you are walking in the streets of 1794 paris at night, unaware of what is going to come to you.
you turn away from the main street into an alley that you need to walk on in order to get to your house. it is normally quiet, and no one likes to use it. it's perfect.
today's different, though. a man stands down the other end of the alley, one that you vaguely recognize from the public executions.
he just stares at you, a blank expression on his face. you tense up, understandably worried by the situation.
he signed the warrants of the deaths of many citizens you know, after all.
he walks closer to you, and before you could walk back into the main street, he says to you,
he tells you, briefly, about what he needs. he knows that, from your previous actions, you have been loyal to the revolution, and that he has been looking for you specifically for this.
he wants you to help gather intelligence on the dantonists, who are becoming a growing threat to the committee of public safety.
the problem is, you are very close to some of the head dantonists.
the dantons and the desmoulins' had been family friends of yours for a long time, and saint-just knew that.
what do you do? do you spy for the committee, choosing your beliefs over your friends, or decline, possibly putting your life on the line?
Oh, ok, ok, let me see. If I am interested in the Revolution, chances are that I know SJ from the Convention (I don't think he frequented executions). I suppose we are also to assume that SJ would want my help even if I am close to the Dantonists (instead of, idk, signing my arrest warrant). AND suppose I do support the Dantonists (which is not likely, given my political stance; I'd probably be caught with the Enragés, tbh, so Danton et al. would have a chance to betray me first). But let's say that I do support them, for the sake of the exercise.
With this knowledge of history, I am doomed anyway: either I refuse to spy for SJ and die with the Dantonists, or I accept it, and I die during Thermidor. So, not much of a choice.
But let's say that I don't know that. I generally pride myself as being a loyal friend, and I don't see myself betraying them (my beliefs might be more flexible, since I am also a horrible, terrible, huge coward). And because I am a coward, I might be tempted to say yes to spying, just not to get on SJ's shit list then and there (but without really intending to spy).
Once I am alone, I'd pack a bag and escape tf out of there. Well, I would attempt at least (a huge coward, remember?) But since SJ is not stupid, he'd catch me, and then I suppose Paris would have an execution show not seen since Du Barry (heck, it would probably surpass it). I mean on crying, begging, fainting, etc. Stories would be written for centuries about that display of utter cowardice.
So... I guess there's that.
