NationStates Jolt Archive

International News Program "The Scoop" opens with the usual twangy, self important music. The hostess of the show, Jenna Thompson, is shown sitting behind a desk.

JT: Good evening, and welcome to another edition of The Scoop-bringing you the dirt from the bottom of the barrel. Today's headline concerns a controversial issue. Viewer discretion is advised.

**The scene cuts to a scene of the slums in Fuego Rey's northernmost city, Crookback Gorge. Disheveled people linger in dripping alleys as scantily clad women strut along the damp sidewalks, accosted by many foreign looking men in suits that look completely out of place.**

JT: Sex tourism is nothing new to Fuego Rey or any other nation. The practice of using prostitution as a means of luring high rollers to hot spots is as old as tourism itself. Young girls with no education and no hope slink from trick to trick in soulless cities hoping to make enough to retire before age and VD's cripple them. However, there is a darker side to this story.

**Another scene cut-this one shows a very young looking, waif girl with huge green eyes staring meekly from behind a hulking Russian looking man who is discussing something animatedly with a chubby businessman, possibly a visitor from the Neo Terran Front or the Kingdom of the Crazy Crackheads.**

JT: Underaged prostitution is illegal according to international law and UN delegation. But some of these girls are as young as 16, 15 or even, in one reported case, 10 years old. Most were born into a life of prostitution from a very young age, their mothers themselves prostitutes. They do not exist on Fuego Rey's somewhat haphazard census and do not attend the meager public schooling the nation provides. These are the girls that fall through the cracks to become underage prostitutes.

**Fuego Rey's information minister, commonly acknowledged as the real ruler of the country, is shown sitting in his office at his computer.**

JT: I secured an interview with Fuego Rey's information minister to discuss this issue. However, the interview was less than productive. More on this next time on... "The Scoop"-bringing you the dirt from the bottom of the barrel.

OOC:Wonder if the mods will close this down.

Probably not, its serious enough

**The Scoop's next segment opens up with Jenna Thompson sitting in front of a picture of Crookback Gorge's red light district.**

JT: Good evening, and welcome again to the Scoop-bringing you the dirt from the bottom of the barrel. I was granted an interview with the secretive information minister of Fuego Rey-Chris By-The-Throat, to discuss the issue of sex tourism, and the use of underaged prostitutes, in the borders of his nation. Here's what he had to say.

**The image cuts to Jenna sitting across from Information Minister By-The-Throat, who is dressed in business casual clothing-khakhi jeans, black button down shirt, and gold tie. He pours Jenna and himself a bottle of cognac from his desk.**

CBTT: Begin when you're ready, Miss Thompson.

JT: Thank you, Mr. Minister. Now, for the first question: why is this prostitution allowed to happen?

CBTT: For several reasons, Miss Thompson. First of all, these poor women have no other options than prostitution. Unskilled labor is in fairly low demand here, and tourism is at an all time high now that the war with Jilhou has subsided. For them, it's either the streets, or starve. Secondly, remember that this is a new nation. We were formed less than thirty years ago, after the economic collapse of the Celestial Badger. We are still experiencing growing pains with our census and...other such areas.

JT: Very well. And were you aware of the practice of underage prostitutes in your country? Girls as young as 10 years old are turning tricks, Mr. Minister. What do you have to say to that?

CBTT: I'm aware of this unfortunate fact, Miss Thompson. As I said before-growing pains. This was primarily a region for smugglers and drug dealers before the coup during which Fuego Rey and I took over the country. There is a lot of counterculture still present in Fuego Rey. The Russian Mafia still maintains a strong presence here, and they engage in these sort of activities to fund their criminal enterprises. We are trying to stamp it out as best we can, but progress is slower than you might think.

JT: What about the rumors of your ties to the Russian Mafia, then? Most notably in the form of upper level hitman Daniel Leatherman.

CBTT: Daniel Leatherman is my close personal friend, and has been since we were neighbors in the Kingdom of the Crazy Crackheads. He has NO connection to the Russian Mob, and neither do I. Those rumors are an absurdity.

JT: Isn't he wanted in the Crazy Crackhead's kingdom?

CBTT: I'm afraid I don't know about that, madam.

JT: Very well then. One final question, then-is Dictator Rey aware of this situation?

