It cements Mackenzie's fate

"Mackenzie! Mackenzie!" the reporter shouted at her , trying to get her attention, "Did you crash into the governor's motorcade on purpose?"

Mackenzie stopped at the woman's outstretched microphone and prepared to answer a few of her questions.

"Y-yes. It's true." the topless woman said, surrounded by flashing lights and video cameras. "I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt, I just wanted to get the governor's attention."

"Well, you've certainly succeeded!" the reporter said enthusiastically, "In fact, I'd say you've got the whole country's attention! You must be thrilled."

"Uh, yeah... thrilled..." Mackenzie said, trying her best not to seem embarrassed as the camera blatantly zoomed in on her exposed breasts.

"So, are you officially protesting in the name of the Free the Nipple movement?"

Mackenzie had been dreading this. But still, based on everything she'd heard she had little choice but to play along if she wanted to stay out of jail. "I am." she said, "It's well past time that women be allowed to be in public topless just like men."

"Many agree with that position, but still you're a very brave woman for actually going through with all this. I'd be so embarrassed in your position! How do you handle knowing that millions of people will be seeing you topless in the near future?"

"I... uh..." Mackenzie nervously glanced around before saying the only thing she could think of. "I guess we all do what we feel we have to."

"Well said, well said." replied the reporter, "Just one more question: People are saying you'll be remaining topless in protest until the state government passes a law guaranteeing equal public decency rights for men and women. Is that true?"

"I, uh, can't quite make that guarantee." Mackenzie said. She'd accepted that she'd have to remain topless until the media attention died down, but what the reporter proposed was ridiculous! Knowing the government, that could take years! Or never even happen! "But I'll still be protesting without a top for the foreseeable future."

The reporter looked surprised for a moment, but quickly recovered and said, "That's very admirable of you. Well, thank you for your time and we're all wishing you a speedy recovery!"

"Thank you." Mackenzie said as she let her assistant guide her away from the crowd and into her car.

"I think that went pretty well!" the bubbly girl said, "Y'know, considering everything. Oh! I'm Kelsey, by the way." she said, outstretching her hand towards Mackenzie.

Mackenzie glanced down at the hand, both her arms still in slings. It took a few seconds of silence before Kelsey realized her mistake. "Oh! Right, sorry about that. Anyway, let's get you home and away from the cameras."

"Yes, please." Mackenzie said. Kelsey drove her home and walked her inside, also bringing a bag of her own belongings.

Kelsey got Mackenzie settled in her living room in front of the TV and made a quick dinner for the helpless woman. As Mackenzie was getting used to someone needing to feed her dinner bite by bite, the reporter from earlier appeared onscreen.

"Earlier this evening I was able to get an exclusive interview with the notorious protester. Here's that interview."

Mackenzie was treated to a front and center view of her uncovered chest as the familiar footage played. Everything went as Mackenzie remembered until the reporter's last question.

'People are saying you'll be remaining topless in protest until the state government passes a law guaranteeing equal public decency rights for men and women. Is that true?'

To Mackenzie's surprise, her response was utterly different!

'It's true. I'll still be protesting without a top for the foreseeable future.'

"WHAT?!?" Mackenzie roared. "I didn't say that!"

'That's very admirable of you. Well, thank you for your time and we're all wishing you a speedy recovery!' the reporter finished as Mackenzie walked off screen. 'Well, there you have it, it looks like Mackenzie here is going to be protesting for as long as it takes to free the nipple!'

"That bitch altered my answer!" Mackenzie screamed, "What the hell am I supposed to do now?!"

"I hate to say it, Mackenzie," Kelsey said, "But I think you're officially screwed. Now you're on record saying you'll be protesting topless as long as it takes. If you rescind the statement, people might think you're chickening out altogether..."

Mackenzie sank back into her chair, getting a dreadful feeling that she wasn't going to be able to wear anything over her breasts for a long time...