Hair stylist and salon owner. Witness to events surrounding the murder.
The Bailiff: Vocals, Slapstick
The Court Appointed Officiant guides the jury (audience) through convicting the guilty party.
D.A.V.E.: Vocals (recorded)The Differential Autonomous Verification Engine acts as judge andoverseer of all court proceedings.
PLACE
All action takes place on a steampunk-styled television setdesigned to replicate an official courtroom. The set is dominatedby D.A.V.E., An enormous computer-projection screen rising altarlike from the center of the set.Downstage of D.A.V.E. resides a small, raised 'presentation disk', the stage upon which the courtroom reinactments are presented. A short flight of stock-stairs communicate with the disk.The upstage walls are lined with the six RUFFIAN STALLS in whichour musicians are sequestered when not presenting reinactments.The textured walls and rough floors are all utilized as PROJECTIONSURFACES, demonstrating graphics and video images being broadcast to the television audience.
TIME
The present tense of an alternate, steampunk styled reality
PERUSALSCORE
PRESHOW: VIDEO ROLL
As the audience enters a variety of quick images portraying our alternate world flash across the projection surfaces.As they settle, the random imagery fades into a VIDEO ROLL comprised of a Headline News-Break and a series ofcommercials which give us a window into our steampunk alternate-reality. A delicate caste-driven social system in which the low-born can work as court proxies, representing more productive members of society who are accused of crimes.
AUDIENCE WARM UP SFX: An unseen gate opens. The noise overwhelms the audio of the commercial roll.The BAILIFF enters. A uniformed Officiant, The Bailiff speaks directly to the audience without musical accompaniment.
BAILIFF
Good evening ladies and gentlemen,
Bailiff throws a switch. SFX: The unseen gate closes.
BAILIFF (cont’d)
The Central Authority of the New Federation of Northern States hopes that you enjoyed this feed of underwriter presentations. That’s exactly what our fellow citizens are currently watching at home. But you must be paying attention to ME right now:
Bailiff throws a switch. The commercial roll is replaced by THE WHOLE TRUTH logo.
BAILIFF (cont’d)
I am Officer Miller, and I will be your Bailiff and court-appointed warm-up act of the evening.Do you the jury hereby attest and confirm that alljudgements rendered by the honorable Differential Autonomous Verification Engine shall be therefore construed as unblemished truth and doctrine for aslong as you each shall live?
Pause
BAILIFF (cont’d)
All right. Mayhaps you all JUST SKIMMED your jurysummons, but this isn’t a regular court case! This ah, I’ve got a copy right here:
Bailiff produces a long ribbon, marked by binary squares, he reads text directly from the ribbon.
BAILIFF (cont’d)
MIRANDA PERUSALSCORE
“CONGRATULATIONS! For volunteering of your own freewill in a joint partnership between the New Federation Department of Justice and Liposhamed Entertainment Productions. Court proceedings shall be simultaneously transmitted kino-trafficaly throughout the civilized region.”THAT means you’re not just here to decide if someone is guilty of a capital crime, you’re also an important part of the SHOW! We’re gonna be on telle-screens throughout the Federation!So we can’t have you sit there and just THINK “yeah, I believe that person is a murderer. We have to actually HEAR it! All right? So to help you out I’m going to count you down three - two - one and when I cue you, you’ll shout out “AFFIRMED”! As if you’re agreeing to allow ascene into evidence!
4
Ready? THREE - TWO - ONE (cue).[
Audience response][brackets] indicate variables and likely Bailiff text, but sections will necessarily include improvisational reactions to the audience.
BAILIFF (cont’d)
[That was pretty good] Let’s do a little better with our denial, you see a reenactment you just don’t BELIEVE! You’ll shout out DENY! When I cue you.Ready? Ready? THREE - TWO - ONE (cue).
