Scene:

Prisoner is petting a black cat. No. 2 starts petting same cat.

No. 2: I see you've made a friend. You've got your invitation to the carnival tomorrow? It's one of our little traditions. Each year, the Dance of Death in the ballroom in the evening. We're promised a cabaret this year. You'll come?

Prisoner: I have a choice?

No. 2: You do as you want.

Prisoner: As long as it's what you want.

No. 2: As long as it is what the majority wants. [pause] We're democratic. [shorter pause] In some ways.

Prisoner starts walking. No. 2 follows.

Cut to next scene: No. 2 is now in the lead. Stops at a table with three women wearing orange uniforms.

No. 2: Good morning my dears. No game is worth playing if you can't win. That's not very English, I know.

Prisoner: Are you...English?

No. 2: What you should do is find yourself a nice young lady at the carnival. You're too independent.

Prisoner spots a pretty young woman sitting at a different table, alone, no uniform.

No. 2: [gestures toward the three uniformed women] Now they're pretty and unattached.

Prisoner: [gestures toward the young woman sitting alone] What about her?

No. 2: [looks at young woman] Quite unsuitable.

Prisoner: I'm independent. Don't forget.


Scene:

"Cabaret": Prisoner discovers he is on trial (The People vs. This Person).

Prisoner: What is my crime?

No. 2: We'll come to that. Perhaps I should explain, our legal system is unusual.

Prisoner: No jury.

No. 2: ...I'm appointed by the Court to defend you.


Judge: We shall hear the Defender.

No. 2: I would beg the Court to remember, that beneath its panoply of splendor, beneath the awful majesty of the rules, beat human hearts. This is a human being, with weaknesses and failings of his kind. That he had a radio, and has broken rule after rule, cannot be denied.

Prisoner: Has anyone ever seen..these rules?

— Episode #8, Dance of the Dead

Labels: television