productions | (no subject)

Entry tags:

private conversations

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Who: The Mastermind and the Hostess
What: A Conversation
When: A Private Moment

[When Lithuania returns to his room in the evening, he will find the Hostess waiting inside. She seems to have been weeping; her veil is pulled back, and she's dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.]

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[Lithuania looks like he's on the verge of tears himself, though once he sees Doris there he pulls himself together, albeit with what appears to be physical effort. He shuts the door behind him quickly.]

I-- [His voice cracks, a little, and he has to pause before speaking again.] ...Hello.

Oh, love. I'm so sorry. Just give me a moment.

[She dries her face and puts away the handkerchief.]

I'm so sorry to bother you, at a time like this. How...how are you holding up?

I-I'm... [He falters. Normally Lithuania is good at acting as if nothing's wrong, but right now he feels like a mess. Probably, he reflects dimly, because he is a mess. Everything about this situation is a mess.]

This is my fault. [It's the first time he's been able to say it out loud.] This--this is all my fault.

Of course not, of course it isn't your fault. You didn't choose to play this part.

It...it shouldn't have been Poland, he was a popular player. But those running this believed it would be interesting to allow it...I'm sure you wouldn't think kindly towards any of us regardless, but it's this time that I truly can't stand idly by and accept what they've done.

[Lithuania is sure Sonia--and it has to be her, the designated killers have been at work for weeks now and who else would forgo the chance for extra tools--wouldn't have bothered killing Poland if not for his association with Lithuania. He keeps wishing he'd done things differently, protected Poland better. But there isn't anything he can do now. He latches onto Doris's words instead.]

...What are you going to do?

Well...I did make a promise.

[She looks down at her hands.]

I said I would help you, so I thought I'd look into a few things for you, look at a few of the production notes I'm not supposed to. But that won't be enough.

When I said it's possible for the Mastermind to survive, I wasn't lying to you. It's possible, but difficult...at least when the game is fair. But you were never meant to survive. They've been setting you up for death this whole time, and I've only just found out why.

[Lithuania isn't really surprised, on one level. He'd always been pessimistic, and to learn he wasn't meant to survive this was only confirmation of something he'd suspected. But on another level he's angry. He'd been trying, hadn't allowed for mistakes, and now had lost Poland over survival he was never meant to earn. But, if that's not normal, then--]

Why? Is there something wrong with this instance of the show?

[Aside from the whole premise of the game.]

Yes. I think...I think there really is someone here meant to benefit from the show. Who's involved with the producers somehow. Things have been set up for that person's benefit.

If it was revealed this entire show has been fake, then...those in charge would have difficulties, I'm certain of it. But even I, they wouldn't spare if I betrayed them like that.

[Lithuania laughs. There's no humor in it, only sick realization.] So there really is a mastermind.

[So Lithuania has someone slightly less vague to hate. Only slightly, but it's a distraction from the rest of the day.]

I'd tell everyone myself if I could. [Wouldn't that be an unexpected twist at the upcoming trial? But Lithuania can't.]

I'm not sure they're a mastermind, really, dear. I doubt any of this was their idea. But they aren't merely a player, either.

[She nods at his realization.]

That's how I'd like to help you. I would like to find a way to expose them, but I understand exactly why you can't take that risk. But if I told you there was a way your people could be safe...would you still want to? It might cost your life, but that's a life they're bent on taking regardless.

And yet, I understand if you would rather refuse.

[Lithuania stares at Doris now--at first all he can think about is that she's found a way to save his people. For that he'd do anything. He still thinks about what she's saying, though, before saying anything himself. Exposing the people in charge might get him killed. He'd been trying to avoid getting killed, of course, and also trying to save his people. But so many people had died over the course of this game. He owed something to everyone left alive, too. He thinks even the worst of them deserve better than this.]

If my people won't be affected, I'll do it.

[She nods, and pulls out the handkerchief again to dab at her eyes.]

I cannot promise anything, but...I believe there is a way I can disconnect your world from the system. They won't be able to set off any of their traps, won't even be able to hurt them.

Listen, they are not watching us right now, I made sure of it. But in the future, a conversation like this may be impossible. But I will look into what I can do. It may take some time, but if I have managed to ensure your people are safe, I will send you a sign. A yellow flower of some sort, to indicate they are safe.

[Lithuania nods, and--suddenly his people are closer to safe than they've been since he arrived, and he's grateful enough for just the chance that it shows in his face.]

Thank you. If you can manage this--I don't know how I could ever repay you, Miss Doris. I'll say whatever you need me to say as soon as I know they're safe.

[She nods and smiles at him.]

Once you start, you may not have much time before they trial and stop you. Make sure you're in a situation no one can ignore you. A trial would be best, but at least a large gatherine...somewhere where they won't be able to keep anyone watching from understanding you have something to say.

Say whatever you like, but make sure to reveal the designated killers, that you were made to act as mastermind, that they've been cheating...and that once of their pets is among our number. They'll try to stop you, so if you can just say that much...

I'll say at least that much. [He makes sure to sound confident about it, like there will be no chance he'll be interrupted early. He can't be sure that will be the case, but he owes Doris and everyone else in the house this conviction.] I'll interrupt a trial or gather everyone in the house myself if I have to.

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