CBTT: Dictator Rey is aware of this. I am sure I can speak for him when I say this despicable practice will be stamped out ASAP.

JT: Thank you for your time, Mr. Minister.

CBTT: You're quite welcome, Miss Thompson.

**The scene cuts back to the woman's desk.**

JT: But there is more than meets the eye here. Stay tuned for part III, where I go undercover to truly see the underside of Fuego Rey's sex trade. Only on The Scoop-bringing you dirt from the bottom of the barrel.

**The Following is from an Ad in some seedy fetish magazine.**

COME TO FUEGO REY!! Tired of your personal life being a stodgy, boring thing? Tired of your fat, unkinked, wife? Then come on out to the Crookback Gorge Personal Pleasure Resort!!! Hot, willing girls of *all ages* are there, waiting to fullfill your every need! Contact Bob at reservations@personalpleasure.fr.pv and make your reservation today!

OOC: For the record, I do NOT endorse the sex trade, sex tourism or pedophilia. I'm just making a storyline. So don't go flaming me.

**Jenna Thompson is shown sitting behind her desk once more, against a backdrop of Crookback Gorge's red light district.**

JT: Good evening, and welcome to the final part ouf our expose on Fuego Rey's underage sex trade. This was the most dangerous part of the report, where I went undercover in Crookback Gorge to seek underaged prostitutes. There is no stigma on homosexuality in Fuego Rey-over half of the population admits to 'experimenting' at least once-so I did not have any problems at all finding what I was looking for.

**The scene cuts to a scratchy hidden camera view, probably from Jenna's hat or the like, as she cruises through the streets. She is soon shown talking to another hulked out, Russian man, standing on a street corner.**

JT: Hi.

RM: Hello.

JT: I'm looking for girls, many girls. Do you have them?

RM: I have them, if you are willing to pay.

JT: (Voice Over) I was amazed at how easy it was. There was no adverse reaction from people who overheard me, and the man acted so casual for a moment I thought he was joking. But he ushered me into his car and we drove off towards, presumably, his place of business.

RM: What kind of girl would you like?

JT: A young one, very young.

**There is a moment of silence**

RM: How young, madam?

JT: Twelve, if possible.

**Again, there is silence.**

RM: That will be expensive.

Jenna: (Voice Over) Again, I was shocked at how easily it all went. The process of haggling came down to about a thousand dollars US. According to best estimates, the girl would get one hundred dollars of that. As we moved towards the hotel, I began asking about the police.

JT: Don't you have to worry about the police?

RM: The police are not interested.

JT: Why? Why aren't they interested?

RM: I don't know.

JT: You have to know, or you wouldn't be so confident. Why aren't they interested?

RM: Get out of my car. Get out!

**The scene cuts again, to the Scoop's main backdrop again. Jenna is shown sitting at her desk.**

JT: I was forced to leave at that point. I think the message here is clear-there is MUCH more underaged sex tourism than commonly believed in Fuego Rey, and the government is NOT doing anything about it. For the Scoop, this is Jenna Thompson.

Bump. Maybe it's lame but I put some work into this; i'd like to see a reply or two :P

(OOC I am impressed. I cannot comment on this, due to many reasons. But it is good to see that someone has actually put the time into concentrating on this kind if issue, and done so well. Congratulations, now someone roleplay with it! :D )

(OOC: Thank you, it's kind of my reaction against Uber-perfect nations with no social problems whose political actions consist soley of shooting other nations with nuclear weapons ;) )

**The Scoop Newsblip, posted on their website the day after the report aired**

In other news, today, famous international reporter, our very own Jenna Thompson, was found dead in her car yesterday morning, slumped over the steering wheel in her driveway with a single .22 round lodged in her brainstem. The murderer was not found, but police are mounting an investigation. Funeral services will be held next week, at the Loveheart Catholic Church, at 9:00 AM.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

**This information was leaked from the Information Ministry**

From the Desk of Fuego Rey's Information Minister Chris By-The-Throat

To: Henry Eshelman, Head of Secret Police
CC: Dictator Fuego Rey

Henry, I'm afraid there are problems afoot. Someone seems to be linking the prostitution here (see memo 5/28 for more info) with the illegal pornography in Sniper Country. I don't need to tell you that this is a bad thing. It is critical at this point that we don't arouse the ire of Sniper Country. Do what you can, but make an example out of whoever or whatever is illegally exporting pornography without our consent.