BAILIFF (cont’d)
That’s some excellent denial! Kind of like when I...uhh, therapist...joke
Awkward pause
BAILIFF (cont’d)
NOW! Right! Today’s episode, er, Case on the docket is interesting! It’s a single murder with three suspects! Which is titilating, see, ‘cause if we tried them separately, you might have to sit through a WHOLE TRIAL and end in an acquittal! And that would be mediocre!THIS way we’re gonna have at least one conviction.That’s just the law of averages! And I am here to enforce the law!
So at the end of the trial you’ll have to convictone of these suspects. Let’s practice some convicting, shall we?
VIDEO: Ruffians’ mug-shots appear as their names are read.
BAILIFF (cont’d)
The suspects names are Cor Prater! Merchant Prince Izzy Wright! And his wife Anjana Chalapattee Wright, Now it’s unlikely the real Anjana Chalapattee Wright would even touch anything so lowly as a fiddle-
ANJANA (OFF STAGE)
It’s a violin!
BAILIFF
YOU STAY IN CHARACTER!(sigh)-but her ruffian proxy shall present to you a sterling entertainment just now! Ok, Just for fun, let’s have you convict one of these three. Don’t worry, we’re not sworn in yet,it won’t be legally binding this time. I’m gonna cue you and you’re going to choose Cor, Izzy, or Anjana: Ready? Jury, who do you find guilty? :THREE - TWO - ONE (cue).
[Audience response]
BAILIFF (cont’d)
PERUSALSCORE
The Jury finds [suspect] guilty.Frankly that’s good enough for me, if y’all thinkthe name [suspect] sounds like a murderer, I’d just as soon shove him [her] into the furnace right now and save us an hour of these dirty ruffians.(sigh)Of these sterling entertainments! But the law is the law.
NOW!Following article 2112 of the New Federation ofNorthern States Central Authority Penal Code,outside contact during this legal proceeding is strictly prohibited. Now is the time to disengage all wireless transmission apparati and nanospeakers.Failure to comply with the “Rude Interruption Clause” will result in immediate removal, imprisonment and prosecution, at my discretion.So double check now that all of your hidden gearboxes are off. A flash photo is what set off that riot in Manchester last week, I know, my brother is a strikebreaker up there, he told me! And you’ll need to know where the fire exits are,[describe actual venue fire exits].
This electro-shock-barrier will be disengaged inthe event of an emergency. I will guide you out and protect you! Ok, let’s get you lot sworn in. Do you the jury hereby attest and confirm that all judgements rendered by the honorable Differential Autonomous Verification Engine shall be therefore construed as unblemished truth and doctrine for aslong as you each shall live? Affirm or deny!
THREE - TWO - ONE (cue).
[Audience response. If “deny” must re-poll until “affirmed]
BAILIFF (cont’d)
Huzzah! We are therefore in place to commence our judicial entertainment!
Bailiff throws a switch.SFX: The unseen gate opens. SLAPSTICK!Begin recorded intro music.
Anjana
Violoncello
Violoncello
Anjana
Violoncello
Anjana
Violoncello
Bailiff
Anjana
Electric Guitar
Bailiff
Anjana
Violoncello
Violoncello
Anjana
Bailiff
BAILIFF
Oh, right, this applies tonight: Jurors shall note: following Article 1110 stroke zed of the New Federation of Northern States’ Central Authority Penal Code: all testimony and evidence has been screened, edited, and censored against language, thoughts,and themes deemed profane, obscene, unpatriotic, or damaging to free commerce. Ok, let’s keep it rolling.
B. Cl.
MIRANDA emits an overwrought, frustrated scream as she struggles to open a valve.
COR Hey Hey! Easy! The laundry apparatus is yourfriend!
MIRANDA Ha! This brass behemoth has declared itself my foe!
Cor considers escape.
COR
Right. Maybe I can help. My name is Cor, Cor Prater. I’m a sophomore here.
MIRANDA I’ve seen you.
Beat
MIRANDA (cont’d) Miranda, Miranda Wright.
COR
Pleased to meet you Miranda.
MIRANDA Likewise, I’m sure!
COR
Heh, do you always talk like that, or just when you’re slumming with the artisan caste?
