This story is the twenty-first in a series. While this story can, hopefully, be read enjoyably by itself, the earlier installments provide context and character background. My characters are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to any real person is unintended and coincidental. Please do not rely on these stories for any legal advice.
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To Erin's chagrin, I am reverting to my tendency to recount our adventures in a more-or-less chronological order. I'm sorry, but that is how my mind works, to the extent that it still works at all.
I had feared some fall-out from our nude in the courtroom demonstration (Legally Nude Ch. 20). However, I was pleasantly surprised that it went largely unnoticed. A few of the jurors commented that they had enjoyed seeking us naked, but those were mainly the male jurors talking about Carla, Erin, and Wendy. I think that the plaintiffs' counsel was sufficiently embarrassed by their failure to object to the demonstration that they preferred to let the matter drop. The demonstration did merit some comment at our next NBA (Nude Bar Association) meeting, but the NBA was, of course, favorably inclined to nudity in the courtroom.
The more important development from the NBA was our summer fundraiser. Since Wendy had become NBA president, she had adopted a policy of having summer and winter events for the benefit of some charity. It gave us an opportunity to show off a bit and raised money for good causes which, hopefully, contributed to a more positive image for nude lawyers.
The combined imagination of Wendy, Suzanne, and Rob had produced "Full Disclosure: The Naked Lawyer Beauty Pageant" as our summer event. Rob and Suzanne had found a private operator who was willing to let us use its outdoor picnic/festival facility for a $1,000 rental provided that we did all of the set-up and clean-up. The facility could park around 500 cars, way beyond what we would draw. Our planning triumvirate decided that we could also grill and sell burgers, brats, and metts. The only drawback was that, because of the nudity, we could not use the facility's liquor license.
The triumvirate decided that we would erect an elevated runway (actually just some rented platforms about 3' off of the ground.). Each contestant would make a solo trip along the runway nude. After each contestant had been exhibited alone, all of the contestants would parade naked on the runway. There would be separate competitions for men and women. The spectators would be given ballots with the contestants' names to vote for men's and women's winners, runners-up, and second runners-up. The thought was that we could charge $12 for admission plus a couple of bucks to park. The net proceeds would go to a group helping families who had lost members to drug overdoses.
The real challenge was getting contestants. The triumvirate thought that we needed at least six male and female contestants, but preferably seven or eight. Of course, Rob and I were in immediately. Everyone was pleased that Ervin Jones, a tall and handsome former college basketball player turned tax lawyer, agreed to compete. After some arm-twisting and peer pressure, we got four more guys.
Carla, Wendy, and Suzzane were, of course, enthusiastically in the women's contest. After Wendy both pleaded and threatened during the meeting, three more ladies stepped up. That left the women's competition one person short of the number of men entered. Wendy was not pleased about that. Of course, going nude at our events was one thing. Parading nude in front of clothed members of the general public, potentially including friends, family, clients, and employers, was something else entirely. More than one of our female members made that point to explain why they would be happy to help with the event but would not compete under any circumstances.
Wendy's frustration at her nudist professional sisters was evident, if a bit greater than was justified in my opinion. A silence settled in as Wendy glared at the rest of the NBA membership. Finally, a soft voice said, "I'll do it."
What was surprising was not that a seventh lady had finally agreed to compete. What was surprising was who that lady was. Cassie Balack was about three years out of law school. She worked as a real estate lawyer at a very prominent, very old, and very conservative firm. The pressure to measure up to a certain standard, not only professionally but also personally, was known to be very intense at her firm. I think that this pressure and the unrelenting judging of the young lawyers had made Cassie somewhat timid. Also, the fact that Cassie was from somewhere else and had taken the job here without knowing anyone in our town had to make her uncomfortable.
Cassie had met Wendy and Suzanne at a normal bar function. Ever the proselytizer, Wendy had talked Cassie in to coming to one of our meeting about a year earlier. Nudity was not required at our meetings, so Cassie had stayed clothed. She was pleasant enough and helpful enough that no one objected. I guess that Cassie enjoyed the friendship and found our very non-judgmental approach to each other refreshing. She had kept coming to our meetings and helped with our events, all clothed.
There was a surprised silence. The fact that Cassie always stayed clothed had become a given for the NBA. Now, she was committing to parade nude, on stage, before an audience of clothed strangers (or not strangers as the case might be).
A bit more firmly, Cassie repeated "I'll do it." Still, no one said a word. Cassie looked at us and said, "You all go naked all of the time. Why is me saying that I'll go naked a big deal?"
Wendy quickly replied, "It isn't a big deal. Thank you very much for volunteering Cassie."
Erin and Dr. John were disappointed at the decision to limit contestants to lawyers. As a consolation, Dr. John would MC the women's competition and Erin would MC the men's. Neither really appreciated the decision that they had to stay clothed.
Wendy, Suzanne, and Rob had already arranged a date with the facility on a Saturday afternoon a month off. Committees were quickly formed to address promoting the event, food service, and equipment needs.
I must say that the promotion committee was zealous. About a week after the meeting when we decided to do the event, Carla, Erin, and I were driving to work. We had our local public radio station on when we heard the following promotional announcement:
"See your lawyer as you never have before: naked. The first annual Naked Lawyers' Beauty Pageant will be at Wingman's Grove starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13. Tickets are twelve dollars. Proceeds go to support families who have lost loved ones to a drug overdose."
Actually, the thought that there might be a real crowd was quite pleasing, to Carla and me at least. Erin just muttered, "Damn, I have to stay dressed."
About a week later, Carla and I had stopped for lunch, clothed, after a hearing. Cassie Balack walked into the restaurant and we waved her over to our table.
After pleasantries, Carla asked, "Cassie, are you still up for the beauty pageant?"
Cassie smiled nervously, "The thought scares me some, but I said that I would do it and I will do it. I need to get out of my shell somehow."
Carla, knowing the reputation of Cassie's firm, asked, "Are you concerned that it may have repercussions at the firm?"
"Yes, I have thought about that," Cassie replied. "Hopefully, they will never find out. I can't really picture anyone there going to a 'nude' anything." Cassie paused. "Except me," she giggled.
It was Cassie's turn to ask questions. Looking at Carla, she asked "Have you done anything like this before?"
"Not a beauty pageant," Carla answered, "but I've been nude in some very public settings."
"What does it feel like while you are nude like that?" Cassie asked.
"The very first time, I was very nervous," Carla said. "However, the nerves are a part of the fun like the beginning of a rollercoaster ride. If you forget about being embarrassed and just take the attitude 'this is me, have a good look,' it feels very empowering. And, well, frankly, it is a turn-on knowing that people are looking at my bare tits, bare ass, and vulva."
Cassie smiled shyly. "I'm glad that you said that. I do get a little turned on thinking about doing it. I was starting to think that I'm weird."
Carla smiled warmly. "The anticipation is part of the fun. Enjoy it."
Not long after I got back to the office from that lunch, my phone rang. Answering, I heard an unforgettable voice ask "Harry?"
"Hello Sarah," I replied. "How are you? Where are you?"
I had not actually spoken with Sarah for about two years. We had talked on the phone a couple of times just after she left our firm to join her all-women sailing team. I had not spoken to her at all since that had fallen through. I was curious why she was calling.
"I'm fine," Sarah said in answer to my question. "I'm in Key West."
"What can I do for you Sarah?"
"I thought that I might come up there in a couple of weeks, just for a day or two, if that is all right with you?"
"Of course, you are welcome to come up. You can stay at the house with Erin, Carla, and me."
