[TCP] MAZE TRIALS 2.0

[skinstealer]

[image description: profile shot of autopsy in a wide stance, looking terrified. the ground and the world around him seem to be distorting and withering away.]

Autopsy is...

He's frozen.

Deer in the headlights, she thinks. Not an expression she fully gets, but-

Caught.

AUTOPSY: W-well!
MONOPOLY: You see-

 

She uncrosses her arms.

MONOPOLY: I've never talked to any of them. I don't really do that.
MONOPOLY: But I know
MONOPOLY: That not a single person in that bunch would want to be called "nice."
MONOPOLY: And they'd say it to your face.

 

A step towards him.

MONOPOLY: So where did you hear that rumor?
MONOPOLY: Because I don't think it's from a trialgoer.

 

Tightrope stands up, sensing what's to come. It quickly glances both ways- the fans on either side are still going full speed, and the ground is a long way down beneath the platform they're all standing on. It looks from Monopoly to Autopsy warily.

 

[wide shot of the fan hallway with the blade and two levers visible in the background. monopoly is gesturing aggressively towards autopsy, who is backing up towards the edge of the platform. blue pretzel and salt crystal details can be seen around the edge of the frame, revealing that the viewer is peering through one of tightrope's loops.]

AUTOPSY: W-what are you accusing me of, haha?
AUTOPSY: I just, yknow!
AUTOPSY: I just thought it'd be helpful, right?
AUTOPSY: Like, wow! What a thing! A code like that!
MONOPOLY: Yeah. Real helpful.
MONOPOLY: Especially to someone watching over us, huh?

 

The fear in the body type's eyespots is palpable.

TIGHTROPE: M-maybe this should wait until after the puzzle? We still haven't finished it yet, and we might ne-
MONOPOLY: I'm not going anywhere near those fans with this guy.
AUTOPSY: Please, I-
AUTOPSY: I don't mean any harm!
AUTOPSY: We're all in this together, right?
AUTOPSY: I mean-
AUTOPSY: It's important for us to rally together!

 

gamepiece @gamepiece
solidarity is the only way out of this. but you can't trust anyone.

AUTOPSY: We can't survive this place without sharing things, right?


 

gamepiece @gamepiece
the way the act of sharing your selfhood is treated in these trials is sick. nothing but greed. needless consumption. torn to shreds, all in the name of "service". give me your type. your name. your ability. your body. your mind. everything.

AUTOPSY: And it's not like-
AUTOPSY: You know! It's, haha-
AUTOPSY: Right?!

 

gamepiece @gamepiece
they will act kind to you. like they need you. like only you can save them.
and then you will be devoured, the second the overseers ask for it. when they manufacture the situation. when they set you up to fail.

AUTOPSY: I just think if we talk this out, we can get through this just fine!


 

gamepiece @gamepiece
i'm calling out to you people because i am a pawn surrounded by pawns. i refuse to give my identity to anyone because i know what happens to those who make themselves a known quantity. you become more valuable to them. more of a tool. an actor in a grand story that they devised.

AUTOPSY: I didn't mean anything by it, r-really!


 

His voice is shrill, panicking.

 

gamepiece @gamepiece
will you watch as i'm chewed to pieces like the others?
or have you already done so?

MONOPOLY: ....
MONOPOLY: You didn't answer my question.
TIGHTROPE: Uh...
TIGHTROPE: Look, i-it's not that big of a deal! Just tell her where you heard the rumor and we can get through the puzzle and call it a day! Okay?

 

Tightrope looks pointedly at Monopoly.

TIGHTROPE: We're not upset!

MONOPOLY: Don't speak for me.
TIGHTROPE: I-!

 

It raises its hand to say more, but it can't. Instead, it just looks nervously at Autopsy.

Autopsy is shaking.

MONOPOLY: Answer me.
AUTOPSY: I-
AUTOPSY: I don't know where I heard it-
MONOPOLY: Not good enough.
AUTOPSY: C-cmon-
MONOPOLY: You've been real cheery this whole time. Very confident.
MONOPOLY: And I thought- maybe you're just sweet.

 

She takes a step forward, keeping her voice low- just barely audible to Tightrope over the fans.

MONOPOLY: But isn't it convenient how I walked in right at that moment?
MONOPOLY: When you were soooo nice to Tightrope.
MONOPOLY: You even told it-
MONOPOLY: "You don't need to do that!"
MONOPOLY: "It's so common for people to take too much."
MONOPOLY: Where's that attitude now?
MONOPOLY: Now, that I'm refusing to give you what you want-
MONOPOLY: You're talking about how important it is to share.
MONOPOLY: Just like that.
TIGHTROPE: Wait-
 

Tightrope glances at Monopoly, realization in its eyes.

TIGHTROPE: You weren't-?
 

Tightrope looks at Autopsy again, its expression shifting.

AUTOPSY: A-
AUTOPSY: I wouldn't-
MONOPOLY: No such thing as an unscripted scene in this play.
MONOPOLY: Everything's gotta be in the right place.
MONOPOLY: The right setup.

 

Another step forward, Autopsy dangerously close to the edge.

 

[image description: low-angle wide shot from below the platform. autopsy is still backing towards the edge, and the very top of monopoly's body is visible behind the edge of the platform. it is a very long way down.]

MONOPOLY: You're a big guy.
MONOPOLY: Strong. You've nailed every jump without a single hitch.
MONOPOLY: And what was that earlier-?
MONOPOLY: That you can regenerate.
MONOPOLY: We even saw you do it.
MONOPOLY: You were content to wait for it to happen.
MONOPOLY: Or maybe-
MONOPOLY: You were content to wait for someone to show up or not.
TIGHTROPE: S-slow down!
TIGHTROPE: We won't be able to get out if you-
MONOPOLY: Taking a chunk of pretzel-
MONOPOLY: It would be so easy to regrow it.
MONOPOLY: Took a few moments with a little piece.
MONOPOLY: Didn't need much!
MONOPOLY: And you know what I think-

 

She leans in.

MONOPOLY: I think you're just shit at playing your role.





 

There's silence aside from the fans.