by Kati Evans
Here is the full production script for Week 7, Day 2.
To ensure this fills the 30–60 minute window, the play is structured with clear "Time Jumps" (Day 1, Day 5, Day 6) that require the actors to reset and emote the passage of time. I have also included "The Calendar Game" in the post-play analysis to test the audience's math.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You must copy "PART 2: THE PLAY" into a Notecard named Script: The Peddler's Clock and give it to Aria (or your actors) at least 24 hours in advance.
📜 SECOND LIFE SCRIPT: WEEK 7, DAY 2
Event: The Player's Stage ("The Peddler's Clock") Host: Kati Evans + 3 Actors (Gavin, The Local, Magistrate) Target Duration: 40–50 Minutes
🟢 PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST
[ ] Rez the Stage. (Props needed: A "Cart" or a table with trinkets/junk).
[ ] Costumes:
Actor 1: Gavin (Traveler clothes, looks dusty but charming).
Actor 2: The Local (Citizen clothes).
Actor 3: The Magistrate (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 allow the actors space. "Tal, Citizens. Yesterday, we discussed the License—the paper that allows a Merchant to trade in our city."
[Chat Block 2] "But we also spoke of the Peddler. The wanderer. The man who comes for a few days, sells his wares, and moves on. We welcome him... within limits."
[Chat Block 3] "Law 5.3.b gives the Peddler One Hand (Five Days) to trade freely. It is a grace period. But grace runs out."
[Chat Block 4] "Today, the Caste of Players presents 'The Peddler's Clock.' It is the comedy of Gavin, a man who thought he could stop time by simply ignoring it."
[Chat Block 5] "Watch closely. Count the days with him. 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. They should exaggerate the passage of time.)
[SCENE 1: DAY ONE - THE ARRIVAL]
(Gavin pushes his cart (or pretends to) into the center. He looks energetic and happy.)
Gavin: /me wipes dust from his brow and smiles at the crowd. "Tal, Teletus! Fresh trinkets from the south! Combs! Ribbons! Cures for the itch!"
The Local: /me walks up, interested. "Tal, Traveler. Do you have a license to sell here?"
Gavin: /me laughs and waves a hand. "License? No, friend! I am but a bird of passage. I am here for One Hand only. Just selling enough to buy supplies, then I am gone!"
The Local: "Fair enough. I will buy this ribbon." /me hands over a coin.
Gavin: "Excellent! A pleasure doing business. Remember, catch me now, for I vanish like smoke in five days!"
[SCENE 2: DAY FIVE - THE DEADLINE]
(Gavin looks a bit more settled. He has a chair now. He is eating an apple.)
The Local: /me walks by again. "Tal, Gavin. Still here? This is your fifth day, is it not?"
Gavin: /me chokes slightly on the apple. "Fifth? Surely not! The sun moves so fast in this city. I thought it was... the third?"
The Local: "No. It is the fifth. You must register tomorrow, or leave."
Gavin: "Of course, of course! I am packing up tonight. Just... one more sale to clear the inventory. Buy a comb? Half price!"
The Local: "Hurry up, Gavin. The Magistrate watches."
[SCENE 3: DAY SIX - THE BUST]
(Gavin is NOT packing. He is setting up a new sign. He looks comfortable.)
Gavin: /me polishes a brass pot. "Get your pots! Best pots in the city! Staying open late!"
(The Magistrate enters. He walks slowly, checking a notebook.)
The Magistrate: "Merchant. A word."
Gavin: /me jumps. "Ah! Magistrate! Welcome to... uh... Gavin's Emporium? Would you like a pot?"
The Magistrate: "I do not want a pot. I want to see your Business License."
Gavin: "License? Oh, sir, I am just a traveler! A humble Peddler! Law 5.3.b protects me!"
The Magistrate: "Law 5.3.b protects you for five days. My records show you arrived on Monday. Today is Saturday. That is six days."
Gavin: "Is it? I lost count! My wagon wheel broke! My tharlarion is sick! I... I meant to leave!"
The Magistrate: "You are selling pots. That is not leaving. That is trading." /me signals to the Guard (or imaginary guard). "You are now an illegal business."
