It's over? That was so -- abrupt.

Lovely play, though. Very strange.

"Fuck," Sano says, and runs away from his seat.

The lights dim.

People are speaking and moving but Terrence can’t tell what they’re saying. The sound is distorted and lost; the shapes are only vague shadows.

He finds the play energizing and moving.

The principals stand in silence. Another figure appears in tattered robes: it is the King in Yellow. He is huge and he holds a sword and a torch that emits smoke but no light. He talks with the Queen and the priest, Naotalba. He announces that Yhtill has become Carcosa and all must wear the mask. The King disappears. Out of the crowd of fear-stricken guests runs the child. He goes to the Stranger who himself has fallen to the ground, and taking him by the hand follows in the wake of the King.

At least he hasn't read this part before. Though admittedly... the effect is a bit different on the stage, if he's being honest.

A masked ball is taking place on the palace balcony. The guests are finely dressed, intricately masked and they move to music played by the small house orchestra (there are some extras out on stage now to make up numbers). It takes a moment to see the Stranger, he wears a bone white mask and moves stiffly and without gaiety. After a while the revelers begin to take off their masks. Their eyes look bright and their actions are extravagant, unrestrained. The Stranger grasps the Queen by the arm and she collapses.

She's still shaking. Why is she still shaking?

Where did Sano go?

A room in the palace that has been taken by the Stranger. The surroundings are severe. One by one the principals come to talk to him. Thale wheedles and threatens in order to try and gain the Stranger’s help in pressing his own suit for the throne. Uoht tries to bargain with him to gain support for his own claim. Camilla wants nothing. She says she wants to listen, to learn something from him but then she does not listen. She speaks of Yhtill’s troubles. Cassilda starts to treat him as an enemy but then suggests an alliance, even a marriage of convenience between them whatever he represents. Finally the child comes in and stands mutely. The Stranger says not a word throughout the scene.

Hannah Keith is really good at this part. He is taking notes. ...metaphorically. The lights are off and it would be rude anyway.

He is focusing on how good the acting is as a barrier to stop himself from freaking himself out.

People are speaking and moving but Sal can’t tell what they’re saying. The sound is distorted and lost; the shapes are only vague shadows.

The transition from the ruckus of intermission to this odd impression of sound and movement feels like taking a plunge.

The lights go up.

"The play is over now!" says a voice over the intercom. "Everyone can leave! It's done."

Suddenly all is uproar. It’s as though a spell has been lifted.

...Well, he has no reason not to follow the intercom person's instructions.

Honestly he's quite happy to leave at this point. (But he does need to see if he can get in touch with Hannah some time at a later date.)

She's--

Why is she crying STOP CRYING--

Where'd Sano go--

Sal can't get himself to move. He stares up at the stage, unblinking, until someone jostles him and he snaps out of it.

Seven men and two women go temporarily insane: the symptom in six of the insane is a berserk rage and in the other three catatonia. Two of the men rush forward toward the curtain where they are met by stagehands; three others turn on members of the audience at random, forcing unaffected patrons to flee or fight to protect themselves. One assailant has a bottle, a gentleman uses his cane, and a woman scratches and claws; all attack indiscriminately and with abandon.

Oscar blinks. He has no memory of what he just watched.

...Jesus Christ, what is going on in here.

The point at which the canes and suprise broken bottles come out is the the point at which to leave swiftly.

Yes. Where the fuck is the exit.

(Who the hell brings a broken bottle to a play?)

Okay this is a little much. Time to attempt to gently and quickly escort his friends out of the building.

Somewhat surprisingly, the investigators discover as they flee into the foggy night, tables are being laid out in the theater bar area for an opening night reception.

She's still kind of crying but it's fine! It's fine. Everything's totally fine.

This would probably be more convincing if she wasn't shaky and crying.

(If that is where the bottles came from he is going to find someone else's hat and eat it.)

Once they're outside, Terrence makes his way to Simone. Rather quietly: "Miss Burr, are you alright?"

"I--" Wow there is no good answer here is there. "...I think I will be?"

Terrence nods and hands her a handkerchief.

"Sorry to interrupt, but... how long was I out?"