10TV FICTION CLASSICS

SANDY THOMAS ADV. The Freshie Queen competition was one of the few highlights of Mr. Carlson's school year. As principal, he was not only a judge, but a close advisor to the contestants. As a bachelor who was getting over the hill, the attention of his Freshie Queens was always a treat. Now, SHE was trying to end that! Women were supposed to be soft, delicate, and feminine. Now, that woman and her militant cronies were formally challenging the young girl's right to express those qualities!

Carlson settled back into his chair and closed his eyes deep in thought. A few moments later, he alertly sat up and smiled. Obviously, he had thought of something that amused him. Grabbing the phone, he called his friend the mayor. He was about to launch an all out counterattack! By the time the afternoon was over, in addition to the mayor, he had garnered the support of the City Council, the Commerce Club, as well as many of town business women who were opposed to new SAWOFF attitude.

For example, Dominique Laurent a former state beauty queen and 1979 Central High Freshie Queen was appalled at the assault being made on such a "sacred event" as the Freshie Queen competition. As one of the Freshie Queen judges and owner of Chez Laurent, the town's high class beauty salon, she instantly committed to help Carlson in any way possible.

Another who pledged her full support was Helene Schuwel, a former Miss America contestant, fashion model, Freshie Queen, and also a judge in the competition for the school's loveliest. She was the proprietress of Classique Boutique, the town's exclusive fashion franchise, and she felt the SAWOFF members had gone too far this time. Besides, she knew that if young girls stopped wearing beautiful styles, her sales would hit rock bottom!

The laser printer hummed in Bob Carlson's study late on Sunday night, and he eagerly picked up first page as quickly as it came out. To his amusement, it read: "FRESHIË QUEEN CONTESTANT PACKAGE" with a subheading, "RULES OF CONDUCT FOR PARTICIPATION." The page had many numbered paragraphs, and Carlson couldn't suppress a laugh as he read it silently to himself. The second page was titled: "SPECIAL JUDGING EVENTS."

BLONDE & BLONDER-11 Placing the two documents in his briefcase he thought to himself, "Here Joanne baby! Put this in your jock strap and see if you can take the heat!" Setting his now loaded briefcase aside, Carlson realized that he was very tired. He couldn't remember working so hard on a weekend since he was studying for final exams in college. However, this time he knew that he had "aced" the situation. He fell asleep wishing he could see the expression on that woman's face when her son gave her the Freshie Queen contestant's package.

Chapter Three

After their last period teachers received a note that directed the six Freshie Queen candidates to report to the principal's office after school. Needless to say, the boy's teachers were taken aback when they read, "The following Freshie Queen nominees are to report to the office at 3:30. The names followed.

Paul's teacher took him aside and asked if there had been some kind of mistake, and she almost dropped her teeth when he answered, "No, that's not a mistake. A few boys are entering the contest this year." From what his mother had told him about the plan, Paul figured his mission was nearly accomplished and that they were being summoned to the office to be told that the Freshie Queen contest was being canceled.

Sam and Evan also had similar thoughts when they heard the news. So, imagine their surprise when they were greeted by a smiling Mr. Carlson.

The three girls were dumbfounded to learn that boys would be competing to say the least. "What is this, some kind of stupid joke?" one of them asked.

"No, no joke," Evan answered with a smile. "We are students at Central, and we have the same right to enter the contest as you girls, don't we?"

"Absolutely Evan!" Mr. Carlson asserted before any of the girls could respond. "The law says that all of us are equal regardless of sex, and this school administration has no intention of discriminating against you on that account. In fact, I'm very pleased that we have a balanced representation for the first time in the history of the Freshie Queen Contest.'