This is a very brief "story strip" or "short-short." Joe has no plans to do anything more with it. So, if you don't want to leave it as is, it's up to one or more group members to continue the story. It may be interesting, indeed, to see how a couple of different writers pursue the same story idea. The rules for continuing a story strip are the same as the rules for anyone who wants to do a sequel to ANY of Joe's stories. JOE'S COMMENTS AND RULES: Please feel free to borrow any of my characters or story ideas. After all, it's not like I'm trying to create a collection of trademarked characters and stories so that I can sell merchandise and action figures at my new "Joe Doe Theme Park." So, as far as I'm concerned, anyone who wants to can do a sequel/prequel/re-write/song/poem or anything else inspired by my stuff. Feel free to use the characters in any way you think best. I do have three very small and extremely reasonable requests. I ask that you post your story under your own name/alias and not under mine.* Also, please don't murder my characters or subject them to extreme violence (no chainsaws, etc.). And, above all, make sure that you keep all of the characters (even bystanders) at least 18 years old. Good luck to any would-be sequel writers. *[For the only exception, see the introduction to "No Country for Old Sheriffs." --C.L.] ****************************** GIVE 'TIL IT HURTS by Joe Doe Constance eyed the large crowd at the amusement park nervously. As a local news anchor, she always tried to raise money for charity, and the after-hours party at the amusement park sounded like fun. She hadn't objected when the "town mayor" of the "Pilgrim's Progress" area of the theme park arrested her for "strumpetry" and locked her in the stocks in exchange for a $500 donation from the crowd. She had even played along when the town crier auctioned off her shoes and socks. But, when they pulled off her blue jeans and auctioned them and her halter top, she protested...loudly. Her clothes had raised over $5000, in total. Her pretty pink panties alone had sold for nearly $1000. But the naked reporter didn't care. She just wanted the crowd to stop whistling and hooting at her. Now they were selling the chance to "search the trollop for contraband" for "a mere $50 per hole!" Constance tried to get the "mayor" to release her, but he smiled and explained that she wouldn't be released until the park closed for the night...OR she raised $20,000. She wasn't very good at math, but, judging from the number of rubber gloves that were sitting next to her and the size of the crowd, she had a busy night ahead of her. Edited by C. Lakewood