The entire facility, with the exception of the sanctuary, is left dark. Slips of paper are folded in half, 1 for every person playing. A few of the slips have an X on the inside (about 1 for every 5 people playing). As students leave the sanctuary one at a time, they draw a slip of paper and reveal it to the leader so he/she knows who is playing what. Players with an X are the Mafia.
As the players leave the sanctuary with a few seconds between each, the Mafia players head to the classroom closest to the sanctuary that's designated as “the Hideout” (by waiting a few seconds between each student leaving, the Mafia players have ample time to run straight in to this darkened classroom to preserve their identity). The sanctuary becomes “the Dungeon.”
All the remaining players each hide somewhere in the facility, but are not required to stay there. (Exit signs provide Adequate lighting to prevent injuries and other adults who are playing can keep an eye out for any behavior that could get someone hurt.)
Once everyone has left to hide, the leader goes to the Hideout to let the Mafia know they are free to go hunt everybody else down. The clock then starts and the Mafia is given 15 minutes to locate and tag the other players. When a player is tagged, they have a choice to make (“an offer they can't refuse”) – they can become one of the Mafia or they can go to the Dungeon. No one can really trust anybody (except the Mafia) because when a player is tagged, if they join up with the Mafia, they can give you away. Nobody has to sit out until the game ends (unless they go to the Dungeon) and nobody minds being the Mafia. After 15 minutes, the game is called and everyone returns to the sanctuary to see who lasted throughout the game without being caught.
Added by Lori Webb
Also see Mafia (Click Here).
