Undressing feminism (literally)

Ellie's determination lasts a few paragraphs after the first bookmark. She could **** herself to go on reading this nonsense under different circumstances, but not here. Not crouching on the uncomfortable chair in front of an audience that greeted every falsehood she read out as deep wisdom coming from herself. The fact they knew her actual attitude made it worse, not better. If she could, she would lose the 5000 credits now... But that was ruled out by the host in no uncertain terms. Still, she had a way out. And yes, it meant throwing another bone to the dogs in the audience, but at least she would be doing it on her own accord.

Ellie realises she stopped reading and the pause was becoming increasingly tense, although some sounds she could hear from the audience indicated clearly enough her absent look can amuse. Firmly, but not too aggressively, she shuts the book. "I'll take the way out", the young woman tells the host, who hides the satisfied smirk, if only just. The assistant/maid/eye candy retrieves the book, quite deliberately making a meal of it, letting Ellie stew in the expectation of imminent shame.

And stew in it she does, both wanting to get the inevitable over with and to delay the moment. She gets the worst of both worlds, of course, as the delay is barely a minute, but the minute is very long for Ellie. Her fingers play nervously with the side of the skirt that she is about to lose; twice she forces herself to stop betraying her fear and each time she starts again moments later. She has shifted her other hand to at least partially cover her bra, although she is too embarrassed to make it more obvious.

Finally the host nods again. "Proceed with your part of the task then, please", he instructs. "Shame, really. We are all enjoying the read". Ignoring (or at least trying her best to) the laughter in the audience, Ellie gets to her feet. One of her hands in more obviously in front of her breasts now, while the other fumbles with the skirt fastenings. Finally, long and awkward moments later the garment is open. Slowly and carefully, trying to move her legs as little as she can, Ellie lowers her skirt and steps out of it.

The host silently congratulates himself on guessing correctly that the panties would be matching the bra and clearly the very best a girl like Ellie (a scholarship student working part-time) is likely to be able to afford. Still, she very obviously would rather not be showing them off. "C-can I go then?", Ellie asks, still holding onto her skirt, although with the audience sitting in a wide semicircle and the cameras enjoying a 360 degrees view of her body any protection to her modesty that it might offer is partial at best.

"Almost", the host replies, confident as he is that she is going nowhere. "You still need to put your skirt down please, and resume your seat to listen to the next challenge, which you can then decline. I have to say, a higher education student like you... Your closed-mindedness is concerning. You were asked to read a piece that states a different opinion, that is all. Instead you would rather strip in front of all of us. Proceed."

Ellie opens her mouth to reply... But says nothing. Glaring at the host, she turns to the side to throw her skirt to join the jumper and then resumes her seat. She still looks like she wants to say something, though, and in her agitation she even seems less concerned with her privacy; at least, she is no longer using her hands to cover her underwear. She finally looks like she has come up with a reply, but the host speaks first again.

"The next and possibly the final challenge..."