MERIT BADGE

                               by

                             Joe Doe


   NATALIE PROVES ONCE AGAIN TO BE A GOOD SPORT AND A GREAT SCOUT.



"I know you've earned extra credit toward your sociology 
requirement through your work with the Girl Scouts, Natalie," 
Prof. Searchem said.  "But, during the break, I'd like you to 
do some work with the Boy Scouts, instead."


"The Boy Scouts?" Natalie said.  "What can I teach Boy Scouts?  I 
mean, I understand that, as a grad student here, I'm a role model 
for girls, but...."

"You're a role model for everyone, Natalie....  The group you'd be 
working with is made up of Explorer Scouts, all 18 years of age, 
and in their last year of Scouting.  There has been a merit badge 
designed specifically for them, and I'd like you to help them meet 
the requirements." 

He regarded her with an indulgent smile.

"I believe you met some of the boys when you were a substitute 
history teacher at their high school.  You'll be pleased to know 
that, of all the candidates discussed, you were the one whom all 
the boys wanted."

"I'm very flattered," Natalie said.  "How many boys would I be 
helping?"

"About twenty," he said.  "As a matter of fact, I was going to 
suggest that you get your cousin, Holly, to meet with the boys, 
as well.  They have already finished done most of the book work 
for their badges, but there is still some field work that they'll 
need to do with you girls...."

"I'm looking forward to it," Natalie said brightly.  "In fact, I'm 
honored."

"The pleasure is all mine," Prof. Searchem said.  "And I am looking 
forward to hearing all about your adventures."

He shook Natalie's hand and waved her out the door of his office, 
then he opened up the manila folder on his desk that contained the 
merit badge requirements.  He chuckled once again at the full color 
drawing of the badge, showing a hand in a plastic glove with a huge 
glob of jelly dripping off the middle finger.

Natalie was going to help the boys earn the Strip-Search merit 
badge.

He turned the page and began reviewing the print-out:

                       REQUIREMENTS

1) View movies or videotapes that contain at least 3 of the 
   following 7 scenarios, involving one or more women... 

    spied upon while showering or undressing
    involuntarily exposed in public
    stripped by jail or prison authorities
    stripped for auction
    stripped by a criminal
    stripped for a medical examination
    stripped for corporal punishment

Then write a short essay contrasting the women's reactions in the 
various films.  For example, did the size of the audience or the 
perceived power of the authority figures influence these reactions? 
Did the women who knew they were being ogled react differently?  
Why?

2) During a 30-day period, review the stories posted to a Yahoo 
   group dealing in    strip searches.  Write a fan letter to the 
   author of your favorite story, explaining why you liked it.

3) Write and publish an essay encouraging the authorities to 
   routinely search women.  Possibilities include:

   a) Arguing, in the college newspaper, that the female 
      cheerleaders be strip-searched and given an 
      over-the-knee paddling after each losing game.

   b) Advocating, in the local paper, that women be strip-searched 
      for routine misdemeanors.

   c) Extolling random cavity searches for females as part of the 
      war against drugs.

   d) Suggesting that your local hospital or health center begin 
      requiring "posture photos" for all women in their 20s or 
      30s who visit the facility for any reason whatsoever.

4) Raise strip-search awareness.  Research your local police 
   records to find a woman who was strip-searched for a trivial 
   reason.  Publicize her search throughout the community by means 
   of posters, editorials, and newspaper articles.  Make her photo 
   and the details of her search available on the Web.

(The professor nodded and smiled.  The boys had satisfied 
requirements 1-3, and Dean Barbara Johnson had already been 
selected for #4.  So Natalie and Holly need only assist with 
5 and 6.)    

5) Do one of the following:

   a) Visit a local police station with a female friend.  
      Pre-arrange with the police to have your friend 
      strip-searched through a case of mistaken identity.

   b) Organize a blood drive.  Require the attractive female 
      participants to disrobe for a complete examination.

   c) Obtain an "inspector's badge" from your local Health 
      Department that will allow you to enter the locker 
      room facility of any health club or private gym for 
      a shower inspection.  Employ it when females of your 
      acquaintance are in the showers.  

   d) Bring a woman to a strip club and leave her stranded with no 
      money and no identification.  Pre-arrange a deal with the 
      strip club owner so that she won't be allowed to use a phone 
      until she enters the "Amateur Night" contest.

   e) Send a student a letter on University letterhead telling her 
      that her academic scholarship is dependent on submitting a 
      "posture photo."  When she arrives for the photo, require 
      her to strip naked so that you can photograph her from every 
      angle.

6) Compile a pictorial list of local women that you would like to 
   see strip-searched.  Fabricate trumped-up charges to justify 
   their detention and submit their names, pictures, and the 
   "charges" to local law enforcement for review.

		******************************                

Prof. Searchem smiled.  He wasn't sure how many of these scenarios 
Natalie and Holly would experience as the boys plotted their way to 
the badge.  But they were definitely the right women for the job, 
and the plan definitely had merit....


END


Edited by C. Lakewood


  

Merit Badge