Gavin: "I'll register right now! I have the coin!"
The Magistrate: "Too late. The fine for trading without a license is seizure of goods." /me grabs the brass pot Gavin was polishing. "This pot is now property of the City. And the cart. And the ribbons."
Gavin: /me falls to his knees. "Not the ribbons! Anything but the ribbons!"
The Magistrate: "Learn to count, Peddler. Or the City will count for you. Move along."
(Magistrate drags the cart away. Gavin weeps. 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. "Poor Gavin. He lost his inventory because he lost track of time."
[Chat Block 7] "This seems harsh, but it is necessary. If we did not enforce the Five Day Rule, every merchant would claim to be a 'Peddler' forever to avoid paying the License Fee."
[Chat Block 8] "The Local Merchants pay for licenses. They pay taxes. It is unfair for a stranger to come in, undercut their prices, pay nothing to the City, and stay forever. The Law ensures fair competition."
📅 PART 4: THE CALENDAR GAME (Interactive)
[Chat Block 9] /me leans forward. "I want to test your math. I will give you a timeline. You tell me: Legal or Illegal?"
[Scenario 1] "Scenario 1: A Peddler arrives at the gate on Monday. He sells goods on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. On Thursday morning, he packs up and leaves the city. Legal or Illegal?" (WAIT. Answer: LEGAL.)
[Chat Block 10] "Verdict: LEGAL. He stayed only 3 or 4 days. He is well within the One Hand limit."
[Scenario 2] "Scenario 2: A Peddler arrives on Monday. He sells goods until Friday (Day 5). On Saturday (Day 6), he is still in the city, but his cart is packed away and he is just drinking at the Inn. He sells nothing. Legal or Illegal?" (WAIT. This is a trick. Answer: LEGAL.)
[Chat Block 11] "Verdict: LEGAL. Listen closely: The Law restricts Trading, not Staying. On Day 6, he stopped trading. He became a Visitor. As long as he follows Visitor law, he can stay at the Inn. But he cannot sell a single pin."
[Scenario 3] "Scenario 3: A Peddler sells for 5 days. On Day 6, he leaves the city for one hour, then comes back in and says, 'I am a new Peddler! My 5 days start again!' Legal or Illegal?" (WAIT. Answer: ILLEGAL.)
[Chat Block 12] "Verdict: ILLEGAL. Law 5.3.b says: 'A minimum of three days where the traveling merchants move their business to another city is required before starting trade once more.'"
[Chat Block 13] "You cannot just walk out the gate and walk back in to reset the clock. You must be gone for three days. We want real travelers, not loop-hole seekers."
❓ PART 5: Q&A SEGMENT
[Chat Block 14] "I will take questions now regarding Peddlers, Licenses, or the Clock."
(Signal PLANT A)
[PLANT A QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress! Can a Peddler just pay the tax and stay? Or does he have to rent a shop?"
[Chat Block 15 - Answer] /me nods. "If he wants to stay past 5 days, he must Register. He pays the fee. He gets the paper."
[Chat Block 16] "He does not necessarily need a building. He can register as a Stall Merchant. But he must be in the book. Once he is in the book, he pays the quarterly tax like the rest of us."
(Signal PLANT B)
[PLANT B QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress, what if I trade services, not goods? I am a mercenary. Do I need a license to sell my sword arm?"
[Chat Block 17 - Answer] /me shakes her head. "Technically, no. You are selling labor, not goods. You are seeking Employment."
[Chat Block 18] "However, if you set up a booth with a sign that says 'Swords for Hire,' you are pushing the line. Generally, Merchant Law covers physical goods. Labor falls under Caste Law."
🏁 THE CLOSING
[Chat Block 19] /me smooths her robes. "Merchants, watch your calendars. The Magistrate always knows what day it is, even if you do not."
[Chat Block 20] "Tomorrow, we switch to poetry. We will have a reading titled 'The Song of the Scale.'"
[Chat Block 21] "We will discuss the sanctity of the Weights and Measures. Why a false weight is a crime against the Home Stone itself."
[Chat Block 22] "Thank you to our players. The Circle is closed!"
(Signal Crier/Slave to end.)
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