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 ï>¿Baring the False Witness by Executionus

   My name is Sarah Sharpe...and my only crime is being female.  In this
place, in this school, that crime carries harsh punishments when the
headmaster is involved.

   Deacon Stoughton is the fearsome headmaster of Calvary Baptist High
School for Boys, an Evangelical establishment that teaches most of the more
affluent young men in our small town.  He is stoic and cold, deep voiced,
devoid of joy but full of judgement.  Some compare him to Claude Frollo or
Snape.  Last year, the school was successfully sued for gender
discrimination, paving the way for me to be its first (and thus-far only)
girl student.  I thought this would give me a leg up heading into college,
but Mr Stoughton often made it clear how displeased he was about a girl
"defiling" these sacred grounds and their long history.

   Today the entire 65 student roster was gathered in the courtyard for his
shocking announcement.

   "Gentlemen, we have gathered here now because of a heinous action."
Stoughton proclaimed.  "This was a crime against both this establishment
and even the Lord Himself.  Our fundraiser cash, totaling over $10,000, was
stolen yesterday evening.  The culprit is standing here among us, touched
of Mammon's Greed yet devoid of remorse.  Miss Sharpe, will you confess
your crime before your peers and the Lord, or will you dabble again in the
deceit of Belial the Serpent?"

   I gasped "Me?  I didn't steal anything!  I swear it"

   He rolled his eyes "Path of the Serpent, what a surprise.  You should
know that despite your carefulness, our security camera caught glimpses of
long hair and skirted uniform.  As the sole owner of both, your guilt was
beyond doubt.  Now where have you stashed our funds?"

   I shook my head pitifully "That's impossible!  Please sir, I would never
steal.  Never.  It had to be somebody else"

   Stoughton pointed "There!  You attempt the wiles of Eve, your accursed
ancestor.  She who trusted the Serpent over the Lord and then used her
feminine wiles to corrupt He of the Red Clay, her husband Adam.  All of
humanity pays the cost for her choice."

   Trembling, I got on my knees to beg "Please sir.  I swear my innocence."

   Raising his voice, Stoughton replied "Absurd! ...However shall I compel
you to confess and return what was taken?  Hmmmm.  To speak of Eve, she is
known to have brought shame to humanity...both figuratively and literally.
Shame even of our sacred bodies.  While we men experience this shame for
Adam's foolishness, it is woman who feels it tenfold for Eve's sin of
tricking her husband.  Since you feel no shame in your crime, perhaps the
shame of the flesh will compel honesty out of you."

   My eyes went wide "What?"

   He smiled, a rare feat "Just this once, perhaps we shall 'bare' a false
witness.  I'm sure your classmates will appreciate your exhibition, though
I demand all of you to keep sin from your thoughts as your eyes sample all
of her forbidden treasures.  Sarah, will you now confess?"

   I looked around, terrified.  Deacon Stoughton did not bluff or make idle
threats.  The 64 boys were all staring at me in stunned silence, sinful
thoughts written in all of their eyes.  I can't believe this is happening.
I never go uncovered, and even my bathing suit is a conservative tankini.
Taking my clothes off in front of them would be my worst nightmare.  If I
was guilty I would confess in a heartbeat.  But...I'm innocent.  I don't
have $10,000 and can't give it to him.  Trying to lie would only make
things worse, even if "worse" seems impossible.

   Shaking uncontrollably, I whimpered "No!  I didn't steal anything!  Sir,
don't make me take any clothes off in front of the boys.  That is improper!
I am modest and shy, I could never been seen like that before marriage. 
Please, I'm begging you...show mercy"

   His face dropped "Impossible.  Even that didn't elicit the truth?  Or do
you imagine me a liar?  Remove your shoes and I shall ask again for the
truth.  Every time you lie, another clothing item shall be forfeit, until
you stand before us bare as Eve herself."

   I was ready to cry even before taking anything off.  I've never been
more scared in my life.  I prayed for mercy or a savior, anything to
preserve my modesty.  The boys practically drooled with anticipation.  I
was about to be naked in front of all of them.  And what horrible
punishments would he order when I ran out of clothes?

   We never learned until many days later that the true thief was a boy
student wearing a wig and a stolen spare girls uniform to pin the blame on
me.  By the time we found out, it was far too late to save me.