Line #26 PlayingWith/IncriminatingIndifference


1	'''Basic Trope''': Lack of emotion proves you are guilty of a crime.
2	* '''Straight''': Bob figures that Dracone killed his girlfriend Alice because he cracked a joke during the police interrogation.
3	* '''Exaggerated''': Bob figures that Dracone was an accomplice of whoever killed Alice because he doesn't even shed a SingleTear.
4	* '''Downplayed''': Bob figures that Dracone killed Alice because he expresses no sadness or sign of regret at any point after her death.
5	* '''Justified''':
6	** Alice was LovedByAll among the main cast except for Dracone.
7	** Alice and Dracone were SickeninglySweethearts, so the fact that he's flippant about her death is a major red flag.
8	* '''Inverted''':
9	** Bob figures that Dracone must be innocent because he's not going into theatrical mourning, because he may be conflicted after the revelations that Alice both died and was cheating on him.
10	** Bob figures that Dracone must be guilty because he's going into theatrical mourning, as if he had been planning to cry like this since he's GenreSavvy enough to know this trope may come into effect.
11	* '''Subverted''':
12	** Bob figures that Dracone was Alice's killer because he saw him at the funeral, completely dry-eyed but someone else at the funeral makes a comment that gives Dracone an alibi for the time of the murder.
13	** Bob shows a video of Dracone not crying, only for someone to point out this is not proof.
14	* '''Double Subverted''':
15	** But this person is also dry-eyed, and Bob finds out that the two of them murdered Alice.
16	** Bob then notes that Dracone immediately goes from indifferent to mourning when someone enters the room, and uses as proof that he mourning is an act.
17	* '''Parodied''': Bob videotapes Alice's funeral, and picks out his suspects from the people who cried the least including Alice's one year old niece, who doesn't know what's going on.
18	* '''Zig-Zagged''':
19	** Most people agree that Dracone's demeanor was not particularly emotional, but opinion is widely mixed on whether he's guilty, and some of his accusers have other reasons besides his lack of reaction.
20	** Bob points out Dracone's wildly varying reactions as a sign that he is faking his grief, and not doing a good job. When he tries to be somber and solemn he comes off as bored, and his attempts to grieve openly come off as over the top.
21	* '''Averted''': Bob is no more or less likely to think someone is the killer depending on their emotional state.
22	* '''Enforced''': The author believes this idea, and works it into the story as a clue.
23	* '''Lampshaded''': "Of course he's guilty! An innocent person would be more upset."
24	* '''Invoked''': Alice, wanting to frame Dracone for her 'murder', switches his eye drops with ones that dry his eyes, making it impossible for him to shed tears.
25	* '''Exploited''': Alice, knowing that Dracone is TheStoic, frames him for her 'murder', knowing his lack of response will mean he'll be blamed immediately.
26	* '''Defied''': Bob takes a class that teaches him that innocent people may not react emotionally, and that guilty people might put on a show to throw detectives off their tracks.
27	* '''Discussed''': "Bob, I know, he looks suspicious, but trust me, he's crying very hard inside. He just doesn't want to show it."
28	* '''Conversed''': ???
29	* '''Implied''': Bob is standing in the interrogation room when Dracone is told about Alice's death. Dracone doesn't shed a tear and Bob's eyes narrow.
30	* '''Deconstructed''': Dracone is arrested and executed for not showing emotion, despite being completely innocent.
31	* '''Reconstructed''': Dracone is suspected but without evidence he is never convicted. As time goes on the real culprit shows his true colors and is soon arrested.
32	----
33	Back to IncriminatingIndifference... and you'd better turn on the waterworks, or they'll think you redlinked it!
34	----
35	%%Optional items, added after Conversed, at your discretion:
36	%% ???
37	%%* '''Played for Laughs''': ???
38	%% ???

Context PlayingWith / IncriminatingIndifference