-C

In light of this revelation about the prostitution of Fuego Rey's youth, President James O'Hara of Bautista is outlining a policy on how to aid Fuego Rey in this problem.

Notes from the desk of James O'Hara

In order to aid Fuego Rey in her time of need, we will now be tracing and examining the passport records of all citizens who have left the country for more than two days in the past five years. Any citizens who have travelled to Fuego Rey are to have their backgrounds checked for any sex offenses. We will also send undercover agents to any sex offender's houses for questioning and interrogation. Any citizens who have engaged in any illegal actvities in Fuego Rey are to be arrested immediately and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

In order to properly execute such an operation, we will have to create and organize a homeland intelligence community. Any nations willing to aid in such a task are welcome to help.

President James H. O'Hara

OOC: Can anyone think of a good name for an intelligence agency (FBI is taken already, unfortunately)?

From the Desk of Chris By-The-Throat

To: President James O'Hara

President O'Hara, I would like to thank you for taking measures against this horrible crime. We lack the authority to prosecute citizens of other nations, or even jail them, for these sex crimes, which is why we have such a difficult time stamping it out. Therefore any efforts you make on our behalf would be appreciated. However, I'm afraid I cannot allow undercover agents in Fuego Rey's borders at this time. After the recent war, we are on a state of mild alert, and to admit agents would go against policy. Thank you.

OOC: Oh I meant undercover agents operating within my own nation (like how the Federal Bureau of Investigation deals primarilty with internal affairs). Sorry for the misunderstanding.

(OOC: My fault, I didn't read closely enough. Sorry :) )

That be fucking weird. But strangely exciting.

From a radio news report broadcast at 1:00 AM Saturday Morning

Good morning folks, this is Mateo Iñiguez with late breaking news.

Three arrests have been made in the pedophilia scandal involving Fuego Rey this evening. Carpenter Miguel Hernandez, accountant Thomas Maine and plantation overseer John Martinez were arrested around midnight in their homes after being positively linked with child-prostitution brothels operating within Fuego Rey. No casualties were reported and all three suspects surrendered without incident. More news at the 3:00 AM broadcast.

(( *Commonwealth News Agency, special broadcast* ))

ANCHOR #1: First Citizen Stuart Richards has elected to make a broadcast at this time concerning the prostitution situation in Fuego Rey.

ANCHOR #2: He's approaching the podium now, let's hear what he has to say.

F.C. RICHARDS: To the people and commonwealth of Revalia, the citizens of the world, and especially the citizens of Fuego Rey. There are situations in international politics when the people involved must act as people and not merely politicians. I believe that the prostitution crisis in Fuego Rey's northern districts is one of these situations.
Abused and ill-treated by the powerful, and with little or no economic alternatives, these unfortunate women are forced to find a living in the arms of lusty strangers. To sit by and do nothing while these abuses transpired would be shameful to Revalia, and to the nation as a whole.
It's not like we have to do much, even-opening free trade between our nations would spur investment in your nation, giving safer work alternatives to the women in your nation and injecting tax dollars into your police force. It will also build a bond between our nations, as we help each other survive and thrive in the modern age.
Also, there are some legislative steps that our nation has found useful in aiding those employed in the oldest occupation of the world. Illegalization of prostitution merely serves to drive the industry underground and fund the criminal element of society. When Revalia legalized the industry, the prosecution of pimps and thugs became easier, and the prostitutes could ply their trades without fear. Police could be used in other areas as crime declined, and the money that Revalia's prostitution industry brought in from abroad helped fund several more legitimate enterprises. Perhaps the same model could work for Fuego Rey.
In any case, Revalia extends an arm of friendship and aid to the beleaguered women of Fuego Rey, and indeed to all its other citizens as well.

**The Scoop's newest anchor is a slightly neurotic woman named Jessica Liscow, and the show opens up with her sitting there shuffling papers and looking from side to side.**

JL: Hello, and welcome to the Scoop-bringing you the news from the bottom of the barrel. Today's top story is that, in response to our story, Fuego Rey's reclusive Information Minister has decided to make a statement to the press. We now go live to the press room for an update.

