History in Living Colour - Friday, Period 3 (Week 8)

[veryarthurdent.livejournal.com]

"Listen closely," the Doctor said once everyone had gathered inside the Danger Shop that looked like a classroom, "because this could be the most important history lesson you'll ever learn. People make mistakes. People in power make even bigger mistakes. Sometimes they're small, insignificant, and sometimes they affect so many people you can't even count them all yourself. Sometimes the changes are for the better, but mostly you'll find that people's mistakes cost lives and livelihood. Hindsight is 20-20, and if you're good enough you can learn from the past, but even then you won't be able to expect some of the horrible things that people - not just humans - can do to each other.

To use an example from human history, let's look at the 16th century. To combat the rise of religious unorthodoxy, the Pope - that's the leader of the Roman Catholic Church - gave Cardinal Ximinez of Spain leave to move without let or hindrance throughout the land, in a reign of violence, terror and torture that made a smashing film and comedy sketch. The people of Europe didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition."

Three Cardinal-looking men in red outfits with silly hats burst into the room from a door off to the side. "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

The Doctor looked confused. "What?"

Comments

Sign In

[veryarthurdent.livejournal.com]

Looking like you didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition

Re: Sign In

[peace_n_war]

Warren Peace

Talk Amongst Yourselves

[veryarthurdent.livejournal.com]

As you do.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

Alice hadn't expected the Spanish Inquisition.

The first time, that was. When they decided to back up and come in again, she had suspected they might.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[joan-notjane.livejournal.com]

Joan wasn't sure she was going to like this lesson.

Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Cardinal Ximinez and his men looked very impressive in their red robes and silly hats. "Our chief weapon is surprise. Surprise and fear. Fear and surprise! Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency. Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope. Our four...no, amongst our weapons...amongst our weaponry are such elements as fear, surprise...I'll come in again."

Looking very flustered, the Spanish Inquisition exited the room using the door from which they came. The Doctor stared for a few moments, since he didn't remember programming this (although he was sure the Danger Shop had a sense of humour. Well, for a machine). "I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition."

Cardinal Ximinez and his men entered and he completely messed up his lines again. This was going to take a while.

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[peace_n_war]

Warren was going to... Stare.

Yes, staring sounded like it was a good option, at this point.

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[robinthefrog.livejournal.com]

Robin had both hands over his mouth to stifle his giggles.

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[mrodneymckay.livejournal.com]

Rodney felt as though he really should have expected this.

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[futureclone]

So, the Spanish Inquisition...couldn't count? Alex was very confused.

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara started laughing somewhere in the middle of the second recitation. The Doctor made a surprisingly good straight man.

Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

After the Cardinal finally got on with it some time later, the Spanish Inquisition started accusing people of heresy, consorting with the devil and having very bad breath. Of course, the accusations were mostly unfounded for most people. That didn't seem to matter.

"How do you plead?" the Cardinal asked. Guilty or innocent, you were bound to get tortured with pillows, a dish draining rack or a comfy chair. They weren't terribly effective.

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[peace_n_war]

"Guilty," Warren said with a shrug. Why not, right? Might as well live this educational experience to the fullest.

... Or whatever.

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

"I should like the charges defined," Alice said, setting her chin defiantly. "On what grounds am I being charged with heresy? I have no consorted with the devil in any means, though I may or may not have terribly bad breath. My inclusion of onions with this morning's omelet is a civil matter, and not a criminal one. I request a lawyer."

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[joan-notjane.livejournal.com]

"I don't know? What are the charges?"

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[death-of-hope.livejournal.com]

"How do I plead to what?" Anemone asked, contemplating the odds of stealing one of those funny hats. "Do I get a prize if I guess right?"

It was possible that she didn't understand the idea of the Inquisition.

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[robinthefrog.livejournal.com]

"Like this." Robin said. He looked very cute and said; "Pleeease?"

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[techno-tosh.livejournal.com]

"I suppose it depends on what I am being charged with," Tosh simply replied.

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[mrodneymckay.livejournal.com]

"Innocent," Rodney declared with an inexplicable feeling of déjà vu. "Besides, I'm not even Catholic, so you have no jurisdiction over me," he smirked.

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[futureclone]

"How do I plead to what?" Alex asked. "What are the charges?"

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"I plead guilty to everything but bad breath," Inara stated.

Re: Be Tortured. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[pyroliz.livejournal.com]

"What am I being charged with?" Liz asked curiously.

Talk to the Doctor

[veryarthurdent.livejournal.com]

The Doctor, in situations such as these, thought it best to go with the flow. That would be why he checked to make sure the safety protocols were intact, and then sat back to watch the students deal with the Spanish Inquisition.

Talk to the TAs

[veryarthurdent.livejournal.com]

They probably didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition either.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[laidanegg.livejournal.com]

Dick generally tried to be prepared for anything, but even he hadn't expected some kind of Spanish Inquisition. Then again, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Except maybe Batman.

But even that was iffy.

OOC

[veryarthurdent.livejournal.com]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Re: OOC

[raspberryturk]

I certainly didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition!