by Kati Evans
Here is the full production script for Week 8, Day 2.
To ensure this fills the 30–60 minute window, the play is written as a drama with a specific focus on the Dialogue of Negotiation. I have also included a unique interactive segment called "The Memory Game" to prove to the audience why slaves make terrible witnesses.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You must copy "PART 2: THE PLAY" into a Notecard named Script: The Silent Witness and give it to Aria (or your actors) at least 24 hours in advance.
📜 SECOND LIFE SCRIPT: WEEK 8, DAY 2
Event: The Player's Stage ("The Silent Witness") Host: Kati Evans + 3 Actors (Merchant Tor, The Buyer, The Slave) Target Duration: 40–50 Minutes
🟢 PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST
[ ] Rez the Stage. (Props needed: A desk, a crate representing goods/meat, a scroll).
[ ] Costumes:
Actor 1: Merchant Tor (Wealthy but sloppy/greedy).
Actor 2: The Buyer (Sharp, dressed in Traveler or Merchant gear).
Actor 3: The Slave (Silks, holding a fan or tray).
[ ] 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 "Shop" area clear. "Tal, Citizens. Yesterday, we spoke of the Contract. We learned that a deal without a Scribe's seal is just wind."
[Chat Block 2] "But Scribes cost money. And some merchants are... let us say, frugal. They think they can bypass the Blue Caste by using their own household to witness the deal."
[Chat Block 3] "Today, the Caste of Players presents 'The Silent Witness.' It is the story of Merchant Tor, a man who tried to save a silver tarn by using his slave as a notary."
[Chat Block 4] "Watch closely. Pay attention to Law 5.8.3. When the deal goes sour, see if the 'Witness' can save 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.)
[SCENE 1: THE DEAL]
(Merchant Tor is leaning on his crate. The Slave is fanning him. The Buyer walks in.)
The Buyer: /me inspects the crate, sniffing the air. "Tal, Tor. This is the shipment of tharlarion jerky? It smells... acceptable."
Merchant Tor: /me grins, rubbing his hands together. "Acceptable? It is prime cut! Best in the city. Five hundred coppers for the lot."
The Buyer: "Five hundred is steep. But I need the stock. I accept. Shall we go to the Hall of Records to sign the papers?"
Merchant Tor: /me waves his hand dismissively. "The Scribes? Bah! They charge a fee for every dip of the quill. Why waste coin? We are honorable men!"
The Buyer: "Honor is good. Paper is better. I want a witness."
Merchant Tor: "We have a witness! Look!" /me grabs the Slave by the arm and pulls her forward. "My girl, Lana. She has ears. She has eyes. She sees us agree. That is enough, yes?"
The Buyer: /me looks skeptical. "A kajira? Tor, that is irregular."
Merchant Tor: "It is efficient! Here, I write the terms on this scrap of parchment." /me scribbles on a paper. "I sign. You sign. And Lana..." /me hands the quill to the slave. "...You make your mark. An X right there."
The Slave: /me looks nervous, but obeys. She draws a shaky X on the paper. "Yes, Master."
Merchant Tor: "See? Sealed! Done! Give me the coin."
(The Buyer shrugs, hands over a bag of coin, and takes the crate. They exit opposite sides.)
[SCENE 2: THE ROT]
(Merchant Tor is counting his money. The Buyer storms back in, slamming the crate down. Dust flies up.)
The Buyer: /shout FRAUD! THIEF!
Merchant Tor: /me jumps, hiding the coin. "What is this? Why are you yelling in my shop?"
The Buyer: /me kicks the crate open. "The top layer was jerky. The bottom layer is Rot. It is crawling with worms! You sold me garbage!"
Merchant Tor: "It was fine when it left my hands! No refunds! All sales final!"
The Buyer: "The contract said 'Prime Cut.' You are in breach. Return my coin."
Merchant Tor: "I deny it! And you cannot prove a thing. It is your word against mine."
The Buyer: "We have a witness. Bring out the girl."
[SCENE 3: THE TESTIMONY]
(Tor smirks and snaps his fingers. The Slave enters.)
Merchant Tor: "Lana! Tell this man. Did he inspect the goods? Did he agree to the sale 'As Is'?"
