Midterm Exam

[lockdownmods]

Midterm Exam.

[ Once again, the exam begins with the desks arranged in a perfect circle; one desk for each person that's participating in the program. There are nameplates for everyone, and they have been bolted to each of the desks, facing the inside of the circle...

...including the deceased. Their chairs have been placed on top of their desks, signifying that they will not be needed. Above of their desks are holograms of their portraits from their profiles, grayed out and bloodstained.

Today Han and Vivienne both are at the front of the classroom, but it's Vivienne that finally speaks up. ]


Today is your Midterm exam. Having successfully passed the halfway mark for the semester, today's proceedings will be a little bit different.

You are responsible for finding the culprits responsible for the deaths of Doris and Hank Anderson. You will have several hours to discuss the evidence and your decision. Know that there are two people among these here that bear the responsibility for these events. You will be asked to vote for each. The two with the highest number of votes will receive their punishment.

...Your midterm exam begins now.

Victims.






Suspects.



[ The physical evidence tray sits in the middle of the circle of desks; you all have the Evidence app on your tablets to access photo evidence. ]

Examination START.

links.
Evidence
Profiles
Vote Now

Comments

[devotingly]

Oh? So what’s your plan, Gales?

[ his voice is full of sarcasm— he even laughs. ]

Right. Let’s vote for Alexander because that’s what we’re ordered to do. Doesn’t matter to you, because it’s no one you’re close to, right?

[throwabookatit]

I don't have one, you brat, but it's better than telling someone else to go die! Whatever you say, whatever you think of me, it matters!

You're just as selfish as I am!

[devotingly]

Bloody right I am, but I’m not hiding behind a veil of righteousness like you are! Why would you miss a goddamn machine—it’s like missing a toaster!

[covertizer]

No, you're just asking someone who did nothing wrong to die in Alexander-san's place.

But as long as it's not your someone who did nothing wrong, that's fine I take it?

[devotingly]

He isn’t even a person. He’s programmed to do whatever he does.

[covertizer]

So, what, because something isn't a person they don't matter? How do you even measure that? Just because you don't care about Connor-san doesn't mean everyone else feels the same.

You're asking other people to take on the same pain you're feeling, so you can run from it.

[preconstruction]

[ o-oh ]

[covertizer]

[ YEAH CONNOR. OH. ]

[throwabookatit]

[ She stands and approaches him. Fuck this. ]

He is a person! At least I actually thought Alexander could've done something last week! You're just- you're just trying to kill someone, so you don't have to deal with loss again!

It's going to keep happening! It's part of being alive, and part of being an adult. You wanted responsibility?! You wanted me to treat you like you can make your own decisions? Then understand how bloody fucked up this one is! We're going to lose people, as long as we're alive, and there's nothing you can- nothing any of us can do about it!

[devotingly]

You—

[ he visibly flinches when rebecca approaches him, like a deer in the headlights. there’s so many things that he wants to say, but his tongue feels heavy as lead.

and, quietly, waver falls on his knees, like a puppet with its strings cut. his hands cover his face, but from the way his shoulders shake, he’s trying not to cry. ]

[throwabookatit]

[ She stands there, looking cold, but...while he can't see, there's something pitying, in her face...and something understanding.

He's no idea just how much she's lost.

But for once...she's going to swallow down that selfishness. ]

I'm sorry. You'll never believe me, but I am.

[ She shoots Alexander a look. Get the fuck over here. ]

[preconstruction]

Leave her alone.