"Hell, if it keeps anyone else from dyin', I vote for me too."
"Hey, let's not be hasty now. Thadius is probably innocent." Dan puts his hands up distraught with the situation. "If we lynch him and he is then we are in a worse situation. That and people may start turning on you Clarence!" Dan wags his finger in the mans direction hissing low.
He tries to draw the groups slightly apart, attempting to molify the farmer. He turns around to Hamish; "Now, we haven't heard from the detectives voice?"
"Ah, hell." Clara plumps down in a chair and leans her head in her hands. "I don't think Thadius would do nobody no harm, really. I don't wanna have somebody kilt just ta spite that old coot. Sorry, Thadius. Jus' because you ain't much good don't mean you'd go 'round killin' folk. After all, that's a lotta work, ain't it? I take back my vote and don't vote for nobody yet." She sighs. "I'm so confused."
"Ease up Thadius. I'm with Dan on this, I think Thadius is innocent." A bit on the angry, I drink too much and want to shoot people side of innocent... but still innocent. "So, what does Detective Hamish have to say? The hour draws long and I fear the mafia will strike again soon - anyone have any good ideas?"
"Thadius doesn't strike me as the Mafia type, though I don't care much for his attitude. Then again, I've been wrong in the past."
"Unfortunately I still don't have any concrete evidence to work off of this time around. I promise you I will still be voting on the next kill, but I still need more time to weigh my options."
"He sounds like Mafia ta me... sure an' he's claimin' ta know somethin' just ta throw us off 'is track, but won't tell us anythin' at all."
Clarence rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Y'say ye saw who killed the sheriff, lad... would that be because it was you, then?"
"You sound like mafia to me, Clarence. You push and you push and you just keep it up. If you don't choose me to lynch, pick that old fart with the beard."
"He sounds like Mafia ta me... sure an' he's claimin' ta know somethin' just ta throw us off 'is track, but won't tell us anythin' at all."
Clarence rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Y'say ye saw who killed the sheriff, lad... would that be because it was you, then?"
*sigh
"So we're back to this again. For the last time, you can't keep trying to throw me under a bus when the evidence is just not there. The same works vice-versa. I start openly accusing the people I think are guilty, but you've already proven that it doesn't go over well if you're wrong. This is why I openly admit to voting randomly. So, for the sake of self preservation I'm choosing to keep my mouth shut until I know I'm right."
"I don't be knowin' what a bus is, nor am I throwin' ye anywhere. Have I proven it? Have ye all listened ta me at all? Fer all I know, ye're all in th' Mafia... aye, an' fer all ye know, I am. Lot of uncertainty, ta be sure, but I'll tell ye one thing: this old spud knows how ta use logic an' reason."
He scans the room, meeting as many eyes as will meet his, and though his gaze finally settles on Clara, he addresses the whole group. "Sure an' I've said Clara's a suspicious one... always ready ta kill, even ta pretend ta accuse her fellow murderer. Ready ta accuse anyone, just ta kill someone. An' before ye go sayin' that's me, r'member that I didn't want any part o' yer killin' before we were knowin' anythin'. Now we do. We've seen who'll kill, who has no qualms about it at all."
"Do I have proof? Not a bit. Do I have logic, reason, an' good eyes? Sure an' I do!"
"Did I say bus? I meant trolley."
"I'm thinking that those who speak the loudest may be the ones leading us astray. That's a horrible thought, but it needs to be said."
Clara shrugs. "I got nuthin' anymore. I know y'all exceptin' Miz Getika, but she don't seem like no harm, jus' a stranger is all. But right now, only Mister Thadius is in danger, and that by his own self. Well, that don't seem right, 'specially since I started it. Ain't gonna let him do that. I'm tyin' the vote."
"Aye, so self-sacrificin' she seems, don't she? Sure an' let's see how far it extends, or if it be just another ruse."
Getika glares at Clara as the woman accuses her of being with the mafia then turns the attack to Thadius again. Her eyes narrow as she turns to sit beside Dan, back to the wall. She realizes some things about her accuser and becomes angry at the treatment of those the woman has condemned with little to no thought.
"Healer trainee I be. Death is not new to me but never am I to be the one to kill. Our words killed but Clara: your words always to kill. Reasoning there be. Fact and truth there be not. Accusations to kill whether right or not."
This time Getika does not worry about whether the person being accused would stand up for herself as Clara would and in the process was sure to accuse her once again for being an "outsider."
"Worry about people I do, to answer you. My beliefs it is. Care I do wherever one is from or whatever they are. Can same you say, Clara?"