The Slave: /me trembles, looking between the two men. "I... I saw the exchange, Master. But..."
The Buyer: /me steps forward, voice cold. "Girl, did you read the contract before you marked it?"
The Slave: "I... I cannot read, Master."
The Buyer: "Did you inspect the meat?"
The Slave: "I am not allowed to touch the merchandise, Master."
The Buyer: /me turns to Tor. "You see? She knows nothing. And even if she did..." /me rips the contract in half. "Law 5.8.3. 'Slaves... are not permitted to write or sign any official mercantile documentation.'"
Merchant Tor: "But she made her mark!"
The Buyer: "Her mark is graffiti. This paper is trash. You sold me rotten goods without a valid contract. That is Merchant Fraud." /me signals to the audience. "I am taking this to the Magistrate. Since you have no witness and no sealed contract, he will believe the Citizen over the Cheat."
Merchant Tor: "Wait! Let's negotiate! Don't call the Magistrate!"
The Buyer: "Too late. You saved the Scribe fee, Tor. Now it will cost you your shop."
(Buyer drags Tor away by the ear. Slave watches blankly. 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. "Tor thought he was clever. He ended up ruined."
[Chat Block 7] "The lesson here is Validity. A slave is Property. Property cannot witness a contract for Property."
[Chat Block 8] "It is like asking your table to testify that you paid your rent. The table has no voice in court. The slave has no voice in court."
[Chat Block 9] "If Tor had paid a Scribe, the Scribe would have verified the goods. The Scribe would have sealed the deal. Tor would have been protected (or caught earlier). Shortcuts lead to short careers."
🧠 PART 4: THE MEMORY GAME (Interactive)
[Chat Block 10] /me leans forward. "I want to prove to you why slaves make bad witnesses. It is not just the law; it is psychology. We do not look at furniture."
[Chat Block 11] "I want to ask the audience a question about the play you just saw. Do not scroll up in your chat logs. Answer from memory."
[Question 1] "Question: The Slave, Lana. What color was her silk?" (WAIT. See if anyone remembers. It might have been mentioned in the actor's description, or maybe not.)
[Chat Block 12] "Some of you know. Most do not. You were watching the Men. You were watching the Deal."
[Question 2] "Question: Did the Slave wear shoes? Yes or No?" (WAIT.)
[Chat Block 13] "If you don't know, that is my point. A slave is background. A Witness must be Observant. If you rely on the background to save you, you will fall."
❓ PART 5: Q&A SEGMENT
[Chat Block 14] "I will take questions now regarding Contracts, Witnesses, or Scribes."
(Signal PLANT A)
[PLANT A QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress! Can a slave ever speak in a business deal? Can she translate for me?"
[Chat Block 15 - Answer] /me nods. "Translation is different. Many Scribes use slaves to translate foreign tongues. She is acting as a tool, like a dictionary."
[Chat Block 16] "But she is not the Authority. If she mistranslates, you are liable. You cannot blame the dictionary if you use the wrong word."
(Signal PLANT B)
[PLANT B QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress, can I witness a contract for my friend? Or does it have to be a Scribe?"
[Chat Block 17 - Answer] /me smiles. "A Free Person can witness. Law 1.8 prefers Scribes for the Seal, but in a dispute, the testimony of a Free Citizen (like the Buyer) is valid evidence."
[Chat Block 18] "However, if the deal is big—land, ships, large sums—a Citizen witness is weak compared to a Scribe's Wax. Do not rely on your drinking buddies for high finance."
🏁 THE CLOSING
[Chat Block 19] /me smooths her robes. "Merchants, pay the Scribe. It is the cost of doing business. If you cannot afford the wax, you cannot afford the risk."
[Chat Block 20] "Tomorrow, we leave the shop and go to the kennel. We will have a Poetry Reading titled 'The Beast Within.'"
[Chat Block 21] "We will discuss the Animal Laws. If you have a sleen, a tarsk, or a panther avatar... you must attend. We will teach you how to keep your beast from breaking the law of the leash."
[Chat Block 22] "Thank you to our players. The Circle is closed!"
(Signal Crier/Slave to end.)
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