Plan:

- Begin as a priest saying some few words (Priest speech is below, and is an accumulation of parts taken from the story) : (Costume: A robe and a “Bible” and rosary)

- Change into being a detective: (Costume: Sunglasses, Coat, notepad and pen, hat, FOULDER with info)

- Give audience the folder containing the laminated sheets of clues. Do not forget to mention that they have the option of asking for 3 extra clues.

- Audience has 15 minutes to determine the truth. Once this time has run out, give the Truth Speech (situated under the 3 clues).

Detective Speech: (be dramatic)

“But I say this is unfair. We do not know why, such a fair maiden has died. Nor we do not know how, with what, by whom, or even where! As a detective of brilliance like me I would have normally already completed this case, but I have hit a mental block. I cannot carry on. Hence I have come to you, my fellow detectives, to help me solve this mind-blowing mystery. The folder which I am to give contains information which I have been able to deduce. It is not all of the information for I am not allowed to share everything due to exterior help policies. I am sure you understand. The information which IS in the folder is a list of plausible murder weapons, locations, possible murders, causes and procedures. Discuss amongst yourselves and I expected your report by the end of the session (15 min). You may ask for more information/ a clue, but choose your questions wisely for I can only give you three extra bits of information; I don’t wish to lose my job. Begin.”

Priest Speech: (occurs before Detective speech!!!)

- Is on the following page since it can be used as a clue.

“Of excelling loveliness was she,

Above all others that man might see.

Nature had shown her such diligence

In forming her to such an excellence.” P. 232, #1

“Ere she was born; her limbs so lissom she

Had touched with colour where they ought to be.

Pheobus her mass of tresses with a gleam

Had dyed in burnish from his golden stream,

And if her beauty was beyond compare,

Her virtue was a thousand time more rare;

There lacked no quality in her to move

The praises sober wisdom would approve.

Chaste of her body and her soul was she,

And so she flowered in her virginity

With all humility and abstinence

In temperate and patient innocence,

With modesty of bearing and of dress

And showed in speech a modesty no less.” P. 233, #1

Added (not from novel): Rest in peace, Virginia, the pure, beautiful, and only child of Virginius.

The 3 extra Clues:- Time setting of the murder: The Roman times- Claudius (paid by Appius) accuses Virginius to have kidnapped his slave, who is Virginia, and posed her to be his biological daughter. - Virginius brought the head of Virginia to Appius in the court room.

Truth Speech:

“Appius, the ever so lustful and sickening person, wanted Virginia all to himself. He schemed, and decided he would pay Claudius to act as a nobleman. As nobleman he is able to accuse Virginius to have stolen his slave; Virginia. Virginius, losing the case and knowing the true intent of Appius, runs home and calls for his daughter. Arriving he explains what has happened and Appius’s intent, and says she must die pure. After hearing the news and recovering from fainting, she agrees by saying: “Blessed be God that I shall die a maid! I take my death rather than take my shame, So do your will upon me in God’s name!” She, after her little monologue, once again faints. During her state of unconsciousness her father cuts her head off and brought it to Appius. Appius horrified in seeing this, orders Virginius to hang. However, the public votes against this. The public vote to put Appius in jail and succeed. There he hangs himself. Meanwhile the other people included in his plan were either imprisoned or hanged. This excludes Claudius whom Virginius suggested he be exiled instead.”

Available information:- Virginia (deceased) only daughter of Virginius- Virginius is a noble knight and biological father to

Virginia- Appius is known to be a corrupted and lustful judge - Claudius is the blackguard or churl hired by Appius

Setting/Theory: Appius, after having caught sight of Virginia, wants her for himself. He, of evil nature, devised a plan to get her to be his. His plan included him abusing his position as judge and Claudius, a churl paid by Appius to do his bidding. He was paid to play the part of the accuser, while Virginius was the accused.

What (murder weapons):

- Rope

- Axe

- Sword

- Corset

Who (suspects):

- Virginius- Appius- Claudius - An assassin

Where (locations):

- Court room- Virginius’s house- An alley- The market- In a carriage

Why (initiative):

- Broken heart- Loss of her virginity (rape)- Loss of family fortune- In protection of her virginity - An arranged marriage

How (procedure):

- Stabbed- Decapitation- Lack of oxygen- Hanged