http://veryarthurdent.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] veryarthurdent.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2008-10-31 04:06 pm

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

"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?"

Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
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.

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

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
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.
raspberryturk: (Thumbs up)

Re: OOC

[personal profile] raspberryturk 2008-10-31 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
I certainly didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition!
peace_n_war: (Wtf)

Re: Sign In

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
Warren Peace
peace_n_war: (.......)

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
Warren was going to... Stare.

Yes, staring sounded like it was a good option, at this point.
peace_n_war: (.......)

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

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
"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.

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
"HA! AHA! Ah- oh. Can he do that? I don't think you can just do that. We're supposed to torture a confession out of you!"
peace_n_war: (Smile)

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

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
Warren raised an eyebrow, a small smirk at the corners of his lips.

"I'm taking all the fun out of it, am I?"

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

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
"He is! You are! You are hereby charged with Taking All the Fun of It! What do you plead?"
peace_n_war: (Orly?)

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

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Guilty," Warren decided, smirking a little more. It was entirely possible that he was going to just say he was guilty now for the sole purpose of taking all of the fun out of it.

Because that was fun.

Re: Sign In

[identity profile] notyourpawn.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
Alice Liddell

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[identity profile] notyourpawn.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
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: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[identity profile] notyourpawn.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
"If we tell them that we expected them, will that make them leave again?" Alice asked in a low whisper.
peace_n_war: (Orly?)

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm willing to bet," Warren mused, "that they'd decide that they've messed it all up, and they'll want to take it from the very top."

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

[identity profile] notyourpawn.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
"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: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[identity profile] notyourpawn.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 07:58 am (UTC)(link)
"And when they try," Alice grinned, "then we begin discussing loudly, 'my goodness, do you know what I expect right at this moment? The Spanish Inquisition.'"
peace_n_war: (Smile)

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[personal profile] peace_n_war 2008-10-31 08:00 am (UTC)(link)
That one nearly got something that might have vaguely resembled a laugh out of Warren.

Almost.

"And then we'll go on to explain how, amongst their weaponry, they have key elements such as fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency. Much to their dismay."

Re: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[identity profile] notyourpawn.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
"And that none of that weaponry is terribly surprising," Alice sighed. "That they should wait and come in again when they have discovered something that is. Or that they are secretly French. No one ever suspects the French Inquisition, largely because there isn't one."

Re: Sign In

[identity profile] joan-notjane.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 10:18 am (UTC)(link)
Joan Girardi

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[identity profile] joan-notjane.livejournal.com 2008-10-31 10:18 am (UTC)(link)
Joan wasn't sure she was going to like this lesson.

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