In brief: a mafia progeny interrogates a captured saboteur to their father’s operation.
Author’s note: players need to agree beforehand what is acceptable. blah blah consent The rules are open ended to allow both a very conversational, goofy playstyle as well as a more literal BDSM-lite scenario and I will not be establishing a correct way to play outside of mutual safety. This isn't a game rule; this is a don't credit me if you take this recipe and start subsituting non-listed incredients.
Best played with the following:
The saboteur begins in a seated position (likely in a chair) handcuffed and gagged.
The Progeny is encouraged to monologue on a few points:
Otherwise, there should be a range of banter (even if that’s exaggerated eye rolling), talking about details of the room this interrogation is taking place in, details about the Family’s ‘business’, backstory for each character, important family members to each, likes/dislikes, common ground, shared interests, flirting.
The banter should trend toward regular dramatic reveals, as each player is aiming to establish 7 Reveals in their favor. Examples:
The difference between banter and genuine evidence should be when either both parties feel strongly about opposite outcomes or one party strongly believes the facts could go either way.
For example, details about a bank heist being discussed might start somewhat casually. Maybe this one wasn’t originated by the Family but there was a member as a major crew member. Surely it ended up taking longer because, say, the teller opening the vault was wearing new heels that day and twisted her ankle. Not super important. Unless say, it’s claimed she was set up for a date that night by the Saboteur and needed brand new heels for the outfit (Saboteur advantage at stake). Maybe the rebuttal is how she never twisted her ankle but instead fell onto the handsome bank robber to flirt (Family advantage potentially).
Obviously, most of the game, the Saboteur is handcuffed, so ttrpg dice throwing is generally out of the question.
The Progeny will instead flip a coin. Heads for True and Tails for False. Catch the coin but don’t look.
Whoever prompted the coin flip is allowed to see the result. That said, the coin only represents the truth broadly. Did she fall on the handsome bank robber to flirt? Coin says no, but that could mean flirting was only second on her priority list. After a coin flip, the prompter will double down on their statement. The opposing party should then indicate what the coin landed on, and as much detail as to why (ie establishing the coin said you’re wrong but you’re banking on this detail to be right). If the accusation is deemed fairly accurate, they mark a tally on their opponent’s arm and may pontificate as to why they would describe the events so transparently biased.
(Some allowance may be required if either party is unable to speak, as it's important for them to shoot down theories)
Remember to act out of how many tallies you have. A Saboteur caught in a spider’s web. A Progeny too small a kitten to make the old dog move. Chess masters with the same score even as pieces dwindle. Two scrappers, beaten and bloodied but not turning tail.
Keep the scene fresh! If the Progeny is getting their ass kicked, why wouldn't they cheat even the game rules established here? Escalate what the Motivators in use. Get reaaal intimate to throw the Saboteur off, doing their best to not fall in love first.
Dramatic movie interrogations also transfer narrative power around. Gags don't stay on forever. Sometimes the subject gets free before the audience expects. Could the roles reverse?
What are the ways of making You talk?
Relevant Tropes:
No credits, this one's off the dome. (I mean technically I was working on another one and got a little too excited about being tied to a chair in an RP scenario.) I'd frankly be honored if this was used in some sex adjacent capacity.
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