**The scene cuts to Information Minister By-The-Throat, in full Fuego Rey military attire-black BDU's and a black sleeveless shirt, emblazoned with the hatchet-and-quill of the Fuego Rey Information Police.**

CBTT: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the press. We have been fortunate here in Fuego Rey recently, with the aid of several nations having been offered to the unfortunate incidence of child prostitution and sex tourism in this nation. Some are cracking down on their citizens who exploit this deplorable practice, and we applaud this. Others have offered other sorts of aid. I would first and foremost like to offer these nations my deepest thanks in cleaning up this mess.

**The minister points to a lackey, who begins a slight showing the Fuego Rey's demographic report. An interesting factoid: a shocking 20% of prostitutes are of Fuego Rey's most visible minority, the swamp dwelling native peoples. They are of several tribes, the Chinlaw and the Psinta most notably, but are all rather derogatorily called 'swampers' by the populace**

CBTT: We have several solutions of our own to this pressing problem that we would like to institute. First off, we have placed several programs in place for prostitutes, work release programs designed to give them marketable job skills which are lacking in the underclasses here. Secondly, we are raising the minimum wage, so that it is possible to support a family even with the jobs that these prostitutes will get. Thirdly, we are taking action against those institutions that specifically advertise underaged prostitutes in foreign countries.

**The information minister pauses, and bows his head.**

CBTT: This will be the most controversial measure. However, we are requesting from nations the right to detain-not to prosecute, not to punish-those citizens of theirs caught engaging in the sex trade here. They will be deported to their own countries as quickly as possible; however, at this time we are diplomatically powerless to detain foreigners.

**He points suddenly to another point on the graph.**

CBTT: As you can see here, most of Fuego Rey's sex trade is not domestic. This is why it is heaviest around Crookback Gorge and Lolita Point, which are our northernmost cities-these are the areas which see the heaviest tourism. Our sociologists estimate anywhere from 60 to 85 percent of all prostitution is to those not native to Fuego Rey. Therefore, we feel this final measure is necessary if we are going to eradicate the child sex trade in our nation.

**A picture of Jenna Thompson appears on the screen**

CBTT: On a final note, we would like to formally extend our condolences to the family of Jenna Thompson, and we can only hope that our attempts to find her murderer will bring solace to her grief stricken family.

From a brief announcement to Fuego Rey broadcast on the radio

The Government of Christiania (formerly known as Bautista) regrets to inform you that due to internal problems in our own nation due to economic and political changes, Operation Nightowl will be suspended for the time being. However, we will transfer all detained prisoners onto your soil so that you may put them on trial as you see fit. Thank you.

President James H. O'Hara

Revalia recognizes the right of the Fuego Rey government to detain our nationals in the process of deportation in the event that they break Fuegan law. Likewise, we ask for the same rights in return for your nationals.

***All Neo Terran Front television channels instantly snap to the royal palace of Emperor Beavis where the emperor is about to address the nation***

In light of recent events within the borders of The Rogue Nation of Fuego Rey, I have signed the following articles into law in order to help fight prostitutution in the region of Xanadu.

Article 1: Any and all NTF citizens caught breaking Fuego Rey policies will be sentenced to a minimum of fifteen years in prison and be fined 125,000 credits per offense. Also, those breaking Fuego Rey policies will be required to serve a minimum of forty-five hours of community service in the nation of Fuego Rey. If the people of Fuego Rey do not wish for the criminal to serve the service, another location shall be found.

Article 2: Any citizen of the NTF who is found guilty of making child pornography will be publicly executed and their families forced to enter "re-education programs." Executions will be held in the capital city at the Justice Square. Re-education centers are already being built and will re-educate not only NTF citizens, but is also open to foreigners in need.

The NTF has always maintained friendly relations with Fuego Rey. Our relationship with that nation strengthend further when we fought the terrorist forces of the now defunct Jlihou Regime. I say to Chris-By-The-Throat, you can count on our support.

More articles are likely to be signed into law as the struggle to fight this wave of disgust continues. Your emperor asks that each and every one of you prays for those suffering in the nation of Fuego Rey during these perilous times. We must work together if we are to prevail against the darkness.

***transmission ends***

OOC: Hmm, are you still after acronyms for your secret police people? How about the Bureau of Internal Investigation? The Fuegan Intelligence Bureau?

OOC: Very original. Humm. Must find a sick and twisted pervert to send.