Show up for the class as planned

Nate arrived - nervous but ready – a half-hour early for the in-class demonstration. He’d grit his teeth and get through whatever embarrassing questions Professor Walford had up her sleeve.

First he noticed that the motorized movie screen housed in a long metal cylinder above the stage was unspooled. This, presumably, was a makeshift privacy screen. A chalkboard had been wheeled onto the stage as well.

Nate winced when he saw the arrival of the other volunteers. First he saw Randy, a ruddy, strapping jock from the baseball team and all-around asshole standing stoically, arms folded, at the far end of the stage. Then – oh no – it was Denny. This pasty, hapless runt latched onto Nate whenever he saw him, always brimming with flattery and admiration for Nate’s many achievements.

“Oh, oh, Nathaniel! I am so happy – proud even – to be able to undertake this project with someone of your academic standing.”

“Sure, sure, Denny. I’m just giving the professor a hand, that’s all. Nice of you to volunteer as well.”

“I’m always happy to help. But honestly I’m only here because Professor Walford said you’d also volunteered. I couldn’t pass up the chance.”

“Errr. Okay. Well, it’s great to see you Denny. Let’s see if Professor Walford’s arrived, shall we?”

Nate looked at his watch. Where was she? After a few more minutes of awkward conversation with Denny, she finally walked in.

“Ah boys, thank you for your timely attendance. And sorry I’m running late. I’ll dispense with formalities and get right to it.”

She briskly walked backstage and returned bearing three bath towels.

“As you know from the outline, my intent is to explore preconceptions about male sexuality. To that end, I’ve chosen three ‘types’ if you will. Randolph, the handsome, muscular jock, Nathaniel, the tall, lanky nerd, and Dennis, the short, slight elf.”

Nate raised his hand. “Before we begin, may I ask a question?”

“Certainly.”

“When we respond to questions from the class, would it be possible to write our answers down so they don’t recognize our voices?”

“Oh well... that won’t be a concern. I don’t anticipate you answering any questions, at least not verbally.”

“Then how will they learn from us.”

“Don’t you get it, dude,” Randy interrupted, gruffly.

“Please be charitable with Nathaniel. I hadn’t worked up the full outline when Nathaniel and I spoke about this. I assumed a lad as bright as him would have figured it out, but so be it.”

She thrust a towel to each of them in turn. Randy and Denny each grabbed it like it was nothing unusual. Nate reluctantly took one as well.

“You have nothing to worry about. No one will see your face.”

“But- but-“

“But for the class to be a success, the students must have the opportunity to observe your bodies. Your entire bodies.”

Nate’s eyes widened and his face paled. “Professor, I didn’t agree to this. There’s no way I could ever....”

She leaned in and whispered: “That is entirely your choice. But be warned I have a packet prepared detailing your plagiarism offense. I can send it off to the dean at a moment’s notice.”

He was going to be sick. This could not be happening. He shook his head dumbly at Professor Walford.

“Clock is ticking.”

“No one... no one will....”

“No one will know, Nathaniel. And the three of you will be under strict instructions, under pain of severe discipline, not to reveal the identities of the others who participated today.”

He tried to think rationally about this. It would be a terrible, but brief, humiliation. Then his life would proceed. The plagiarism charges, on the other hand, would be devastating and would follow him forever.

Nate nodded blankly.

“Now, the three of you, go behind the screen and disrobe. You may use the towel for modesty purposes – for now. When I say it is time, you will remove those as well. ”

Leaving only his glasses on, Nate began to undress. He hurriedly pulled his shirt over his head and kicked off his sneakers. Then he pulled off his socks and slid his jeans down. As he stepped out of them, he saw Randy and Denny, who stood on either side of him, were both turned away from him. At least they were as sheepish about exposing themselves as he was. He only got a brief glimpse of Randy’s muscular ass as he dropped his briefs.

Then, lightning fast, Nate slipped off his own boxers and wrapped the towel securely around his waist. With all three now in towels, Randy stared straight ahead. Meanwhile Nate and Denny looked uneasily at one another.

“It’ll be ok, Nate,” Denny squeaked. “It’ll be over before we know it.”

“Heh, not sure why you agreed to do this, squirt,” Randy needled Denny. “You don’t have much to show off.”

Nate folded his own arms self-consciously. But he supposed that, even if he lacked the jock’s ripped torso, with his decently toned body he wasn’t half-bad for a slim dude, especially compared to smooth, soft little Denny.

But then again, he still had his towel on.

Without warning, some stage lights clicked on. Behind them Professor Walford whisked away their discarded clothing and tossed it offstage somewhere.

Nate could not see her but could hear Professor Walford’s feet clicking along the floor toward the chalkboard.

“Students,” her voice echoed through the large room. Nate could hear an excited murmur from the seats of the auditorium. “Here are our subjects.” A whirring sound filled the air as the screen began to rise.