English Narrative - Power Plots and Pistols
(please copy text below into a word doc)
Voice of Witchfinder general – Matthew Hopkins
Track 1
Ahem - good evening everyone - it appears you are all present - very good.
Please allow me to introduce myself - I am the Witchfinder general - Matthew Hopkins - Master Inquisitor of foul witches and feared warlocks!
Parliament has granted to me a commission to seek out incidents of witchcraft, wickedness and evil wherever they may be found, and, unfortunately, it seems they may be found here in Buckingham!
As ye will be aware, my fortuitous arrival here this morning, followed the foul murder last night of Lord Henry Blacksnake, whose head was brutally hacked from his shoulders in this great hall, at this very hour, yester eve.
I … am convinced that the evil hand of Satan himself lies behind this most heinous deed!
It be my quest that those in league with Lucifer be caught and struck down in accordance with God's Holy Law, and, as he is my witness, I call upon him to cast down his retribution with merciless vengeance upon those who stray from the path of righteousness, and into the arms of the dark lord!
Ahem - anyway - let us begin.
Firstly, I thank each of ye for your attendance here this eve.
I must apologise for the hint of compulsion present in the invitation to this inquisition - it was not my intention to offend, as I was sure that all but one of ye would freely attend of their own free will anyway.
However, ye must understand that in this situation, where a devil’s disciple is at work, I could show no sign of weakness in ensuring the safety and full attendance of ALL those who were present inside the castle yester eve.
So now - let us make a start.
It is imperative that, before this night is out, we uncover the identity of Lord Blacksnake's killer.
In order to do this, I have decided that, as I have little knowledge of the events surrounding this murder, justice will be served most swiftly if all of ye are given the task of finding the murderer.
I therefore instruct each of ye to freely question, without fear of retribution, those others here present until the killer is revealed.
Then at the appointed time, and after due consideration, each of ye shall nominate the person ye believe to be the murderer.
The person whose name is cast forth most often, shall be taken to the dungeons and questioned without respite until they be willing to confess their guilt!
Ye can all rest assured as to the effectiveness of my methods.
Now all raise your hand if ye accept this burden, and under oath, do swear to act without fear or favour to any other person here present.
(pause)
Very good! Then let the inquisition begin!
Let ye all now introduce yourselves, commencing with our host Lady Blacksnake, and thence go clockwise.
Track 2
Well it appears my arrival in the county of Buckingham came not a moment to soon!
This county, it appears, is awash with salacious and shocking deeds, and it may be necessary for me to remain here long after this work be done, to thoroughly investigate these other matters further.
However, in the meantime, we must try our hardest to banish any immoral and wanton thoughts from our minds and concentrate on the matter in hand.
It would seem that each of ye be connected to Lord Henry Blacksnake through some instance or other, and ye all may have harboured grave intentions towards him.
This should not worry us unduly at this time - our purpose is clear.
To separate the wheat from the chaff!
To focus on those who would not only entertain corrupting and immoral THOUGHTS, but who would also seek to act upon them as well!
Press on then - and watch ye closely the detail - for ‘tis often where the devil resides!
Track 3
Ahem - I fear that I may have arrived too late.
Much is already rotten in this county of Buckingham.
It somehow seems that all of the troubles of this modern era be reflected her within this very county!
It is apparent that in his final days Lord Henry was surrounded by treason and treachery, lewdness and lechery - which must surely have taken a terrible toll on his disease ridden body. A disease which curiously would have claimed him shortly anyway - had not the murderer not intervened.
Weakness in the mind is always followed by weakness in the flesh!
We must all take care to cast out all carnal and impure thoughts from our minds - no matter how irresistibly tempting and enjoyable they may seem (shiver) - and ahem - continue onwards with our quest.
Press on them - I feel the fog is beginning to clear.
Track 4
Ahhhh, may God save us all!
I fear this situation is rapidly spiralling out of control and the forces of good and evil are locked in mortal combat here within this very room!
We must remain calm and ensure all of our efforts go into defeating evil and ensnaring the devils disciple!
Try to remain focussed on this objective.
Edmund has gone, but I can still feel Satan’s presence here within this room.
He must be defeated! We must find our murderer!
The time has come for us to decide who is guilty of this terrible crime.
Now, if you will make your final pleas - and then each of you cast you casts your guilty verdict on another.
The person who is most accused will be forced to admit their guilt or face the rack until they do.
Track 5
The votes have been cast and the verdict, now set, cannot be changed!
It seems we have found out murderer.
Please, you have little time now to renounce the devil and make your peace with the Lord.
Come now, admit your guilt freely here before these witnesses and await your fate - or the guards will escort you to the dungeons until you are finally ready to do so!
Guards!!! ...