Monday, November 24, 2025

W3D2 - Play (Drifter's Error)

by Kati Evans

Here is the full production script for Week 3, Day 2.

To ensure this fills the 30–60 minute window, the play is written as a "Satire" or dark comedy. It allows for over-the-top acting from the players, which takes time to type and emote. I have also included a detailed breakdown of Law 2.4 (Changing Caste) in the post-play analysis.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: You must copy "PART 2: THE PLAY" into a Notecard and give it to Aria (or your actors) at least 24 hours in advance. They need to know who is playing who.


📜 SECOND LIFE SCRIPT: WEEK 3, DAY 2

Event: The Player's Stage ("The Drifter's Error") Host: Kati Evans + 3 Actors (Varus, The Scribe, The Warrior) Target Duration: 40–50 Minutes


🟢 PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST

  • [ ] Rez the Stage.

  • [ ] Costumes:

    • Actor 1: Varus (Baker/Peasant clothes, holding a rolling pin).

    • Actor 2: The Scribe (Blue Robes, holding a book/quill).

    • Actor 3: The Warrior (Red/Armor, holding a sword/spear).

  • [ ] 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, standing to the side to leave the center open for the actors. "Tal, Citizens. Yesterday, we spoke of the Mandate. We learned that everyone in Teletus must have a place in the Pyramid of Castes."

[Chat Block 2] "But what happens when you don't like your place? What happens when a Baker decides he wants to hold a sword? Or a Builder decides he wants to mix potions?"

[Chat Block 3] "Many new citizens think they can simply change their clothes and change their life. They think, 'Today I feel like a Warrior.' But the Law says otherwise."

[Chat Block 4] "Today, the Caste of Players presents 'The Drifter's Error.' It is a comedy—though perhaps not for the man involved—about the bureaucracy of ambition."

[Chat Block 5] "Watch Varus. He represents the impulse in all of us to be something we are not trained to be. 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 EPIPHANY]

(Varus is center stage, holding a rolling pin. He looks at it with disgust.)

Varus: /me stares at the rolling pin in his hand, covered in imaginary flour. He sighs loudly. "Dough. Every day, dough. Knead, bake, sell. Knead, bake, sell. Is this the life of a man?"

Varus: /me swings the rolling pin through the air like a sword, making a 'whoosh' sound. "Ha! Take that! I am not a baker... I am a slayer of men! Look at my form!" /me trips over his own feet while swinging, but recovers quickly. "I have decided! I shall quit the oven. I shall join the Warriors! I will look good in Red."

(Varus marches over to the imaginary Scribe's desk.)

[SCENE 2: THE PAPERWORK]

(The Scribe sits, writing in a ledger. He does not look up.)

Varus: /me slams his hand on the desk. "Scribe! Change my entry in the Great Book. I am no longer Varus the Baker. I am Varus the Blade!"

The Scribe: /me looks up slowly, adjusting his glasses (or squinting). He looks unimpressed. "Varus? The man who burns the biscuits?"

Varus: "That was my past! My future is glory! Write it down."

The Scribe: /me sighs and opens a massive scroll. "It is not that simple. Law 2.4.1 requires a formal petition. Law 2.4.2 requires the signature of your current Head of Caste."

Varus: "The Head Baker? He hates me. He says I eat too much profit."

The Scribe: "And Law 2.4.3 requires the approval of the intended Head of Caste. Have you spoken to the High Warrior?"

Varus: "I... well, no. But look at my arms! I am strong!" /me flexes a very unimpressive muscle.

The Scribe: "Strength does not make a Warrior. Discipline does. And paperwork. You have neither. Go back to your dough, Varus."

Varus: "Bah! I don't need papers! I will prove myself on the street!"

[SCENE 3: THE REALITY CHECK]

(Varus walks to the center, trying to look tough. The Warrior enters, looking imposing in full armor.)

Varus: /me sees the Warrior and tries to mimic his stance. He puffs out his chest. "Tal, Brother! Fine day for... stabbing things, yes?"

The Warrior: /me stops and stares at Varus. He looks at the rolling pin tucked in Varus's belt. "Brother? I do not know you. And why are you wearing a baker's apron with a sword belt?"

Varus: "I am transitioning! I am a Warrior now. Just like you."

The Warrior: /me steps closer, towering over Varus. "You think putting on a belt makes you one of us? We bleed for the Home Stone. You bleed raspberry filling."

Varus: "I demand a spar! I will prove my right to the Red!" /me draws his rolling pin and assumes a shaky combat stance.

The Warrior: "This is Law 4.3.5: False Claim of Caste. You mock my codes with your arrogance."

(The Warrior moves fast. He casually smacks the rolling pin out of Varus's hand and sweeps his legs. Varus falls flat on his back.)

Varus: /me groans from the floor. "Oof! My back! My baker's back!"

The Warrior: /me points his spear at Varus's nose. "Go home, Baker. Before I arrest you for impersonating a man."

Varus: /me scrambles up and runs away, grabbing his rolling pin. "The oven! The oven is safe! I love dough! I love dough!"

(The Warrior and Scribe shake their heads. 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, smiling slightly. "A round of applause for our players. Varus learned a painful lesson today."

[Chat Block 7] "It is funny to watch, but the Law behind it is serious. Law 2.4: Change of Caste."

[Chat Block 8] "The Scribe was correct. You cannot just walk away from your duties. To change Caste, you must petition. You need the permission of the Caste you are leaving AND the Caste you are joining."

[Chat Block 9] "Why? Because the City relies on balance. If all the Bakers decided to become Warriors tomorrow, we would have a strong army... that starves to death in a week."

[Chat Block 10] "Also, consider Law 2.4.4: Approval is not presumed. The needs of the Home Stone come first. If we have too many Poets and not enough Masons, the Council may deny your request to sing, and tell you to keep laying bricks."


❓ PART 4: Q&A SEGMENT (Extending the Time)

[Chat Block 11] /me leans on the podium. "Changing your life path is difficult, but not impossible. I will take questions now regarding Caste Changes, Petitions, or the duties of your station."

(WAIT. If silence, use PLANT A.)

[PLANT A QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress! What if my Head of Caste hates me? What if he refuses to sign my petition just to be mean? Am I stuck forever?"

[Chat Block 12 - Answer] /me nods thoughtfully. "A difficult situation. The Head of Caste has great authority. However, if you believe you are being blocked out of malice, you may appeal to the High Council."

[Chat Block 13] "But be warned: The Council will ask to see your skills. If you want to leave the Builders to join the Scribes, you better be able to read and write perfectly. If you fail the test in front of the Council, you will be humiliated."

(WAIT. Signal PLANT B.)

[PLANT B QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress, is it different for women? If I Free Companion with a man of a different Caste, do I have to petition?"

[Chat Block 14 - Answer] /me smiles. "Ah, Law 2.2.5. This is the exception. A Free Woman may assume the Caste of her Companion upon acceptance."

[Chat Block 15] "If a Potter girl joins with a Physician, she may become a Physician. BUT... she cannot perform the duties until she completes the training. She wears the Green, but she cannot cut the flesh until she learns how. She gets the color, but she must earn the skill."


🏁 THE CLOSING

[Chat Block 16] /me straightens her robes. "Remember Varus. Do not despise your trade. Excellence in baking is better than incompetence in fighting."

[Chat Block 17] "Tomorrow, we turn to the beauty of the system. We will have a Poetry Reading titled 'The Wheel of Society,' celebrating how all our different jobs work together to keep Teletus turning."

[Chat Block 18] "Thank you to our players. The Circle is closed!"

(Signal Crier/Slave to end.)

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