by Kati Evans
Here is the full production script for Week 10, Day 2.
To ensure this fills the 30–60 minute window, the play is written as a tense Courtroom Drama. It requires the actors to emote the nuances of "nervousness" and "deception." I have also included a post-play interactive segment called "The Lie Detector" to teach the audience how to spot perjury.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You must copy "PART 2: THE PLAY" into a Notecard named Script: The Liar's Tongue and give it to Aria (or your actors) at least 24 hours in advance.
📜 SECOND LIFE SCRIPT: WEEK 10, DAY 2
Event: The Player's Stage ("The Liar's Tongue") Host: Kati Evans + 3 Actors (The Accused, The Witness, The Magistrate) Target Duration: 40–50 Minutes
🟢 PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST
[ ] Rez the Stage. (Props needed: A High Desk/Podium for the Judge, a "Dock" or chair for the accused).
[ ] Costumes:
Actor 1: The Accused (Nervous, plain clothes).
Actor 2: The Witness (Confident but sweaty, acting shady).
Actor 3: The Magistrate (Stern, Robes of Office).
[ ] 1:00 PM: Start formal RP. Announce 5-minute gathering.
🎤 PART 1: THE PROLOGUE (Kati)
(Walk to the podium. Wait for the crowd to settle.)
[Chat Block 1] /me steps onto the stage, moving to the side to leave the "Courtroom" area clear. "Tal, Citizens. Yesterday, we discussed the Arrest. Today, we discuss the Trial."
[Chat Block 2] "When you stand before a Magistrate, your life hangs on your words. If you are innocent, you speak truth. If you are guilty... sometimes you are tempted to lie."
[Chat Block 3] "Or worse... you ask a friend to lie for you. 'Say I was with you!' you beg. 'Say we were playing Kaissa!'"
[Chat Block 4] "Today, the Caste of Players presents 'The Liar's Tongue.' It is the story of a man on trial for theft, and his loyal friend who tries to save him with a false alibi."
[Chat Block 5] "Watch closely. Pay attention to Law 4.6.4: 'False testimony shall be punishable by execution or exile.' The Lie is often deadlier than the Crime. Actors, take the stage!"
/me steps off the stage and joins the audience to watch.
🎭 PART 2: THE PLAY (For the Actors)
(NOTE: Give this section to your Actors.)
[SCENE 1: THE CHARGE]
(The Magistrate sits high at his desk. The Accused stands in the dock, shaking.)
The Magistrate: /me looks down over his spectacles. "Prisoner. You are charged with the theft of a barrel of red wine from the Inn on the third day of the week. How do you plead?"
The Accused: /me wrings his hands. "Innocent, Magistrate! I was nowhere near the Inn! I was... busy!"
The Magistrate: "Busy doing what? And with whom? We have a witness who saw a man of your description rolling a barrel down the street."
The Accused: "It was a mistake! I was with my friend, Jory! We were playing Kaissa all night at his house! Ask him!"
The Magistrate: "Very well. Bring in the Witness."
[SCENE 2: THE TESTIMONY]
(The Witness (Jory) enters. He walks confidently, but wipes sweat from his brow when the Magistrate isn't looking.)
The Magistrate: "State your name and caste."
The Witness: "Jory. Of the Peasants. I am a laborer, Magistrate."
The Magistrate: "Jory, were you with the Accused on the third night?"
The Witness: /me smiles broadly. "Oh yes, Magistrate! All night. From sunset to sunrise. We played Kaissa. Game after game. He never left my sight."
The Magistrate: "I see. You are under oath, Jory. Do you swear this by the Home Stone?"
The Witness: "I swear it! May the Stone crack if I lie!"
The Magistrate: /me leans forward, eyes narrowing. "Interesting. Because the Accused says you played Kaissa. Tell me... who won the final game?"
The Witness: /me freezes. He looks at the Accused, panicked. "Uh... he did! Yes, he won!"
The Magistrate: "And what color were the pieces?"
The Witness: "Red! Red and... yellow!"
[SCENE 3: THE TRAP]
The Magistrate: /me stands up slowly. "Kaissa pieces are Yellow and Black, Jory. Not Red."
The Witness: "I... I meant Black! It was dark! The candle was dim!"
The Magistrate: "And furthermore... the Guards found the wine barrel in your cellar this morning, Jory. With the Accused's cloak draped over it."
The Witness: /me pales. He steps back. "I... he made me hide it! It was him!"
The Accused: "You traitor! You said you would cover for me!"