MIRANDA I’m not SLUMMING! I just moved into the dormitory last week!
COR
Which didn’t agitate your merchant-prince daddy at all, I’ll wager!
MIRANDA
Merchant-prince? How do... You don’t know anything about me! I am very progressive!
COR
Look, I know it’s hard to make an impression sometimes.
MIRANDA
Hah! I’m not trying to impress YOU!Shut up! That’s ridiculous!
COR
Of course it is. Let’s see if I can help with the apparatus.
MIRANDA I know how it’s supposed to work, but it’s not DOING it!
COR Theoretical versus applied laundering?
MIRANDA(sigh)I’ve never actually DONE it before.
COR
I think you’ll enjoy having clean clothes for once!
MIRANDA(laughs) No! I always had clean clothes, We just always hadsomeone to...
COR Here, you’ve just got to remember to open THIS valve here before you turn this switch.
MIRANDA Oh, that’s simple.
COR Check inside the canister as you add... Oh, you’regoing to want to separate those colors before thesteam ... Cor reaches in to the machine, removes a bright garment.
MIRANDA(Screams) Don’t you TOUCH my unmentionables!
COR What?
MIRANDA It’s improper! And forward! And Gauche! And, NO!
COR Uh.
MIRANDA No!
COR But.
MIRANDA NO!
COR It’s ok Miranda. It’s just laundry.
MIRANDA What?
COR It’s ok. It’s really ok.
Intro: Hair Salon (Amma)
Bailiff poll the jury for admission of this evidence!
BAILIFF
Ladies and Gentlemen: This reenactment wassubmitted by proxies for defendants two and three.On my cue, please affirm or deny the submission of this testimony, Affirm or deny: Three, two, one (cue). [Audience Response]
BAILIFF [If AFFIRMED]Affirmed! Thank you, please consider all of the previous testimony in making your final verdict.
D.A.V.E. Affirmed!
BAILIFF [IF DENIED]Denied! Thank you. Please disregard all previous testimony in making your final verdict.
D.A.V.E. [IF DENIED]Denied!
BAILIFF
This just in from our Underwriters: (Reads Ribbon)
As per article three backstroke vee of the “showflow” code, this next Reenactment Set shall summarily be admitted as evidence unless objections ensue, are there any objections? Thought not! Dave what do we know?
Bailiff
Miss A me - lia - Lang states for the re cord - that Cor Pra ter - hung up on Mir an - da -
DAVE
Ruffians
Hair Salon (Amma)
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Tenor Saxophone
Guitar
Soprano
Sankaram
B. Cl.
Ten. Sax.
B. Cl.
Ten. Sax.
B. Cl.
Ten. Sax.
Ten. Sax.
Gtr.
Vln.
B. Cl. Ten. Sax.
B. Cl.
Ten. Sax.
E. Gtr.
S. Vln.
How could you refuse to listen to me?
That's e nough, - now I think you should go. I haveheard e nough! -
Go on thenwhat your father tells you!
Ten. Sax.
Gtr.
B. Cl.
Ten. Sax. E. Gtr.
Izzy's Office
mem ber - when I was a litt le - girl and you were my ever y - thing. - A
gain?
The mem o - means no thing. - Bett er - to for get - it.
Please can we be gin
a gain?
BAILIFF
As provided by the National Security Administration Transcript Section Entertainment Production Liaison, we give you this wire recording left at the telegraphone designation licenced to Mr. Cor Prater.
Left by Miranda Wright at 15:05.
You're tacet for the 1st two verses of the song. Come in right after the sampled beat starts.
Direct Rebuttal Trio (How Many Times)
Sankaram
BAILIFF
Proxy suspect one - Cor Prater hereby submits the following video kinotropicrecording as a rebuttal-For the purpose of showing the true nature of Cor’srelationship to Miranda.This ‘home kino’ takes place at an engagement party, Five years ago.
VIDEO TEXT: Engagement Party: Five Years Ago
VIDEO: Miranda holds a “Rover” camera, feeding into program. ON STAGE Cor & Miranda dance the tango.
