College Experience
Part 1
Once upon a time in the vibrant coastal city of Santa Barbara, there lived a young man named Jake. At eighteen years old, he was filled with excitement and a zest for life. Jake was a freshman attending a Christian university, eager to carve his own path in the world.
Like many freshmen, Jake resided in the dorms with a group of fellow students. It was an experience filled with new friendships, late-night conversations, and the occasional roommate disagreement. Despite the challenges, Jake valued the tight-knit community he had found in his living situation.
One day, in the midst of his busy academic schedule, Jake discovered an opportunity to gain extra credit by volunteering at an event called the "Roman Experience." This event aimed to recreate various aspects of Roman life, providing an immersive experience for both students and visitors alike. Intrigued by the chance to learn more about history while earning valuable extra credit, Jake saw it as a golden opportunity that he simply couldn't pass up.
Excitedly, Jake signed up for the event without further questioning. However, due to his tendency to procrastinate, he soon found out that all the positions were already filled. Disappointed yet determined, Jake remained hopeful and continued his studies.
To his surprise, a few days later, Jake received an unexpected call from the organizers of the event. They informed him that a position had unexpectedly opened up and that he was the first person they thought of to fill it. Thrilled by this stroke of luck, Jake eagerly accepted the offer without bothering to ask what the role entailed.
The next morning, Jake arrived at the assigned destination promptly at 10 am, ready to take on his newly assigned role. As he stepped through the door, he was greeted by two other male students and a female student, all dressed as Roman soldiers. One of them, tossing a white rag his way, instructed him to put it on.
Curious, Jake questioned the purpose of the rag, to which the student replied casually, "It's a loincloth, my friend. You'll be playing the role of a slave, condemned to Crucifixion."
The words hit Jake like a bolt of lightning. He had never anticipated such a shocking revelation. The realization that he was to portray a slave condemned to crucifixion left him speechless and overwhelmed. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.
Amidst the mix of emotions surging through him, Jake took a deep breath and reminded himself of his desperate need for extra credit. Despite the unexpectedness of the role, he steeled himself and resolved to make the most out of the opportunity.
Jake stood frozen, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. The director, accompanied by the two other volunteers, entered the facility, carrying a crossbeam called the patibulum. Its design revealed the sinister purpose it served, with a hole in the middle to easily attach it to the vertical post, the stipe. The director assured Jake that they knew what they were doing, recounting their practice on a previous volunteer who had backed out just the day before. "You have to trust them," he said, trying to comfort Jake.
Disbelief washed over Jake as he struggled to process the reality unfolding before him. As he glanced around nervously, he couldn't help but feel self-conscious about his appearance. Jake had always been a bit hairier than others, with a beard that adorned his face. His physique was slim and devoid of bulging muscles, although his legs boasted the strength gained from his passion for running.
His unease intensified as the female student, Alicia, approached him. She glanced at him with a hint of pity in her eyes. "You'll make a good spectacle today," she remarked, her voice filled with a mix of empathy and resignation.
The weight of the situation sank deeper within Jake's core. He hesitantly reached for the rag, questioning his every move. Alicia, sensing his uncertainty, gently instructed him to undress, explaining that for the role he would not need his regular clothes. Slowly, Jake began removing his green t-shirt and shorts, revealing his blue boxers as his last remaining garment.
His mind whirled with a tornado of emotions: confusion, concern, and a tinge of vulnerability. Questions flooded his thoughts, his sense of self teetering on the edge. In that moment, Jake wondered how he had found himself in this extraordinary, and somewhat harrowing, circumstance.
Jake's heart pounded in his chest as Alicia gently took the loincloth from his trembling hands. With kindness and expertise, she guided him through the process of tying it securely around his hips, ensuring the cloth covered his private parts. Grateful for her guidance, Jake felt a fleeting sense of vulnerability and self-consciousness, standing in his loincloth.
Alicia, aware of the need for privacy and preparation, directed Jake to go behind the curtains. With hesitant steps, he made his way, feeling the weight of all eyes upon him. As he undressed, removing his blue boxers, he couldn't help but feel a wave of apprehension washing over him. Tying the loincloth around his hips, a heavy symbol of the role he had unwittingly walked into, Jake emerged from behind the curtain naked, his vulnerability on display.
Time seemed to freeze as everyone in the room turned their attention toward Jake. Their gaze held a mix of realization and understanding. They all knew what was about to unfold, and the weight of that knowledge suffused the air. Ethan, the student assigned the role of the Roman soldier, radiated enthusiasm, his well-built and muscular physique poised to perform his assigned duties. There was a glint of excitement in his eyes as he tightly gripped the whip, eagerly anticipating the enactment of the scene. On the other hand, Zack, the other soldier, appeared to possess a softer disposition, harboring a hint of compassion that mingled with his readiness to fulfill his role.
Amidst the silence, Jake stood, bare and vulnerable, momentarily feeling exposed not only physically but also emotionally. The weight of what lay ahead began to settle upon him, urging him to question his decisions and confront his fears. It was in this daunting moment that Jake would face a challenge unlike any he had encountered before.
The director's urgent command filled the room, interrupting the tense atmosphere. Chaos ensued as everyone rushed into action. Zack and Ethan swiftly grabbed the heavy crossbeam, positioning it on Jake's shoulders. With each movement, the weight of the patibulum pressed down on him, eliciting a discomfort that mirrored the weight of the impending role.
Jake found himself on his knees, his hands tightly bound to the crossbeam with a thick rope. Alicia stepped forward, holding an old wooden sign adorned with a rope. She placed it around his neck, ensuring that the crude message was visible to all who would witness their enactment. The weight of the sign, both physically and symbolically, amplified Jake's understanding of the severity of the situation.
As Alicia firmly grasped the spikes and mallet, she proceeded to walk toward the door. Her voice resounded with a mix of authority and solemnity as she announced, "Here comes the runaway slave, condemned to Crucifixion." The words seemed to hang heavily in the air, intensifying the gravity of the performance that was about to unfold.
With Zack and Ethan orchestrating the motion, they hoisted Jake upright, pressing the patibulum against his shoulders. The sun's rays pierced through the entrance, greeting Jake as he stepped outside. A mix of apprehension and determination coursed through his veins as he found himself face to face with the reality of the role he had volunteered for.