The Iron Maiden

From Changeling Venue

he performance starts with the Artist being drug out in chains. The

Artist is held to the Ground, as a man cloaked, and wearing an executioner’s hood walks out.

The announcer screams to the crowd, "Ladies and Gentlemen. Before you stands the Accused, a poor wretch who dared to defy the word of our Lord, by thought and deed. He dared to speak out against the Church, and the State. He aided our enemies by daring to give voice to challenging views. In the name of all that is good and right in this world... let his punishment begin."

The Artist should be stretched out at this point. The chains attached to his hands and feet, pulled taught so the victim is held suspended, face down. The Executioner will then produce a Cat o Nine, and begin to whip the victim.

The announcer shall continue, "As he has tried to tear at the fabric of our society, so shall his skin be torn from him. But the Establishment is not without mercy! Silent now, Give him a chance to repent, and he shall be freed!"

The Artist should be given a chance to speak, and he shall scream, "NEVER"

The Chain bearers shall then flip the Artist over, so his back to the ground

"The Foul one has denied the Mercy of the Land, and so the Punishment shall continue. As he has tried, in his vanity, to mar the face of the beloved Estate, so shall he be branded.”?

The Executioner should produce a set of hot branding irons. After playing with the crowd for a moment, he should burn something nearby to demonstrate their fire. Then, the hot Irons should be pushed into the flesh of the Artist. Long enough to leave a welt, but we should not severely mark the Artist.

"Again we bestow the Mercy upon the Rebel of the Court. Will the Heat of the Iron be enough to dissuade him?"

The Artist is again given a chance to speak, and he should again yell, "NEVER"

"Let is be known, that he has thrown the Mercy of the Homeland away. If he has no fear of pain, then, by order of the Gentry, he shall face the greatest pain we know, The Iron Maiden. "

As the Announcer Speaks, the Bearers should drag the artists to the Performance Stage, wrap him in chains, and lock the chains to the ground above a dead man's trap. Two shall test the chains, as the others get a modified Iron Maiden.

This Iron Maiden shall be constructed with a standard butterfly door opening. That is, two doors that split the center of the lady from head to tow. These Doors should be spring-loaded. As long as the doors are open, the blades shall stay in place. When the doors close, they will release locks on the blades allowing them to fold down, so they will not injure the Artist. Blood bladders should also be placed above the eyes of the Maiden that will rupture when the doors shut, giving the trap the illusion of blood flowing. Last, there will be no bottom to the Maiden.

As the announcer speaks, the Executioner will check the device, showing the audience how sharp the blades are (I suggest throwing the heads of dolls onto the blades. Perhaps Steak) while the Bearers put a bag over the Artists. The artist should begin getting out of the chains around now.

"The Iron Maiden, ladies and Gentleman. Never before, or since, has such a devious device been constructed? Never before has Man shaped Metal to cause such Despair!" The maiden should be placed around the Artist now, so his back is in the maiden, and his face is looking out. "But even now, loyal subjects, the Rebel has a chance to repent his sins, to recant his words! Will you spare your own life! Will you spare the Audience the grim sight of such a gruesome display?"

A mike should be pushed in front of the Artist, who will again declare, "NEVER"

"Very well, Rebel. Very well, Ladies and Gentlemen. Never say the Government is unkind! That we did not try to save this poor, wretched soul! Let what happens now, be upon him! God Save His Soul!"

The executioner should then walk to the back of the maiden, and throw a switch, Closing the Iron Maiden, closing the blades, and, after the doors close, opening the deadman hatch. The artist will then slither out, and undo the chains. Sliding to the edge, and donning a spare Executioner costume.

The announcer should give a moment to allow the audience a chance to see the blood seep out of the eyes.

fter the doors shut, the Announcer should break character. He should call out for help, in the back yelling, "Something’s wrong." people should be running from the back. In the confusion, the Artist should come out, disguised as doctor, with a facemask.

General chaos should be encouraged, as the announcer, with tears in his voice, speaks to the crowd, trying to calm them, but asking them if they can, out of respect, not take any pictures. Perhaps a teary eyed woman can scream at them, "this isn't some fucking show you assholes! He may be dead in there for you!"

Great effort should be made trying to open the Maiden. For added effect, it should slam shut again. If possible, a cast member should put in another blood packet or two, so it explodes all over the audience. This should drive the woman into more screams and tears, as she beats on the Executioner. "What did you do to him? You monster!"

Finally, before someone can call the police, the Maiden should be opened, and shown to be empty. Just as the crowd reacts, Luna

reveals herself as the Executioner  to the crowd.