"Huh? I don't parlay yer lingo, Miz Getika." Clara scrutinizes the outsider with some confusion.
With a sigh Getika tries to explain more to the English standards that she keeps hearing from others, "I, Getika, am a healing trainee. Care for others ... I care for others no matter who. This ... this is why I react. My life ... dedicated to lives to heal. Clara ... you are fast to accuse. Only ... you only second think that accusal when another says different. Why do you attack with so little information?"
"We cannot have all this self-sacrifice and recriminations. We need to focus, now Ms Cheeseworthy you are a good Carter. I'm sure you ain't one of those Mafia types." Dan says slowly, knowing he needs to stick up for his friend.
"It's more likely to be someone rich, like Mr Duke Leto. Though I doubt it is him. If it'll help save Ms Cheeseworthy." Dan shakes his head moving over to the carter, handing her a cup of tea.
Clara shakes her head. "Attack? No, no. You want someone who attacks, take a gander at Clarence there. I din't like the ones who were quiet 'cause it seemed they had somethin' ta hide. I begged 'em ta speak up fer themselves, 'member. But yeah, I done voted. I'm ascared and don't mind sayin' so. I don' wanna be kilt."
"Then Thadius I don't think is a bad person, 'cept he's rich. Seems too lazy to bother with the mafier, though, and why would he need ta? I wuz tryin' ta support Clarence, who voted fer Thadius last time. I thot mebee Clarence had some smarts the rest of us don't. But no. He done stabbed me in the back and voted fer me. Well, I guess he do have some smarts. He outsmarted me, huh? Gonna die by his hand fer supportin' him. Nice one, Clarence."
"You scare me, Miz Getika, 'cause I don't know why you'd have a speck of loyalty ta people here. Makes you a good paid killer, don't it? Or nobody at all, jus' an un-for-tu-nate caught here with us'ns. But folks here, they're like kin ta' me. If I had ta pick somebody, had ta, it'd be you. Sorry, but that's the truth. 'Cause you ain't one a my kin, see?"
"So I voted fer nobody this time, 'cause everyone has spoke up fer themselves. But I'd already messed up and nobody was helping Thadius. So I had to. An' I'm likely ta hang fer it. Ain't it grand? But thank'ee, Dan. Yer a good fella. Always have bin."
|
"This will just get worse, I have no more proof than we had at the moment the doors were locked. Riches are my crime, what a crumbling old place with dried up grapes, much like the man himself."
"I had one voice speak up for me and that one voice did very little it seems. What will the mafioso do cut short my young life?"
"I agree with those who say the loudness leads one astray, did we not do just that when we carried out justice upon one for his heritage, that would be the same for me, though I am just an eccentric old cogger with less wealth than many may believe."
"I have consider it a pleasure to know you all, though if the mafia is truely here, then those people I say I knew not at all! For you keep yourselves from being known. Why not turn to a better life and let this stop!"
Getika puts a hand to her head and shakes it, "Grievance on people here I have not. Scared we all are. What to do ... I do not know."
Current count:
Clara votes for Clara
Clarence votes for Clara
Dan votes for Duke Leto
Thadius votes for Thadius
Round ends in 1 hour
Tina listening closely to everyone, particularly the discussion between Clarence, and Hamish. She shakes her head slowly "I have been listening to you Mr. McFadden, but I've gotten confused. The squabble between yourself and Thadius seems more a personal matter than actually mafia suspicion. I can't follow your logic and reasoning, but I'm not the best at that kind of thing... Your finger points in too many directions."
She looks to Clara who had trusted Clarence, then back to the man. "She trusted you... that's the only reason she voted for Thadius in the first place. You may not, but I believe in Clara... I'm sorry Mr. Duke, I do not want to see you hurt, but if I can save Clara I'll put my vote your way... that should make it tied so Clara doesn't have to die."
Clarence McFadden
"There's something about you that just isn't right McFadden"
Dan looks around realising he has put the Duke in the firing line without meaning too. Leaning against a chair his hands are clenched and knuckles white. 'Could probably do with a drink, know I shouldn't.' he whispers almost to himself.
At Hamish's vote Tina nods, there definitely seemed like there was something not right about Mr. McFadden. "Yes, I can't agree with you turning on Clara... it seems like you might accuse anyone next. I will change my vote, thanks to Mr. Hamish I can make sure to keep a tie and help Clara, but not put the Duke in danger either."
Getika closes her eyes and bites her lip, "I am sorry, Clarence."
