tellthestory | THE BOX OFFICE

The poison Hook used was supposed to be a gift for me, to kill someone... but I didn't. So I moved the body because I figured they were testing my loyalty or something.

[ He wasn't super thinking it through... ]

She didn't deserve to die like that, in a freezer. At least my way she looked... peaceful.

[ He knows that's bullshit and it shows. ]

Just the opposite, actually. I... received a letter from earlier. It's a trap, I'm not killing anyone this week, the Management just wants everyone to think the killer is the mole.

Edited (more natural ) 2016-11-17 01:53 (UTC)

[He arches an eyebrow at the bullshit. But that's not what he needs to pursue right now.]

That...makes sense, I guess. The floor thing could just be to make someone else decide to...maybe if they think their victim is the mole, or someone they care about is trapped with them.

Do you think anyone suspects you?

Yeah, I don't know if they're counting on someone getting claustrophobic or what, but the Management specifically told me that I didn't have to kill anyone.

[ That's the question, isn't it. ]

I don't know, honestly. We had a whole meeting about it, and it sounded like... well, people are willing to work with me. But I think I'd they knew it was me, they wouldn't.

It's not like I've been 100% honest with the Management. I purposely avoided mentioning what progress Billy's made. And I've been trying to paint you in the best light possible, they keep asking about you.

Edited 2016-11-17 03:38 (UTC)

To be honest, you're the most obvious suspect here. It's a little weird if they don't. But I'd be worried for your safety if they did. Unless you learned something useful and told them?

[And even then...a token of goodwill only goes so far. And okay, let's pause, because hearing that they're asking after him seems to have scared him some.]

Do you know why?

I think so too.

[ Both that he's Suspect #1 and that he has to look out. ]

I haven't been able to get much out of the Management, just to keep their attention off of people who might actually make a change around here. But coming form me, they likely won't believe that I've been helping. They could just as easily claim I was only helping myself.

[ Beat. ]

Which I am. Or was.

[ He's a little mixed up still on everything which is why he came to the Balladeer in the first place, really. ]

I think the Management wants to catch you tripping up. Breaking a rule or something. Even early on, he said you "wouldn't tell them if you crossed any lines."

[ It's like gossiping about mom and dad where dad is super nice and mom is an evil mastermind. ]

I really do want to make it out of this alive without everyone else having to die. Especially not you-- I know the rules are on your side, but Rule 5 says no one can hurt you "unless given permission." I'm worried... the Management might do something dramatic, with how everyone cares about you...

[ I mean you even got Hans to care about you, that's skill. ]

I'd be willing to vouch for you, but I don't know if that'd help.

[He can forgive Hans all he wants, but that doesn't mean Anna and the others have to. He props his chin on a hand thoughtfully as he considers the rest of it.]

I don't think they'd do that. Even if...they really never cared about me at all, I'm still useful to them. I mean, I am nervous about what they'd do if they realized I was doing all this - [gestures largely at the sandwiches] - but they still need someone on the ground in here. The way they are, I think that if they really wanted to be doing it themselves, they would be.

What I think...what I'm afraid of...is that they'll just throw me out once this is over. Let the people back home take care of things.

I just figure... Even when I told Anna all the things I did to her, it went over better than it would have because she heard it from me. [ I mean, Hans may not be the best at it, but he can be a schemer. ] Unfortunately there's no real way of telling everyone "I'm the Mole" without someone... trying to kill me before I can explain myself properly. Especially now that they're claiming the Mole's going to be the one doing the murder.

[ He sighs. He should have come out and said it before! But the Management would have been pissed if he did, most likely. He's kind of trapped but it's of course his own damn fault for thinking he could get away with betraying everyone. ]

Having someone on my side would help. Plus, I couldn't stand by and let the Management lie to you, not when you've been here for me all this time.

[ Is this what it's like to have friends? God, it's awful. ]

You said we could go with someone else, right? Could the Management really force you to go back? That'd be awful.

That was just something I said. I'd like to make it happen...I'd try, if we ever got to that point. But you know I can't make promises about how this is all gonna go.

[For all he knows, any survivors will just get shoved right back home, or eaten by lions, or some new brand of bullshit.]

This is their story. They brought me in, they can definitely kick me out again. But I don't know if that's worth worrying about right now. They haven't seemed to notice all this - I just told them they were making my job of talking to you all hard, and they agreed that I could take this booth around. Maybe they just wanted you to be able to spy on me more, since they're going to all this trouble to try and clear your name.

