Lady Godiva Day

Lauren Sampson was one of the newest police officers on the ****, having just transferred to the small town from her original home in the big city and only being in town for a week. The twenty-five year old easily became one of the best officers on the ****, even after trading in her high speed police cruiser for a police horse that she was allowed to keep after moving into the ranch style home she had inherited from her late mother.

Unfortunately, she was also the most arrogant; having a holier than thou attitude as she talked down to her coworkers.

Coworkers like Abigail Smith and Rachel Johnson; two fellow officers who Lauren treated like her sidekicks rather than equals. In fact, 99% of all of Lauren's successful cases were because of the hard work that Abby and Rachel had put in, only for the former to swoop in and take the credit.

And both women were getting quite tired of this.

"Can you believe that little city girl?!" Rachel snarled as she stepped into the shower of the station's locker room, still raging about the latest case. "We were the ones who followed the perps into that sewer. We were the ones who apprehended them! And what happens?! That... Good for nothing, lazy, stuck up, prissy, princess tells The Chief and the freaking Mayor that she was the one who put the most effort into the bust!"

"Tell me about it." Rachel groaned as she scrubbed at her red hair, "And if that wasn't bad enough, that little worm is not only getting an award from The Mayor, but she's also getting promoted to Detective by The Chief at the same ceremony!"

"What?!" Abby shrieked, her blue eyes going wide.

"It's true. I heard it from Lopez." Rachel growled, "And you of all people know just how long I've been trying to get that position!"

"Oh, I just wish there was a way we can expose that little bitch in front of everyone!" Abby snarled. "The whole world needs to see what a fraud she is!"

Rachel was about to mutter something when her eyes widened, the wheels in her head turning as she turned to Abby. "Say that again?"

"You know just as well as I do that she's a big, fat, stupid -"

"No, no, no! Before that!" Rachel said grabbing Abby by the shoulders, "You said something about 'exposing her to everyone'?"

"Yeah... Why?"

Rachel smirked evilly. "This gives me an idea..."

Lauren finished writing up her report and was just about to stand up when she noticed Abby and Rachel looking at the calendar nervously before looking at each other with the same nervous look.

"Something wrong?" Lauren asked, more out of annoyance than concern.

"It's just... We're worried about tomorrow." Abby said, gulping. "Especially since it's... Well, you know."

"The day that I get my award from Mayor Clayton?" Lauren asked, now genuinely confused. "I mean, the old bat looks scary, but she's nothing I couldn't handle."

"No, that's not - " Abby began before gasping. "The emails! Rachel! We need to check our emails to make sure we didn't get chosen!"

"You're right!" Rachel yelped, racing to her computer as Abby did the same. The two women sat at their desks quietly for a few minutes before sighing in relief, Rachel letting out a nervous chuckle. "Thank goodness. I do not want to be chosen for Lady Godiva Day."

"Uh, chosen for what now?"

Abby and Rachel turned to the confused Lauren, staring at her as if the woman had grown a second head.

"You've never heard about Lady Godiva Day?" Abby asked in shock. "How could you not know about it?!"

"I'm pretty sure that that's not a real holiday." Lauren said, trying to make sense of all this.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. She really doesn't know." Rachel muttered to Abby before turning her attention back to Lauren. "It's not a holiday, Lauren. It's a town tradition!"

At seeing Lauren's confused look, Rachel continued. "See, our town was founded by the descendent of Lady Godiva herself. And to honor his ancestor, each year one woman would be randomly selected to do a repeat performance; the woman would have to ride through town naked on horse back."

"It's considered an honor for the woman chosen, as the random woman would have to be considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in town." Abby added. Letting out a sheepish chuckle, she rubbed the back of her head as she said, "Of course, it's also pretty embarrassing. That's why Rachel and I pray every year that neither of us are picked."

Lauren was about to ask another question when she got a notification from her own computer, looking at it to see that she had received a new email. Unaware of Abby and Rachel getting up and standing over her shoulder, Lauren opened her email to see that it was from The Mayor's Office, quietly reading the email.

Dear Officer Lauren Sampson,

Congratulations! You have been selected to hold the great honor of being the Lady Godiva of Lady Godiva Day! And on top of earning an award for your valiant deeds and your promotion to Detective (which you didn't hear from me ;) ) on the exact same day!

Now, I know that you probably have no idea what I'm referring to, but Lady Godiva Day is a town tradition that is very important to our community. The founder of our little town was a descendent of Lady Godiva herself when he first immigrated to America. And to honor his ancestor and her bravery, he declared that, once a year, a beautiful maiden shall ride through out the town, repeating the same heroic action.

And we believe that you, Lauren Sampson, are this year's beautiful maiden!

Of course, their are some ground rules we must discuss before your ride tomorrow. Firstly, you must leave your home without a stitch of clothing; not even socks and shoes. Second, you must ride through town on bareback on your horse; that means no saddles! I understand that Chief Westley has allowed you to keep one of her police horses as a pet on your late mother's property, so you have no problem obtaining a horse.

I do hope that you accept. You'll be considered the most honorable citizen in town to have an award, a promotion, and our town's greatest honor all in the same day!

With best regards,

Mayor Elmyra Clayton

As Lauren reread the email several times over again, Rachel and Abby shared a knowing smirk with one another. The email was a fake, having been typed up by Rachel with a fake address.

The founder of the town was not a descendent of Lady Godiva. However, since Abby and Rachel knew that Lauren was still new and didn't (and wouldn't) bother to do any research on the town, they knew that Lauren wouldn't know that.

And most importantly of all, there was no such thing as "Lady Godiva Day".

All that was left to do for their little plan to work was wait for Lauren's response to see if she would accept her new "position"...