The Irishman sighs. "Aye, an' it was sure ta come ta this. Changin' my vote? Look in yer memories, lassie, an' ye'll see I was suspectin' Clara first thing! Unlike some, though, I wasn't about ta be killin' without any evidence." He looks pointedly at Clara and Hamish.
Present Tally:
Thadius votes for Thadius
Clara votes for Clara
Clarence votes for Clara
Dan votes for Duke Leto
Tina votes for Clarence McFadden
Hamish votes for Clarence McFadden
Getika votes for Clarence McFadden
A sudden look of astonishment appears across Hamish's face as the balance of votes starts to sway after his.
"For the record I made this vote based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever. I cannot be held responsible if Clarence turns out to be innocent."
Getika looks pained by the thought of another possible innocent being lynched but wonders just how she could have chosen another innocent out of the amount of people left. There were few enough innocents left where all the rest were mafia or something else.
"I ... I don't know what else to do." She looks to Clarence then Clara, "I ..." She shakes her head considering the two with wonder of whether to continue with her current belief or change her mind.
The Irishman gazes into each of his accusers' eyes evenly. Finally he sighs, and seems to be speaking almost to himself. "'Look at their faces, young laddie,' she used ta say. 'Words don't cost a sproutin' spud, but ye'll see the truth in their faces.' Sure an' it's true. On me dear mother's grave, it's true."
He looks up again. "Pay heed; if there still be enough o' ye after I'm through, remember all I've said."
The native woman grimaces then shakes her head, "I cannot. I cannot. Myself I vote. I do not belong. There Clara: I understand."
The bakers' eyes go wide; "Not Clarence, not this way. Clara, did you and Thadius arrange this neatly? Those who have been quieter and more reticent to vote are left by the wayside, but the outspoken farmer is left to hang." He puts his arm on the man's shoulder.
Head spinning so many people voting for themselves to try and force the ties..."Gah! I don't think Thadius and Clara could've arranged anything -- he's too pissed at everyone to join sides. So, if I trust he's innocent, I guess Clara's vote was innocent too... I'm stuck. too many people trying to seem humble and put theirn own names in to be lynched - it's maddness."
"I truly hope that I am wrong"
"Hells bells, why should I die fer this crochety, backstabbin' old fart? He's got one foot in the grave anyhow. He been causin' all the strife. Without him, we kin talk peaceful-like and maybe figger this out."
"Don't really want you dead Ms Clara, I really don't. Sorry I'm so confused." Dan slumps upon the table crying.
The Irishman chuckles softly to himself. "What were I be sayin'? Ah yes... 'a ruse' were the words I spoke. Not truly willin' ta stop her killin' so easily, were she?"
Thadius votes for Thadius
Clara votes for Clarence McFadden
Clarence votes for Clara
Dan votes for ABSTAIN
Tina votes for Clarence McFadden
Hamish votes for Clarence McFadden
Getika votes for Getika
Coraline votes for Hamish
1 minute!
Getika puts a hand on Dan's arm and gives it a rub understanding his sadness as she feels the same, fighting to try to figure this all out.
"Dan, dammit man... whydja go and change...?" A tear slips down Clara's face.
ROUND OVER
"Please don't do it Ms Cheeseworthy. Please...." Dan is pale, a recurrence of his old war wound.
"I truly hope that I am wrong"
"You are."
Thadius votes for Thadius
Clara votes for ABSTAIN
Dan votes for ABSTAIN
Clarence votes for Clara
Tina votes for Clarence McFadden
Hamish votes for Clarence McFadden
Getika votes for Getika
Coraline votes for Hamish
Geoffrey Jacks fiddles with his gun, not wanting to fulfill the will of the town, but someone has to do it. He turns the weapon about, with the quick changes in voting and then suddenly stops wide-eyed with the gun pointed towards Clarence McFadden. A loud BANG! goes off, and the older man falls instantly dead, even as Jin tries too late to stay the town's hand.
Perhaps the reason that Geoffrey Jacks shot so hastily, however, is the knife protruding from his side causing a jerk reaction. He coughs up his blood, and speaks softly, tears in his eyes, "I will see you soon, my brother," and slumps to the ground, face first in a pool of his own blood.
Heavy sobs wrack Dans' form, under his tanned skin he takes on a ghostly luminescence.
"Sweet Jesus, not lil' Geoffrey! I thot shore Badgerman woulda watched over him, seein' as how his blood brother is gone. And Dan... I didn't... I don't wanna see anyone die, not even that crochety old coot Clarence. Kin someone else please do fer the bodies... I cain't..." Clara buries her face in her hands.