MIRANDAN
o! It’s for posterity! A few words of wisdom!Ameila, get the camera!
Miranda hands the camera off to Amelia.
COR
Wisdom… wisdom… should’ve asked me an hour ago!
MIRANDA
Before the martinis kicked in! Why don’t you tell the story of how we met.
COR I think I want to hear how you tell it.
MIRANDA
Well, it was my freshman year.
CORI was a sophomore.
MIRANDA
Or just sophomoric!I was living in the dorms. My first time away from home! he helped me with my laundry.
COR She’d always had a servant do it!
MIRANDA Be nice.
COR I’m very nice.
MIRANDA
He saw me struggling with the apparatus.
COR And leapt to the rescue.
PERUSALSCORE
MIRANDA Strutted to the rescue!
COR I strut?
MIRANDA Swaggered!
CORSwaggered?!
MIRANDA Definitely!
COR Be nice.
MIRANDA
I’m very nice.
They Kiss.
PERUSALSCORE
Intro: Parents' Home
They look so happ y, - don't they? But looks can be de cei - ving. - Bai liff, - poll the jur y - for ad
BAILIFF
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, Do you admit thisevidence submitted in defense of Cor Prater. On my cue please “Affirm” or “Deny”THREE - TWO - ONE (cue).
IF AFFIRMED:
BAILIFF (cont’d)
Affirmed! Thank you, please consider this testimony in making your final verdict.
GAVEL
D.A.V.E.
Affirmed! That’s one point in Cor Prater’s column! Now on to the next testimonial reenactment! Voting music
Ruffians
Ruffians
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone Electric Guitar ViolinCello
IF DENIED:
BAILIFF
Denied! Thank you. Please disregard this testimony in making your final verdict.
GAVEL
D.A.V.E.
Denied! Better luck next time Cor Prater
Intro: Parents' Home
Ruffians
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone Electric Guitar Violin Cello
Ruffians
DAVE
Ruffians
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Electric Guitar
And we know what Mir an - da - did at fif teen - fort y - two
Parent's Home
ery thing - for grant ed - you take e very - thing - for grant ed! - Mir an - da, - what is it
You don't know the im port ance - of hard work. I came here with
I don't know what you think you're do ing - but you're not going to ru in - ever y - thing - we've worked so
drop out of busi ness - school and then to get en gaged - to that act or - who knows no thing - af ter -
all
place to live, you would dare to say these things to me and to him?
You're not going to ruin eveything we've worked so hard for.
After all we've done for you and for that TROUBADOUR!
You don't know how to read those numbers. This is over your head, princess.
This company is your security!
I know that
JURY POLL #
3D.A.V.E.
Bailiff! Poll the Jury!
BAILIFF
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury. Do you admit this evidence submitted in defense of Cor Prater. On my cue please “Affirm” or “Deny”THREE - TWO - ONE (cue).
IF AFFIRMED:
BAILIFF (cont’d)
Affirmed! Thank you.
GAVEL
D.A.V.E.Affirmed! Looking good for Suspect Cor Prater!
IF DENIED:
BAILIFF
Denied! Thank you. Please disregard!.
GAVEL
D.A.V.E.
Denied! Don’t worry Cor Prater, it’s only your life on the line!
BAILIFF
Our final reenactment comes from the FederalSurveillance Archive.
RUFFIANS FSA!
BAILIFF
The final meeting between Miranda and Cor, at16:20, at a local coffee shop.It’s barely an hour before Miranda’s murder.This evidence submitted by proxies for defendants Izzy and Anjana Wright.
PERUSALSCORE
Coffee Shop
Pleas and the Verdict
Sankaram
Shredding guitar
BAILIFF
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury:you are hereby authorized and compelled by our Differential Autonomous Verification Engine to determine the guilt of one of these three suspects:Her fiancee Cor Prater,Her father, Izzy Wright,Her Mother, Anjana Challapattee Wright On my cue, please vote Cor, Izzy, or Anjana. Are you ready?