[ Hans nods. He can't say he knows what the Management is planning either, but The Balladeer's worries are as founded as his own. Who knows what they'll do. ]

That's... very possible.

[ He sighs. ]

Not that I would. [ Really! ] I mean, I promise, I've been trying to get them off your back as much as I can.

[ Does the Balladeer even believe him? Would Hans believe himself, if he were in his shoes? ]

But you have no reason to believe me... Maybe the Management is banking on me lying myself into a corner.

You didn't have to tell me any of this.

[He sounds thoughtful. Of course, it's still possible this is some kind of manipulation technique - earn his trust with this truth, and abuse it in less obvious ways. But really - since when is he misanthropic enough to think that?]

But yeah. If they don't trust me, I doubt they really trust you. Heh, I guess they're right not to trust me now, but before...I was all with them before the killing started.

[ He really didn't. His whole reason is his song. Which I will loop back into this thread if it kills me (or maybe a Thursday night "pls don't die let's sing" thread, who knows.) ]

I haven't lied to them, but I haven't told them the whole truth, either. Honestly, I just want to make it out of this alive at this point. And you too.

[ And maybe Seymour? And Billy Flynn, he's pretty ok. ]

From what I've seen, I think they... don't like people doing anything outside their control. So the moment you guys started disagreeing, they probably stopped trusting you.

I wouldn't leave without the rest of you. All of you.

[jesus hans at least pretend like you value human life in general]

Not that I've got anywhere else to take you. You're right, they do like being in control of things...they're not likely to let anyone exit without their say-so.

Right, everyone else too.

[ I mean I guesssss ]

Exactly. I just can't picture them letting us "win." Or the fact that you're more on our side than theirs. They won't be okay with that.

I still haven't openly done anything. This is all under the cover of something they allowed. So...I want to help you all, but I don't think it'd be useful to do anything out in the open. Not now.

I understand that. That's kind of where I'm at right now, too.

[ But... helping people. Is hard. Hans would rather just help himself... ]

This was a lot easier when I didn't care about anyone besides myself.

It was a lot easier for me when everyone I worked with was terrible. At least you know where you stand with people like that, you know?

...but I'm still glad I got to make some actual friends. Even if I wish it hadn't happened like this.

Edited 2016-11-18 02:24 (UTC)

Yeah, you can predict people like that.

[ People like you, Hans. ]

I know I might not be everyone's friend, but I'm glad you're here too, Balladeer.

[kinda, yeah....the Balladeer smiles]

Thanks. I guess. It's hard to say if some good came out of this until it's all over.

That well may be but...

[ Hold on, I got cut off last time so I'm doing this this time. He's gotta get this song out. ]

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason,
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are lead
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them,
And we help them in return.

[ Hans scoffs at his own words. Even he doesn't quite believe that part, yet here he is. ]

Well I don't know if I believe that's true.
But I know I'm here right now, today,
because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood...
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

Edited (added an end period) 2016-11-18 04:34 (UTC)

[Ah, there it is again. The Balladeer shifts, straightening from where he'd half-slouched against one wall of the little booth.]

It well may be
That we will lose it all some day
Before this show ends,
So let me say before we part -

[And he has to pause for a moment to gather the words. This isn't anybody else's song.]

So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me,
Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way your stories end
It's almost like I had my own
In being your friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you,
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

[ Hans is... actually touched. From the start, talking to the Balladeer got him started with all this. Feelings. Regrets. Ugh, it's awful and he wouldn't admit it outside a song, but the words just flow. ]

And just to clear the air,
I ask forgiveness,
For the things I've done since being the mole

Edited (icon) 2016-11-18 07:16 (UTC)

[The Balladeer snorts a little.]

But then, I guess we know there's blame to share
I share the same damn boss, if not their goal

[ Hey, he can ask for forgiveness and not get it (or mean it,) that's a thing. Hans smirks. ]

Like the chances of food poisoning
From a cake by Raoul,
Like how each week I survive here--
(I wasn't sure we would)
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you...

[Forgiveness is implied in sharing the blame between them, you dolt]

Because I knew you...
I have been changed...

[ Aw, you're sweet on him, Balladeer. Feel free to join in the last line. ]

...For good.

[ Has Hans moved closer at all? I mean this office is small. Just. Just sayin. ]

THE BOX OFFICE

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I'M DOING IT YOU CAN'T STOP ME

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