by Kati Evans
Here is the full production script for Week 9, Day 2.
To ensure this fills the 30–60 minute window, the play is written as a high-stakes drama. I have also included a post-play interactive segment called "Mercy or Justice?" to force the audience to debate the harshness of Gorean law.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You must copy "PART 2: THE PLAY" into a Notecard named Script: The Second Cut and give it to Aria (or your actors) at least 24 hours in advance. They need to coordinate the "Amputation" emote (usually done by dragging the victim off-stage or using a blood particle effect if they have one).
📜 SECOND LIFE SCRIPT: WEEK 9, DAY 2
Event: The Player's Stage ("The Second Cut") Host: Kati Evans + 3 Actors (Gareth, The Victim, The Warrior) Target Duration: 40–50 Minutes
🟢 PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST
[ ] Rez the Stage. (Props needed: A crate or market stall, maybe a coin purse).
[ ] Costumes:
Actor 1: Gareth (Thief. MUST have a bandage or visible notch on one ear).
Actor 2: The Victim (Wealthy Citizen/Merchant).
Actor 3: The Warrior (Full armor, weapons visible).
[ ] 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 center clear. "Tal, Citizens. Yesterday, we looked at our hands and our ears. We discussed the physical price of crime in Teletus."
[Chat Block 2] "We learned that for a First Offense of Theft, the ear is notched. It is a warning. It says, 'I made a mistake, but I can still work.'"
[Chat Block 3] "But some men do not learn. Some men look at the Law and think they are faster than the Warrior's blade."
[Chat Block 4] "Today, the Caste of Players presents 'The Second Cut.' It is the story of Gareth. Gareth has already lost a piece of his ear. Today, he gambles with the rest of his body."
[Chat Block 5] "Watch closely. This is not a comedy. This is Law 4.4.1.b in action. 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 BOAST]
(Gareth stands stage left, talking to an imaginary friend. He touches his bandaged/notched ear.)
Gareth: /me laughs, touching the scar on his ear. "Does it hurt? Only when it rains! Bah! The Magistrate thought he scared me with his little knife."
Gareth: "He took a piece of gristle. Who cares? I still have my fingers. And fingers are made for taking." /me flexes his fingers greedily. "I need coin for the tavern. And look... here comes a fat bird ready for plucking."
(The Victim enters stage right, walking slowly, counting coins in a heavy pouch.)
The Victim: /me mutters to himself, distracted. "Fifty... sixty... the price of grain is outrageous this season."
Gareth: /me whispers to the side. "Too easy. Watch this."
[SCENE 2: THE CRIME]
(Gareth creeps up behind The Victim. He bumps into him on purpose.)
Gareth: /me slams into the Victim, pretending to stumble. "Oof! Pardon me, Master! Clumsy feet!"
The Victim: /me stumbles back, clutching his chest. "Watch where you are going, lout!"
(While the Victim is distracted, Gareth emotes reaching for the pouch.)
Gareth: /me reaches a hand into the Victim's belt, fingers closing around the coin pouch. "My apologies! A thousand apologies!"
The Warrior: /me steps out from the shadows (or behind a prop). "HALT!"
(Gareth freezes, his hand still on the Victim's belt.)
The Warrior: /me draws his sword. The steel rings out. "Remove your hand, thief. Slowly."
Gareth: /me pulls his hand back as if burned. He holds them up. "I... I was just steadying him! He stumbled!"
The Victim: /me checks his belt. "My pouch! It is loose! He tried to cut it!"
[SCENE 3: THE JUDGMENT]
The Warrior: /me steps closer to Gareth. He uses the tip of his sword to lift Gareth's hair, revealing the notched ear. "Ah. I see the Scribes have met you before."
Gareth: /me starts to sweat, backing away. "That? Old war wound! Fishing accident!"
The Warrior: "Do not lie to me. That is a Magistrate's Notch. You are a thief. And this..." /me points to the Victim. "...Is your Second Offense."
Gareth: "Have mercy! It was just a few coins! I didn't take them! I failed!"
