them.

[Joining in with the psycho smiles...]

All the more to look forward to. Kanaya doesn't seem to remember me until I showed up, that may be the case with the others as well.

[miraculous]

Not being able to read the back of the book first just means I can tear it apart myself. [Which suits her well enough. Psycho smile party.] Maybe they didn't appreciate your getting the drawing room messy.