Monty is not drunk, though he might be tipsy— it's hard to distinguish his regular level of agreeableness from an elevated one. He has taken off his usual sweater and is only in an undershirt. He, along with Lucky and a couple Courtiers (you recognize Hatch) and a sweaty Earl (did he run here?), engage you in a last-minute strategy session / pep-talk. Both of these things are mostly for their benefit, not yours, as you're going to win and you're thinking plenty positive. Still, it's nice to know they intend to pull their weight.

There's only a few important take-aways, in your opinion. Lucky wants people to partner off— Monty warns that Jean might frown on collusion, but quiets when Lucky points out that death is the default outcome here. Lucky also swears the Courtiers will be trying to minimize external damage, and will attempt to neutralize the worst offenders. Finally, he wants to know what will happen if the only contestants remaining are allied. Will Ramsey call it off, or will she force a conclusion?

Monty doesn't know, or if he knows, he doesn't want to say. You, however, pledge to negotiate with Ramsey. After all, she doesn't have all the power— you're the one with the Crown-piece she needs, aren't you? And won't it work out? Of course it will.

Of course it will work out. Of course it will work out. You had your crying incident a little while back, got it out of your system, and now you're doing nothing but thinking positive. Even when you (and Gil and everybody) hike out to town, see the enormous crowd of people standing around in it, see the dramatic black gnarled stage plonked directly in front of the general store— did the general store guy approve of that?— see Jean Ramsey, sans Crown, flanked by mask-wearers, atop the stage, stupidly big axe in hand— none of this shakes your confidence. You have a sword, and a suit of armor, and righteousness in your heart. You have a destiny. Is there anything to be afraid of?

Certainly not Jean Ramsey, who, for all the black robes and axe and stage and things, is hardly exuding fearsomeness. When she speaks, her voice is magyckally projected (or maybe her snake is doing it), but she doesn't use it to cow or bellow or monologue evilly. She, um, yuks it up. "Hey, hey, hey!" she says. "Hey! Wow! Big crowd! Excited crowd! It's like you guys are all here for something, huh? How about you tell me what you're here for! ...Nope. Couldn't hear you. TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE HERE FOR!!! YEAH!! Woo-hoo!!"

(2/loads)