The Warrior: "Attempted Theft is Theft. And the Law is precise." /me grabs Gareth by the wrist, forcing his arm out straight. "Law 4.4.1.b. 'Second Offense: Loss of a hand for Free Men.'"
Gareth: /shout NO! I need my hands! Take the other ear! Take the nose! Not the hand!
The Warrior: "You used the hand to steal. The hand has offended. The hand must go."
The Victim: /me turns away, covering his eyes. "Finish it, Warrior. He will not rob another."
(The Warrior raises his sword high. Gareth screams.)
The Warrior: /me brings the sword down in a blur of motion.
(Gareth screams again and collapses. The Warrior drags him off stage. 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. The silence should be heavy. "Gareth kept his life. But his life as he knew it is over."
[Chat Block 7] "A one-handed man cannot work the fields. He cannot forge iron. He cannot even steal effectively. He becomes a beggar."
[Chat Block 8] "Why is the Law so harsh? Because the First Offense (The Ear) was the warning. It was the City saying, 'Stop.' Gareth chose to ignore the City."
[Chat Block 9] "When you ignore the warning of the Home Stone, you become a cancer. And cancers are cut out."
⚖️ PART 4: MERCY OR JUSTICE? (Interactive Debate)
[Chat Block 10] /me leans on the podium. "I want to gauge the heart of this crowd. I will give you a scenario. You tell me: Mercy (Lesser Punishment) or Justice (The Law as Written)?"
[Scenario 1] "Scenario 1: A widow with three children steals a loaf of bread. It is her Second Offense. She has a notched ear. Do you take her hand?" (WAIT. Let the audience debate. This is emotional.)
[Chat Block 11] "The Legal Answer: Justice. The Law applies to widows and rich men alike. If we allow widows to steal, soon everyone will claim to be a widow." "However... a wise Magistrate might see that a handless widow becomes a burden on the city charity. He might petition the Ubar for a reduction to Enslavement instead. At least as a slave, she and her children are fed."
[Scenario 2] "Scenario 2: A wealthy Merchant steals a competitor's ledger to cheat him. Second Offense. He offers to pay 1000 Gold Tarns to keep his hand. Mercy (Fine) or Justice (Hand)?" (WAIT. Answer: JUSTICE.)
[Chat Block 12] "The Legal Answer: Justice. If rich men could pay to avoid punishment, the Law would only apply to the poor. His gold cannot buy his bone. The hand comes off."
❓ PART 5: Q&A SEGMENT
[Chat Block 13] "I will take questions now regarding Theft, Punishments, or the difference between Men and Women."
(Signal PLANT A)
[PLANT A QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress! In the play, Gareth lost a hand. If Gareth had been a Free Woman, would she lose a hand too?"
[Chat Block 14 - Answer] /me shakes her head. "No. Law 4.4.1.b makes a distinction."
[Chat Block 15] "For a Free Man: Loss of a hand. For a Free Woman: Enslavement." "We rarely mutilate women in Gorean society. We value their beauty too highly. Instead of losing a limb, she loses her Freedom. She would be collared and sold to repay the victim."
(Signal PLANT B)
[PLANT B QUESTION] (Plant asks): "Mistress, what about the 'Third Offense'? What if a one-handed man steals again?"
[Chat Block 16 - Answer] /me looks grim. "There is no written law for the Third Offense of theft, because usually, the criminal does not survive that long."
[Chat Block 17] "However, a Magistrate would likely declare such a man incorrigible. He would likely face Execution or permanent Enslavement in the harshest labor camps. If you steal with one hand, you have a death wish."
🏁 THE CLOSING
[Chat Block 18] /me smooths her robes. "Look at your hands again. Keep them in your own pockets."
[Chat Block 19] "Tomorrow, we shift from the Street to the Courtroom. Week 10: The Trial Process."
[Chat Block 20] "We will discuss how to act if you are arrested. We will discuss Warrants. And we will see a play about Perjury—the crime of lying to the Judge."
[Chat Block 21] "Thank you to our players. The Circle is closed!"
(Signal Crier/Slave to end.)
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