The Magistrate: /shout SILENCE!
The Magistrate: /me points a finger at the Witness. "You came into my court. You swore on the Home Stone. And you lied to my face to protect a thief."
The Witness: "I was just trying to help a friend! It was just a barrel of wine!"
The Magistrate: "Theft is a crime of property. Perjury is a crime against Justice. You have poisoned the well of truth."
[SCENE 4: THE SENTENCE]
The Magistrate: "For the Accused: Ear Notching for the theft of wine."
The Accused: /me slumps in relief. "Just the ear? Thank the Priest-Kings."
The Magistrate: "But for you, Witness... Law 4.6.4." /me signals the Guards. "False Testimony is punishable by Death."
The Witness: /me screams. "Death? For a lie? But I didn't steal anything!"
The Magistrate: "You stole the Truth. Take him away. Impale him."
(Guards drag the screaming Witness away while the Accused watches in horror. Actors Bow.)
🎤 PART 3: THE ANALYSIS (Kati Returns)
(Wait for the actors to clear the stage. Walk back to the podium.)
[Chat Block 6] /me steps back up to the podium. "Did you see that? The Thief lost a piece of his ear. The Liar lost his life."
[Chat Block 7] "Why? Because a thief steals from one man. A liar steals from the entire system. If the Magistrate cannot trust the witnesses, he cannot judge. If he cannot judge, the City falls."
[Chat Block 8] "Law 4.6.4 is the harshest law in the procedural code. It exists to terrorize you into telling the truth. Never, ever lie to a Magistrate. Silence is safer than a Lie."
🤥 PART 4: THE LIE DETECTOR (Interactive)
[Chat Block 9] /me leans on the podium. "I want to teach you how to spot a lie. I will make a statement. You tell me: Truth or Deception?"
[Statement 1] "Statement 1: A man says, 'I was at the Tarn Races yesterday.' But yesterday was a day of rain and the races were cancelled. Truth or Deception?" (WAIT. Answer: DECEPTION.)
[Chat Block 10] "Verdict: DECEPTION. Details matter. A liar forgets the weather."
[Statement 2] "Statement 2: A woman says, 'I did not steal the necklace.' She looks you in the eye and speaks firmly. Truth or Deception?" (WAIT. Answer: UNKNOWN/PLAUSIBLE.)
[Chat Block 11] "Verdict: UNKNOWN. Confidence proves nothing. Many liars are bold. You need evidence, not just demeanor."
[Statement 3] "Statement 3: A slave says, 'Master was asleep.' But when you ask what color his sleeping robe was, she hesitates and looks at her feet. Truth or Deception?" (WAIT. Answer: DECEPTION.)
[Chat Block 12] "Verdict: DECEPTION. Hesitation on simple details is the mark of the lie. She is inventing the image in her mind, which takes time. Memory is instant; Invention is slow."
❓ PART 5: Q&A SEGMENT
[Chat Block 13] "I will take questions now regarding Trials, Witnesses, or Perjury."
(Signal PLANT A)
[PLANT A QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress! What if I lie to a Guard in the street? Is that Perjury? Or just lying?"
[Chat Block 14 - Answer] /me nods. "Good distinction. Perjury applies to Sworn Testimony in a hearing or trial."
[Chat Block 15] "Lying to a Guard in the street is Obstruction or Disrespect. It might get you whipped or fined. But lying under Oath to the Magistrate? That gets you the stake. Save your lies for the tavern."
(Signal PLANT B)
[PLANT B QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress, can I refuse to testify? If I know my friend is guilty, can I just say nothing?"
[Chat Block 16 - Answer] /me smiles grimly. "You can try. But Law 4.6.1 allows the Magistrate to Compel appearance."
[Chat Block 17] "If you refuse to speak, you might be held in Contempt. However... silence is not a lie. Standing mute might get you fined, but it won't get you executed for Perjury. Sometimes, silence is the only loyalty you can afford."
🏁 THE CLOSING
[Chat Block 18] /me smooths her robes. "The Courtroom is a battlefield. Words are weapons. Be careful which ones you draw."
[Chat Block 19] "Tomorrow, we switch to poetry. We will have a reading titled 'The Empty Chair.'"
[Chat Block 20] "It is about the futility of running away. Even if you flee the city, the Law can judge you in your absence (Trial in Absentia). You can be an Outlaw without even knowing it."
[Chat Block 21] "Thank you to our players. The Circle is closed!"
(Signal Crier/Slave to end.)
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