by Kati Evans
Here is the full production script for Week 4, Day 2.
To ensure this fills the 30–60 minute window, the play is written as a Physical Comedy. The actor playing "Boggs" needs to take their time with the emotes—frantically hiding coins, sweating, and acting nervous. The more they "ham it up," the better the event will be.
⚠️ 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.
📜 SECOND LIFE SCRIPT: WEEK 4, DAY 2
Event: The Player's Stage ("The Empty Purse") Host: Kati Evans + 3 Actors (Boggs, Collector, Guard) Target Duration: 40–50 Minutes
🟢 PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST
[ ] Rez the Stage. (Props needed: A table, some sacks/crates, a "coin bag").
[ ] Costumes:
Actor 1: Boggs (Merchant clothes, looks disheveled/nervous).
Actor 2: The Collector (Scribe robes, holding a ledger).
Actor 3: The Guard (Warrior/Guard armor).
[ ] 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 keep the "shop" area clear. "Tal, Citizens. Yesterday, we discussed the painful necessity of Taxes. We learned that everyone over twenty-five owes their share to the Ubar."
[Chat Block 2] "But human nature is a funny thing. When the Tax Collector knocks, suddenly the richest men become the poorest beggars. Suddenly, the gold vanishes into the floorboards."
[Chat Block 3] "Today, the Caste of Players presents 'The Empty Purse.' It is a comedy about a merchant named Boggs who thought he could outsmart the Treasury."
[Chat Block 4] "Watch closely. Boggs tries to use Law 1.10.3—the claim of 'Economic Crisis'—without actually being in crisis. Let us see how that works out for him."
[Chat Block 5] "I present to you... 'The Empty Purse.' 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 PANIC]
(Boggs is alone on stage. He has a heavy bag of coins. He hears a heavy knock sound effect or imagines it.)
Boggs: /me freezes, eyes going wide. He clutches the coin bag to his chest. "The Collector! He is early! He wasn't due until the moon turned!"
Boggs: /me starts running around the stage in a panic. He looks at a flour sack. "No, too obvious." /me looks at his own boot. "Too small!"
Boggs: /me shoves the coin bag down the back of his tunic/pants. He wiggles uncomfortably. "Perfect. I am a pauper. Just a poor, starving merchant." /me grabs a piece of stale bread and holds it, trying to look pathetic.
[SCENE 2: THE AUDIT]
(The Collector and The Guard enter. The Collector looks bored. The Guard looks dangerous.)
The Collector: /me consults the ledger, not looking up. "Merchant Boggs. Citizen. Age 45. You owe 30 Copper for the quarter."
Boggs: /me coughs weakly, leaning on the table. "Tal, Scribe. Cough. 30 Copper? Oh, mercy! I haven't seen 30 Copper in a year!"
The Collector: /me looks up, raising an eyebrow. "Your ledger says you sold three tharlarion last week. That is significant coin, Boggs."
Boggs: "Lies! Vicious rumors! They died! Of... the bloat. I lost everything. I am destitute!"
The Collector: "I see." /me signals the Guard with a flick of his finger. "Guard, search the crates."
The Guard: /me starts overturning props/crates. "Nothing here, Scribe."
Boggs: "See? Nothing! I declare Economic Crisis under Law 1.10.3! I cannot pay!"
[SCENE 3: THE TRAP]
The Collector: /me smiles thinly. "Ah. You wish to invoke Law 1.10.3? Very well. Please present your certificate from a Civil Advocate certifying your poverty."
Boggs: /me sweats visibly. The coins in his shirt jingle as he shifts. "Certificate? I... uh... the dog ate it?"
The Collector: "There is no certificate. Which means you are lying." /me steps closer. "And Boggs? You are jingling."
Boggs: "It's my... bones! I have brittle bones!"
The Guard: /me steps up behind Boggs and smacks him hard on the back.
(Boggs plays an animation of falling or jumping. The Actor types:) CLINK CLINK CRASH
Boggs: /me watches as the heavy bag of coins falls out of his tunic onto the floor.
The Collector: /me picks up the bag. He weighs it in his hand. "Heavy bones. This looks like enough for the tax... and the fine."
[SCENE 4: THE ARREST]
The Collector: "Boggs, you are charged with Tax Evasion and Fraud. Law 1.10.2.d."
Boggs: "Wait! Take the coin! Keep it all! Just don't take me!"
The Guard: /me grabs Boggs by the arm. "The coin goes to the Treasury. You go to the cells. Maybe we will sell your shop to pay the fine."
Boggs: /shout NO! MY SHOP! I should have just paid the 30 coppers!
(Guard drags Boggs away. Collector calmly marks the ledger. 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, shaking her head. "Poor Boggs. He lost his coin, his shop, and his freedom. All to save 30 coppers."
[Chat Block 7] "This play is funny, but the lesson is real. Law 1.10.3—The Economic Crisis clause—is not a magic word you say to make the Collector go away."
[Chat Block 8] "To claim poverty, you must prove poverty. You need a Civil Advocate to review your books and sign a paper. If you try to lie to the Scribes, you are committing Fraud."
[Chat Block 9] "The Scribes know how much business passes through these gates. They know if you are selling tharlarion or mud pies. Do not insult their intelligence."
❓ PART 4: Q&A SEGMENT (Extending the Time)
[Chat Block 10] /me leans on the podium. "Let us discuss the consequences of Debt and Evasion. Who has a question?"
(WAIT. If silence, use PLANT A.)
[PLANT A QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress! In the play, the Guard said they would sell his shop. Can the City actually seize my property if I don't pay?"
[Chat Block 11 - Answer] /me nods seriously. "Yes. Law 1.8.1.c. Breach of debt—including tax debt—allows the Magistrate to order Property Seizure."
[Chat Block 12] "If you owe the Ubar 30 coppers and you refuse to pay, he will not just forget it. He will take your wares. If that is not enough, he will take your shop. If that is not enough... he will take you."
(WAIT. Signal PLANT B.)
[PLANT B QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress, what if I really am poor? What if I truly can't pay? Do I go to jail?"
[Chat Block 13 - Answer] /me softens her expression. "If you are honest? No. Go to the Scribes before the Collector comes to you."
[Chat Block 14] "Explain your situation. Bring your Advocate. The Ubar wants citizens working, not rotting in jail. If you are honest, they may defer your tax until the next quarter. The crime is not being poor; the crime is Lying about it."
🏁 THE CLOSING
[Chat Block 15] /me smooths her robes. "Remember Boggs. Pay your share. It is cheaper than the alternative."
[Chat Block 16] "Tomorrow, we switch to poetry. We will have a reading titled 'The King of His Castle.'"
[Chat Block 17] "We will discuss the authority of the Head of Household. Who rules the home? And what rights does a father have over his family? Come and listen."
[Chat Block 18] "Thank you to our players. The Circle is closed!"
(Signal Crier/Slave to end.)
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